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. Teomi
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Save fh?
    0ft. 2,3 itb

    Dier holding Stones
    Kdb Fernandes ESR
    Kane Brewster

    Steer, Martinez, Coufal, Dallas, salah, raphina, bamford

    Worth Taking a hit on salah to the likes of Sterling, rash or son?

    1. LE CHARO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would get Son

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

      Do Salah to Son for a -4 and reverse it next week. Thats what im doing. Likely to get you min 2 points so actual cost is 2 points in reality with no downside cost as Salah is not playing. Its a free shot essentially.

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

        thanks!

  2. LE CHARO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi everyone

    Current FH team is

    Lloris
    Cancelo, Stones, Tierney
    Fernandes, KDB, Son, Rashford, ESR
    Kane, Lacazette

    4.0, Mitchell, Davis, Douglas

    I'm slightly concerned about my bench. Is it worth the risk or should I downgrade somewhere to have at least another decent option in case a game is called off?

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yup, it worth the risk

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

      Why? even if you invest in your bench, the players you choose may get game called off and most will have fodder on a bench and go big in the starting 11.

      1. LE CHARO
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        To reduce the risk. If Arsenal - Palace is called off for example, I'm losing 3 starters and my only bench player likely to play. I could do Tierney, Mitchell, Davis > Holding, Yedlin, Brewster in order to have 2 bench players in a game that I know will be played since it is the first of the gameweek.

  3. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A. Lloris, Stones (have Dias already), Saka
    B. DDG, Dier, Gundogan

    1. LE CHARO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      B

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

    Guys on WC fielding 10 BGW18
    GW19 Laca Son/Rash > Salah Antonio (-4)
    BB: Martinez Holding ESR Rodrigo
    Thoughts?

    DDG (Martinez)
    Cancelo Stones Holding (Justin Coufal)
    KDB Bruno Son Smith-Rowe Rashford
    Lacazette (Bamford Rodrigo)

    1. LE CHARO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good

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

        Ta

  5. The Habib Beyes
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gundogan or Foden?

    Got enough money for Foden, and the stats seem to be a bit of a toss up...

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      same dilemma, guess it depends what you can do with the change. if nothing, then foden feels like he has more upside.

      1. The Habib Beyes
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It's wild - even with the eye test (watched the last few city games), either of them could haul. I've been on Foden all week but now I think I'm leaning towards Gundogan. I guess an extra issue is Gundogan faces a positional rotation risk as well as the usual Pep roulette...

        Coin flip at 4pm I think haha

  6. Kevin Twine
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any chance Ben Davies will start?

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

      i need to know this too. cheers

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

    Lame question, but:
    1) Kilman, Brewster
    2) Yedlin, Davis

    My third on the bench is Mitchell.

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

      Either of these doesn't really make a difference, coin flip

    2. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      So lame it’s hard to answer lol. Probably B. More chance they both start.

  8. Mufc202020
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all,

    Apologies to ask again but need some opinions.

    Would you rather play Kilman or take a hit to bring in someone else. I have 9 players playing this gameweek including Kilman

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’d take a hit. Killman might get 1 or 0: even if the transfer gets 2, you’ll live to fight another day.

      Just make sure it’s a clever transfer, maybe the if the transfer has a double next week; it might become useful.

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

    Which combo?

    A) Lloris and AWB

    B) DDG and Dias

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

      A

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

      A

  10. 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. fpork
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C) or D). I have all of them. Would probably lean towards C).

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

    Which team is better?
    A)
    Lloris (£4.0m)
    Cancelo, Stones, Shaw (Mitchell, £3.8m)
    KDB, Bruno, Son, Saka (Smith-rowe)
    Kane, Lacazette, Wilson

    B)
    Leno (£4.0m)
    Cancelo, Stones, Dier, Maguire (Mitchell)
    Bruno, Son, KDB, Rashford, Saka
    Kane (£4.3m x2)

  12. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Last couple of choices:

    A) Gudogan or Foden
    B) Son or Rashford

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

      A) Coin-flip
      B) Son, 100%. I have both though.

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

      Think i would go Foden Son for the upside. Its a week when scores will be low. If you shoot a big score, its a massive green arrow.

  13. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How many goals are Spurs gonna score?

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

      2

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

      2, but we know who will be involved.

