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. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What do you think about this WC team. Not gonna use BB in DGW19.

    Team for GW18

    Areola
    Cancelo - AWB - Stones - Holding
    KDB - Bruno - Son - Rashford - Smith Rowe
    Kane

    (Martínez, Brewster, Antonio, Coufal)

    Possible transfers for DGW19 with 0.6 ITB:
    Kane + Rash/Son -> Werner + Mané (-4)
    Kane + Rash/Son -> Ings + Salah (-4)
    Or whatever the future might throw at us 😉

    Team for DGW19 could look like this after taking a hit:

    Martínez/Areola
    Cancelo - AWB - Stones - Coufal
    Salah - KDB - Bruno - Son
    Antonio - Ings

    (Martínez/Areola, Holding, Smith Rowe, Brewster)

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

      Looking good, ctrl+c !

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

        .. ouch, 1.0m off that team 🙁

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

          Sorry ! 😀

  2. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    asked this yesterday but nearly deadline in a few hours so thought i'd get final thoughts from you all please?

    8 players this GW18 if i take a - 8 hit.

    is this good enough to save FH Chip?

    Leno
    Mitchell, Stones
    KDB, Bruno, Son
    Kane, Wilson

    Yes or No

    Thanks

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

      considering -8 no imo

    2. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No just fh. If you could field 8 without hits that would have been a different story

    3. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Of shall i pull the FH Chip now?

      Really wanted to save it for a DGW down the track though?

    4. The Road to Turfdom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      save

  3. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ok so now we have the news in, do you prefer FH 1 or FH2? Diffs in CAPS!! Thanks :

    FH1

    Lloris
    Cancelo / Tierney / MAGUIRE
    De Bruyne / STERLING / Bruno / Neto / Smith-Rowe
    Kane / Lacazette

    Forster, BREWSTER, Mitchell, DOUGLAS.

    FH2

    Lloris
    Cancelo / Tierney / STONES
    De Bruyne / SON / Bruno / Neto
    Kane / Lacazette / WILSON

    Forster, Smith-Rowe, KILMAN, Mitchell.

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

      What have you heard on Sterling? That's the key decision..

      1. Krafty Werks
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That he is fit and i think he will 90% start tbh.

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I prefer 2

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

    on a WC:
    A) Leno/Johnstone + Holding + Maguire + Sterling
    B) De Gea + Tierney + Stones + Son

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

      would be for at least next 2 weeks (so BGW & DGW)

  5. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Sterling, Dier, Shaw, Holding, DDG
    B) Laca, Wilson, Cancelo, Tierney, Lloris

    Sterling a huge differential but defence probably better in B.

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

      A

  6. ymx
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saiss/Tierney/cancelo/Dias + Laca
    OR
    Stones/Tierney/Holding + Rash (With Wilson up front)
    ??

  7. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pep say anything about Foden?

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

      Pep Guardiola on Foden"He's playing like he always has - high standards in all departments. There are still margins to improve but from day one I am delighted about his behaviour. The quality will do the rest..."

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

      Nothing to say he starts.

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

      https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-press-conference-live-19608408

      Phil Foden impressing:
      He's playing like he always has - high standards in all departments. There are still margins to improve but from day one I am delighted about his behaviour. The quality will do the rest

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

      Cheers all....

  8. chocolove
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gabriel jesus anyone?

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

      Was tempted and i chickened out :/

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

      Not with Sterling news.

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

      yes, going with him over Rash/Laca

  9. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    WC done.

    Leno
    Dias Stones Dier AWB
    KDB Fernandez Son Saka
    Kane Wilson

    Subs: Meslier Coufal Soucek Bamford

    BB next week. Not sure what I’m doing with Kane and Son but will figure it out.

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

    GCSE Bitesize is actually really good

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Haha! I hope that isn’t aimed at a few people on here?

  11. Henning
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Wan-Bissaka or Saiss?

  12. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hello everyone. Do you think it's worth pulling the trigger on Grealish to Rashford move for a hit?
    Cheers in advance.

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

      How many likely starters have you? If less than 7 take the -4

    2. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah

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

    DIlemma !

    Play with 7 player :

    Mitchell, Stones
    Fernandes, KdB, Son
    Wilson, Kane

    Or FH to have

    Lloris
    Tierney, AWB, Stones
    Saka, Son, Fernandes, KdB
    Wilson, Kane, Laca

    ??

