Scout Picks

Blank Gameweek 18 Scout Picks built on Man City and Arsenal’s FPL assets

Manchester City and Arsenal form the spine of the Blank Gameweek 18 Scout Picks.

Ahead of matches against Brighton and Crystal Palace, we have chosen three players from Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta’s squads respectively.

We line up in a 3-5-2 formation, which comes in at £80.4m, £2.6m under our budget of £83.0m.

Goalkeeper

Hugo Lloris (£5.6m) strikes an appealing balance between clean sheet and save potential for Blank Gameweek 18. Spurs have six clean sheets in their last 11 Premier League outings while Fulham have failed to find the net in three of their last five. Meanwhile, Lloris’ 53 saves this season is the sixth-highest in the division and the most of any so-called ‘big six’ goalkeeper.

Defenders

Signing Cancelo a week before fixture swing can give FPL owners the edge

João Cancelo (£5.8m) is our chosen Manchester City defender considering his managed minutes in the FA Cup and the fact Kyle Walker played a full 90 minutes against Birmingham City. Pep Guardiola’s men have conceded just three goals in their last 12 matches in all competitions and, over the last six Gameweeks, Cancelo ranks top among all FPL defenders for expected goal involvement (xGI).

Fresh from back-to-back clean sheets, Kieran Tierney (£5.4m) has explosive potential in Blank Gameweek 18. Discounting their 5-1 win over West Bromwich Albion in Gameweek 11, Crystal Palace have just six goals in their seven remaining away matches this season (0.9 per game). Meanwhile, no Arsenal player has created more chances than Tierney in their last four matches.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin out injured for Everton, Romain Saïss (£5.1m) has potential at both ends of the pitch in Blank Gameweek 18. The welcome return of Leander Dendoncker should further boost Wolves’ defensive potential considering they have no clean sheets without him this season and four in matches when he played 90 minutes. Meanwhile, Saïss ranks top among all defenders for attempts on goal over the last four matches and Everton are inside the bottom four for highest number of headed chances conceded.

Midfielders

A more advanced false-nine role for Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) against Chelsea helped him to a third double-digit haul since Gameweek 10. While we expect him to be a number 10 against Brighton, a home match against another possession-based side looks perfect for the Belgian to post another big score. No Premier League player has created more big chances than him over their last four matches while only one Blank Gameweek 18 midfielder has managed more attempts on goal than De Bruyne in the same period.

Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) is that midfielder, having registered 16 shots over his last four. With just one blank away from home this season, trusting the Manchester United man on the road has been easy in 2020/21. No Premier League player has been afforded more big chances than the Red Devils’ penalty taker over their last four matches either.

Son Heung-min (£9.8m) is our chosen representative from the Spurs attack as they face a hastily arranged meeting with Fulham. The South Korean offers a cheaper route into this match than Harry Kane and a better balance of goal and assist potential based on recent form. Over Spurs’ last four matches, Son is ahead of his English colleague for big chances, key passes and big chances created and level with him for efforts on target.

Ilkay Gündogan (£5.4m) could provide excellent value for his owners in Blank Gameweek 18. The midfielder has enjoyed a new number eight role recently, which has helped him outperform both De Bruyne and Sterling in several key areas over the last four matches. During that time, the German international has registered more shots in the box and big chances than his colleagues and his five efforts on target are level with De Bruyne and one more than Sterling, despite less pitch-time than the Englishman over the selected data period.

Bukayo Saka (£5.3m) can benefit from a weakness in Crystal Palace’s defence on Thursday night. Over their last six matches, the Eagles have conceded the joint-fourth-most number of chances down their left-hand side. Saka has operated on the right of Arsenal’s attacking midfield in each of their last three league matches and has two goals and two assists to show for it.

