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. rubberdignerapids
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On a FH and Sterling being fit might have thrown a spanner in the works

    A) Rashford, Dias and Lloris

    Or

    B) Sterling, Clark and Darlow

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

      A

  2. Amans94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Chance that Shaw doesn't start for United?

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

      Yes Telles about

      1. Tambling5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It!

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

    It was dead on here 2 days ago

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

      You'd swear theres a deadline and pressers

    2. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Crazy innit. No time to speculate inanely any more!

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

    Cenk Tosun punt anyone?

    1. b91jh
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Would punt on Cutrone if looking for a real punt.

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

      heard from a fairly good source that rich traveled

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

    Are either of Aguero/Jesus nailed for this week or am I better off going with Lacazette?

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

      Aguero is quarantined

    2. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Don't think any of those 3 are nailed imo!

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

      Jesus would tempt me over Lacazette if I felt he was a guaranteed starter vs Brighton

    4. popcoin
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Jesus pretty nailed but I'd go Laca anyway!

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

        Pun intended?

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

    Best 4.2 or under defender for the bench on FH?

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

      Kilman?

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

      Mitchell

    3. boombaba
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mitchell

    4. Marcin the Pole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mitchell or Kilman

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

      mitchell

  7. Marcin the Pole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thats all I needed to hear, Pep.

    Ramsdale
    Dier Tierney Cancelo
    KDB Sterling Bruno Saka Neto
    Laca Kane

    Captain still tbd. Probably KDB although may punt on Raz.

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

      Good luck! Sterling could be a big differential this week.

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

      Wow, incredible team! Best I've seen on FFS!

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

    Bottomed:

    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 ?

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

    On a free hit, with Tierney in def...

    A. Darlow & Saka
    B. Leno & Gundogan

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

      B

  10. 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

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

    Pick 1 please:
    a) Saka and Yedlin
    b) Smith Rowe and Wan Bissaka

    1. boombaba
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

    Any preference?

    A. Holding, Lloris, Wilson
    B. Tierney, D Gea, Saka

    1. Marcin the Pole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B but with Lloris possible?

    2. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      B is what I am on. Prefer Lloris and might downgrade Yedlin to 3.9. Have Brewster & Mitchell on bench as well.

      1. Marcin the Pole
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'd do that, definitely.

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

    Which FH attacking lineup do you prefer?

    A
    Neto - KDB - Son - Bruno
    Lacazette - Kane - Wilson

    B
    Saka - Rashford - KDB - Son - Bruno
    Kane - Wilson

    1. Marcin the Pole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just say Laca+Neto vs Saka+Rash.

      Fwiw I prefer A

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

        Haha, yeah you're right that's a lot simpler. Been a long day already.

        Thanks.

        1. Marcin the Pole
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No worries man, just get opinions easier that way too. I'd actually be tempted to go Laca, Neto and Saka by dropping Wilson btw.

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

      B

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

    Best 4.9m defensive option here on fh? Coady? Holding?

    Ddg
    Dier stones xxxx Mitchell Douglas

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

      Holding

  15. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Guys fst fh Team suggestion..So replies needed

    Loris
    Cancelo stones Tierney
    Kdb Bruno son neto
    Kane laca Wilson

    4.0 esr Mitchell Bernardo

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

      Cancelo doubtful, go with Dias

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

        Is that recent news?

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

          Yes, Pep's presser, mentioned that Cancelo was a bit tired after cup game and that they gave other good players on his position

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

        Why doubtful???

  16. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Are people bringing Sterling on FH?

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

      Wish I could. Would need to drop Kane.

    2. Marcin the Pole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep. Means no Son or Rash though, but I can live with that.

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

      Yes.

  17. jayzico
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saka, WanB, Areola

    or

    ESR, Shaw, Leno

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

      B

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

        Thanks mate. B it is

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

    Worth the risk?

    Rashford:

    Leno
    Cancelo Stones AWB
    KdB Fernandes Rashford Son Saka
    Kane Laca

    Sterling

    Lloris
    Dier Cancelo AWB
    KdB Sterling Fernandes Son Saka
    Laca Cavani
    (Yedlin, Mitchell, Douglas)

    Cavani and Sterling as huge differentials!

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

      What's the question exactly?

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

        Sterling or Rashford

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

        Which draft is better? I'm so tempted to differential it up.

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

          Rashford

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

      I love the Cavani route but I'm keeping Kane and I prefer your Rashford side

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

      Why so bench heavy?

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

        What do you mean? It's not bench heavy at all. Yedlin at most for the 2nd team and that's just because I'm a bit scared Cavani doesn't play.

    4. TJ
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      cant have 6 defenders 🙂 spurs clean sheet could decide it

  19. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will Doherty start for sure?

    1. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He played the full 90 against Marine on Sunday - Aurier likely to play imo

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

      No

  20. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How's this FH team?

    Darlow

    Tierney Stones Kilman

    KDB(C) Sterling Bruno Son ESR

    Kane Wilson

    Subs: Steele, Mitchell Davis Douglas

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

      Looks good is Kilman nailed?

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

      Darlow a risk, and Kilman probably won’t play.

      1. CrouchDown
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Really why Darlow?

        And I thought Kilman would play with Boly out?

  21. SharkyT
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FH this:

    Bellerin Cancelo Kilman
    KdB Bruno Son
    Kane (-4 hit taken)

    To:
    Lloris
    Bellerin Cancelo Stones
    Son Bruno KdB Rashy Saka
    Wilson Kane
    (Steer Mitchell Brewster 4m)

    Yah or Nah?

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

      Nah should be ok!

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

    Which one?

    A. Sterling, ESR, Dier, Ramsdale
    B. Rashford, Saka, Dias, De Gea

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

      B

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

      B

  23. SerieD
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A or B? Free hitting.

    A)
    De Gea
    Tierney, cancelo, fernandez
    Smith-rowe, Son, KDB, Rashford, Bruno
    Laca, kane

    B)
    De Gea
    Cancelo, Stones, Reguilon
    Saka, KDB, Son, Bruno, Rashford
    Wilson, Kane

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

    Damn Pep and his tired Cancelo talk

    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What did he say?

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

        Whats up?

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

          Part of the reason he only played 45 mins vs Birmingham was cause he is tired and he wasn't certain he would play tomorrow

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

        Pep Guardiola: "He was tired in the last game but hopefully tomorrow if he tries to play he can be better than the first 45 against @BCFC but was outstanding..."

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

        Said that he has a great physicality, could play the day after a game. Also said that he's tired. Classic Pep.

    2. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ya but he'll still play

  25. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all is Kane best captain pick then either KDB or son as VC?

  26. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Just figured out I could fit in Sterling on a 4-5-1. Is it good?

    Lloris
    Cancelo Saiss Tierney Clark
    KDB Raz Son Bruno ESR
    Kane

    4.0 Mitchell Brewster Davis

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

      Really like it

  27. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do Salah > Rashford?

  28. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Till gw 25 as a backup for double city def and Coufal, which two of these would you have?

    A. Konsa
    B. Taylor
    C. Mitchell - plays this week but doubt he gets more than 2 pts

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

    Is De Gea a 100% secure starter?

  30. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which team does Brewster play for? I want him as an enabler