Scout Picks

Gameweek 18 Scout Picks – Time for Man City triple-up

We are bringing you our best XI for Gameweek 18 several hours earlier than usual because of the Friday night deadline.

As usual, we have assessed the squad of players submitted by our Scout Squad panel Paul, Joe, Az and Peter to come up with the optimum line-up.

We are inside our budget of £83m this week, and are lining up in the traditional Fantasy formation of 3-4-3.

Goalkeeper

Lukasz Fabianski (£4.7m) was the most popular goalkeeper with our Scout Squad this week, with two of them picking him as the best option between the sticks, while Joe had him as the second choice. The West Ham shot-stopper has recorded a minimum of eight points in three of his last four Premier League outings and prepares to face a Watford side with two blanks in their three most recent away trips.

Defenders

Aymeric Laporte (£6.1m) is our Manchester City representative for Gameweek 18 after Joe and Peter picked him out as the best defender this weekend. The Frenchman is easily the most assured of a start even during this busy Christmas period. Pep Guardiola’s defending champions may be without a clean sheet since Gameweek 13, but the visit of Crystal Palace seems to be the ideal time to record their ninth of the season. Only Huddersfield have scored fewer goals than the Eagles in 2018/19.

Stephan Lichtsteiner (£4.5m) comes into the Scout Picks XI for the first time ever, as we look to cover the Arsenal defence in Gameweek 18. Sead Kolasinac was actually the player chosen by our Scout Squad panel with Paul and Az tipping him as the best defender for the weekend. However, with Kolasinac still a slight doubt in our minds for the visit of goal-shy Burnley (Emery “thinks” he will be okay to play rather than declaring him 100% fit), we’ve gone for the safer option. Lichtsteiner looks to be the only option available at right-back, with Hector Bellerín now ruled-out, which is more can be said for the left-flank where either Kolasinac, Nacho Monreal or Ainsley Maitland-Niles are likely to be used.

Matt Targett (£4.2m) played his way into our thinking for Gameweek 18 after his impressive display against Arsenal. With Ryan Bertrand currently out of the Southampton team, Targett has made the left-back spot his own and has been offering some creative potential too. The Saints have a real chance of showing what defensive improvements they have made under new manager Ralph Hasenhütll this weekend too, as they travel to face the division’s lowest scorers Huddersfield. The Terriers have found the net just three times at home in 2018/19 thus far.

Midfielders

Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) is the first of our Manchester City double-up as Crystal Palace prepare to visit the home of the champions. Guardiola’s men have scored five goals against the Eagles each of the last two times they came to the Etihad Stadium, and the way they are playing there this season suggests we could be in for another goal-fest. After having some rest against Everton and Leicester midweek, Sterling should be preparing to start Gameweek 18, especially with his direct competition in Riyad Mahrez playing the full 90 in the EFL Cup. In his last six Premier League starts he has five goals and five assists and it should be no surprise that the Englishman was unanimously tipped as the best midfield option by our Scout Squad panel this week.

Eden Hazard (£11.0m) also forced a unanimous decision out of our pundits, with all four of them selecting him as the second-best option for Gameweek 18. The Chelsea midfielder is in very reliable form having recorded five assists and a goal in his last four matches. That stems from some very impressive underlying statistics both for goal threat and creativity, meaning he is one of the likeliest players to get a double-figure haul this weekend.

Leroy Sané (£9.7m) completes our Manchester City contingent as they prepare to host Crystal Palace. Once again, it was a unanimous decision from the Scout Squad panel with all four of our pundits putting Sané in the box for third-choice. The German international has been keeping pace with Sterling’s underlying statistics in recent weeks, as Fantasy Football Scout members will know more about from the latest Captain Sensible article, making him just as likely to deliver as his English colleague. We think Sané is more likely to start as well, having had his minutes managed at Everton and absent from the EFL Cup win.

