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. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling or rashford?

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

      Sterling no question.

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

      Rashford + 2m

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

        On fh sterling

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

    A) Taylor > Stones
    B) Bissouma > Saka/Gündogan

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

    Final FH draft, opinions?

    Lloris,
    Tierney, Saiss, Dias, Cancelo
    KDB (C), Son, Bruno, Saka
    Lacazette, Kane

    subs - 4.0, Shaw, Brewster, Burke

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

      Very good, could not think of anything better than that.

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

    Would you say Bruno’s EO will be over 100?

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

      In what rank range? Its pretty likely in the higher ranks id imagine

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

        I'm right on 100k. I don't own him but want to bring him in for free.

        That or I get him in for a -4 next week and keep Salah.

        If I bring him in for free, replacing Salah, then I'll have to get Salah in for a -8 next week.

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

      No

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

    1) Dias ( Already have cancelo)
    2) AWB

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

      1

    2. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1

  6. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Suddenly regretting playing my wildcard, you take Liverpool, united and city there 3 big hitters, kdb, Salah and fernandes, then u want kane in, then maybe lacazette for this gw by the time u fit them all in rest off the team is brock, lol I shuda left well enough alone

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

      lets see your draft

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

      Don’t get salah this week then

    3. Where dahoud at
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Haha this is my team so far

      Leno
      Stones, dier, dallas
      Anguissa, kdb, Rashford, salah
      Kane, Bamford, mcgoldrick
      Bench, johnston. Coufal, Soucek, chilwell

      No Salah and maybe sterling

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

        Looks strong, you might want to take a hit to get Salah for dgw19

    4. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      On wildcard, I dropped Salah. Not touching Lacazette. If I want Salah I will drop Son for him next week. I'm just not convinced on Liverpool atm.

  7. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On FH:

    a) Cancelo, Dias & Saiss
    b) Cancelo, Stones & Maguire
    c) Dias, Stones & Maguire

    (can go AWB instead of Maguire)

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

      B

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

      B

    3. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A. Saiss against toothless everton.

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

    On a WC, pick 2 for the next 2 weeks:
    A) Wilson
    B) Wood
    C) Bamford
    (will get Antonio in for DGW19 as well)

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

      A + C

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      BC

  9. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    https://www.manchestereveningnews.co...-live-19608408

    Sterling passed fit, Aguero out. Surely means Sterling starts?
    Means I will chance it with 7 plus Brewster - no FH

  10. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Please help. Panicking. This is my team and already on a hit. Should I just play my WC and BB 19 ?

    Dias - Cancelo - Dier - Taylor

    KDB - Fernandes - Rashford - Son

    Brewster

    1. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That'll be fine - stop there

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

      save

    3. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Madness to use FH on that no real need imo.

  11. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Arsenal's Smith Rowe played the cup game vs New castle a few days, and the last epl game as well and he's only 20 years old.
    Major bench risk this gw, heh ?

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

      No

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

      Game on in the second half against Newcastle. So should start.

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

      Came off the bench in the cup and looked sharp, he'll play

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

      Definite risk but he makes my bench anyway. I’m thinking martinelli likely to be injured so he could well start. Even off the bench the kid has potential to get returns, and at 5.4m he makes the rest of my team possible

    5. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yes he came off the bench but the match was 120+ mins so he played he actually played around 90 mins

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

        No he didn't he played around 60 mins

      2. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He played 35 mins normal time and 30 mins extra time.

      3. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        yes, my bad, mis-calculated
        cheers

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

    Team pretty much locked in. Have been tempted by Raz over Kane but think I’ll stick....

    Lloris (4.0)
    Cancelo Tierney Saiss (Mitchell 3.9)
    KDB(c) Bruno Son Gundogan (Saka)
    Kane Lacazette Wilson

    Gtg? Dilemma with Saka v Gundo. Thanks all 🙂

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

      I have the exact same team...with ESR in place of Saka......unsure between Sais and a United defender.

  13. Brehmeren
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do we think Reguilon is still in the dog house?

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Quite possibly and this is putting me off

    2. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think good pick. Played semi v brenford if was still in dog house would of played marine

    3. Yes Ndidi
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think so, yes.

  14. Totti
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    is sterling safe to start?

    as i want to choose him over rashford

  15. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Other than KDB, which City attacker best option ?

