Scout Picks

Gameweek 9 Scout Picks built on Chelsea and Everton attacking double-ups

Attacking double-ups for Chelsea and Everton form the spine of the Gameweek 9 Scout Picks XI.

They face Newcastle and Fulham respectively in two of the most favourable fixtures this weekend.

As ever, we have chosen our team from DavidNealeTom and Andy‘s Scout Squad submissions, released earlier this week.

We line up in the traditional 3-4-3 formation, coming in bang-on our budget of £83.0m.

Goalkeeper

Vicente Guaita (£5.0m) gets his first Scout Picks appearance of the campaign ahead of a Monday-night trip to Turf Moor. Will it prove to be his happy place? Well, Burnley remain this season’s lowest scorers after eight Gameweeks and, over the last four, are bottom of the league for shots on target (eight).

Defenders

During that same period, no club has registered fewer total attempts on goal than Newcastle (27), boosting Chelsea’s clean sheet chances in Gameweek 9. The Blues themselves have secured shut-outs in three of their last five while no Premier League defender can match Ben Chilwell (£6.0m) for key passes since Gameweek 5.

No team has conceded fewer big chances in the last four matches than Manchester United, which is why we’ve chosen Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.4m) for the Gameweek 9 Scout Picks. He stands in for Harry Maguire, who we initially chose but had to replace due to an injury doubt. Either way, Wan-Bissaka still stands to benefit from United’s improved defence and the fact that West Bromwich Albion are bottom of the league for big chances of their own since Gameweek 5.

Aaron Cresswell (£5.1m) went close to match Chilwell’s creativity output over the last four matches, registering just one fewer key pass than his Chelsea counterpart. A role in corners and free-kicks for West Ham is good news considering upcoming opponents Sheffield United have given up the most chances from set-plays and the second-most headed attempts since Gameweek 5.

Midfielders

Naturally, the Gameweek 9 captain poll winner Bruno Fernandes (£10.6m) makes it into the Scout Picks for a home match against West Bromwich Albion. Since Gameweek 2, no midfielder created more chances than Manchester United’s key man and he remains a persistent shooter, registering the third-highest number of shots over the same period.

Hakim Ziyech (£8.2m) has made a blistering start to life in the Premier League. In just two starts he already has four goal involvements, three of those assists. That output has looked sustainable too, considering that, in the last four matches, Ziyech is joint-top of the league for big chances created – and he’s only started two in that period. Meanwhile, he faces a Newcastle side in Gameweek 9 that has conceded the third-highest number of chances from set pieces in 2020/21.

James Rodríguez (£7.9m) could be back with a bang in Gameweek 9 as he faces a Fulham defence that has conceded at least twice in three of their four home matches this season. Crucially, no team has given up more headed attempts than them since Gameweek 5, perfect for Everton’s corner and free-kick taker.

Only Son Heung-min and Mohamed Salah have more points among midfielders than Jack Grealish (£7.5m) this season and we expect him to continue his impressive form against Brighton. The Seagulls’ possession-based style means they don’t give up many chances, but their susceptibility to the counter-attack means they still only have two clean sheets from a possible eight this season. Meanwhile, Grealish has created the joint-highest number of big chances in the last four matches and is joint-third for big chances of his own.

Forwards

Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) could benefit from Liverpool’s defensive shortages in Gameweek 9. The Reds are missing key personnel at the back right now while Leicester’s main man is joint-top of the league for big chances in the last four matches. On top of that, only two players have registered more shots on target than Vardy in that time.

Timo Werner (£9.4m) is really starting to find his feet at Chelsea. In the last four matches, just two players have boasted superior xG non penalty figures than the German international, who has recently secured spot-kick duty anyway. He faces a Newcastle side that has averaged two goals conceded per match since Gameweek 5 and who have given up more chances down their right-hand side than any other Premier League club in that time, 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.8m) could have an enjoyable Gameweek 9 meeting with Fulham’s defence, which looks tailor-made to suffer at his hands. as already mentioned, the Cottagers have conceded the joint-most number of headed attempts in the last four matches, while the majority of Calvert-Lewin’s shots this season have come from the air.

Substitutes

Selected by three of our Scout Squad pundits for Gameweek 9, top-scoring FPL goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (£4.8m) takes a place on the bench.

Matt Targett (£4.5m) is a cheaper alternative route into the Aston Villa back-line. None of his defensive colleagues has matched his five key passes over the last four matches.

Vladimir Coufal (£4.5m) is another way to invest in West Ham’s defence for a trip to Sheffield United. He is second-only to Cresswell for crosses among all Hammers players over the last four matches.

