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. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anything here worth another -4? No goalkeeper.

    Cancelo / Stones / Taylor*
    Son / KDB(c) / Saka / Fernandes
    Brewster / Kane

    I have 0.1 ITB and Bamford, Grealish, Bednarek, Justin, Martinez and Button.

    1. Nemanja Vidic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      GTG

    2. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably Grealish as I expect the Everton game to be postponed and him to get nothing vs city.

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

    Which is better?

    1) Smith Rowe + Cancelo (Soucek in for Smith Rowe GW19)
    2) Gundagan + Tierney ( Cresswell in for Tierney)

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

      Close one. I'd edge to 2

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

      1

  3. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    There's no reason to bench Kane right?
    Given his absence in the scout picks, I was a bit doubtful

    Also, how does this look

    Darlow
    Dias Stones Tierney AWB
    Son Bruno KDB (vc)
    Wilson Lacazette Kane (c)

    Bench: Areola SmithRowe Mitchell Anguissa

    Please Help

  4. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FH for this GW...

    A. Stones + Saka or
    B. Dier + Gundogan ?

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  5. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have exact cash for Salah + DCL -> Son + Kane (-4). Crazy to lose Mo for a hit ?

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

      Getting him back next week?

      How many do you have for this week? Son and kane could clean up

      1. Better Call Raul
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I would have to take another hit

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

          Could be worth it if the 2 spurs lads do well

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

      Not if your going to captain Kane. You’ll get the 4 points back straight away

  6. SharkyT
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bellerin Cancelo Kilman
    KdB Bruno Son
    Kane
    (Already done 2 Transfers for -4)

    FH this lot?

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

    How many are you fielding this week? (for those not using WC or FH for GW18)

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

      7

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

      10 with a point hit

    3. Nice Baps.
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      9 at the moment. Might get another that I want long term that should in effect only cost -2 this week.

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

      9 with no hits but includes CTaylor and Mitchell

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

    Which one sounds the best?

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

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

      A

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

      C

  9. Nice Baps.
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Just think; Brewster is going to score one day. Imagine the scenes if he got a haul.

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

      yis pls

  10. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Lloris Saka
    B) Darlow SmithRowe + Dier on the bench ready to come in just in case

    Ok as Im typing this I feel like it's Dier will only add 6pts if he comes in

    So Im going A

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

    City team news
    Raheem Sterling passed fit
    Laporte is injured, Nathan is injured, Cole Palmer is isolating and the rest are okay.

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

      So stones cancelo nailed right?

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

        Yup

      2. Volley127
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Stones Dias at least

  12. Steelo83
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Raheem Sterling passed fit
    Laporte is injured, Nathan is injured, Cole Palmer is isolating and the rest are okay.

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

      Did you just copy and paste the guy above you?

  13. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GTG here? 0.0 itb, FH

    Lloris
    Cancelo Stones Tierney Saiss
    KDB(c) Son Bruno
    Kane Laca Wilson
    (4.0 S.Rowe Hendrick Mitchell)

    GL all

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

      Is Hendrick 4.8 or 4.7?

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        4.6

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

          Good value

          I was thinking Hendrick to 4.3 and try upgrade the sub gk to 4.5 just to cover the 0.001% chance anything happens to lloris

          1. CRO KLOPP
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Thanks mate,I think I will do that tbh

  14. StellaMan
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Taking a point hit to take out DCL and Grealish to still field a full team.

    A) Rashford and Wilson
    B) Gund and Laca

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

      A

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

      A, no doubt.

  15. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which combo on a FH?

    A) Leno + AWB
    B) DDG + Dier

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

      B

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

    Gonna settle on this FHTeam

    Managed to squeeze Kane in again by swapping Loris, Tierney, Saka > Leno, Reguillon, Smith Rowe

    Leno
    Reguillon Cancelo Yedlin
    KDB Bruno Son Gundog
    Kane Laca Wilson

    4.0 3.8 Mitchell Smith Rowe

  17. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    on WCard
    1. wanBissaka + Areola
    2. Holding + DDG

  18. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling passed fit and everyone rips up their teams...

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

      Doubt it

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

      i think with his price, almost all will trust Bruno Kane more

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

    Hey guys, Cancelo or Dias the better/more nailed on pick?

    Cheers

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

      Cancelo for potential. Dias for nailedonness

  20. klopp4kop
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    It’s so difficult to pick the captain this week.
    KANE OR KDB?

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

      That's what the poll is for.

    2. Kellz86
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane for me

    3. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Easy KDB vs the weaker defence

  21. GoonerSteve
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best defender for 5.6 or less?

    Dier, Stones?

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

      Ean Bissak

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

      Stones

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

      Saiss

  22. HNI
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What role Bissouma plays for Brighton, helps more defensively or creates chances and long shots? Will help decide between Stones/Gundongen as thrd mcity player

  23. Arsenals Number 19. Santi C…
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If I make two transfers now and then use my free hit after, will those two transfers carry over to GW19? Thanks

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

      Nah team resets pre transfers

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No just 1

  24. cravencottage
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captain Kane or KDB ?

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

    Any other pressers today guys? Shall I press the fh button now with son kane Bruno Oly currently???

  26. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start saiss or awb? Help help

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

      Wan

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

    Is it worth going Dias and stones on wc?

    With Laporte and ake out Those 2 could play every game for a while ?

    Or worth the rotation risk for Cancelo upside?

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

      I’d still prefer Cancelo. Wildcarded last week and got Cancelo & Dias in (unless you need the extra money)

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

      I am on WC and have gone KDB, Stones and Cancelo.

      Just swapped Cancelo in for Dias. His stats and chance creation is pretty insane and his BPS returns have been better than Dias. Should be enough to negate the occasional benching or Dias goal.

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

        Care to share your wc draft?
        Here's mine :

        Martinez Areola
        Dias Stones Coufal Holding WanB
        KDB Son Bruno ESR Soucek
        Kane Wilson Bamford

        looking at losing Kane to facilitate Salah in next gw

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

    Non FH team. Anything worth a hit? 0.9 itb

    Dier Stones Mitchell CTaylor
    KDB Bruno Son
    Kane Laca

    Martinez, Forster, Dallas, Bissouma, Grealish, Bamford

    Maybe Bissouma to ESR for future bench fodder?

  29. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Had planned well and had 8 players playing and was going to take a hit to make it 9. But then Villa canceled so down to 5 players.

    Free hit activated. 5 isn't enough to save the FH chip.

    Just gone with the Scout Picks.

    But would prefer Shaw over Saiss I think.... Woudl love Rashford too, but too many compromises elsewhere to release the funds to squeeze him in.

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sounds sensible.

      Trying to decide on those last 3 slots myself (2 playing)
      A) DDG / Dier
      B) Lloris / Shaw
      C) Lloris / Saiss

      1. Pipermaru
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        C

  30. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Lloris & Shaw

    B) DDG & Dier

    And play Dier/Shaw over Saiss?

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B for more security with Dier. And he takes free kicks and a threat from set pieces too.

      Would play would Saiss too

      1. Connor's Calling
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks - helpful