Ryan Fraser (£6.3m) and his Bournemouth colleagues may be on the chopping block for some Fantasy managers, but we believe Gameweek 18 is the right time for faith in your Cherries assets. They host a Brighton and Hove Albion team allowing more shots from set pieces than any other side in away games this season. This is where Fraser specialises as Bournemouth’s corner taker, so we’re expecting him to continue ticking over for the campaign on Saturday, with Joe and Az his backers.

Forwards

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5m) is another player who should be regarded with patience by his owners. The Arsenal man has received the backing of all four of our Scout Squad pundits this week, with Joe, Az and Peter picking him as the best option, Paul the second-best. Aubameyang has been unfortunate not to have scored since his Gameweek 14 brace against Spurs and we believe that a home match against Burnley, who are still giving away plenty of chances, is the opportunity he needs to get back in the goals.

Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez (£6.5m) is our West Ham representative this week, ahead of that visit of Watford to the London Stadium. The Mexican forward has scored three times and assisted twice in his last four matches and he continues to appear the first choice for the Hammers with Marko Arnautovic out. Meanwhile, the Hornets have just one clean sheet away from home this season and are likely to concede in the wake of Manuel Pellegrini’s in-form attacking side.

Salomón Rondón (£5.9m) completes our Scout Picks XI for Gameweek 18 as Newcastle face Fulham at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon. The Cottagers have conceded an average of 2.67 goals per away match this season, suggesting that there are attacking returns on offer for the Magpies this weekend. Rondón is easily their in-form man with a goal or an assist in each of his last three Premier League outings, and underlying statistics which suggest that output is sustainable.

Substitutes

David Luiz (£5.8m) could be the man to capitalise on Leicester’s troubles in front of goal in Gameweek 18. The Foxes come to Stamford Bridge on the back of successive blanks while fitness doubts remain over Jamie Vardy.

We would have loved to include Felipe Anderson (£7.4m) but just ran out of funds to do so following his most recent price rise. We feel we have sufficient cover in Hernandez but have to point out the Brazilian was well-backed by our pundits, three of them asking for him to be included. Indeed, he has two goals and two assists in his last four appearances.

Marcus Rashford (£6.9m) looks likely to start for Manchester United in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first game in charge and stands a decent chance of getting some attacking returns, with his accuracy in recent weeks. Ultimately what cost him a place in the full XI was the uncertainty around the Red Devils with Solskjaer’s impact as yet hard to measure.

Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 18 is ochili. He has opted for a 3-4-3 formation of: Leno; Luiz, Lovren, Delph; Fraser, Sterling, Hazard, Pogba; Rashford, Wilson, Aguero.

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 nine and lost seven so far, with #FPLGuru defeated 47-43 in Gameweek 17.

fclackless‘s winning margin of 33 points (77-44) in Gameweek 10 is the current target to beat.

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1,480 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Weilong7
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    captain hazard, salah or auba?
    play dunk or kamara?
    thanks!

    1. DeathoftheParty
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Haz Kam

    2. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Haz
      Kamara

    3. Predator
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Salah, just like bou away

    4. Weilong7
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      thanks both 🙂

  2. Ycfc
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Salah owner here without Sterling or Hazard (Have Sane and no Chelsea cover) 1FT

    A) Salah > Hazard
    B) Salah > Sterling
    C) Save FT

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Same boat but think i might keep.

    2. DeathoftheParty
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      C. I'm in the same boat and not worried.

      1. Ycfc
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers both, leaning towards that too! Good luck

    3. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      a or c if that helps

    4. Jono295
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A for me. Haz essential over next few game weeks!!

    5. Predator
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Just captain Salah

    6. RyanC
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Same situation (Salah + Sané).

      Perfectly happy. Keep.

    7. Tree House
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Same I’m keeping

    8. George James
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I have Sane / Salah and i have to be honest I am a bit worried about no haz and sterling

  3. Akeem
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Final dilemma: (c):

    A) Sane (CRY)
    B) Hazard (LEI)
    ?

