Scout Picks

Manchester City triple-up is key to Gameweek 9 Scout Picks

The Scout Picks are back for another weekend of Fantasy Premier League action on the eve of Gameweek 9.

One of this season’s holy trinity of Sergio Aguero, Mohamed Salah and Eden Hazard has missed out again after Paul, Joe, Az and Peter submitted their Scout Squads.

As per usual, we have come in under our budget of £83m, this week with £0.1m to spare, taking into account the official FPL prices on Friday evening.

Goalkeeper

Rui Patricio (£4.6m) gets his first inclusion in the Scout Picks this season with Wolves’ defence looking very resilient over the first eight Gameweeks. The only team to have allowed fewer big chances than Nuno’s side are Manchester City, which shows their amazing potential for clean sheets. It’s a Watford side up next for Wolves, whose goal conversion rate of 3.8% over the last four Gameweeks is the joint-worst in the division.

Defenders

It’s a welcome return to the Scout Picks selection for Benjamin Mendy (£6.2m), who makes his first appearance since Gameweek 5. The Frenchman looks established back in the Manchester City team and has potential to do well at both ends of the pitch once again. He managed five assists in the first four Premier League matches of the campaign while Man City, as we’ve already read, have allowed the fewest number of big chances so far this season. Not surprisingly, Mendy was chosen as the top defensive pick by three of our pundits.

Andrew Robertson (£6.3m) is another returning face who we’ve got high hopes for this Gameweek. Liverpool face a trip to goal shy Huddersfield this weekend and we believe that a clean sheet is highly probable for the Reds. Meanwhile, the Terriers have not kept a clean sheet since Gameweek 3 so there is also promise of attacking returns for Robertson.

Matt Doherty (£4.8m) has already been described as the new Marcos Alonso and he has taken the Scout Picks by storm in the last few Gameweeks. Only Harry Maguire has more efforts on goal among defenders in the last four Gameweeks than the Wolves man and his time spent in the penalty box is why he has two double-figure hauls in a row coming into Gameweek 9. Don’t forget he also benefits from Wolves’ impressive defensive numbers too so looks like an all-round excellent defensive option for a great price. He was tipped by all four of our pundits.

Completing the defence is a more left-field option, quite literally, in Everton’s Lucas Digne (£4.8m). The Frenchman has actualy created the same number of chances as Doherty since Gameweek 5 and has taken the same number of shots. Furthermore, Crystal Palace have struggled to create chances in that time and are facing an injury crisis among their forwards. This could be the week where delivers FPL points at both ends of the pitch.

Midfielders

Raheem Sterling (£11.2m) was our clear favourite in midfield for Gameweek 9. The Manchester City man was the top pick for all four of our pundits. That’s not surprising when he looks like a potential captain candidate this week, and the fact that he has outscored Sergio Aguero in every home match so far this season. Sterling’s next oppponents Burnley have given up more shots than any other side in the league over the first eight matches so the England international will have plenty of opportunities to score on Saturday.

Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) returns to the Scout Picks after missing out for the first time this season in Gameweek 7. Paul, Joe and Peter picked him as their second choice, while Az went for a third place spot. We largely feel that he will come through the injury doubt and that he is the best attacking option available at Liverpool. The Reds may have disapointed offensively over the last four Gameweeks but they did face Spurs, Chelsea and Man City in that time.

Josh Murphy (£4.8m) gets a spot in the team as our budget enabler. He represents the first Cardiff City player to make it into the Scout Picks this season, and we didn’t just do it to annoy Joe! Since returning to the Bluebirds’ line-up in Gameweek 7, Murphy’s total of nine shots on goal is the second best in the league. This week he faces the only side left in the league without a clean sheet this season: Fulham. Even more interesting is the fact that Cottagers are particularly vulnerable down their right-flank, with only two teams conceded more chances down that side of the pitch than them. You won’t be surprised to hear that we have Paul to thank for that particular statistic.

Forwards

We could not look past Sergio Aguero (£11.3m) as the top forward option with Burnley coming to the Etihad Stadium. All four of our pundits backed him as the best in his position for Gameweek 9 with good reason. Despite playing fewer minutes than many of the other options during the last four Gameweeks, no player has more shots on goal or in the penalty area than Aguero in that time. We’ve already covered why Burnley will give him plenty of chances and we’re expecting another home match with attacking returns. Aguero is yet to blank at the Etihad this season.

Alexandre Lacazette‘s (£9.7m) form ensured our pundits gave him unanimous backing as the second best forward option for Gameweek 9. The Arsenal man has registered attacking returns in every single game he has started in 2018/19 and is about to face a Leicester side with only one clean sheet on the road thus far.

Callum Wilson (£6.4m) takes the final spot in our team but it was a close-fought battle between him and Aleksandar Mitrovic. In the end the Bournemouth man won out on cost although we think both options will do well. The only side to have scored more home goals than the Cherries in the Premier League this season is Man City while their next opponents Southampton have given up more big chances than every club apart from Fulham in the first eight Gameweeks.