Forwards

Alexandre Lacazette (£8.3m) is also in excellent form as he prepares to face a Crystal Palace side with the worst expected goals conceded (xGC) score over the last four matches. The striker himself ranks joint-top for big chances since Gameweek 14 and is behind only Anwar El Ghazi for efforts on target during that time too. Despite playing 217 minutes in the selected period, Lacazette has produced four goals.

Callum Wilson (£6.6m) may be without a goal since Gameweek 14 but his record against lesser opposition this season suggests he can get something at Sheffield United. In seven meetings with teams inside the bottom nine since joining Newcastle, the former Bournemouth man has accrued four goals and four assists, producing 7.1 points per game in such matches.

SUBSTITUTES

  • Karl Darlow (£5.0m)
  • Luke Shaw (£4.8m)
  • Federico Fernández (£4.7m)
  • Chris Wood (£6.2m)

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 we use Fantasy Football Scout data 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 Blank Gameweek 18:

THE 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.

Due to the short turnaround, there was no Community Champion for Gameweek 17, although the Scout Picks had an impressive week with an 85-point score.

AA33 is the current leader, defeating the Scout Picks by a 53-point margin in Gameweek 2.

2,514 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who’s everyone planning on captaining for DGW19?

    1. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Salah

    2. Caravagio
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cant even remember what my team looks like under this free hit 😀

      Probably Salah though...

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB TC

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

      Not the time or place to ask this right now. Come back Saturday morning...

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

      KDB.

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

      KDB TC

  2. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any changes you would recommend? (nothing in bank)

    Pretty template I know. Probably prefer Lloris and would like Wilson.

    De Gea
    Cancelo, Tierney, AWB
    Fernandes, KDB, Son, Saka, Gundogan
    Kane, Lacazette
    Steer, Mitchell, Yedlin, Brewster

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

    Which is best
    A. Darlow
    B. Leno

    1. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      I WAS THINKING AT LEAST WITH DARLOW, YOU KNOW IT IS GOING AHEAD.

    3. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B uncertainty around Darlow (might lose his place)

  4. Pedersen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This gw will not be cancelled, no rumurs? Just confirming before playing FH

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You'd have seen it if it was a chance

      Hit it

  5. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On FH
    1) Tierney laca ( yedlin)
    2) stones rashford ( fodder)
    3) dias tierney (fodder)

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      3

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That doesnt add up tho

  6. DickFranDyke
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On WC
    Dallas or Dawson for WHU double

    1. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dallas

  7. JonSnow
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    To free hit or not to free hit, Avl have stuffed my plans.
    Dias / stones / kilman / Maguire
    Kdb / fernandes / son
    Wilson
    One ft with dcl on the bench
    I could do a straight swap to martial or cavani with my ft and 1.4 itb

    Not overly optimistic on utd at Burnley though.

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No fh.

      Maybe a -4 but you're not in a bad spot

    2. zm82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I am in a similar situation (only 8 players from the sides that have a fixture, one of them being Mitchell) and will not free hit. I would not with your team, but would replace DCL as, even if he is fit for GW 19, that fixture could be postponed. The problem with DCL is that neither Cavani nor Martial is guaranteed to start this week or against Fulham in GW 19. I would maybe go for Lacazette instead, even though he has no double gameweek in 19.

  8. Kingtekkerz
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do you think its likely that Villa-Everton will go ahead as planned at sunday?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah but Villa might still be short a few key players

    2. JonSnow
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Im wondering the same and if so what strength team comes out

  9. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    pages flying now

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Indeed

  10. Arcaddde
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    DCL replacement. Anyone considering Martial (instead of Lacazette). Not FH so I am also thinking about his advantage of a DGW 19. Don’t quite trust Laca, but same is true of Martial....!

