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. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    DCL to Wilson worth a 1 week punt? (-4 for an extra starter)

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

      Probably not. How much value will you lose on DCL?

      1. Boss Hogg
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        0.4.
        Probably selling for Antonio next week anyway.

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

      YES, YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN DCL IS BACK.

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Don't shout

  2. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So everyone changing their fh team to fit sterling in?

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

      No. Dias is half the price, nowhere I'm finding that extra 5 million from.

    2. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      why?

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

      Doubt it

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

    Is this worth a hit :
    Bowen out for Foden IN?

    1. markus808
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You serious? Absolutely not.

      1. DIMITRIS
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Just loud thinking

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

    Hi guys would you FH this:

    Mitchell Cancelo
    KDB Fernandes Son Mahrez
    Brewster Martial

    0 FT

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

      Prob not

      I might take a hit depending on your blankers

    2. Relaxing
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      nah

  5. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you?

    Bruno, Grealish, DCL -> KDB, Rashford, Wood (-4pts)

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

      No way mate

    2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No. Find a way to keep both Bruno and KdB

  6. I Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling fit then. Time to load up the Sterling draft.

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

      Less likely Gundogan starts now? I don't know anything about how city lineup

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Gundogan will still start.

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

      Sterling vs Bissouma-less and Lamtpey-less Brighton essential

  7. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Please RMFHT 🙂

    Realise there's lots atm, but I think I'm settled on this and worried I've overthought it.

    Arsenal players not allowed.

    DDG
    Cancelo Dier Saiss
    Son Rash Bruno KDB(c) Gundo
    Kane Wilson
    (Yedlin/Brewster + fodder)

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

      Looking good

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

        thanks

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

    Why is no one considering Jesus?

    1. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Because he is pants?

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

      Can't remember the last time he scored a goal.

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

      I am

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

      I'm an atheist.

    5. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I am. Much prefer double City attack to double defence. Considering Sterling, Jesus and Gundogan to add to KDB.

    6. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lol i still hope he dont start!

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        * Doesn't or Does not.

        Go back to your English Class.

    7. Chill, we'll call you
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Because he's an invisible friend (going by the last 3 games).

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

    Hey all, GW18 points predictions please:

    Yedlin
    Wan Bissaka
    Smith Rowe
    Saka

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

      2
      2
      5
      8

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      4
      4
      4
      5

  10. jammie26
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Free hit or not free hit that is the question.

    1. LikeItLoveIt
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just done mine - feel like a new man!

      1. jammie26
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ive got 7 players, really want to save it for later in the season, but at the same time i just want to press that button!

        1. LikeItLoveIt
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          7s not bad tbf - as long as theyre decent i'd save

  11. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one pls

    A) Mitchell (ars)
    B) Brewster (NEW)

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

      Mr 100% Goal involvement isn't a completely terrible shout this week, if SHU can get one (big if)

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Hope so. That's my gut choice, thanks.

    2. The Sociologist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Always B)

  12. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    a) Bruno, Grealish, DCL -> KDB, Rashford, Wood (-4pts)
    b) Grealish, DCL -> KDB, Brewster

    1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B by far.

  13. Dont give a fuchs
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How does this look for a FH18 team?
    Lloris
    Cancelo stones Tierney
    KDB Bruno Saka Son
    Kane Lacazette Wilson

    Subs - Peacock Farrell Lookman Kilman Mitchell

    1. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Pretty identical to the other 500 that have been posted.

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

    Bottom'd, with pages flying.

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

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      High chance 1 of those 3 has it but could still be back for 19

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

      Aston Villa do not have a game this week following the covid outbreak. Spurs now play Fulham instead of Villa

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

        I know that, but DGW19 is right around the corner

  15. Trebadom
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi guys......I've taken a - 4 to get this team. Or should I free hit?

    Playing:
    No GK.
    Stones, Dias, Wan Bska, Saka, De Bryne, Son, Fernandes, Martial

    Maybe:
    Kilman and Taylor in squad but not nailed.

    Not playing:
    Martinez, Forster, Bamford, Davis.

    Q1) DO I KEEP OR FREE HIT?
    Q2) IF I WAS TO FREE HIT, WOULD MY - 4 HIT BE CANCELLED?