Substitutes

DeAndre Yedlin (£4.5m) gets a place on the substitutes bench to reflect the fact that Newcastle’s fixtures have begun to swing. This week it’s Brighton at home, the Seagulls having drawn a blank in all but one of their away games this season. The only one they scored in was against Fulham who have the worst defence in the league.

We would have loved to put Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.4m) into the side but we were restricted by cost. Nobody has created more chances than him in the last four Gameweeks while he also ranks second in the whole league for shots over that period too.

Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.9m) gets his mention by being included on the bench this week. He is still doing well for efforts on goal, registering the same number as Sigurdsson since Gameweek 5 but with a higher concentration of them taking place in the penalty area.

Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 8 is FPL Mountainer. He has opted for a 3-4-3 formation of Fabianski; Walker, Robertson, Doherty; Ozil, Walcott, Sterling, Salah; Lacazette, Ings, Wilson.

The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season.

The Scouts have won four and lost three so far, with Hazard is an FPL Legend (ConteClub) defeated 53-44 in Gameweek 8.

Eden Wizard still leads the way, with his Gameweek 2 victory over the Scout Squad crew coming by a 77-68 scoreline.

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8,036 Comments Post a Comment
  1. barcaa7
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Rate my Wildcard team
    Fabianski (4.0)
    Robertson TAA Doherty Alonso (Bennett)
    Rich Hazard Sterling (Kenedy) (4.4)
    Laca Kun Mitro
    0.1 ITB
    any suggestions ?????

    1. XabiAlonso
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Laca > Arnie
      Sterling > Salah

  2. AD2110
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Hennessy
    Alonso, Trippier, Bennett
    Moura, Hazard, Rich, Maddison
    Kane, Aguero, Mitro

    Hamer, Shaw, WB, Hojbjerg

    What to do with this team guys? Got 1FT and 0.2 ITB. Need to get rid of Moura but can’t find a decent alternate option. Thinking roll the free and then ship out Kane and Moura

    1. Jimmy Floyd
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      I’d hold and do Kane and Moura to salah and Arnie next week

  3. YouReds
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    On WC...

    A) Sterling, Arnie
    B) Mane, Lacazette

    1. Snipez21
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      A

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      A

  4. ooooo
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Which one?
    A) richarlison + Fraser + Alonso
    B) Sterling + Kenedy + Doherty

    1. YouReds
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      A

    2. ooooo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      also a has robbo and b has trent

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        Easily A then

  5. Botman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Can afford Sterling (already have Aguero and Mendy), is it silly to hold onto Mane?

    1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Yes. He’s injured and not even in form.

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      I ditched Mane for Sterling, will bring him back probably next week

    3. Tokosbobet88
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Yes. I did Mane to Sterling!.. Do it and thank me later!

    4. Botman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Seems to be unanimous. Thanks fellas

  6. Botman and Robben
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Captain Kun or Sterling?

    Patricio
    Robertson Alonso Mendy Doherty
    Hazard Sterling Richalison
    Jimenez Wilson Aguero(c)

    Boruc Maddison Hojbjerg AWB

    1. Snipez21
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Aguero

    2. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      I have both and personally I’m going with Aguero because IMHO, having Sterling at all is a differential.

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        True

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        I see your point.

  7. Styles_X
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    I STILL HAVE MANE!

    1. XabiAlonso
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Gimme all your mane

  8. Taking the Mkhitaryan
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Morning all
    Just logged on to see Mackans RMWCT 6 more times before the deadline

  9. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Patricio
    Mendy, Robbo, Alonso, Doherty
    Hazard, Salah, Richarlison, Fraser
    Aguero, Arnie

    Hamer, AWB, Kamara, Stephens

    Got £1.7m ITB and 1FT

    A) Fraser to Ramsey
    B) Fraser to Siggy
    C) Stephens to Schurrle
    D) Save

    Thanks.

    1. XabiAlonso
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      D

  10. kempc23
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Is it worth a minus 4 for Trippier to Robbo or Duffy to TAA? Will ideally want both next week.

    1. Tokosbobet88
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      no

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      nope

  11. Shaikh91
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    G2g?

    Ederson
    AWB, Alonso, TAA
    Hazard, mane, richarlison, maddison,
    Aguero, arni, laca

    Bennett, hojbjerg, benalouane

    1. XabiAlonso
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Mane won't play imo

    2. Tokosbobet88
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Mane wont play this week imo

  12. Schwarzer
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Who would you prefer to partner Patricio?

    A) Fabianski
    B) Ryan

    Cheers

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Fab

    2. XabiAlonso
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      I'm on pat and fab on WC
      I have no reason for you though ha

    3. Schwarzer
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Thanks

  13. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Keep Lucas or ditch ? (7.7m to spend)

  14. Kingtekkerz
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Play 2:
    A) Fraser
    B) Alonso
    C) Doherty

    1. Rash
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      AC with Alonso probs coming in

    2. Snipez21
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      A&C

    3. Snipez21
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      I mean B&C

    4. Tokosbobet88
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      BC

  15. Rash
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Am I right to reluctantly bench Alonso here?

    Pat
    Doherty Trent mendy Robbo
    Hazard sterling siggy
    Aguero Wilson Jimenez

    Fab Fraser Alonso kayal

    1. Botman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Boss team

    2. Jimmy Floyd
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      I’d bench Jimenez for Fraser or Alonso but you do have 13 great options this week

    3. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      I have a similar predicament with no obivous players to bench. I think I would go with what your gut has told you and stick with the lineup and bench you have.

