Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 18

Our first Blank Gameweek of the season is upon us. Liverpool’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup means their fixture against West Ham is postponed. And with Manchester City taking on Leicester City this weekend, we are faced with trickier captaincy and transfer decisions than normal. 

This is reflected in the Scout Picks with the starting XI featuring players from eleven different teams. And one of the better captaincy options doesn’t even make the cut. 

What to do with our Liverpool players?

Stick or twist. Andy made his moves early with Trent Alexander-Arnold shown the door. While the Liverpool fullback has continued his attacking potential supplying seven assists this season, the lack of clean sheets is a cause for concern.

Having looked at the Season Ticker, Andy decided there may not be too many shutouts for Liverpool on the horizon. Liverpool are second worst for defence over the next seven Gameweeks. With Alexander-Arnold costing £7.3m, the Pro Pundit feels there is better value elsewhere. 

However Andy has decided to keep Sadio Mané. A decision shared by fellow Pro Pundit Holly, but not by Scoutcast host Joe or Pro Pundit Sam

Holly’s faith in her subs allows her to bench both Mane and Alexander-Arnold this Gameweek. Undaunted by Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures, she observes:

We can see from Jurgen Klopp’s teamsheets in the FIFA Club World Cup exactly where his priorities lie. This season is Liverpool’s best chance of winning the title in the Premier League era, nipping at Manchester United’s heels for the most titles in history.

– Holly Shand

She turns to this site’s Rate My Team tool to justify her decision to hold onto Alexander-Arnold, noting that out of all defenders he’s still top for points projections despite the blank. 

Holly feels so bullish on Liverpool she’s even considering adding Mohamed Salah to her contingent. 

Indeed it’s a desire to own the Egypt international that has prompted Joe to swap Mane for Son. He then plans to bring in Salah after Liverpool’s fixture against Leicester in Gameweek 19.

Joe feels there’s an opportunity because of the Blank Gameweek to forgo a Liverpool player and take advantage of a resurgent Tottenham Hotspur. Sam agrees.

On the cusp of the top 10,000 and with her Wildcard in hand, she feels that benching a player of Mané’s value is a poor use of budget. She too is targeting a Spurs replacement. And, like Joe and Holly, is looking to draft in Salah down the line.

Pro Pundit Tom Freeman has been similarly impressed by the Liverpool attacker. In his latest article the five-time top 1,000 manager noted how a positional change improved Salah’s attacking potential:

Mohamed Salah’s (£12.2m) best goalscoring form has come when leading the line in a 4-2-3-1, with Roberto Firmino (£9.3m) positioned in the pocket just behind, and this trend continued against Watford, with the Egyptian not only scoring twice but also causing the Hornets defence problems all afternoon.

– Tom Freeman

As the Scout Notes on Liverpool v Watford confirmed, Salah’s seven goal attempts all took place inside the box and far exceeded the two for both Mané and Firmino.

Further good news for those favouring Liverpool players was provided by Pro Pundit Zophar who looked at the rest period afforded each team over the busy festive period:

Liverpool (290.5 hours) and Sheffield Utd (293 hours) have the most relaxed schedule. West Ham’s total is inflated by their blank week in Gameweek 18.

– Zophar

Although not many own West Ham players, their Blank Gameweek affords them an actual rest. And an improved performance in Gameweek 17 caught the eye of Tom Freeman, who felt Antonio and Haller thrived in their new striker partnership. 

David Wardale observed in his Scout Notes on the match:

Haller, in particular, was reborn. He’d struggled to replicate the form that had prompted his transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt, partly because he thrived in Germany alongside Luka Jovic, now of Real Madrid. Antonio is unlikely to be moving to the Bernabeu anytime soon, so his presence could continue to galvanise both Haller and the team as an attacking force.

– David Wardale

Finally, before we leave the topic of Liverpool and West Ham, Joe mentioned on the Scoutcast that Ben Crellin is predicting Gameweek 24 as a possible slot for rearranging the fixture. This would make Gameweek 24 the first Double Gameweek of the season:

Liverpool have lost their EFL Cup QF at Villa, so I reckon there’s about an 85% chance that WHU vs LIV will be moved to GW24 (Jan 28-30). It’s the next midweek that both teams will definitely have free.

– Ben Crellin

Captaincy Conundrum

I declared at the top of the article that one of the better captaincy options hadn’t made the Scout Picks. I was referring to Raul Jimenez, whose Wolves’ team travel to Norwich City. David noted in his Captain Sensible article:

While Norwich have made some improvements on the road recently, their home defence, much as it was even as they won the Championship, tends to suffer from their increased propensity to attack their opponents.

– David

Joe backed that up on the Captaincy Video, observing that Norwich have conceded 12 big chances in their last four home matches

However David did point to the recent return of Christoph Zimmermann has having boosted their defence. Although, as Neale reported in his team news round-up, fellow centre-half Tim Godfrey has been ruled out until February with an ACL injury.

