Scout Picks

FPL Gameweek 9 Scout Picks: Liverpool pair return

We have chosen our best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players for Gameweek 9 ahead of Saturday’s deadline.

We line up in a 4-3-3 formation this week and, as ever, are limited to £83.0m for our first XI and, new to 2022/23 after a reader vote, an overall price cap of £100.0m for our 15-man squad, too.

GOALKEEPER

FPL 2022/23 'sleeper' picks: David Raya

While David Raya (£4.5m) has only one clean sheet to his name in 2022/23, his total of 30 saves can’t be beaten by any other goalkeeper. In fact, the Spaniard has registered at least one save point in each of his seven outings so far and now visits a Bournemouth side that, while showing improvement under interim boss Gary O’Neil, have still managed just two ‘big chances’ and 1.94 expected goals (xG) against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United… combined. That poor goalscoring record makes this the perfect fixture for Raya to record his second clean sheet of the season.

DEFENDERS

FPL team news: Live updates of Gameweek 28 injury updates

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.4m) may find himself on the periphery for England, but he remains a key player for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and returns to the Scout Picks XI for the visit of Brighton and Hove Albion. Not only is his expected goal involvement (xGI) the highest of any defender in 2022/23, but he also sits joint-top alongside Kieran Trippier (£5.4m) for chances created. The Reds have managed just one clean sheet in their last five Premier League home matches, but are undefeated in 26 at Anfield, while Brighton will have Roberto De Zerbi in the dugout for the first time.

Reece James (£6.0m) reassuringly started at right wing-back during Graham Potter’s first match in charge of Chelsea, which suggests he will once again be used as a key attacking outlet. The 2021/22 campaign saw the England international deliver five goals and nine assists from just 22 starts and 1,867 league minutes. He already has one of each this season, with an xGI that is only beaten by Alexander-Arnold amongst defenders. It’s also worth noting that opponents, Crystal Palace, rank third-worst for chances conceded from their left-flank, despite playing a game fewer than most.

Ideally, we’d have Joao Cancelo (£7.2m) in this slot, but due to budgetary constraints, have had to opt for teammate Ruben Dias (£6.0m). Manchester City have more clean sheets (four) than any other top-flight side this season and have also allowed the fewest shots, efforts on target and expected goals conceded (xGC). Dias, meanwhile, looks an assured starter at the back and will pose a threat from set-plays, having produced seven attacking returns in 2021/22.

West Ham United’s clean sheet prospects look good this weekend, as they host a Wolverhampton Wanderers side that have only hit three goals in seven league games. Despite finding themselves in the bottom three, the Hammers rank a very decent sixth for xGC, whilst conceding the fifth-fewest shots on target. Our pick, Vladimir Coufal (£4.4m), ranks joint-sixth among defenders for attempted crosses in 2022/23 so far, while Wolves have demonstrated zonal weakness from their left-flank, placing in the bottom two for crosses conceded from that area of the pitch this season.

MIDFIELDERS

 

 1



The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

 1

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

FPL pre-season: De Bruyne stars as Haaland misses out

Each week, a member of the Fantasy Football Scout community takes on the Scout Picks.

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.

Our champion this week is racerx, who has gone with this selection:

Fabianski; Alexander-Arnold, Tsimikas, Zouma; Salah (c), De Bruyne, Bowen, Maddison; Toney, Wilson, Awoniyi

The Community are 5-2 up on the Scout Picks this season, with Boleyn Boy‘s 81-54 victory in Gameweek 6 giving them the biggest winning margin (27 points) of 2022/23 so far.

FOLLOW THE SCOUT’S WEEKLY TRANSFER PLANS

Premier Fantasy Tools to join the Scout Network in 2021/22 2

We’re running a Scout community team in FPL this season, with regulars like TopMarx, Geoff, Tom Freeman and more contributing to the weekly decisions.

And we’re not just looking one week ahead like we are with the Scout Picks but instead planning in advance for the weeks and months to come.

You can follow our team via the Premier Fantasy Tools Pro Planner, which you can learn more about here.


VOTE FOR SCOUT AT THE FOOTBALL CONTENT AWARDS!

Vote for Fantasy Football Scout at the 2023 Football Content Awards by clicking here and selecting our name in the ‘Best in Fantasy Football’ section from the ‘Editorial’ drop-down menu.

You can also vote via Twitter using this one-click Tweet template.

A huge thank you for your continued support!



444 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this WC team?

    Raya Iversen
    Cancelo Reece Trippier Coufal Jonny
    Salah Madders Zaha Barnes Martinelli
    Kane Mitro 4.3

    1. Joelinton Travel Tavern
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      You forgot haaland, start again

    2. DARE TO BISCAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Can't take it seriously, without Haaland. Seems low total value?

  2. mdm
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Captain:

    A. Salah
    B. Haaland

    1. Wizard of Ozil
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      A. has a habit of returning vs Brighton.
      Man u might be up for their game

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      B. Haaland at home is superior

    3. outernational
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on how you want to play the game. Haaland to protect rank. Salah for the bigger risk reward ratio.

  3. Wizard of Ozil
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Evening
    Zaha to maddison...Yes/No.
    palace record against Chelsea not great.

    1. Costa Nostra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Not for me...I'd want both next GW,..and Maddison this week for sure.

  4. outernational
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Any changes you would make to this WC team?

    Pope
    TAA | Cancelo | Trippier | James
    Son | Zaha | Maddison
    Toney | Mitrovic | Haaland

    Iversen | Guehi | Andreas | Reed

    0.0 ITB

    1. Joelinton Travel Tavern
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      It's a good team, I'm just not into trent on current form.