  16. ooooo
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    rp..wrote it wrong
    A) Richarlison + fraser + Robbo + alonso
    B) Sterling + Kenedy + Trent + Doherty

  17. Bullet Eder
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Any last minute changes to the naughty little wildcard I’ve been working on for two weeks?

    Rui P

    Doherty/Mendy/Robertson/Alonso

    Fraser/Richarlison/Hazard/Salah

    Aguero/Wilson

    Button/Jiménez/AWB/McTominay

    McTominay allows for Wilson ~ Arnie in two weeks.

    1. XabiAlonso
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Looks similar to my WC I have Arnie over Jimenez and kenedy instead of Fraser

  18. MFC86
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Two free transfers -

    Silva to Sterling
    Firminio to Wilson ?

  19. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Will Klopp play Gomez ahead of TAA with the latter playing CL?
    It's what he did last season.
    TAA owners beware.

  20. FF Dirtbag
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Bench who? (already playing Patricio)

    A) Alonso
    B) schurrle
    Ć) Doherty

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Really hard but B

    2. Evil Buddha
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      B

      1. Snipez21
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        B

    3. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      B... A is tempting since I think there’s unjustified hype around Alonso now but I suspect Mourinho will line up 10-0-0 today, Doherty is in such good form and up against an out of form Watford. I don’t like double ups usually but think it’s justified.

  21. Evil Buddha
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Pat Button
    Alonso Robby Mendy Doherty TAA
    Sterling Hazard Richarlison Kennedy Hoj
    Aguero Mitro Wilson

    On WC . 1.8 itb for Sterling to Salah next week if needed.

    1. XabiAlonso
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Sound

      1. Evil Buddha
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        Thanks. How confident would be about TAA playing?

  22. Desperately Seeking Dusan
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Maguire or Joe Gomez? I would be doubling up on Liverpool defence, this is to free up cash.

    I know Gomez doesn’t have much attacking threat but at 5.1 I’m surprised he doesn’t get more love for his CS potential (certainly the next 5 games)

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      You have TAA?

      1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        Yeah, I ditched Robbo for TAA to free up cash for a midfield of Salah, Haz, Sterling, Richi, Fraser. Only premium defender I have is Alonso and he’s next to go to bring in KDB in a week or two.

    2. Astronautovic
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      I considered him but will he play with lovren back?

      1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        That’s what I wondered but he’s played so well and Klopp raves about him.

      2. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        I wondered if it might be a scenario what we saw against City, for the tough games, Lovren and Gomez play with TAA benched, easier games TAA plays and Gomez goes to centre back.

    3. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      TAA and Gomez could be rotated with lovren back. TAA gets the CL games like last season.

      1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        Cheers, definitely something to consider. I wondered if he has more or less nailed that spot though given Klopp raves about him.

      2. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        I wondered if it might be a scenario what we saw against City, for the tough games, Lovren and Gomez play with TAA benched, easier games TAA plays and Gomez goes to centre back.

  23. Hawk Eye
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    A. Firmino & Sterling
    B. Salah & Wilson

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      B

    2. Snipez21
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      B

  24. FF Dirtbag
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Best 4.4midfielder out there?

    1. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Pick the one that plays (or will play)...Stephen for Brighton...did he price drop?

    2. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      I like Obiang. Not nailed, but the hammers have good fixtures coming and he's a decent bet for assists. 4.4 is tricky

  25. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Would you bench Fraser and/or Mane? Schurrle and Bennett to come in. I'm worried both or either will play only a few minutes rather than miss out completely.

    1. drughi
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      I would say both mane and fraser either starts or don't feature at all

      1. Von Lipwig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        that is what I wanted to hear, thanks

  26. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Didn’t Kenedy train?

    Confused by the orange flag

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Apparently he did but Benitez didn't mention him in his press conference.

  27. YouReds
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Ok last one... on WC

    A) Wilson, Maddison
    B) Vardy, Knockaert

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      A

    2. Snipez21
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      B

  28. Make United Great Again
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    I feel like Liverpool will give Huddersfield a hiding

    1. drughi
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      yep, huddersfield play attacking football so should be goals galore. 0-4 is my prediction

  29. Styles_X
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    is anyone benching alonso this week?

  30. AzzaroMax99
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Anyone thinking to get Shaqiri for Mane? For free

    1. Pique and De Bruyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      I personally wouldn’t.

    2. drughi
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      awful move and very short term

    3. GinjaWhinja
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Nope. Way too short-term.

      Trying hard to find a way to ship him for Salah though.

    4. Make United Great Again
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Terrible move

    5. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      A work mate did this. I said good job but laughed a little inside.

      1. Tev
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        Haha, I love the average FPL player

    6. #FPLBhuna
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      my mate did it for -4

      LOL

    7. XabiAlonso
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Watch him bang a free kick in today

    8. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      No Studge is more likely to start