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. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who is ESR?

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

      smith-rowe

      1. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks.

    2. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sorry for lame top post.

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

      Mighty 4.4 Smith-Rowe.

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

      Emile Sreskey

    5. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Smith Rowe

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

      Extra Sensory Reactions

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

    Thoughts on this WC plan:
    De Gea (Areola)
    Tierney Stones Cancelo Lowton (Coufal)
    KdB Bruno Rashford Son (Soucek)
    Laca Wilson (Bamford)

    Son + Laca --> Salah + Antonio (-4) for DGW19 BB

  3. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Dallas or lowton?

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

      Dallas season keeper

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

    Anyone tempted by Cavani over Laca? Seems like he'll start

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I don't think it seems like he'll start tbh

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

        Ole: “Edinson has trained well since he’s been banned.. He’s ready to go ... He’s contributed really well so far. I’m sure he’ll be really important for us between now and the end of the season. The end of the season starts tomorrow night.“

        But it's definitely a gamble

        1. Simon69
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Still will be Martial imo

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

      R u sure. Then rash can be gundogan and can make good team

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

    my final draft... Please suggest any improvements...

    Lloris
    Stones,Saiss , Fernandez,
    Son, Bruno, KDB, Rashford, Gundogan
    Kane, C.Wilson
    Bench:Areloa,Mitchell, Brewster, Kilman
    Bank : 0.0 m

    A. Current is fine
    B. Lloris, Fernandez -> Leno, AWB
    C. Stones, Fernandez, Rashford, Brewster -> Cancelo, AWB, Burke, Lacazette (343)

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

    What's this wildcard team like? Thank I cud do with some advice lol

    Leno
    Stones, dier, dallas
    Anguissa, kdb, Rashford, salah
    Kane, Bamford, mcgoldrick

    Bench, johnston. Coufal, Soucek, chilwell

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

      How much ITB?

      I would get Cancelo/Dias over Chilwell for the extra game, since you cant already field 11 in BGW18. As well as Dallas to a United defender, since Leeds probably wont have a DGW19

      Would definitely upgrade one of Anguissa/McGoldrick after DGW

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

      No Bruno jumps out

  7. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GTG?

    DDG (£4.0m)
    Cancelo, Stones, Dier (Mitchell, £3.8m)
    KDB, Bruno, Son, Saka (Smith-rowe)
    Kane, Lacazette, Wilson

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

      Looks good!

  8. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Got 8 players for GW 18. Not using chip anyway, so might as well take a -8 to get two more players? The effective loss will probably be -4 tops..

    Thinking of bringing in Dias and Gundogan, who I could also keep for GW19 in case I don't use the FH in that round.

    What do you think?

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

      Gundogan long term may take up a City spot that you'd want with double def and KDB/Sterling but Dias is a good long term option certainly

      1. Better luck next year
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You've got a point. Will probably field 9 players for -4.

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

          Sounds good!

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

    Do you think Dias will start this gw ?

    Or Cancelo is safer pick ?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Both fine imo

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

      Cancelo - Dias - Stones should almost certainly start this GW

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

      Consensus is Dias/Stones/Cancelo all played a bit at the weekend but rested so will prob start. Think Cancelo is the better pick personally

  10. Tosa86
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My actual draft FH:

    lloris
    Tierny - AWB - Cancelo
    Fernandes - KDB - Rashford - Son (vC) - Smith Rowe
    Kane (C) - Wilson

    Button - Yedlin - Mitchel - Davis

    Any suggestion adn feeback is very appreciate.

    kane or laca?

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

    A) Stones + Neto
    B) Saiss + Gundogan

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

    1) DDG & Stones

    OR

    2) Darlow & AWB

  13. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Liverpool line up leaked yet?

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

    Low SV of 100.8m -- anyway to shave 0.1m off this FH team?

    DDG
    Tierney -- Cancelo -- Stones
    KDB (c) -- Bruno -- Son -- Saka
    Wilson -- Laca -- Kane

    4.0 -- Burke -- Mitchell -- 3.8

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

    Thoughts on this FH?

    Leno
    Stones Dier Yedlin
    KDB(C) Sterling Bruno Son ESR
    Kane Wilson

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

    Saïss or AWB in ur FH ?

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

    Do we think Shaw will start today?

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

      I do.

    2. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably Telles imo - Telles not as good defensively but wouldn't be too much of an issue vs Burnley. Famous last words lol

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

    Is Sterling going under the radar? Yellow flag but could play? Would be decent differential... Thoughts?

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

      No funds with other inform options

    2. as33
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have him, when is Peps pre conf?

    3. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would really like to have him on FH but few things that are against him this week

      - Injury doubt
      - Price. Especially if he is an injury doubt.
      - Limited space for City players if wanting a defensive double up.

  19. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone on free hit who will not captain KDB?
    What is your choice then and why?

  20. 2OLEgend
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For GW18 and DGW19(BB) and long term

    A) Stones
    B) Cancelo

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

    Who to play Smit rowe or wilson ?

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

    Why no Kane in Scout Picks? is he out?

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

    Which pair would you rather have??
    A) Tierney Dea Gea
    B) Maguire Leno

    1. quayle99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A. Tierney better attacking threat

  24. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pages flying .

    Cancelo or stones ? Have Dias already

  25. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Why no Kane in scout picks by the way?

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

    How did Antonio look last night ?

    Last I saw him he looked so slow, could take a while to get back up to speed

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

    DCL to Wilson worth a punt?
    -4 for 1 week only.

  28. quayle99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A.
    Darlow
    Tierney Cancelo WanB
    KDB Son Fernandes Foden SRowe
    Kane(c) Wilson

    or

    B.
    Darlow
    Tierney Cancelo WanB Dier
    KDB Son Fernandes Rashford Saka
    Kane(c)

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

    Didn't think i'd be asking this but any good SheffieldUtd or Newcastle itk accounts? Need to know if Bogle/Yedlin are starting.

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

    Who has more goal threat?

    A. Dias
    B. Stones