Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 9

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 9, and for once a standard Saturday deadline of 11:00 GMT.

To say it’s been a rollercoaster of an international break would be an understatement. Injuries coupled with coronavirus (COVID-19) is not a pleasant cocktail for Fantasy managers. Whatsmore, we are approaching a crossroads in the season with fixture swings encouraging many to play their Wildcards.

To help you with your crucial transfer and armband decisions, this Gameweek Guide will summarise the latest news from a turbulent couple of weeks.

The all-important Team News: Neale brought us the latest in his two round-up articles; one from Friday’s press conferences and one from Thursday’s. Further details can be found in his notes on each club along with his Predicted Line-ups.

Neale has also put together a comprehensive list of minutes played over the international break, along with the journeys undertaken by those playing abroad. Brazilian Thiago Silva (£5.5m) looks set to miss Gameweek 9 as a result of his late return.

Sell Salah?

The most expensive player in FPL contracted COVID-19 during the international break, leaving owners in quandary. For Career Hall of Fame No 1, Fábio Borges, the decision to sell or keep will partly depend on how long Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) is ruled out for:

I seriously doubt It’s worth to sell Salah for a hit if he is ruled out for just one Gameweek (which seems the most likely scenario).

– Fábio

The latest from manager Jurgen Klopp suggests everything is in place for Salah to resume training as soon as he tests negative for COVID-19:

Although whether he’ll be ready to face Brighton in Gameweek 10 – Liverpool play at 12:30 GMT on Saturday – is anyone’s guess. And any indication of a longer absence will spark further sales: the Egyptian is already the most-sold player ahead of the deadline.

Sadio Mané (£12.1m) could temp managers as a replacement, Pro Pundit Holly pointed out that the Senegalse has underperformed in recent matches:

Sadio Mané has just one goal in the last four Gameweeks, coming from four big chances. It is unusual for Liverpool’s winger to be so poor in his conversions and you would expect a big improvement going forward.

– Holly

However Holly does mention that Salah is superior for shots, shots on target and shots inside the box – almost doubling Mané’s tallies across the board. So when fit, the Egyptian would appear the better option.

Moving to Manchester

Some managers may consider moving early on Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m) while Bruno Fernandes (£10.6m) currently tops this week’s captain poll. 

Both Manchester clubs feature in the ‘strong’ section of teams with the best upcoming fixtures.

Getting De Bruyne is perhaps a week too soon given that City travel to Tottenham Hotspur, although many on Wildcards are including the Belgian in their XV’s. But following their trip to London, Pep’s troops enjoy an excellent run starting with home matches against Burnley in Gameweek 10 and Fulham in Gameweek 11.

Pro Pundit Az researched De Bruyne’s record against the relegated teams last season:

In the four games he played against the last season’s doomed teams, De Bruyne produced three goals and four assists. A great return. City won all of these encounters convincingly, with the 8-0 rout at home to Watford probably their highlight of the campaign.

– Az

As our Tom Selleck look alike then pointed out, Fulham and West Brom (City’s opponents in Gameweek 13) are yet to keep a shut-out on the road, displaying some mid-table defensive statistics. They appear ripe for Manchester City to rediscover their attacking mojo – and chief creator De Bruyne will doubtless be involved.

But facing West Brom this Gameweek has made Bruno Fernandes the most-bought player, with just under 700,000 acquiring the Portuguese at the time of writing.  

Fernandes currently sits in both the Wildcard teams of Pro Pundit Zophar and Simon March.

Over the course of the season, Fernandes is joint second with De Bruyne for chances created (20). And form is on his side, as moustachioed Az revealed:

What is interesting here is that despite creating the same number of chances as De Bruyne, Fernandes has fashioned the majority of chances for players in the last two games (12), putting up just eight opportunities in the six games prior to this weekend. 

This suggests that Fernandes is growing in importance in the United attack and we could see him becoming even more instrumental in all the good things that the Red Devils do in the coming weeks.

