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. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Stones or Maguire on free hit if you already have Cancelo?

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

      I went with Maguire then KDB and Gundogan

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        My plan was Dias with Cancelo but I'm 0.1 short after the price changes last night.

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

      Harry

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'm tempted to, just to spread the risk around a little bit with everything that's going on. I do like the City double up though.

    3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      City double up

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah that's what my draft had yesterday with Dias and Cancelo but I'm 0.1 short after the price changes.

    4. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stones

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Do we think Stones is a sure starter?

        1. Cilly Bonnolly
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Just looked. Didn't realise he had started six of the last seven.

  2. estheblessed
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FH team is now. Any good? Any advice?

    Leno,
    Maguire, Cancelo, Dier
    Son, Bruno, KDB, Gundogan
    Kane, Laca, Wilson

    Saka, Yedlin, Kilman

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

      Looks solid

    2. Scooby75
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Like it

  3. RedJive79
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How's this FH team looking?

    Darlow
    Cancelo / Tierney / Yedlin
    Saka / KDB / Son (c) / Rashford/ Bruno
    Kane / Lacazette

    Rash for Gundo and upgrade elsewhere?

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

      Good. I did swap Rashford for Gundo and upgraded to Wilson and better defeneders

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

      What would you upgrade?

      1. RedJive79
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yedlin and Darlow. Or add Wilson and drop a mid....

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

          I think Saka has as good of a chance at delivering as Wilson does, and if you think NC will get a clean sheet, stick with Rashford. If not, go Ilkay and upgrade to Leno/Lloris and and maybe Holding/Dier

          1. RedJive79
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Already have 3 Arsenal and can't get Lloris plus a Spurs def.

    3. Scooby75
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Go Gundo upgrade Yedlin?

      1. RedJive79
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Can do that to a Spurs def if stick with Darlow....

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

    Gonna predict wins for Burnley, Everton, BHA, Fulham & Palace after this monster FH18 circle jerk for the big teams 😛

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

      at least 2 out of 4 big expectations will sell us all, defensive double-ups will cry 😀

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

      Put money on it

  5. MGD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Whats up with Wilson? Gonna play?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why wouldn’t he?

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

        Rumors of some muscle injury?

        1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Massive game for Newcastle and Wilson trained Sunday and yesterday

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

            Perfect, thanks!

  6. buttsy9
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is there a WC template for this week which caters for bench boosting next week?

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You'll have to think for yourself, I'm afraid. The masses are on FH, not WC.

    2. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DDG, Meslier
      Stones, tierney, dier, KWP, Coufal
      KDB, Bruno, Rashford, Gundogan, Soucek
      Kane, Brewster, Laca

      Downgrade tierney/dier if need extra funds.

      1. buttsy9
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thank you. Looks good.

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

    Any Ait Nouri here?

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

    Just checked my screen time and saw I spent 10 hours on fantasy football scout last week

    Anyone doing worse ?

    1. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That's not too bad. It's not deadzone levels of shame at least.

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

      I'd consider anyone who hasn't spent 10 hours on Fantasy Scout today to be a bit of a lightweight 🙂

      No, it'll all pay off. If only the GW score was proportional to time spent

      1. Scooby75
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ha, if only!

  9. jayzico
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    BotTomed. Sorry.

    So I've WCed. And this is my team. Fielding 11 in GW18 and BB in GW19.

    Leno. Meslier
    WanB. Cancelo. Stones. Yedlin. Cresswell.
    Kdb. Bruno. Son. Smith Rowe. Souchek
    Kane. Laca. Bamford.

    Should I lose my Leeds players? I'd lose 0.5m on Bamford?

    Cheers guys

    1. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stones or Gundo?

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

      Keep Bamford and you won't BB19?

      1. jayzico
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No I am BB 19. I've two west ham there.

  10. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you remove for Stones?

    A. Mitchell (Although Mitchell plays this week, likely to be a 1 or 2 pointer at best)
    B. Konsa (Konsa could be handy with plenty of dgws down the line)

    7 playing this week if I remove Mitchell, 8 if I remove Konsa

    Gw 18 team:
    Cancelo Taylor Mitchell
    KDB Bruno Anguissa
    Kane

  11. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any news on Southampton v Leeds DGW19?

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

      No - depends on Shrewsbury

    2. MGD
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Risk of no DGW for Leeds?

  12. TSILIKAFENEIAKOS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rashford or Son for the next two?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yes

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

      Son

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

      Rashford

    4. Scooby75
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son

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

    Plz Which is better for FH ???
    A- Leno - AWB - Stones - Laca
    B- DDG - Tierney - Cancelo - Wilson

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

      Same here

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

    No Kane in the Scout Picks 😮

    He’s currently my captain 😛

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same. I’m in two minds now...

