Scout Picks
18 December 2021 1102 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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It may be an exercise in futility but we have, again, chosen our best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players for Gameweek 18 ahead of Saturday’s later-than-planned 16:00 GMT deadline.

The revision of the picks follows the earlier postponement of Aston Villa v Burnley.

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
 

 1



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

 1

https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2021/12/16/covid-watch-club-by-club-latest/
  1. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Sh*t. Wish I capped Cancelo over Foden.

    Foden will be rested won't he?

    1. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yup.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If he's Amrit then he starts imo

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        He's fit*

    3. Lord of Ings
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I capped him as well
      Good luck to you too!

    4. Maddamotha
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Any news?

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Nah, just post-deadline anxiety. Too late now.

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

    Good luck everyone. My brain hurts.

    I'll have 10 players max. Opted against taking a hit to get a playing goalkeeper, which I may come to regret...

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Same here.

      Didn't want to ditch DDG for Ramsdale for a hit. Can't see any more than 6 for Ramsdale given how poor Leeds team is, so for the sake of max 2 points, it made no sense.

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Same. I like DDG as a pick for the foreseeable, and I hope he repays our faith with some nice DGW hauls!

      2. Pep bites Kun
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Good call I reckon. Ramsdale owner here. DDG for the dbls should work out just fine.

  3. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    My only ask is that ESR is on the bench ……….

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Blasphemy!

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Worse than that - treason!

      2. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Sorry dude.

    2. Red Red Robins
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hes my VC, 🙁

  4. El Presidente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is the game on?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Good question

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

      If they cancelled at this point would be a new record for cancelling so close to ko.

  5. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Tierney brittle hamstrings

    Surely a game for Tavares to start

    1. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hopefully

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Blasphemy x 2!

        1. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Lol

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Hehe

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I thought that but long rest until next Sunday, brought Tierney in anyway, surely Artera won't wanna spoil a good thing going

    3. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Possible. First time we've had decent rotation for Tierney. Arteta no longer has to run him into the ground.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Please don't be saying these things!

    4. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      They're unchanged. He starts.

      1. No Kane No Gain
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Confirmed?!

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

        Unchanged as game cancelled?

        1. tokara
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Lol pessimistic

  6. 420king
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    me: Salah + Lacazette + Raphinha + Foden + Bernardo + James - 8
    vs
    cup opponent: Saka + ASM + Alonso

    Pretty sure he beats me somehow...

    1. jason_ni
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      How does someone still in cup not own salah?!

      1. 420king
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        He does, but he has C on Ronaldo and VC on Sarr.

        1. jason_ni
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          How tf am I out of the cup with people like that still in lol.

          1. 420king
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            It's a dead team that got lucky twice. Would have beaten me if I played him last round too.

          2. Kannbury
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Magic of the cup!

  7. fplgaruda
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Can we give Leeds one point at PL table for bracing themself to play the game with depleted squad in covid situation.

    Kindly reduce Spurs and united points as well.

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Honest club, deserve the point.

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Bielsa has never complained either. Fair play to them.

    3. Pep bites Kun
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Love to see them stay in the PL. Well deserved! They'll fight to the last man it seems. +1 for Leeds

  8. El Presidente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Oh dear....

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      What's up Presidente?

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Drop your pudding?

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      What?

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Do tell…

    4. EmreCan Hustle
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      What, WHAT?

    5. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Coffee's too hot?

    6. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      oh god no

    7. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Don’t keep us in suspense …

    8. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He's have roast venison instead of roast turkey for Christmas.

      1. DARE TO BISCAN
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Sounds like a win

    9. fplgaruda
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      OMG

  9. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Guesses on chances of these games being played tomorrow?

    a) Spurs Pool
    b) Wolves Chelsea
    c) Newcastle Man City

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A very low
      B almost certainly off
      C Most likely

    2. The White Pele
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      80%
      70%
      85%

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      60%
      80%
      50%

    4. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I’m betting on City game to be on as heard no covid rumours about that one

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Took a hit for a 3rd City player, probably 4 points gone.

        1. Atimis
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Took a hit for Foden as well

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

        Fingers crossed for Cancelo, Bilva and Foden!

    5. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A) Toss
      B) A
      C) Coin

      1. Zimo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        To Your Witcher!!!!

    6. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A. About average.
      B. Almost no chance.
      C. Goes ahead.

    7. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      60%
      30%
      80%

      But obviously no idea.

    8. BrutalLogiC
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      65%
      90%
      75%

    9. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Wait is the Chelsea game also likely to be called off?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I’d say it’s almost certainly off.

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

        afaik some newly created Chelsea fan account on twitter casting doubt

    10. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      25%
      10%
      40%

    11. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      80
      10
      95

    12. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sneaky feeling Chelsea will be off with reports of more positive Chelsea cases.

      Spurs/Pool possibly in danger with London cases so high.

      Hope City game goes ahead at least.

      1. HashAttack
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Hard to believe Chelsea don't have enough players

        1. Scots Gooner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Don't think squad size is important. Man U have a fairly big squad, no?

        2. The Ilfordian
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          They would have if they realised that Christensen played for them

    13. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      a) 0 unless behind closed doors
      b) 50%
      C) 75%

    14. Botman and Robben
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      3%
      90%
      90%

    15. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      a) 64
      b) 50
      c) 89 (easy Citeh fixture)

  10. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    a) Brownhill > Martinelli (-4)
    b) Brownhill > ESR (-4)
    c) Don't take a hit, play with 9

    1. The White Pele
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      FH

  11. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    https://twitter.com/Teamnewsandtix/status/1472240085051584512?t=t434IxoLGOD8tx5idTJiHA&s=19

    ESR benched.

