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. PL Ball
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pick one: Vardy or Werner?

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

      Werner this week, Vardy from next week

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

      Vardy for me. Nice fixtures coming up and could do well against Liverpool.

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

      Got both ... but will be holding Vardy ahead of Werner (If I got in Aguero and wanted to get Ziyech)

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

    Who to start?

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

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

      A

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

    Is 4 playing defenders enough on WC through the Christmas period?

  4. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play KWP or Justin?

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

      Walker

  5. Reeker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    An hour to go...
    Can do Robertson + Son to Chilwell + Fernandes -4.

    Already did Salah to De Bruyne...

    Martinez
    Robertson - Semedo - Lamptey
    De Bruyne - Son - Rodriguez - Zaha - Grealish
    Kane - DCL
    (Peacock-Farrell) (Brewster, Dallas, Mitchell)

    1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What's your rationale for them transfers? Sounds like desperation to me mate and not something I would at all agree with

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

        Just Fernandes hauling really innit. Salah -> Fernandes might of been a better move but was planning just Salah to De Bruyne then saving.

        Blackbox made me re think but maybe just stick to my old plan

        1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          You made your decision so sick to it is my advice. In a week of turmoil, selling 2 starters of that calibre isn't advisable and Bruno's home form isn't great. Spurs are lucky to best West Brom last GW and united are poor enough at the moment.

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

    Play Justin (liv) or transfer Wilson > Werner (-4)?. Leaning towards the latter.

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

      Think you will regret getting rid of Wilson over the next 5 weeks

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

        Tbh if feel lucky getting points from him. Think Newcastle has been awful.

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

    4.5 def. To get?

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

      Tar gett

  8. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A. Foden to Rashford (bench Salah and start Brewster)
    Or
    B. Salah to Bruno (start Foden)
    Or
    C. Salah to KDB (start Foden)
    Or
    D. Do Foden Salah to Bruno Kdb for a hit -4 and sort the team?

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

      Why are you getting rid of Foden?

      1. Whats the Mata?
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Because the guy doesn't start

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

          Surely you knew that when you bought him?

  9. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    All set and done now, what do you think about my GW9 team?

    Mendy
    Chilwell, Coufal, Targett
    KDB, Bruno, Ziyech, Jrod, Grealish
    DCL, Kane

    Button, Justin, Brewster, 3.9

    1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno Captain

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

      Looks as good as a team could be I reckon

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

      Incredible team

      1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thank you, unfortunately it cost me -8

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

      Arise, Sir Slavkob!

      1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers mate!

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

    Bottomed

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

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

  11. How I met your Mata
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martial to start this week??

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Complained of a back problem during the week but was on bench for France on Wednesday

  12. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I can't easy recall a gw with so many good captaincy options. Werner,Ziyech,Rashford,Fernandes,Mane,Dcl,Richarlison,Rodriguez,Grealish, Auba.

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

      GW22 in 2012 was better

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

        ok

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

          GW16 in 2015 wasn't bad either.

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

    Which 4.5 def. To get

    A) cpy def.
    B) coufal
    C) burnley def.

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

      B

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

      Targett

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

        Have martienz

  14. emyoueffsee
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Wildcard team GTG?

    Martinez
    Chilwell Kilman Cancelo
    KDB Ziyech Grealish Bruno(c)
    Watkins Vardy DCL

    Forster KWP Bissouma Justin

    1.0m itb.

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

      No Spurs stands out. Make or break I guess. Rest looks decent. I'd go Werner over Vardy.

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

        Really? Why would you want Spurs in at the moment? Are you going to captain Kane/Son in any of the next 7 Gameweeks?

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

          You kidding? Kane is the highest scoring player in the game. If I learned anything playing this game it' form over fixtures. People writing Spurs off in the upcoming fixtures will get punished imo. City have looked poor all season.

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

            Are you planning to captain Kane in any of GWs 9/10/11/13/14/15. For £11m I want someone who I’m willing to captain. Kane has been brilliant so far this season, don’t get me wrong, but I think the money is better invested elsewhere over the next 6 or 7 weeks.

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

              I never plan my captains like that. I look to have inform players for good teams that score goals. If you are chasing I understand, but for me I would never sell atm. Money tied up and huge ownership. Remember what happened the last time people sold Son.

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

            The other Spurs players have looked pretty awful though as well. If Bale isn't acting all gingerly things could get interesting.

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

              Last 2 games were pretty poor I agree. But Spurs always struggle against deep teams. Hence why I can see goals in the "tough" upcoming fixtures.

