Scout Picks
17 December 2021 820 comments
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We have chosen our best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players for Gameweek 18 ahead of Saturday’s later-than-planned 16:00 GMT deadline.

It’s a 4-5-1 formation this week and, as ever, we are limited to an £83.0m budget for our starting XI.

Our four substitutes, meanwhile, are chosen from the budget/mid-price crop of players to give some potentially cost-effective alternatives to the big hitters who invariably make the initial cut.

With six postponements and injuries, suspensions and positive tests abounding even at clubs whose matches are unaffected, there’s a smaller pool of players to choose from than usual this time.

GOALKEEPER

Cornet and Smith Rowe 1

Which Leeds United will turn up against Arsenal on Saturday? The side that battled so valiantly in defeat at Stamford Bridge last weekend or the one that rolled over against Manchester City in midweek? It’ll be an understrength Leeds, either way, with at least eight of their already thin first-team squad missing out in Gameweek 18 – and that’s without any Covid outbreak. Aaron Ramsdale (£5.1m) gets the nod partly as a consequence of the opposition but, of course, also on his own merit: he has the highest points-per-match average (5.4) of any first-choice goalkeeper this season and, in this decimated Gameweek, remarkably only two starting shot-stoppers are cheaper than the Arsenal man despite his heroics.

DEFENDERS

FPL Gameweek 17 round-up: Thursday review, injury news and the things we learned
 

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The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

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https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2021/12/16/covid-watch-club-by-club-latest/
820 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. JamesDL
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Who to bring in for Vardy? Already have Watkins and King. Go for someone like Firmino or just a cheap replacement to save money for other positions?

    1. Donny_Rover
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      No stand out options for me at the moment so tough call. Firmino could be a good differential during AFCOM but he’ll be in and out of the team before the new year. I’d probably go for Lacazette for the next few weeks at least.

    2. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      I'd go for Laca. Short-term option but DCL might be an option soon or Antonio if he starts putting up better stats.

  2. Donny_Rover
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Like everyone facing some tough decisions this week. Have 9 out at the moment and looking to make a -4 to bring to 11 including a keeper. Currently on:

    (De Gea Foster)
    TAA Cancelo Alonso James (Livra)
    Salah Jota Foden Luiz (Gilmour)
    Watkins (Antonio King)

    The main two options I keep coming back to are:
    A) De Gea & Foster to Ederson & Tierney
    B) Same players to Ramsdale & Cash

    Ignoring Ramsdale is starting to bite me but Tierney is looking back to his best before that inevitable injury comes, and double City defence should be a decent differential at the moment. Alonso could also become Dias/Laporte etc, though, in a week or two.

    Any thoughts or even an alternative option?

    1. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Looking at those options...Think you need your morning coffee 😀

  3. swanseag55
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Ok with most people putting out fires, I’m getting Ramsdale in for Guaita and as I have £4.8m in the bank, I’m going for Jota to KDB and giving him the armband. Massive differential and if he does well will be huge. What do you think? I will have eleven playing (if all start).

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      I would definitely not sell Jota. Get another City mid in you can afford by not selling Jota.

      1. swanseag55
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        See I do this a few times a season go against the grain and normally it doesn’t work out. I know Jota is ticking along nicely but doesn’t have easy fixtures. I could get Foden in for Gallagher but not sure I would captain Foden. I think KDB could haul so think it’s worth it.

  4. The Hairy One
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    I can’t decide: Tierney or Cash for Livramento

    1. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Tierney feels like he has a higher ceiling, but more risk of injury/rotation. I'd probably still go with him.

  5. Ginola
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Sterling captain or do I need to stop drinking?

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Keep drinking but don’t cap him. Hangover will be worse

  6. Giovanni Giorgio
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Only 5 playing so I'm being forced to FH
    Whould you rather:
    a) Lacazette + Sterling
    b) Saka/Odegaard/ESR + KDB

    ?

    1. Yaki_90
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Saka + KDB

  7. bennygrimshaw
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Trent or Lacazette on a FH?

    1. Kikofraeuropa
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Trent

  8. sminkypinky
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Is Reguilon defo out?

  9. sacana12
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Tierney or Laporte?

    Replacing Johnson

  10. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Best defender with 5.1 mil max?
    Between Cash and Tierney atm

  11. 1471
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Torn between those too as well. Tierney injury risk, Cash 4 yellows, tough call…

    Would be for a -4 for me with Dalot out, would me I have 11 starting though so essentially just a -2

  12. Meme2011
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Do you get 1 or 2 free transfers after a free hit?

    1. Jesus Wept
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Onr

      1. Jesus Wept
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        One

  13. Wings Fan
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Just made an unbelievably rookie error with my transfers...

    Anyway I have an equally rookie question. I took a -8, am I right in saying that if I play Free Hit now then the -8 will be wiped out?

    1. Jesus Wept
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Yes

  14. Jesus Wept
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    I need another defender. Money no option, can be any team except Man City. I already have Dias, Cancelo, TAA, and Rudiger.
    A Robertson
    B James
    C Cash
    D Tomiyasu
    E Other?

    1. Ballzit
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      James I think

      1. Jesus Wept
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 27 days ago

        Thanks.

  15. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Just deciding wether or not to bench boost this week.

    1. Boycie_90
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 27 days ago

      Too unpredictable to be using bench boost in my opinion...if it pays off you could get that green arrow though

  16. abaalan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Got 11 players out (no bench) at the mo....1 FT, 3.7 ITB

    a) Gilmour -> Mount / ESR / Saka
    b) Livra -> Tomiyasu (also own Ramsdale)
    c) Livra -> Cash
    d) Both for -4
    e) Other?

  17. Diddi89
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Gtg ? Wildcard team
    Rank 10k

    Martinez / foster

    TAA, Alonso, James, tierney, Davies
    Salah, Foden, Mahrez, Grealish, ESR
    Laca, watkins, dennis.

    Three city mittfielders is high risk or Any suggestions?

  18. SuperHooper
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Can field 11 with a - 4.
    Have Foden but question is:
    Bilva or Lacazette for a non playing player.
    I'm leaning towards Lacazette but...?

  19. Boycie_90
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Ederson or Ramsdale??
    My wildcard has to be used in the next few gameweeks so they could be just a short term goalkeeper

  20. Sinichi
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Arrgh just wasted a free transfer on Watkins as I thought there was no way it be canceled this late. Saved it and the fixture disappeard!!!

    Getting silly now. They must know who has what cases by now.

    The premier league need to sort their sh*t out.

    Stay safe people and have a good christmas.

  21. BIGREDDOG
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    I just took a -16. Wondering if it's just worth using the FH or not.

  22. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Guys currently on 9 players which 1 please? A) Watkins to laca b) Bowen to saka (already got esr) or c) Bowen to gundo or silva?

  23. 420king
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    I'm on 7 players with a -4 hit.

    Would you take another to replace Bowen with Jota/Foden. And which?

  24. Mkrol1999
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 27 days ago

    Gabriel or Tierney?

  25. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 26 days ago

    When all things are finalized how many assists will Laca end up with?

    A 0
    B 1
    C 2