      Trent Son Mitro for Kane Diaz and a 5.something def maybe

      1. outernational
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, I agree that Trent is a risk on current form.

  5. Atimis
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Is it the safest to bet on City and Arsenal mids next 2 GWs?
    Two in form attacking sides playing their games at home, what can possibly go wrong…

  6. Joelinton Travel Tavern
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Last position up for grabs in my WC is my set and forget keeper.

    Currently have Pope but not sure if he will be affected by his England disaster class. However next two fixtures are good and no obvious replacement.

    A) keep
    B) sub for Sa
    C) sub for someone else

    1. outernational
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      This is a dilemma for me as well. I'm not interested in Sa, but a Pickford and Begovic combination is slightly tempting.

    2. Reckoner.
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Guaita if you can stomach playing him at home to Chelsea this GW. Fantastic fixture run after that!

  7. Eleven Hag
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Draft Question:

    Start Solanke over Auba?

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, this week start Solanke

  8. FallingDuck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    On WC

    A) Raya
    B) Guaita
    C) Pickford
    D) Sanchez

    +

    1) Tsimikas
    2) Dalot
    3) Guehi

    1. davewg59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Im toying between Pickford and Sa

      1. FallingDuck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Cant afford Sa myself, but if I had the funds i would go for Sa.

    2. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I'm on C3

      1. FallingDuck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers mate!

  9. The Pep Revolution
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Any thoughts on this team? I have 2 free transfers.

    Sanchez Ward
    James Gabriel NWilliams Cancelo Trippier
    KDB Diaz Andreas Gross Martinelli
    Haaland Jesus Toney

    I think my forwards and defenders are OK but think the midfield is weak. Any advice on how to improve it?

    1. outernational
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      You might want to start reducing your exposure to Arsenal players unless you plan on wildcarding before GW12. You can bench Haaland and Cancelo, but at the moment you'll have 5 non-starters that week.

    2. banskt
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Gross to Maddison is the flavor of this forum this week. I also like Diaz to Sterling.

      I would save the other FT.

  10. Brunsvigeren
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    My WC pick, still trust in Liverpool,
    Thoughts?

    Bit unsure bout keepers, I have 0.7 itb

    Guita
    James, TAA, Justin
    Zaha, Salah, Maddison, Martinelli
    Solanke, Haaland, Mitro

    Raya, Trippier, NecoW, Andreas

  11. CoracAld2831
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Would you do Martinelli -> Barnes this week, if possible?

    1. CoracAld2831
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      On WC.

    2. banskt
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I prefer Martinelli over Barnes. For me, one attacker (Maddison) is enough from Leicester. Ultimately, its your call -- how do you think Leicester will perform over the coming weeks?

    3. Wolfman180
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I'd only go with Maddison from Leicester imo. I'd prefer to go with Martinelli

  12. nolard
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Start Rashford?
    I have decent options like Trossard and Perisic.

    1. banskt
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I would start Trossard.

      Rashford and Perisic has relatively more difficult fixtures.

  13. Heiro
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Hi all,

    Help please

    Ward
    TAA/Neco/Trippier/CUCURELLA
    KDB/Martinelli/Andreas
    Haaland/Kane/Jesus

    Bailey/White/Willock

    A:Cucurella to James for free
    B: Play Bailey
    C: Play Willock
    D: Play White

    1. banskt
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Prefer A.

      B if you want to keep Cucurella.

  14. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Best 4.4m def?
    Currently got Malacia

    1. banskt
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Keep whoever you have. All are similar, just variance.

      1. Wolfman180
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Should've added that it's on WC so can easily swap. Thinking maybe Mings for the fixtures but it's Villa so not 100% sold

        1. banskt
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          Still all variance.

          I like Tarkowski, Coufal, Zemura, Botman in that order.

    2. Reckoner.
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Guehi

  15. Hotdog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    What's the chances of Diaz starting tomorrow folks?

  16. maford14
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Should i sub anyone (playing then bench):
    Chilwell-Struijk-Trippier-Tsimikas
    MGW-Odegaard-Thiago
    Bamford-Jesus-Wilson

    Bench:
    Estupinan-Tarkowkski
    Damsgaard
    Daka-Neto

  17. FPL_Champ
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Ward/Guaita
    James Trippier Justin KWP NecWills
    KDB Zaha Maddison Martinelli Andreas
    Kane Haaland Mitrovic

    Thoughts on this WC draft? Going a bit light at the back and rotate my third starting defender like the old days. Slighted tempted by switching Guaita and Justin to Iversen and Geuhi to save 0.6m incase want to go KDB to Salah in GW12.

    1. Joelinton Travel Tavern
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      It could pay off, that is a fearsome front 8. But don't like the choice of cheap defs. Would do Dalot and White maybe

  18. Joelinton Travel Tavern
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    OK. Another WC decision to make.

    1 Kane Sinisterra (or other 6.5)
    2) Son Mitro

  19. N00B
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    What do you think?
    A) play Andreas Pereira
    B) buy and play Toney (-4)

  20. Marty McFly
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Isak > Toney for -4?

  21. odbs1515
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Who should I start in my weakest link spot:

    Dier, Dasilva, Colback or N. Williams.

    Or use a transfer on someone like Zouma or Tavernier

    Used WC, would rather save a transfer.

  22. FPL_Rookie
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Raya or Martinez?