Diogo Jota (£6.5m) looks more nailed-on to start than ever with Salah absent from Liverpool’s Gameweek 9 plans. The former Wolves man has found the net in each of his last three Premier League matches at Anfield.

THE CAPTAIN

Who are the best captain options for FPL Gameweek 36+?

We choose the Scout Picks captain using a four-way vote between our Scout Squad pundits.

Because the use of Fantasy Football Scout data is used so heavily in this process, the skipper we choose each Gameweek is known only to those with a valid Fantasy Football Scout subscription and revealed to the public only when the deadline has passed.

Here’s how we voted for Gameweek 9:

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Each week, one of the Fantasy Football Scout community takes on the Scout Picks by pitting their chosen XI against ours.

The Community Member who beats our team by the largest margin will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Moderators and Contributors League for the following season.

THFC4LIFE managed 62 points for the Community Champions in Gameweek 8 but the Scout Picks went 6-2 up for the season with a healthy score of 78.

claretparrot takes us on for Gameweek 9, opting for a 3-5-2 line-up of Guaita; Zouma, Cresswell, Wan-Bissaka; B Fernandes (vc), Rashford, Grealish, Richarlison, Ziyech; Calvert-Lewin (c), Vardy.

AA33 is the current leader, defeating the Scout Picks by a 53-point margin in Gameweek 2.

3,825 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on this -4?
    Salah and Son to KDB and Ziyech?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Common enough move

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You need KDB v Tot?

    3. boroie
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I wouldnt

    4. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No

    5. Plant Based FPLer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Newcastle 1 - 0 Chelsea

      Tottenham 19 - 1 Man City

      1. HashAttack
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        So long as it's Bale and Rodon doing all the damage

  2. OLLY G
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    (A) Telles

    (B) PVA

    Thanks.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A and live loose

    2. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

    3. boroie
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B. Palace Burnley has 0-0 written all over it.

    4. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If i do me, i do A

    5. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Want both this week - PVA because you know what your getting, I haven't seen Telles play yet

  3. juho
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Should I start Bissouma or Ayling?

    1. AppleDunk
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The Bis

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bissouma

    3. boroie
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ayling

    4. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The souma

      1. 1984 TC
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        My opinion has now changed. Please go with the other guy.

    5. Sloane426
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bissouma is almost guaranteed 1-3 points. No idea why people start him over anyone.

  4. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who to buy?

    A) Cancelo
    B) Dias

    Is Mendy back? If so does that effect Cancelo game time?

    1. boroie
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cancelo

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      All depends on your personality

  5. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Get whom from CPY?

    A) dann
    B) mitchel
    C) ward
    D) clyne

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      None

    2. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Damm if you must, Damm if you don't

    3. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Only PVA

  6. squ1rrel
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2 FT...help me out here.

    McCarthy - Steer
    Chilwell - Cresswell - Justin - Shaw - Ferguson
    Salah - KDB - Rashford - Podence - Anguissa
    Kane - DCL - Wilson

    0.5 ITB

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Salah/Wilson > Ziech/Werner

      1. squ1rrel
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers...Would you take a hit to get shaw out? If so, for whom?

        1. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Nah don't think so

  7. AppleDunk
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bottomed.

    GTG? Bench correct?

    Martinez
    Semedo, Chilwell, Mitchell
    Son, Ziyech, Zaha, Grealish, Bruno
    DCL, Kane

    (Steer, Wilson, Lamptey, Dallas)

    1. LucasMoregametime
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      yeah but some wasted money with wilson just sitting there

  8. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A - Martinez & Kilman
    B - McCarthy & Targett

    1. Theklopp013
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  9. Starky22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Worth a gamble on Saiss over KWP?

    1. AppleDunk
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      maybe not

  10. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Lamptey, Mitchell, Mahrez or -4 transfer and bring someone new in?

    1. sozopol
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I generally avoid hits unless there is a substantial problem to solve

  11. LucasMoregametime
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Are bench boost, triple captain and the free hit really only used during double GW's? or can you justify to use them (specifically free hit) in a GW like this one?

    1. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Blank GWs too - certainly not because your teams if a bit weak - The GW after the second IB often seems to be very low scoring anyway

  12. DagheMunegu
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anything worth a hit guyss ?

    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwell Lamptey
    Bruno Ziyech Grealish Son
    Watkins Kane DCL

    Button TAA Bissouma Branwaithe

    1. sozopol
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nope, GTG

  13. sozopol
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    In a total vacuum (disregard money, other players, etc), who would you rather have for the net several gameweeks?