Marcus Rashford was highlighted as a strong candidate in both the Captaincy Video and Captain Sensible articles. Form and fixture align: five goals and two assists in six matches, including two double-digit hauls, is coupled with a match against a Watford defence who have conceded a high number of big chances. 

Vardy and De Bruyne present form options with a tricky fixture. A trip to the Etihad means recent captain-favourite Vardy is not so heavily backed on this occasion.

The bottom line is that the attacking players are arriving at the Etihad in strong form and so are the defences. Not every Fantasy manager will be comfortable placing the armband here.

– David

Nonetheless Manchester City are tipped by G-Whizz in the latest DS stats, fixtures and clean sheet odds. And should De Bruyne continue in his advanced role, he would present an enticing option. 

Spurs duo Son and Alli have attracted a lot of attention this week. Good form meets poor form as Chelsea travel to North London for the last match of the Gameweek. Joe quipped: 

If Chelsea conceded eleven goal attempts against Bournemouth, how many will they concede against Spurs?

– Joe

Son is handed the captain’s armband in this week’s Scout Picks. 

Finally a mention must also go to Danny Ings, who was immensely unlucky not to score against West Ham. In her video review of Gameweek 17, Sam pointed out his talisman status in the Southampton side. And over the last four Gameweeks and the season as a whole, no team has conceded more shots in the box than the Saints next opponents Aston Villa. 

Seeing Double

Despite the Scout Picks featuring players from eleven different teams, attacking double-ups was a popular hot topic this week. 

It’s been a successful tactic for World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen, as Greyhead reported in The Great and The Good. Currently third overall, the Norwegian has benefitted from doubling up on Manchester City and Liverpool players at different times this season. De Bruyne and Sterling early on followed by Salah and Mane later. 

With two free transfers many will be wondering whether the chess king will sacrifice one or both of his Liverpool players.

One high-value piece that is coming back into play is Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero. As Rotation’s Alter Ego revealed in his team news summary the Argentina international has returned to training. Could he soon prove a canny differential?

Neal Maupay was one of the three players highlighted by Pro Pundit Ash (aka FPLHints) in his differentials article this week. While 9.1%-owned Richarlison is included in the Scout Picks, he faces Arsenal’s shaky defence this week. And the fixtures look particularly rosy for Everton from Gameweek 22. 

One midfielder who has disappointed recently is Christian Pulisic. The Chelsea forward may have registered 13 shots in the box over the last four Gameweeks but, as Karam pointed out on the Scoutcast, only two of those were on target. Pro Pundits Andy and Zophar have both parted company with the American.

To view all our discussions please visit our Hot Topics page, and if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.

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Community Competitions

For an update on all FFS Mini-Leagues and Community Competitions, please click here to read the latest round-up.

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 18 can be found below:


Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

Best of luck for Gameweek 18!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,237 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Balls of Steel
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Switched capacity from Rashford to Son at the very last second 11:29:59...don't normally change but the home fixture has swayed me! Watford new manager first home fixture also my reasoning...

    1. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Fair do's I never fancied rash for c this week. I went Alli in the end.

      1. Podge
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        It’s dues

    2. Aj Royals
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      same here…last second change to Son... I still tried back to Rashford after seeing the captain poll result but couldn’t as it shown as the site being updated. Hope Son can give some points.

    3. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      My captain is kdb

      1. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I moved from kdb to alli today. I fancied a slight diff this week at 18% ownership.

    4. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      These last minute moves always end in tears.

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

        Yes they do, yes they do 🙂

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

    Saka playing as left back for Arsenal. I wish I owned Richarlison

  3. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Almost went crazy trying to decide who to captain.
    Options were Rash, Son, Alli, Kdb and Vardy.
    In the end I went with Rash but it was a tough one. Let's see what happens.

    1. Sailboats
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Same. I switched from Son > Rashford last minute.

  4. Planet Head
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Seconds out, Round 18 ding ding ding

  5. drughi
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    shouldve done maddison>richarlison for a hit

  6. Jafoole_88
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    LMAO at those who brought in Baines this week

    1. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nostalgia pick.

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

    Shocking lineup from Arsenal

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Their back line needs some improvement doesn't it.

      1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Matches teams in the relegation scrap

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

      Surrender?

    3. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Love it personally, especially Ozil not in the squad, give the youngsters a chance!

    4. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      They're a squad full of useless defenders and midfielders. What did you expect?

  8. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    anyone start their liverpool assets for the LOLS?

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Both Robbo and Mane..
      Vardy and Lundy on bench

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

      You know it

  9. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ended up with Richarlison (C)

    Crazy or Genius ?

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      looks good actually

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      On the wing today vs chambers/Saka.. Could be genius tbh.