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

                2-0 is a success. I kept. You?

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

      Fantastic team

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

        Hopefully it scores well. Never can tell in this game.

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

      Very similar to what I have at the moment. Although I’m contemplating going Martinez and Kilman to McCarthy and Targett as I’m worried that Kilman could be dropped before long. And Wolves have tough fixtures coming up.

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

        Have very good bench cover with KWP and Justin even if Kilman does get dropped.

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

      Arise, Sir Emyoueffsee!

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

        So you approve I take it?

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

    Martinez
    Robbo, Chilwell, Lamptey
    Bruno (c), Ziyech, Grealish, Son
    Kane, DCL (vc), Bamford
    (Button, Kilman, Reguilon, Riedewald)

    Team selection and bench order ok? Would you change anything? Not making any more transfers. Cheers.

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

    What time are price changes usually done these days?

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

      On time every time

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

        And what time is on time...

        1. FPLShaqiri
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          1:20am UK

  17. Tripleh123
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Repost,need advice guys. Have Kane, Salah, Robbo. Any pressing issue to address for a hit (-4)

    1. Salah to KDB
    2. Kane to Vardy
    3) Robbo to Chilwell

    Martinez
    Robertson - Kilman - Lamptey - Taylor
    Bruno - Zaha - Grealish
    Kane - DCL- Bamford
    (Steer) (Justin, Salah, Bissouma)

  18. mash
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy Steer
    Chilwell Davies Justin JWP Taylor
    Salah* Son Barnes Podence Bissouma
    Kane Werner DCL

    2FT, 1.5m in the bank

    Which would you do?

    A) Salah and Podence/Barnes to Fernandes and Grealish
    B) Salah to Fernandes
    C) Kane and Podence/Barnes to Watkins and Fernandes
    D) Son to Fernandes

    B is an option to roll an FT in case Salah is back straightaway in GW10.

    C and D are options in case Salah is back for GW10

    But at the moment I am doing A, with a possible wildcard in GW10 to get Man Ciy players in and Salah or another Liverpool attacker back in - does this sound sensible?

    1. mash
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Another option I've just thought of:

      E) Kane and Son to Vardy and Fernandes

      With this option I can keep Salah, and still have enough in the bank to do Salah/Fernandes to KDB in GW10. Hmmm...

  19. Aladdin Sané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play one:

    A) Justin
    B) Mitchell
    C) Bissouma

    1. mash
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bissouma for me

    2. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      c

  20. The Ilfordian
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah at -103.9

    1. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Said sod it and sold him, and will get back next week or week after for free.

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

      me too

  21. Worsle90
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Can I get a RMT?

    McCarthy
    Telles, Bellerin, James
    KDB, Son, Fernandes (c), Barkley, Podence
    Kane, DCL

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

      Desperately needs a bench.

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

      Don't fancy Bellerin ... imagine having to face Leeds after being mauled 3-0 by Villa

  22. TJ
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Foden to Ziyech (c)
    B) Rashford to Fernandes (c)

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

      A

  23. FPLShaqiri
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What did Mark do on Blackbox? Salah out?

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

      Mo & Son > Bruno & KDB

      1. FPLShaqiri
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Strong moves

  24. Chung8
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Brave to take out Son and Kane with awful fixtures? Timing of Bruno and Watkins / Adams/Bamford

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

      Not doing it this week. Will reassess after the weekend.

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

    Zouma, Rashford and Richarlison have to outscore Chilwell, Rodriguez and Werner by 54 points. Methinks one does not know the scout picks come from that article a day or two before. This keeps happening so ffs should give a tip to the contender each week to make sure they know what's going on.

  26. Reeker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Never liked Fernandes's face anyway. DCL (c) here we go

  27. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah and Sterling to Fernandes and KDB?

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

      I'd hold Sterling this week and reassess after Spurs

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I've done the first part. Contemplating the second part. If only Sterling would actually do something.

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

    My def., Martinez chilwel struijk kilman sais gomez, gomez out to which 4.5 def.

    A) burnley def.
    B) coufal
    C) target
    D) palace def.

  29. The VAR Team
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Maupay to Watkins/Bamford this week? Or save FT, play Maupay against Villa and assess who to get next week?

    1. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Watkins

  30. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    WC
    A) Son Ziyech Watkins Kilman KWP Martinez
    B) Son Bruno Brewster Williams Targett McCarthy
    C) Bruno Ziyech Brewster Kilman KWP Martinez