    A. Fernandes
    B. Ziyech
    C. Jota

    1. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  14. UpTheCherries
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    RMWCT

    McCarthy
    Lamptey Cancelo Coufal
    Mane KDB Fernandes Grealish
    DCL Vardy Watkins

    Forster Lewis Bissouma William's

    Any advice much appreciated 🙂

    1. boroie
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I like it. You must have a decent squad value

      1. UpTheCherries
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers yeah I had son and from the start and kane early on!! A bit worried about losing them though

        1. boroie
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I’ve no doubt they will pick up points over the next 3 or 4 games. However for the amount they cost, you would want to be able to captain them and looking at their fixtures I wouldn’t even think of captaining either of them for the next 7 weeks. Therefore I think the money is better spent elsewhere.

  15. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Trying not to overcomplicate this but just sit with this team or take a -4 for something?

    Martinez
    Lamptey, James, robbo
    Sterling, grealish, ziyech, son
    Kane, Jimi, bamford

    Saiss, Mitchell, bissouma.

    1m itb 0ft

    1. boroie
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looks fine without the hit. I’d only take a hit if you wanted to switch Son for Fernandes and we’re going to captain him.

      1. Garlana
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I considered it but couldn't afford

    2. Dr Mulholland
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sit. It's fine.

  16. JamTart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KdB or Sterling as my only city cover (for now)?

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      More than enough. They don't score goals.

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        1 is

      2. JamTart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Sorry, I meant advice on which one

        1. HashAttack
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I bought KDB ... reasonable chance of a MCI penalty vs Spurs

  17. Ray In Bruges.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    Chilwell Zouma KWP (Justin, Kilman)
    Fernandes JRod Grealish Son ASM
    Werner DCL (Brewster)

    G2G? Appreciate any input!

    1. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      With Chilwell and Zouma, I'd be tempted to go with Justin instead of ASM .. possibly even Kilman as I think he either plays or he doesn't .... gives you interest on the final match of the GW

  18. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Will brewster start?

  19. enrico.palazzo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah to

    Bruno
    KDB
    Ziyech

    Plenty of money in the bank for next weeks transfer

    1. sozopol
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm between Bruno and Ziyech

      1. enrico.palazzo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Same - hard decision!!!

    2. Sid123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno

  20. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you do Salah and Barnes to Grealish and Bruno for free?

    1. sozopol
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely

    2. enrico.palazzo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

  21. LucasMoregametime
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Are bench boost, triple captain and the free hit really only used during double GW's? or can you justify to use them (specifically free hit) in a GW like this one??

    1. Sid123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Mainly unless your trying to win a monthly prize in a mini league

  22. Sid123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A or B

    A Zaha and brewster
    B Watkins and bissouma

    1. boroie
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. Atwood
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A, just. I'm a Zaha owner and not really a fan.

  23. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one...

    A - Coufal
    B - Targett
    C - Cancelo

    1. Sid123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cancelo I think spurs will score at least 1

    2. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Probably C given the fixture, I've played A and Lamptey ahead of him. Just worried about his attacking return potential

  24. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Haven't looked at my team for two weeks, so not fully on top of the team news. Salah to Bruno makes sense I guess? And is it worth a -4 to move Saiss on in case no James show?

    Martinez
    Coufal James KWP
    Son Grealish Klich Salah*
    Kane Werner DCL
    Forster Foden Saiss Mitchell

    1. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Coady and Ait Nouri both flagged, Kilman possibly not play due to bereavement, so there's a reasonable chance Saiss plays, and it's only a concern if James does not play

      Who would you get instead ... Telles and play instead of KWP

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Good point. Just saw about the Kilman news, very tragic. Think I will hold - will be plenty of hits this GW I reckon!

  25. adstomko
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Free-Hit chip worth it this week? And do you still gain an extra transfer next week?

    1. Sid123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No

      And

      Yes

    2. Atom&Humber
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No and no you will only have 1 ft

  26. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    GTG?

    Martinez
    Chilwell Coufal Lamptey
    (c)Bruno KDB Grealish Zaha
    (v)DCL Werner Watkins

    Forster Cancelo Mitchell Riedewald

  27. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On WC...

    A - McCarthy & Targett
    B - Martinez & Kilma

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  28. Areyouthereyet
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah+Wilson to Ziyech+Vardy (-4). Worth the hit?

    Already have Rashford and Son. Will do Son to KDB next gw

    1. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'd say so

    2. wilsonito
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What happens when you want Salah back

  29. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who would you start?

    Dallas (ARS)
    KWP (wol)
    Justin (liv)

    1. Sid123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Dallas

    2. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Think I'd start KWP

  30. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who would you start out of these two (I own Zaha too) :

    A. Taylor (CRY) - yellow flagged
    B. Saiss (SOU)