– Az

But there are other options to consider from Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s team, Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) has caught the attention of both Holly and Lateriser:

Marcus Rashford has had 14 shots between Gameweeks 5 and 8, despite delivering just one goal from two big chances. He also ranks highly for shots on target (six) and shots in the box (eight): he should present an intriguing option as Manchester United finally find some form.

– Holly

While Lateriser looked to a tactical shift that could benefit the FPL midfielder.

With Luke Shaw (£4.9m) out with a hamstring injury, Alex Telles (£5.5m) is set to return to the left-back slot following a bout of illness. This could dampen the prospects for Bruno, as he likely won’t be on all set pieces, and Telles is a lot more attacking which will allow Rashford to make more runs inside.

According to our upside-chasing Pro Pundit, the double pivot used by Manchester United in recent matches makes them better defensively, which in turn means Telles can hold the width on the left. Therefore Rashford is going to be playing further forward than Fernandes and making more central runs.

Both players featured in the Captain Sensible article for Gameweek 9.

But given top billing by Jan Sienkiewicz were Chelsea duo Timo Werner (£9.4m) and Hakim Ziyech (£8.2m).

Werner is included for his goal threat while Ziyech offers assist potential:

Over the last four Gameweeks, only Patrick Bamford (4.22) and Jamie Vardy (2.12) have recorded a superior figure for expected goals (xG) non penalty than Werner (2.08), remembering, of course, that he now takes the spot-kicks too; Since his debut in Gameweek 7 no player has created more big chances than Ziyech, helping him lead the Premier League for expected assists (xA), with a score of 1.10.

– Jan

Our double-points maestro noticed weaknesses in the Newcastle defence that could suit both Chelsea players – they have given up more chances down their right flank than any other side (22), while only Crystal Palace (37) and Sheffield United (33) have conceded more attempts from set plays in 2020/21 than Newcastle (32).

But, as ever in FPL, we are rarely free of all doubt. Describing Newcastle as a “head-scratcher”, Holly pointed out:

They’ve conceded the most goal attempts (74) in the whole Premier League, but are second-lowest for big chances conceded with three. They are frustrating attacks who are then producing low quality attempts.

– Holly

Is this enough to put you off captaining a Chelsea player? Not for “closet Chelsea fanLateriser, who currently has the armband on Werner.

However, there are a number of other armband candidates to consider. One player given just a brief mention in Jan’s article was Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.8m).

David, no stranger to captain success himself, highlighted the potential for Everton’s number 9 against a suspect Fulham defence in the Captaincy Video:

In the last four matches Fulham’s expected goals conceded is 6.01, which is the fourth worst in the league – they’ve only actually conceded four goals which means they’re over performing against their xGC: they should have conceded two more goals than they did.

And then if we go into the specifics of where these chances are getting conceded for Fulham, in that period they conceded 14 headed attempts which is actually the joint most in the league. So when you consider what Calvert-Lewin is best at – which is his aerial presence – it does seem like quite a nice matchup.

– David

Quite a nice matchup indeed. Pro Pundit Az went as far as calling Calvert-Lewin the “outstanding captaincy choice this week”.

Value Villains

Top of the season ticker for the next six Gameweeks, Aston Villa not only supply an armband option of their own in the shape of Jack Grealish (£7.5m), but also offer excellent value across their attack.

Picked out by Seb as his differential on the Scoutcast, Ross Barkley (£6.0m) could be an excellent complement to Grealish. The former Evertonian has been posting impressive underlying numbers. Writing in the Scout Notes for the Villa’s win over Arsenal David noted:

Barkley is putting that advanced presence to good use too. In the last four matches, no Premier League player has played more key passes than him.

– David

Pro Pundit Fábio Borges is even considering an attacking triple up, having added Ollie Watkins (£6.1m) over the international break to join Grealish in his squad.

Zophar debated Watkins v Patrick Bamford (£6.1m) on his Wildcard, favouring the Villa player given the fixtures. 

However, speaking on the FPL Wire, Lateriser questioned whether fixtures mattered for Bamford given that his impressive stats were put together despite playing against Manchester City and Liverpool. He suggested Bamford could be the better long term option. 

