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

    Thoughts on this FH team?

    Darlow
    Cancelo Stones Holding
    KDB Bruno Son Rash Saka
    Kane(C) Laca

    Bench: 4.0 Brewster Mitchell 3.9

    thanks!

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

      Looks good

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

      Looks very good

      1 note: Bruce's comments on gk situation made me switch to lloris in goal

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

    A) Gundo
    B) Saka

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

      B

  3. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    a - Tierney
    b - Maguire

    I'm on A but wondering if we're more likely to know of any non-starters in tonight's games than we are for those on Thursday.

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

      Both for me, A if must pick one.

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You going for one each from city-utd-arsenal ?

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think you have to go with the one that you thinkwill score the most points. Especially, for me, Tierney, because I see him as a much better option. You can't live in fear like this, Cow. You can't live like this!

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Lol.

        You must be a bit happier of late. Early days, but I always thought Arteta would be ok.

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

          Yeah same. No panic at all. At all! 😐

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

      A list but would prefer both

      Going with them plus 2 city defenders

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I nearly always go 3-4-3, but there sure are a lot of defensive options in the 5.5m-ish bracket this week.

  4. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On FH
    1) Tierney laca ( yedlin)
    2) stones rashford ( fodder)

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

      1

  5. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How come Electric Eddie McGoldrick isn't in the Scout Picks?

    1. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hats off to Mark on that pick. If it comes off it'll be the stuff of legend. Great entertainment on the pod.

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

        This

    2. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He's my first bench sub. Might even start him over saka

  6. In Bale We Trust
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who else is on the Bogle bandwagon? Are we crazy or genius?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sorely tempted. One of those genius / completely laffable picks.

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

    Repost, sorry
    Thoughts on this WC plan:
    De Gea (Areola)
    Tierney Stones Cancelo Lowton (Coufal)
    KdB Bruno Rashford Son (Soucek)
    Laca Wilson (Bamford)

    Son + Laca --> Salah + Antonio (-4) for DGW19 BB

  8. columbo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi guys, is this worth Free Hititng please? Thanks!

    Dias Holding
    Son KDB Fernandes
    Brewster

    1 FT, likely to do Salah to Rashford or Sterling, then back to Salah next GW. Could do -4 for Lewis to Stones, but means no Salah next week if so.

    Any help much appreciated, thanks 🙂

    1. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Definite free hit, or else you're staring down the barrel of a big red.

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

        Thanks mate. Minus 8 would get me 9 players.. so am quite tempted to save it, or else I'm free hitting for arsenal players and Kane.
        Granted, big red but long term gain, perhaps?

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

      Id free hit it given the 2nd scenario you outlined. Brewster may not even start. So you have 5 guys effectively. Thats FH territory.

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

        Cheers pal!

    3. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd free hit that

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

        Thanks

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

    Report - sorry!

    Thoughts on this amended FH? 0.0 ITB

    DDG
    Tierney, Dias, Stones
    KDB (C), Bruno, Rash, Son, Saka
    Wilson, Kane

    Button, Mitchell, Bernardo, Douglas

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

      Might get caught in the subs area. Would prefer first sub to be nailed anyway. First XI is fine.

  10. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Folks, have the following team for gw18 with 9 starters (hopefully) but tempted to take a hit. 1m itb

    Martinez -- Forster
    Stones • Cancelo • Taylor --- Dallas Coufal
    Son • Bruno • Kdb • Rashford • Burke
    Laca --- Bamford Watkins

    A: Forster >> Areola. gives me a gk this gw and a dgw next gw if villa dgw doesnt happen

    B: Dallas >> Maguire (-4), gives an extra gw18 and dgw19 player but the Leeds vs Sou hasn't been cancelled yet and dallas could have huge upside if their dgw goes ahead

    C: Watkins >> Wilson (-4). Gives me a gw18 player and can easily bench in gw19. means one less dgw19 player if villa games go ahead and watkins isn't the one who tested positive

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

    Which combo?

    A) Leno, Stones, Saka
    B) Lloris, Holding, Smith-Rowes

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

      A

    2. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  12. GE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FH-team, What to improve?