    1. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I'm going a)

    2. DeathoftheParty
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Im on Sane but would probably go Haz (don't own)

    3. Weilong7
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      city

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

      I did Sane(c) Hazard(vc)

    5. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Sane it is, thx

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

    Interesting article on Jota. Injured today so Liverpool easy win?

    https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wolves-possess-premier-leagues-biggest-15583705

    1. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      It won't be easy, but they could get a w

  5. FPL-(VAR)dy
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Did Emery say anything abt Auba in his pressers??On my WC so its either him or Kane.I want to start on the right note

    1. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I'd go Kane regardless...fixtures are better

  6. bitars
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Alonso and Mitro out for Trippier and Rashford for free?

    1. DeathoftheParty
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Close... Still think Alonso will come good.

      1. bitars
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        The thing is that its almost the only move i can do, either that or downgrade my second goalkeeper to a 4,0.
        2FT, 0,0 itb
        Fabianski, Patricio
        Van Dijk, Doherty, Digne, Alonso, AWB
        Hazard, Sterling, Sane, Richarlison, Højbjerg
        Auba, Wilson, Mitrovic

        Should i go for it or what else is there to do?

    2. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A&M more nailed

      1. bitars
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        True and good point.

    3. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      No IMO

  7. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Alonso and Richarlison ➡ AWB and Hazard?

    1. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Would keep both of those players for future fixtures if not these

      1. Give The Todd Some Love
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Very true

        Just all about how important Hazard really is. Both he and Alonso never get points when I own them.

  8. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Sane (c) locked in!

    1. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      This!

  9. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Having a feeling that Burnley could cause some trouble for Arsenal

    1. DeathoftheParty
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A Sunday league team could cause Arsenal trouble at the minute.

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Bit harsh on Spurs.

        1. DeathoftheParty
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind...

  10. 808Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Just can't decide my captain between Sane, Sterling, and Auba....

    1. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      One of the City boys.

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Sane

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Not Auba 🙂

    4. el polako
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      You and thousands of others.
      I got Sane & Sterling and going with Raheem.

  11. Ted Striker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Jiménez -> Rashford for -4 unwise?

    1. DeathoftheParty
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah. Jimmy long term, Rash unknown

      1. Guru Mediation
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Not so sure on that. Wolves will try to sign a striker in jan

        1. Ted Striker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Oh well that’s interesting. Very mixed fixtures for Wolves before new year, although Jiminez does seem to be a big-game player...

      2. Ted Striker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        You’re right, thanks. Needed the reality check.

        Now I think about it, I’ve heard about the dangers of trying to cover a long-term Jimmy with an unknown Rash.

    2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Terrible move

  12. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    RP

    Play

    A) Doherty
    B) Digne

    RMT tool says Doherty

  13. Lukakwho
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Oi you. How can I use my 2FT this week? Been doing a lot of tries without liking any of them. 0.3M ITB.

    Fabianski

    Doherty, Alonso, Kola

    Sane, Son, Richarlison, Anderson

    Kane, Auba, Wilson

    (Woodman, AWB, Dunk, Gunnarson)

    1. Patch
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Kola or dunk out for Digne and bednarek

    2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Worst start to a message ever

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

      Wilson has tough fixtures after this gw.
      Is Kola playing? Rich has tough game.

  14. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    I have a defensive problem in my team, Which 3 should I start??

    Kolasinac/ Robertson/ Doherty/ Digne

    1. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      K R Doherty

    2. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Bench Doherty I think

    3. RyanC
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Kola, Robertson, Doherty.

  15. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Which Defender would you have for the next 2 weeks only? Gametime is an issue

    Alonso
    Robertson
    Laporte
    VVD

    1. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      If gametime is an issue, then Alonso or VVD.

      1. Guru Mediation
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        This

  16. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Does it make sense to use my one FT to do Bellerin to Digne and play Digne at home to Spurs?

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      No i guess as Kane has good scoring record against Everton

  17. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Did Scotty get his ban?

    Bit like a player getting his 5th yellow for an Xmas break I thought...