Comparing Bamford to Watkins and Che Adams (£5.9m), Holly explained what all the fuss is about:

Delving into the underlying statistics, Bamford is top among all players for big chances (seven) [over the last four Gameweeks] … He’s also the most impressive of the trio in terms of shots (18), shots on target (eight) and shots inside the box (16), posting the leading tallies of any player once again.

– Holly

With so many good players pushing for a place in our teams, sacrifices will have to be made. As Sam Bonfield concluded in her latest piece:

It is impossible to own everyone – but it is possible to set your team to return as many potential FPL points as possible by carefully distributing our FPL budget across the field.

– Sam

Community latest

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 9 can be found below:

Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

Finally, a quick heads up that the Gameweek 10 deadline is on Friday next week. 

And may your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

2,161 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Springbank
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Tempted to play Lamptey over Kilman..

    What do you say?

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

      I keep looking around and a fair few algorithms rate a Wolves CS.

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

      Tough one. I'd probably go Kilman as I think Villa will score.

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Villa to score and Lamptey to get a card against Grealish seems pretty high chance to me

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

      Cheers all have been on Kilman to play all week but I’m getting last minute itchy fingers!

    5. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      i have lamptey playing, but now you got me thinking

  2. Redranger
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play one...

    A) Justin
    B) Ayling
    C) Mitchell

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

    2. Springbank
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

  3. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is a bench of Coufal Riedewald NecoWilliams on WC fine?

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

      Wouldn't want to waste a Liverpool spot.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Which 3 Liverpool players would you be holding?

        Mane and...

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

          Who knows what the future brings. I'm annoyed I can't bring in Grealish as I already have triple Villa with one spot wasted on Steer. Don't limit yourself.

        2. FPL.team
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          But to answer the question there's plenty of triple ups you might want with Liverpool over the season. Salah, TAA, Robbo. Robbo/TAA, Salah, Jota. Plenty of viable triples when they hit top form.

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

      I would try Bissouma over Reid if possible, wouldn't make much difference but if you cash, why not

  4. Kellz86
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    This season had been so bizarre, with so many taking hits to get rid of Son or Kane I’m thinking to just keep both as a differential at this point

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sounds good to me

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Me too

      I normally mess up my transfers and I'm holding this week.

      Hopefully not another mistake!

      Bruno is the one i worry about. And Mane.

      But i have KdB and Son and Kane etc.

    3. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Could go all wrong.

    4. Oggle22
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Didn't want to lose them either fingers crossed it pays of this time just done Salah and Wilson to Bruno(c) and DCL - 4

  5. Van der Vaart 11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A: Doherty to cancelo
    B: Doherty to PVA
    C: Doherty to Dign
    D: Play Justin and bank transfer

    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

    3. SharkyT
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    4. Kellz86
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Go Cancelo

  6. DeadStarComing
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Having late thoughts on going Ziyech over KDB (already have Bruno). Thoughts? KDB feels more long term, but I guess Ziyech could be too.

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

      Wouldn't be comfortable. Depends what you do with remaining cash.

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

      I have, Ziyech (c) too!

  7. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    With a bench of Jorghino Maupay and Saiss would you hold Salah?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely. This is where the investment on your bench saves you a FT or -4.

      1. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks for reply. Bench order?

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Has to be Maupay 1st sub, then Saiss, Jorginho

    2. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I wouldn't want 12m+ on my bench for an unknown period of time . . . .

      1. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yep fills me with uneasiness!

  8. FPL FAN
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Bamford Jota
    B) DCL Riedewald

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

      A

    2. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      a

  9. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Quick vote for Captain pick? (No Bruno)

    1. Ziyech
    2. Mane
    3. Grealish
    4. Vardy
    5. DCL

    Play:
    A. Charlie Taylor
    B. Podence

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

      5B

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

      3
      B

    3. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      2

    4. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      5B

  10. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    which 1 to start and sub order from

    A: Saiss
    B: Lamptey
    C: Mitchell

    Currently on A with CB bench

    1. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Lamps / Saiss Mitch

  11. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bruno Fernandes(c)?