    (0.0 itb)

    Lloris
    Cancelo/Dias/Tierney
    KDB/Bruno/Son/Saka
    Kane/Laca/Wilson

    Bench: Ramadale, Mitchell, Bernard, Stephens

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

      Great team mate

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

      Nothing to improve really

  13. JaydenLFC87
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who’s going to get more points tonite??

    A) Foden

    B) Cancelo

    C) Gundogan

  14. Muller Reus Corner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is my free hit gtg? 0.0 itb
    Lloris,
    Tierney, Dias, Cancelo
    KDB (c), Bruno (vc), Rashford, Son, Saka
    Kane, Wilson
    (Steele, Yedlin, Kilman, Brewster)

    1. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good

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

      Its as good as you get really

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

    A) Lloris, Cancelo, ESR
    B) DDG, Dier, Gundogan

    All in first 11

    1. Muller Reus Corner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      A by far

  16. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which do you prefer?

    A) Stones, Rashford & Smith-Rowe
    B) Maguire, Gundogan & Lacazette

    1. Muller Reus Corner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      Tough... but A

  17. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pick one

    A. Gundogan coady
    B. Cancelo ESR

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

      B

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

        Cheers

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

      b

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

    DDG saka or lloris smith Rowe?

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

      Lloris Smith Rowe

  19. The Wanton Trader
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How’s this for a FH...?

    DeGea
    Stones / Dier / Holding
    KDB / Bruno / Son / Siggy
    Kane(c) / Laca / Wilson

    4.0 ESR / Kilman / Mitchell

    1. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Very nice. Not fond of Siggy myself, but if you've a gut feeling I say go for it.

      1. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks.
        Worth a punt...

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

      I dont think Siggy is worth the punt. Infuriating FPL asset. Better out there this week.

      1. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Time will tell.
        Hopefully I catch him on good day 🙂

  20. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hey guys, really struggling to decide if I should use the FH. Current players with a game this GW:

    Dier Mitchell Taylor (if fit)
    KDB Bruno Son
    Kane

    No FT left. Should I take a -4 hit to get 8 players this GW (7 if Taylor doesn't play) or use the FH?

    Cheers

  21. Steager
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best defender under 4.7 please for my WC, so will need long term and for double.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lowton

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

      Lowton

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Great minds alike 🙂

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

      Not Coufal, have him

  22. MikeS
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Freehit any good?

    Lloris- (areola)
    Dias-AWB-tierny- (mitchell-clark)
    Bruno-kdb-saka-son-(gundogan)
    Laca-wilson-kane

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

      Its good. Put it away now and forget about it.

  23. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Good to go with my free hit please??

    Lloris
    Cancelo maguire tierney (yedlin Mitchell)
    Kdb Bruno son gundogan (Smith-rowe)
    Kane Lacasette Wilson

    Thanks

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

      Yep. All bases covered.

  24. Boz
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any more news on Leeds vs Saints postponement?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nope

  25. ronpateluk
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    only have 3 players (Bruno, Son and Stones) guaranteed (ish) to play post all the cancellations/reschedules. Originally planned to keep FH and get by with 8 or so players but with the DCL injury, villa reschedule I'm struggling.

    FH no brainer or chance it with a -8 to get up to 6 players and pray?

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

      Take the hit.

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

      FH clearly

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

      Same situation for me. FH

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

        this is such a mess.

  26. Reeker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anywhere I can spend 0.2 or go for a differential because it's quite basic?
    FH Team:

    Lloris
    Cancelo, Dias, Tierney
    De Bruyne, Fernandes, Saka, Son
    Kane, Lacazette, Wilson
    (4.0) (Burke, Mitchell, Douglas)

    1. Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Actually have 0.4

  27. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Scout Picks are pretty template. Swap Saiss and Gundogan for AWB and Kane and you have a template team.

    That isn't a bad thing by the way. There is a reason something is template. Usually because it works.

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

      With only 6 matches this GW, good options are reduced... They still avoided Kane

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        They can't afford him. Because of the way their rules for scout picks work. But most active FPL teams can afford the true template.

  28. Andre_The_Giant
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Link to CS odds anyone?

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

    On FH. What's the best option?
    A) De Gea, Tierney (bench : Mitchell, Davis)
    B) Lloris, Holding (bench : Yedlin, Brewster)

  30. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saka or Neto ???

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      FH ?