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. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Holding or Shaw?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Shaw

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

        Knob Holding

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

    Anyone got a link to what exactly Pep said about Cancelo in the presser?

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

      He is fit

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-press-conference-live-19608408

      Cancelo role
      Cancelo having a good season
      He arrived last season, he was confused in the beginning because he expected something that we could not offer him but he's a nice guy with a great heart. He's a guy whose physicality is incredible, he could play again the day after a game and this is so important us to have players consistently fit. Last season he struggled a little bit with a new club and new ideas but now he has had more time and he is playing good. He was tired in the last game but hopefully tomorrow if he tries to play he can be better than the first 45 minutes against Birmingham but he was outstanding. Aleks can play in his position too and Benjamin and Kyle can play in different oppositions but it depends on the opponent. I have to know if he can do it for his qualities. This alternative that he can give us as a team is so important.

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

        Thanks!

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

    if on Wildcard
    DDG + Wanbissaka seems better than spurs dier + lloris
    right??

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

      50/50 chances imo. I would go for Spurs tho.

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

    Pick one

    A. Ramsdale tierney
    B. Ddg holding

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

      B

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

      A

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

      B

  5. puhd
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The perfect FH Team?

    Darlow
    Dier Cancelo Tierney
    Son Bruno KDB Gundogan Saka
    Laca Kane

    (Wilson, Mitchel, Kilman)

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

      Nope.

      Lloris
      Cancelo Tierney AWB
      KDB Bruno Son Saka
      Kane Laca Wilson

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

        Bench Gundogan and play Wilson?

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

          Yeah. I like the template team tbh.

    2. southernrocker1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wilson on the bench? Wild!

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

      Lloris
      Cancelo Tierney AWB
      KDB Sterling Bruno Son Saka
      Kane Laca

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

        Sterling not a doubt?

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

    FH team almost ready. Last choices are :
    A) De Gea, Tierney (bench : Mitchell, Davis)
    B) Lloris, Holding (bench : Yedlin, Brewster)
    What's the best option?

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

      A

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

        Thanks

  7. theBoose
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Last part of the FH jigsaw:

    A) Saiss, Shaw, Sterling
    B) Cancelo, Dier, Rashford

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

      B

  8. nolard
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Just back from the mountains, so our of the loop.

    Is Darlow nailed?

    Thanks!

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

      Not nailed but I think he'll play

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

      So, his place to lose more like?

  9. Apollo Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Leno, 4.0
    Cancelo Tierney Dier ____ Mitchell
    KDB Bruno Rashford Son Saka
    Kane _____ Brewster

    A. 3-5-2, Wilson & Bernardo
    B. 4-5-1, Stones & McGoldrick

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

      A

      1. FourLokoLeipzig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        B

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

        B sorry

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

    Current FH:

    XX
    XX, Dias, Stones
    Son, Bruno, Rash, KDB, Saka
    Laca, Kane

    Subs: fodder

    Which option would you go with to fill in the blanks:

    A. Darlow (shu) & Fernandez (shu)
    B. Leno (CPL) & Shaw (bur)

    ?

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

      B.x

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

      B

  11. jdogg
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Free hit look ok?

    Ddg
    Cancelo stones dier
    Son kdb rashford bruno emile
    Kane wilson

    4.0 holding mitchell 4.3

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

    Repost.

    Hey guys, is Stones as nailed on as Dias for the next few GWs?

    Cheers

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

      yesss

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

    On Fh which option is better:

    a) Wan bissaka/Saiss and Gundogan

    b) Stone and Saka ( this option means 3 arsenal, double city defence and no united defender)

    1) United defender
    2) Saiss

    Thanks in advance !!

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

    When do we know if Leeds get DGW?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thisssss

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

      Good to go? On a FH

      DDG
      Stones Tierney Cancelo
      KDB Bruno Son SmithRowe
      Martial Kane Laca

      4.0 Mitchell 3.8 4.5

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

      A) LLORIS
      Stones / Cancelo / Tierney / AWB
      Kevin / Bruno / Rashford / Son / SAKA
      Kane

      B) DE GEA
      Stones / Cancelo / Tierney
      Kevin / Bruno / Rashford / Son / SMITH-ROWE
      Kane / LACAZETTE

      Guys, free hit team A or B?

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

        A

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

      What do you prefer.?

      A. Holding + Lloris
      B. Tierney + Darlow
      C. Dier + Leno

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

      Why is Cancelo a doubt?

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

        he isn't though

      2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Because ome posters are panicking and doubtful, but if you actually read what Pep said tells a different story.

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

        Is it worth risking when Mendy and Walker are fit? Dias

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

      Pep is the only manager who can say in one phrase that Cancelo's recovery is fantastic and that he could play another game the day after and in the same time that he got subbed off at half time last time because he was tired

      😀

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

      Is Laca(c) too risky?

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

        Feel like there is others with a way higher ceiling

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

        Owning him is enough. Not many non FHers will have him. Captain him and he blanks and people with unprepared teams but a good captain could beat you.

    8. bitars
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      My WC team

      Would you change anything?

      Blank GW18

      De Gea (Martinez)

      Dias, Cancelo, Bissaka, (Dallas, Coufal)

      KDB, Son, Bruno, Grealish*, Saka

      Wood, Lacazette (Bamford)

    9. imtheboss
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hello one and all!

      Just a quick question as I am confused (which isn't tricky...)

      Can I make a transfer, and then do a free hit? Which would then bring the player I transferred in back next week?

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

      Which one?

      A. Laca, Rashford
      B. Wilson, Sterling

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

        I'm tempted with Laca. Guardiola has burnt me for goodness knows how long every time I put of his players in, the git

    11. El_Gigante
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gundogan, Foden or Saka for the next couple of gameweeks?

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

        Gdog

    12. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      @ColmVHayes
      Guardiola on Cancelo: "Aleks [Zinchenko] can play in his position too and Benjamin [Mendy] and Kyle [Walker] can play...but it depends on the opponent. [But] this alternative that he [Joao] can give us as a team is so important."

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

        Dias - Saves headaches

    13. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What quotes are there around Cancelo? Or people just talking garbage?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        see above

      2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This will be the drill before every game while Walker + Cancelo + Mendy + Zinchenko are all fit - and Pep will fuel the fire with his cryptic pigeon english garbage soundbites

    14. Ruinenlust
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Pep on Cancelo: “He was TIRED in the last game but hopefully tomorrow if he TRIES to play he can be better than the first 45 against @BCFC ”

    15. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why the United game could be off? What is this saying by Bakar on the stream?

      1. Ozzy smith
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What?

    16. ZAWAd25
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      which combo for FH?

      A) Stones + Rashford + Wilson

      B) Dier + Mahrez + Lacazette

    17. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      reposting looking for replies

      who do u rather guys?

      A) leno dier saiss sterling

      B) lloris tierney cancelo rashford

      ownibng de bruyne and stones in botth options