    Thanks in advance!

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

      1 keep imo
      2 yes

      1. Trebadom
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks!

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

      2. Yes your hit is wiped. Just do the -4 next week if the players are still fit.

      1. Trebadom
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Would you free hit or keep mate?

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

          Tbf you are only missing Kane.

          However, having 3 United City Spurs v Burnley Brighton Fulham could reward free hitters handsomely.

          It’s a flip of a coin. There is very little upside to your current approach. Huge downside risk.

  16. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FH first draft

    Darlow
    Dier, AwB, Cancelo, Tierney
    Son, KdB, Bruno, Rashford, Smith Rowe
    Kane

    G2g?

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

      Darlow/dubravka worry you?

      I switched to lloris

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

        Yeah Bruce’s comments put me off Darlow.

  17. Konstaapeli
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    DCL to Cavani for a hit?

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

      DCL injured and Cavani probably won’t start. Don’t see much point.

      1. Konstaapeli
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cavani should be well rested and Ole spoke highly of him.

  18. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Locked and loaded with .3 itb
    How does she look?

    Leno
    Cancelo Dias Reguilon Aurier Shaw
    Kdb Fernandes Rashford Son
    Lacazette

    Bench : Wilson ESR Brewster

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      .

  19. Steirish
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Brewster or Lowton?

    1. LikeItLoveIt
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd go brewster

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

      At least Brewster has a chance of a return. Probably Brewster.

  20. LikeItLoveIt
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Don't know if it actually helps anyone but i believe Richarlson traveled with the squad so should be involved

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

      Too expensive to consider, especially playing in a severely weakened Everton side.

  21. drughi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A or B on a FH ?

    A. Leno, Dier and Saka
    B. Lloris, Tierney and ASR

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

      A

  22. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I know Raz is tempting and all... but between KDB, Son, Bruno, Kane how will you get him? Surprised at the clamour but I suppose dropping one of the big four this week for a player as explosive as him could pay off.

    1. Xna
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Going 4-5-1 makes it possible, if you consider not playing Lacca, it can work Saka-KDB-Ster-Bruno-Son

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

      Tried to play around with it myself, but would mean losing Rashford and then double United defence.

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

    (A.) Lloris, Tierney, Saka, Gundogan
    (B.) Leno, Stones, Rashford, Smith-Rowe

  24. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on this FH team?

    Lloris
    Cancelo - Tierney - Saiss
    Bruno - Son - KDB - Gundofgan - Saka
    Kane - Laca

    Areola - Clark - Robinson - Brewster

  25. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Yikes. Thought my FH team would be a bit different going for Gundo and Saiss, ended up only having Kane over Saka (who’s my first sub, really) compared to the scout picks!

    1. Thewonderfulgame
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Great XI

      bench would want to consider - could be stronger - Clark likely to be rested. McGoldrick or someone else perhaps?

  26. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A. Sterling and Wilson
    B. Son and laca

  27. THEKID_88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What's best people?

    A) Rashford in a 3-5-2 with Smith-Rowe as the 5th mid

    B) Laca in a 3-4-3 with Kane & Wilson

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      prefer rashford personally

  28. Thewonderfulgame
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) really strong FH team but no BB

    B) below team with one eye on BB DGW 19

    areola (martinez)
    stones shaw cancelo holding (coufal)
    rash KDB son bruno ESR
    Laca (Wood, Bamford)

    or
    areola (martinez)
    stones shaw cancelo holding (coufal)
    KDB son bruno ESR (salah)
    Wilson Wood (Bamford)

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

    I know pages are racing by but is anyone in the know about Shaw?

    Can only decide between Shaw and Lindelof

    Cheers

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

      Far from itk but I'd look elsewhere rather than either of them

      What's the full team like?

  30. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FH A or B

    A

    De Gea (Steer)
    Cancelo Tierney Dier (Fernandez Mitchell)
    KDB Fernandes Son Foden Saka
    Kane Lacazettr (Brewster)

    B

    De Gea (Steer)
    Cancelo Dias Tierney Dier (Mitchell)
    KDB Fernandes Son Rashford Smith-Rowe
    Kane (Brewster Davis)