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

      1

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

    Think im settled on this for my FH, thoughts guys?

    Lloris
    Cancelo Stones Tierney
    Bruno KDB(C) Son Rashford ESR
    Wilson Kane

    Steer Brewster Ampadu Mitchell

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

      GTG

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

      Rash vs Laca, cant decide myslef

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

      yes that's my main issue!

  15. niaz1982
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Torn between these two:
    A
    Leno
    Cancelo Saiss Tierney
    Gund KDB Son Fernandes
    Kane Lacazette Wilson

    B
    Leno
    Cancelo Saiss Dias
    Saka KDB Son Fernandes
    Kane Lacazette Wilson

  16. Enes_Sahini1
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Good to go lads?

    Lloris
    Tierney Cancelo Stones
    Rash Fernandes Son (C) KDB Saka
    Laca Wilson

    Forster Brewster Mitchell Struik

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

      exactly same team.

      G2G

  17. DanwiseTheBrave
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The concept of "rested"

    Has anyone seen data on players performances related to the number of days since their last game?

    Intuitively you'd think sure, their legs won't be sore or stiff, but I wonder if that bears out

  18. XABI 15
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    what are your score predictions for the games:
    Shef 1-1 Newc
    Spurs 2-0 Fulham
    Man City 2-0 Brighton
    Burnley 1- 3 United
    Arsenal 2 - 1 Palace
    Wolves 1 -0 Everton

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sheff Utd 1-0 Newcastle (Lundstram, Ramsdale saves Wilson penalty)
      Burnley 1-3 Man Utd (Wood, Martial x2, Greenwood)
      Wolves 1-1 Everton (Traore, Hamez)
      Man City 4-1 Brighton (Sterling x2, Mahrez, Bilva, Dunk)
      Spurs 1-1 Fulham (Ndombele, Decordova-Reid)
      Arsenal 2-1 Palace (Aubameyang x2, Zaha)

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

      1-1
      2-0
      1-2
      2-1
      0-0

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

        City 4-0 Brighton

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

    How many are we expecting United to score against Burnley? They seem to do better against more attacking teams don't they?

    1. thegame983
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      3-1 Utd

      or

      1-0 Burnley

  20. milanista10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I’m saving my transfer and playing with 9.
    Need 2 free transfers to get Liverpool assets back for the double.
    Crazy?

    1. No Totti No Party
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yup

      1. milanista10
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Why?

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

    RMWC:

    DDG / Forster
    Cancelo - Stones - Coufal / Ayling - Mitchell
    Salah - Kdb - Son - Bruno - Raphina
    Bamford - Wilson / Brewster

    Thanks! 11 DGW and 9 BGW

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

      Leeds might not get a double

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

        When do we know?

  22. Nolberto Solano
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Help complete a FH team. First to 3 wins:

    A) Leno, Stones, Rashford & Smith-Rowe
    B) De Gea, Tierney, Gundogan & Saka

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

      Hard to call it but I would say B)

  23. thepuntmaster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No Kane in scout picks...

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Some shockers in there - Wilson, Gundogan!

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

        yea gundogan probably will be back to deeper position

      2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wilson's a good punt given the opposition, but no Kane is weird. Budget low

  24. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Dias or Cancelo?

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd like to know this too.

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

      Dias is more money but probably worth it

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

    Alertative FH team?

    Leno
    Stones, Dier, Yedelin
    Son, Gundo, KDB, Bruno, Rashford
    Kane, Laca

    Kilman, Mitchel, Breswter

  26. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Folks, is it worth -4 to swap Lookman to Foden ?

  27. turd ferguson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lloris
    Maguire Cancelo Stones Tierney
    Rashford Bruno KDB Son Saka
    Kane

    thoughts?

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

    Any postponement, benching rumours?

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

      Here is one shocker: Cavani to be benched, Martial starting

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

        Isn't cavani suspended for the tweet thing? Can’t work out what’s going on with that

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

    Think I’m going to stick with this FH team..

    Lloris
    Maguire Cancelo Tierney
    KDB Bruno Gundo Saka Son
    Kane (c) Lacazette

    Fernandez Yedlin Brewster

    Any changes? Or GTG?

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

    Saka or Smith Rowe ?

    1. Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Saka if you can afford the price difference, I am actually going with Smith-Rowe to allow upgrades elsewhere