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

        Same here.

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

        Nah, not in SPs is a good sign 😉

        1. Here's Tom with the We…
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          That’s true. I have 9 out of the 11, so might as well captain one not in the picks!

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

        Me too. Could do with the funds.

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

      Haul incoming.

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

        At home vs London rival club (which is pretty sh1te) is Harry’s favourite kinda game...

    3. boombaba
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not a very good scout is he.....

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

      Same here ha ha. May change to KDB now

  15. howsonisnow
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Darlow, Gündogan, Saka, Laca
    B) Lloris, Rashford, Smith Rowe, Brewster

    I’m leaning A, but any views?

    1. Scooby75
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

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

  17. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So does any team drop out of having a double next GW?
    Was there talk of Leeds or Southampton only playing one game now? Or has nothing changed?

    Thanks for any info guys.

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      They may drop out - or not. Nothing has changed from not having decided yet.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Okie doke cheers Andy

  18. Tricky FC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I planned to have a full team this week, and free hit next. Then aston villa got cancelled, so i lost martinez, targett and grealish, then calvert lewin got injured. So im 4 players down, no bench. Whats my best play?

    1. Tricky FC
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I planned to have a full team this week, and free hit next. Then aston villa got cancelled, so i lost martinez, targett and grealish, then calvert lewin got injured. So im 4 players down, no bench. Whats my best play?
      Should i just go in with 7 players?

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

      Tricky situation for your football club. Can't say without seeing your team.

  19. Yuhz89
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any news on Davies (Spurs) in lineup?

  20. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which one sounds best ?

    A) Dias Laca in 433
    B) Gundo/Saka Laca in 343
    C) Rashford Saka in 352
    D) Stones Rash in 442

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

      C

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

    Gundogan (3-5-2) or Stones (4-4-2)?

    Have KDB and Cancelo.

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

    AWB or Maguire a better pick on FH?

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’ve gone Maguire. Has to score one week surely!

  23. Hig1990
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on this FH? Was left with 4 after the Villa postponement (Kane, Bruno, Dias & Stones)

    Leno
    Dias, Stones, Dier
    Bruno, KDB(C), Rash, Son, ESR
    Kane, Laca

    Button, Mitchell, Brewster, 3.8

    1. rubberdignerapids
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Pretty template, but looks good- not sure about ESR- Possibly downgrade Laca to Wilson and upgrade ESR to Saka and Stones to Cancelo/Leno to Lloris and Dier to Tierney?

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

        Personally my "being sure" level for Saka is exactly the same as for ESR

      2. Hig1990
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks for the input, 0.2 short for those suggested changes. Damn it!

  24. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Guys till what GW the count for yellow cards?

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

      19 games played

      1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

  25. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you say it is safe now to trigger the FH?

    Not sure when is best to just do it

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

      Wait a couple more hours.

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

      Optimum time is 3:49pm but do it now if you’re feeling frisky.

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

    Which combo?

    A) Rashford and Laca
    B) Sterling and Wilson

    (Also have Bruno and KDB. A would mean double city def instead of attack)

    1. Ci Siamo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      a for me

    2. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      Cheers, gl!

  27. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on
    Zouma grealish DCL -> stones Rashford Wilson (-8)?
    Would give me
    Taylor stones
    Rashford Fernandes son kdb
    Wilson Kane

    1. boombaba
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      FH

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

    For me it really comes down to Rash or Son...Rash or Son...Rash or Son?!!

    A - Be Rash?
    B - Son shines?

    Thanks.

    1. rubberdignerapids
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have both, but I'd pick Son if I had to pick only one

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

      Same dillemma, have gone A.

  29. jorgenoj
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which option on FH:

    A) DDG + Tierney + Saka + Wilson
    B) Leno + Dier + Smith Rowe + Laca

    Rest of the team

    *
    Stones - Cancelo - x
    KdB - Rashford - Son - Bruno - x
    Kane - x

    1. rubberdignerapids
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A just

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

      Same team here
      Plz Which is better for FH ?
      A- Leno - AWB - Stones - Laca
      B- DDG - Tierney - Cancelo - Wilson

      1. rubberdignerapids
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        B

  30. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Till gw 25 as a backup for double city def, which two of these would you have?

    A. Konsa
    B. Taylor
    C. Mitchell

    1. rubberdignerapids
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Taylor and Konsa