    1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      He's taken the advice on board and made his choices. He's happy with them and sitting back by the fire chilling out roasting chestnuts.

      Nope, he's banned.

  18. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Which C do you fear most that you don’t own?

    1. Shaikh91
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Auba

    2. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Sane and Sterling 😐

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

      Sterling and Hazard. Hope Sane can be as good

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

      Sane.

    5. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Auba and only Auba.

    6. RyanC
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Hazard, Sterling and Auba.

      Team Kane, Salah and Sané...

    7. MTPockets
        5 years, 3 months ago

        The arsenal guys

    8. Shaikh91
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Need some help guys

      Ederson, Hamer
      Alonso, Davies, Bennett, balbuena, benalouane
      Sterling, fraser, sane, richarlison, hojbjerg
      Kane, success, laca

      2 ft with 0.7 itb

      Laca and fraser to Hazard and ings??

      1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I reckon Laca will start this week, but longer term that is a solid move. So I’d say yes

      2. Podorsky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Not a good idea this game week, both Fraser and Laca have juicy fixtures and Laca looks set to start.

    9. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      What are the chances that koscielny starts?

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Pretty low, given what Emery said in his press conference.

      2. el polako
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        If he can make it through warm up...

      3. Bojaninho
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Bloody hope not

      4. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Slim

    10. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Hmm page not flying. Interesting.

    11. Blue Gaffer
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Salah, Dier, Cedric--------Sterling, Billing, Laporte -4 yes or no?

      1. Paulinho14
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        no

    12. Bojaninho
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Mahrez+laca> Hazard + Rashford -4?

      Or

      Mahrez> Martial

      1. Paulinho14
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        hazard and Rashford for -4

      2. RyanC
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        A

    13. Paulinho14
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      best defender for 4.7 and under?

      1. Teddy Brewski
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Holebas

      2. RyanC
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Tarkowski, Morrison, Dunk, Balbuena.

    14. FPL DONKEY
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Benching headache.. who should I play?

      A) Doherty (LIV)
      B) Digne (TOT)

      and

      1) Jimenez (LIV)
      2) Brooks (BHA)

      1. Paulinho14
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        A and 2

        1. FPL DONKEY
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Cheers! What I was thinking, just worried about Brooks

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        B1

        1. FPL DONKEY
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Dammit

          1. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            I wouldn't listen to a bar of chocolate if I were you.

      3. Teddy Brewski
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        B1

    15. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Auba in scout picks is surprising... was going to be my captain until he played 90mins midweek.

    16. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Did emery say anything about auba today?

    17. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Non-fpl question. Has anyone on here ever pulled their hamstring and does it hurt as much as it looks?

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Snapped my calf - felt like someone shot me in the leg.

        1. Forza Papac
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Yikes. Didn't know it was possible to snap your calf. Footballing injury?

          1. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Cricket. Fat people playing sports should come with a health warning!

            1. Forza Papac
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              We are all Dwayne Leverock.

      2. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Hammies are part of FPL. I understand it's very uncomfortable

      3. MagnetBPS
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Not painful but it will be painful if you walk or run for instance.

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

        Snapped my ACL clean off and walked home the same day. I would say no. Bunch of pansies those professionals.

    18. ILOVEBAPS
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      How about Maddison / Salah > Hazard / Mr.Anderson ?

    19. piotas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Fabianski - Button
      Laporte - Doherty - Chambers - Wan-Bissaka - Kolasinac
      Snodgrass - Hazard - Richarlison - Sterling - Hogg
      Kane - Wilson - Aubameyang

      2FT 0.4itb

      OK, hear me out, I will do something crazy(-4), and this are the options

      1 - Richarlison - Laporte - Kolasinac -> Sané - Kongolo - jonny
      2 - Kane/Aubameyang - Hogg - Kolasinac -> Rashford - Sané - Digne(if kane)/Lichtsteiner(if Aubameyang)

      Gun pointed
      1 or 2 go

      1. Jeremy Corbyn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Very bad trades

      2. Top 210 Club
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        stupid woman