    1. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nope

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I have him but going Kane (C)

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Maverick!

  12. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Final decision to make:

    A) Start Soucek
    B) KdB/Sterling (-4)

    Thanks

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      А

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

    Leaning on keeping Salah. G2G?

    Martinez
    Chilwell, PvA, Coufal, Lamptey
    Son, Ziyech, Hamez, Grealish
    Kane, DCL

    4.0, Dallas, Brewster, Salah*

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes or Salah to Bruno (C)

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

        Yeah, that would have been my move. Will hold

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

      Yeah

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

      Bruno and cap is essential

    4. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      gtg

  14. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play Kilman (SOU) or C.Taylor (CRY)?

  15. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Fpl Statistics:
    "Could the person on IP Address 3.250.158.99 please stop hacking the website. They are running a python tool that is set to repeat every 10 seconds. If this does not cease within the 30 minutes I will submit a a report to the relevant authorities."

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      My python must eat!

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Go for it

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      As if an actual hacker would be doing it from his real IP adress in this day and age lol

    4. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ethical hack!

  16. gers23
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Digne, Cresswell or Pva this week?

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      PVA

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

      This week only Digne (ful)

  17. hazzlehoff
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Help I’ve hit wildcard and now I’m unsure.

    Team A:
    McCarthy (steer)
    *Chillwell lamptey kwp (Justin) (Mitchell)
    Grealish Fernandez ziyech foden *jota
    *DCL Werner (*Watkins)

    Team B:
    McCarthy (steer)
    *Kilman lamptey kwp (Justin) (Mitchell)
    Grealish Fernandez ziyech foden *KDB
    *Mitro Werner (*Brewster)

    Enough in bank to do ziyech > salah next week in both teams. chilwell looks good atm but also want KDB long term and can’t seem to fit both without making sacrifices.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        But not Mitrovic

  18. janlu0
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which goalie to play?
    A Martinez
    B McCarthy

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

      A

  19. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Feck it. Last minute hit done . Good luck all

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Who for?

  20. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Neco Williams or Ferguson as 3.9 def on WC?

  21. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I got the Mane/Salah double up, thinking now maybe Bruno or KDB is worth a -4 instead of starting Podence.

    Can bring Salah back for Mane later when needed?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

  22. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Correct order right?

    Start Mitchell
    1st bench Saïss
    2nd bench Lamptey.

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      L
      M
      S

      for me

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

      Wrong!
      The correct order would be:
      Lamptey>Saiss>Mitchell

  23. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play

    A Saïss
    B Lamptey

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

      I'm going B now mate.

      bench is Saiss Brewster Mitchell

  24. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    This gw at least will start nice for me having a lovely green arrow just and only because of no hits taken 🙂

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes ... first time no hits since GW5 for me

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

      How it ends is what matters mate

  25. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Can't wait to be on rough with the smooth.

    Rashford (c) is not risked. Jota VC gets a hat-trick. It's coming!

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Fascinating 'after IB GW'

    2. Zlatan F.C
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Is it worth doing Podence to Jota for a hit?

  26. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    very tempted to punt on Telles for a hit so I can bench one of Brewster/Mitchell

  27. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On my wildcard. Is it wise to have James Rodriguez in for this week and leave enough funds to transfer him to KDB next week or just put KDB in this week for keeps ?????

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'd just put KDB in

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

      Put him in now.

  28. MysticMac17
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Will Salah be fit for Brighton we think? Wondering if it's worth taking a -4 for Sterling or just playing Ayling this week (already have Bruno, Rashford, Ziyech, KDB and can't get Grealish with 3 Villa already)

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes
      do it

  29. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Salah > Ziyech
    B) Son > Ziyech
    C) Son + Davis > Ziyech + Watkins (-4)

  30. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play
    A) Podence
    B) Saiss