  16. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Suprised to see no Kane in the scout picks.

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The article might have been written earlier on ?

  17. MattysFantasyFooty
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What's better on FH?

    A. Saka, Holding
    B. ESR, Tierney

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

      Think B

      the difference between the defs is bigger than mids

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

      B for sure. Saka is only marginally better than ESR, and mostly due to being established in the team. Tierney is a much better option than Holding, on the other hand.

  18. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    which is better?

    A- Sterling + DDG + Dier + Smith-Rowe
    B- Rashford + Lloris + Cancelo + Saka

    1. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B. Sterling and Rashford even, Lloris > DDG, Saka > Smith-Rowe

  19. Sarri-ball
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Better combo

    A) stones/saka
    B)cancelo/smith-rowe

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

      B

  20. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Guardiola on Cancelo: “He (played) last season in the middle, he was confused a little at the beginning, he expected something we couldn’t offer him. He’s a nice guy with a great heart, great physicality and could play a day after game.”

    “He struggled with new club, new ideas but now he helps us to do something we need. He was tired against Birmingham, that’s why he played 45 minutes, hopefully he will be available for tomorrow. What he gives us as a team is so important, so important honestly.”

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The Cancelo being tired line is a bit concerning

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

        Might go for gundogan instead now

      2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He only played 45mins the last day :D.

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

      Great physicality but tired

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Pep's comments! Seems like he will start, probably could come off early

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

          Off at 70 with cs before Brighton score.

          1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            This is the likely move I think.

            1. Sun Jihai
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Would be dreamy

  21. jernej93
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Currently on 7 playing with 1FT in hand

    DCL and Dallas -> Dias and Wood (-4) ?

    Or DCL to Antonio with DGW in mind and I field 8 players this GW 🙂 ?

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

    Pep Guardiola on Joao Cancelo: "Aleks can play in his position too and Benjamin/Kyle can play in different oppositions but it depends on the opponent. I have to know if he can do it for his qualities. This alternative he can give us as a team is so important."
    uh huh imma go with Dias!!

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      From those quotes Cancelo sounds nailed...

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

      Pep trolling at its best

  23. rdpx
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On a free hit...

    A. Darlow & Saka
    B. Leno & Gundogan

    1. rdpx
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I also have Tierney

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        B because I wouldn’t be going anywhere near Darlow

        1. rdpx
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks.

  24. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling passed fit. Fantastic

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

      Wasn't mentioned by name and Pep did say he might be forgetting someone... 😉

      Just stirring the pot, but I'm sure he's ok. Just whether you want to be picking up someone who is potentially only "ok" on a FH for that price.

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        But that is Pep talk OK = fit. He had his rest the last day. I am delighted if Sterling was ruled out I was going to take a -12.
        Now just fielding 8 no FH.

  25. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Folks, Foden or Gundogan?

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

      Folks

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

        Underrated player.

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

        Bored ?

  26. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Currently looking at this -8:

    TAA + Salah + DCL -> Cancelo + Son + Lacazette

    Will give me enough cash spare to do Son -> Salah next week for the double.

    Thoughts ?

    1. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would!

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

    I am almost ok with FH team . Please suggest if anything

    Leno
    AWB, Stones, Dier
    Son, Bruno, KDB, Rashford, Gundogan
    Kane, C.Wilson
    Bench:Areloa, Brewster, Kilman, Mitchell
    Bank : 0.1 m

  28. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gundogan or saka.

    1. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      For better suggestions, you should mention whether its FH team, in view of DGW, etc.

      1. Taegugk Warrior
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        FH

  29. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play three, who to pass?

    Tierney
    Saiss
    Stones
    Cancelo

    1. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Saiss

  30. Ronny Sandstone
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone going Sterling over KDB?

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Really tempted. Would captain also

      1. Ronny Sandstone
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'm leading my mini league and think my rival will go Sterling as he'll assume ill go with KDB, so I might go with Raz now, could all just be in my head though, hmmmm?