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

      I am jealous

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

        Joking. Went with Sonaldo 😀

        Wished i owned Richa though

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

          My finger was itchy ... but needed -4 and benched Abraham. With 4 YCs and no WC here, just can't do it

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

      Last second maddi to rich (C) transfer, let's go!

  10. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What's going on with price changes? Is it because of wildcards? KDB on 150%, Mount on -140%, Mane on -380% ( 😮 )

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      System can't handle a lot at once, it will settle down.

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Could be

  11. Runaway
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I wish I capped Richarlison, Arsenal defensive line up looks pathetic!

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      their whole team looks a mess.

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Nothing better in the squad. The names line Ozil etc. have been an embarrassment to the club for ages. They've appointed a new gaffer and he needs transfer windows, time and funds to rebuild. I like the fact of the attitude of the player is wrong, they aren't playing. Simple. Good management. I'm interested to see what her does given time.

    2. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Fingers crossed myself and a few others on here gave him the armband also coupled with the announcement of the new manager the Everton team will be looking to impress here's hoping Richarlison hauls

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

      Calvert Lewin could be the answer

  12. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Really hope Ozil leaves this Jan, such a negative vibe player

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      The guy is such a waste of air.

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      This. Hate him.

    3. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Shoud of never played again after the Europa League final, sickens me that fans still want him to start, been bang average his whole Arsenal career and is paid a fortune

  13. Supersonic Marv'
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Finally Everton have realised that Michael Keane sucks.

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Overrated brat. Like almost all british yougster

  14. Warbling Wendy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ancetoffi

    1. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      End in tears.

    2. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      It's a bit worrying when you read about what went wrong at Napoli. Bringing in family members on his coaching staff. Head physio smoking in the medical centre etc.

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

    Martial, can he do something this week? Come on OOP guy!

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

      Benched for Greenwood? Not been doing well recently and fans getting frustrated lot

      Ole could give him a rest and go with Rash Greenwood James front 3

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

        No chance mate

  16. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Sigmund starts.

  17. Tomerick
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Last minute switch to Richarlison captain has me feeling like a genius. Looking forward to that familiar dose of humility.

    1. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I ll be happy if he hauls as an owner

  18. Fpl Old Guard
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone else put their Liverpool players in the first 11 so they get that “feeling” of getting points of the bench?

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      So cute.

      1. Fpl Old Guard
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I know, I don’t do it myself haha, just wondered who out there might actually do it

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

      And Button.

      1. Fpl Old Guard
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Nice

    3. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes. Vardy n Lundy on bench

    4. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Prefer my points in the 11

    5. Podge
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Never know what rank you are

      1. Fpl Old Guard
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Does your live rank matter unless you are near the top, like top 10?

  19. Steirish
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Captained Grealish and already regretting it haha

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

      me too!

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

      I changed from Jack to Rashford last minute. Couldn't take the pressure as a Villa fan. Good luck to you both

    3. Fpl Old Guard
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hopefully you get rewarded for the risk

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

    Digne is going to realise his potential under Ancelloti. Get him whilst he's cheap!

  21. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Fellow KDB cappers, how nervous we feeling?

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I don't think anyone is comfortable with who they captained this GW.

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

        Exactly that. The main thing is you probably own some you fear anyway

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

      Very

  22. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Richarlison is playing as left winger, isnt he? Won't be against Saka.

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Chambers? That's awesome

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

        Maitland

  23. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Rash (c) in the end. Boy you better deliver..

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

      Atleast one goal and an assist 😉

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        That's gonna be awesome!

  24. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pereira to Digne on card

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Zaha to Siggy here

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

        Richarlison much better.

        1. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Tonight will tell

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

      TAA to Digne. Digne and Richarlison the players ancelotti wishes to build his team around

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

        I'll wait to see he's not building a sinking ship first, it yes - have my eyes on them.

      2. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Wow, something to ponder

  25. Soto Ayam
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thank god that captain malarky is over. Now sit and wait

  26. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Richarlison (c)
    Let’s go

  27. Party time
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Captain Jimmy Locked in GL guys

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yes ma'am

    • JustPark
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Mason Holgate nailed now? Bit odd Keane on bench.

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Not really.
        Ones been playing well, the other hasn’t.

        1. JustPark
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Didn't really tune to Everton. Thought he was a gem with the transfer hype.

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

        Any Everton players with 'Kean' in their name must shut on the bench is the rule.

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

          Auto-correct fumble.

      3. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Was going to bring him in for the OOPness so glad I didn’t know. Although looking at that arsenal line up it looks a certain CS

    • Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hoping for a goal fest at spurs.

      Playing alli, son, tammy benched aurier for Kelly.

      Anyone else banking on a 5-4 scoreline?....

      1. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        And I captained alli

    • Gringo Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      KDB (c) this week, gambling this week

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Literally not a gamble it’s the common sense choice with Dilva out

      2. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Good luck. Lots of gambles this week. As long as rash doesn't haul it'll even itself out anyhow I reckon.