    Knowing that if I FH, in GW19 I will get back Salah (for KdB) and Anguissa (for Soucek) I bought with my 2FT and I will lose 0.3 because of price changes

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

      B. Then you can reevaluate the changes ahead of the double. Take the hit before GW19 instead. In the grand scheme of things, that was a minimal amount of price change which could buy you time as we await more covid news and injuries from this gw.

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

    A) Saka + Shaw
    B) Smith Rowe + AWB

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

      A

  15. Pukkipartyy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So no point going with Sterling? Pep did not help us with this.

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

      How so? He's been passed fit.

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

        Did he said that?
        How about this 😀 "The rest, maybe I forget someone".

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

      Should be fit

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

      If a player did not play in the last game and is passed fit with no injury concerns. We can assume there is a high probability that he will start the next game. If Sterling played the last game it would have been more of a doubt for the Brighton one surely?

  16. ajk1211
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which one on FH?

    A) Saiss & Gundogan (3-5-2)
    B) Stones & Wilson (3-4-3 but double city defence with Cancelo)

    Cheers

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

    Plz this last question
    A- Lloris - Tierney - Saiss - Gundo - Wilson 4-4-2
    B- Leno - Stones - Clark - Rashford -3.9 M 3-5-2

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

    Burke or Brewster first sub?

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

    Best 4.8m GK for this week?

    A) Pickford
    B) Guaita
    C) Areola
    D) Ramsdale

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

    "Hopefully he will be available" ~ Pep about Cancelo. That's him out of my team, not playing pep roulette with a 3 back and Mitchell and Kilman on my FH bench.

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

      You are playing pep roulette when you own any city players

      Cancelo is due a 20 pointer at some point soon

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

        Not if those players are Kdb and Dias who I've had without any worries.

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

      Yep. Cancelo-->Dias

  21. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How's my FH team look?

    1) Should I downgrade to Darlow to upgrade my bench?

    2) Is Saka/Dias/Yedlin (3-4-3) > Maguire/Stones/SmithRowe (4-3-3) a better move?

    Lloris
    Cancelo Dias Tierney
    KDB Bruno Son Saka
    (K)ane Laca Wilson
    (4.0 Yedlin Mitchell Burke)

  22. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Are you still going with Cancelo after the Peps comments?

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

      Yes if you have a bench which you should

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

        he may come as a cameo. Only tired, not injured

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

    A) Stones+Rashford+Brewster+Cutrone (ESR starts)

    B) Saiss+Gundogan+Laca+Wilson
    (ESR bench)

    Which to go?

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

      A would be Brewster bench*

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

    Sterling C anyone?

  25. The King
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy & DCL -> Kane & Wilson for -8
    will give me:

    Dias • Reguilon
    KDB • Bruno • Son • Saka
    Wilson • Kane

    What you think?
    Cheers

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

    Rash or Laca for this week only?

  27. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Too risky?

    DDG
    Holding Dier Shaw Stones
    Sterling KDB Bruno Son Saka
    Kane
    (4.0, Brewster, Mitchell, Davis)

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

      I like this. Big gamble on Sterling could be rewarding.

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

      almost identical - its one week so seems worth it! went rash over Son too

  28. Tinfoil Deathstar
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Last-minute FH doubts with defence. Zero ITB and fodder on bench. I am currently set on Option A which is very safe for CS potential but low on excitement.

    A) Dias, Stones, Dier
    B) Saiss, Shaw, Cancelo

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

    Looks like Cancelo might not stert based on Pep’s comments?

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

      Disagree

    2. Tinfoil Deathstar
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What has he said?

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

        https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-press-conference-live-19608408

        Cancelo role
        Cancelo having a good season
        He arrived last season, he was confused in the beginning because he expected something that we could not offer him but he's a nice guy with a great heart. He's a guy whose physicality is incredible, he could play again the day after a game and this is so important us to have players consistently fit. Last season he struggled a little bit with a new club and new ideas but now he has had more time and he is playing good. He was tired in the last game but hopefully tomorrow if he tries to play he can be better than the first 45 minutes against Birmingham but he was outstanding. Aleks can play in his position too and Benjamin and 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 that he can give us as a team is so important.

        --
        'His physicality is incredible and he could play the day after a game' - to me means the fella is a machine and not only that only played 45 minutes the last game!

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

      ???

  30. Sepp Blattered
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone have a Midfield of Sterling, KDB, Fernandes, Rashford, Son ?

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

      Will have to drop Kane for that