    1. StellaMan
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same issue as you. Both are a coin toss!

    2. JonSnow
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same issue here, leaning towards martial due to the double though I fancy lace this week

  11. Nemanja Vidic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    2FT 0.3 ITB
    WC FH BB TC available

    Martinez Mendy
    Regulion Saiss Justin Coufal Mitchel
    KBD Fernandes Son Grealish Saka
    Kane Bamford Brewster

    GW18 Mirchel Grealish -> Stones Foden

  12. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Last spots on fh

    Loris
    xxx, xxx, Tierny, Cancelo
    Kdb, Son, Fernandes, Saka
    Kane, Laca, xxx

    A. Wilson, Stones or Wan Bissaka 343
    B. Dias, and Wan Bissaka 442

    1. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

      1. Lignja
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Stones or Awb?

  13. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I think Im going to risk Aurier on a Free hit. Really like him as an fpl asset and since he wasnt even on the bench for the Marine game while Doherty played a full 90, he's bound to start. Will have Yedlin as bench cover just in case though

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good option

    2. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends whether Mourinho has forgiven him for his mistake against Leicester.

      1. Alisson WondHaaland
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Well has he forgiven Doherty over his red card? 🙂

        1. ivantys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Probably since he started the last 2 🙂 Took a long time though.

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

      Yeah, I went with him with a decent bench cover, potential is there.

  14. Abaddon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For next week

    A) Gundo, Vardy, Cavani
    B) Salah, Brewster, Bamford

  15. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Shaw now injured guys?

    Do you guys think Lindelof will play?

    Cheers

  16. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling fit then, Torres too as not mentioned.

  17. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    on WC

    1. wanBissaka + Areola
    2. Holding + DDG

    also
    A. Watkins
    B. Antonio

  18. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Darlow or Leno?

    1. MSTRKRFTSMN
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Too much doubt about darlow starting. Has to be Leno. I also think Sheffield United can’t be this bad forever and won’t get a better opportunity than Newcastle at home to turn things around

  19. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which is the better option on a FH?
    A) Sterling Shaw Yedlin
    B) Rashford Tierney Cancelo

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

  20. The Reptile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Could I swap Son to Rashford if I already have Kane?

    would give me : Saka - Gundogan - Bruno - KDB - Rashford

  21. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone going with Foden? High chance he won't start but if comes on he could still do some serious damage to a tired Brighton.

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Look bellow, Im seriously tempted he´s on red hot form

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah he is indeed in great form and Pep did say earlier in the season that he would keep putting in form players in.

    2. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Since City dont yet have a striker, they will continue with KdB false 9 and Foden has thrived in this system so he should start. Foden owner here 😛

  22. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do we think Foden starts?

    1. claretparrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He's been in my draft until today, but now gone for Gundo. Just not worth the risk

  23. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Stones, Holding, Mitchell
    Gundogan KDB, Bruno,Son
    Martial, Brewster

    Not Playing : Martinez, Salah, Coufal, Bamford, Dallas

    Worth a -4 to bring in DDG for Martinez? Realistically worst case is -2 and a loss of 0.3m. Plus good chance villa wont have a DGW cos of covid?

    thoughts please...

  24. Steager
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I'm nearly there on my WC:

    A) Saiss and AWB

    or

    B) Tierney and Shaw.

  25. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How is this FH looking?

    Leno
    Cancelo Stones Dier
    KDB Bruno Rashford Son Saka
    Kane Lacazette

    Main decision to make is:

    A) Wilson, Foden, Regullion, Tierney, DDG
    B) Rashford, Saka, Stones, Dier, Leno

    Thoughts?

    1. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

  26. NULL-X-VOID
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gundo or Saka?
    I have Sterling and KDB

  27. MY DJ NAME IS PIMP CURRY
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do we know anything about the COVID situation at Villa? Could Martinez/Grealish/Watkins etc be out with COVID?

  28. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    G2G?

    De Gea
    Dias Dier Holding
    Fernandes Son KDB (C) Saka Rashford
    Kane Lacazette

    Subs: Kilman, Brewster, Mitchell

  29. akhilrajau
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which def is good

    A. Saiss
    B. Dier

  30. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is there any chance leeds saints can go through ?