    Well done Lacazette punters. Wanted to, but also wanted no hit + potentially Ronaldo next week.

    1. PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Muhahaha

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        He did score last time this happened tbf.

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

      Benched or not in squad. Find out soon.

    3. Zimo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Woohoo

    4. The White Pele
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ødegaard owners unit.

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        ...of what department?

        1. The White Pele
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          e*

    5. BrutalLogiC
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      well that sucks!

    6. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      god will arteta just go!

    7. Paqueta Rice
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If this is correct I have 2 players playing. I repeat I have 2 players playing

      1. BrutalLogiC
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        what's your ID?

        1. Paqueta Rice
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I have Martinelli and Lacazette

          1. tokara
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Brave

    8. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      ESR specialises in scoring from the bench

    9. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Why is ESR benched ? Lost place or just being eased back? Surely comes on though

  12. threeputt
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    cant wait to see the mini league teams, and the next round of the cup to see how many he/she has got

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      You can see your cup oppo before the deadline you know

      1. threeputt
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        and I have but I haven't looked since and they may have made transfers

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      he

  13. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    You think that going (c) Cancelo may not end up being a disaster?

    1. jason_ni
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      We're good pal, double digits incoming.
      Mo prob still outscore us though!

  14. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    All my three strikers (Watkins, Dennis, Antonio) will not play, but I have eleven players, which will play. Are the points lost or will come all three strikers automatically to the bench?

    Thank you!

    1. Ragabolly
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Points lost, you have to have at least 1 striker

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No you don't 😆

    3. Toonmad
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      You have to play at least 1 striker

    4. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Can't go 5-5-0. One def/mid will be benched

    5. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      You'll lose out on one player. Have to play one striker in a formation.

    6. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      haha

    7. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No valid formation no point to come in

    8. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Did you play your Guardiola chip?

    9. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Whoever does not play, will be replaced by players that do play

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Have to have 1 striker though

    10. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      You can’t have a 5 5 0 … so I think one of you available players will be on your bench …. I think

    11. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Chances are all 11 won't play.

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        😆 so don't bother?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          So the 3rd bench will get on.

    12. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Is it reverse All Out Attack chip?

  15. jason_ni
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Its obvious, we just need to get players from the teams on sky sports going forward.
    Money talks!

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Haha yep

    2. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lol … looks that way

  16. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Arsenal unchanged apparently

    1. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Game to be postponed within the next 60 minutes so not changing?

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Gotta try new clothes at some point...

  17. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Surely any games on London to be called off?

    1. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      behind closed doors i reckon

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yeh that would be sensible

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Why?

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Declared Major incident from COvid

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Oh really ? Thanks.

    3. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Surely can't be played with fans after Sadiq Khan declared a major Covid incident in London.

      1. im1974
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Give over. As if Sadiq (windbag) khan carries any weight. He was more than likely at some, politically arranged, photo op courtesy of captain hindsight Starmer

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Better than captain no sight bojo the bozo

            Wonder what it is about Sadiq you don't like? That you didn't get from right wing meme pages

    4. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Emile Smith Gotta Go

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        To the bench.

      2. Free Hat
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Emile smith D'oh

    5. Lord of Ings
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      You guys reckon Laporte starts?

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        If it happens, yeah.

    6. tbos83
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Played my fh, ensuring 6 players from ars/Lee and 3 each across remaining fixtures. So in theory should be OK even if a game called off tomorrow. In theory...

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I'm using it on one of the DGWs

      2. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I'm using it for the Spurs TGW or DGW

        1. tbos83
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Fair play.

    7. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      The postponements have pushed me into watching EFL Championship games. Entertaining stuff, to be fair

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Another nice goal

      2. EmreCan Hustle
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Aren't EFL games being affected?

    8. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Saka & Gelhardt for me in this one.

      1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Saka gelhardt ramsdale for me

        1. Original Sin
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Tierny Saka Laca for me, Gelhardt on bench

    9. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lineups...

    10. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      ESR on the bench

      1. Arteta
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Party in the middle of the park.

    11. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      burned a FT by missing the deadline … doh 🙂

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Could be a blessing in disguise.

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          nah, was bringing in Rapha & Laca for free … 12 points lost 🙁

    12. Paqueta Rice
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Martinelli and Laca VC (Salah C) let’s go gunners !

    13. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Koch is in

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Filling gaps

    14. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Surely esr will start v Norwich...

      1. Lord of Ings
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Martinelli is in amazing form
        Doubt that happens

        1. MikeS
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Esr in hot form too

          1. Lord of Ings
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Arteta doesn’t change a winning combo
            So you gotta hope arsenal lose today

            1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              hes so inflexible

      2. Gizzachance
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        No doubt will come off bench

        1. MikeS
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          For another goal hopefully

          1. Gizzachance
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Did last week

    15. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      My girlfriend loves Robin Koch.

      1. Zimo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Hopefully not everyones

        1. Paqueta Rice
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          😆

      2. Paqueta Rice
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I can confirm this

      3. bigwig
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Didn't know his name was Robin, so unfortunate, he must get it ripped out of him

      4. MikeS
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        So does your mum