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. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    only for this week: ESR or Foden?

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

      ESR?

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

      surely foden if you can afford

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

      Smith Rowe

    4. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      ESR, purely because you want City players and they need to be nailed.

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

    last decision...

    Saka or Zaha for FH?

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

      Saka

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

    Make sure to have a good bench is all I'm saying, rotation and possible postponements

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

      I brought in a 4.5 sub gk to be safe

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

    That's right people, start dropping the best defender in the game... 😉

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

      Tierney won't let you drop him

  5. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How looks Sterling draft? TV is low.

    Lloris
    Dier-Tierney-Stones
    ESR-Saka-Bruno-Sterling-KdB
    Kane-Wilson

    Help guyzzz. What to change here?

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You need Son imo. Tempted by sterling... Mine looks like

      Leno
      Shaw Stones Dier AWB
      Bruno Son KDB Sterling Saka
      Kane

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

    Lol there's no Cancelo news. He's gonna play. He's too important because of the way they need playmakers from deep.

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

      Ok Pep 🙂

      Without Lamptey I think it is the perfect time to rest him especially if he is having a niggle or so

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

        He has a niggle?

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

        No niggle. Pep just referenced him as being tired.

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

      Hope you're right, he's in my team and he's looked essential lately, more attacking and central than their wingers

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

      They don't necessarily need him to brush aside Brighton though. I also think he will play, but enough risk there for me to switch to Dias. Last thing I want to see is Mitchell coming off my bench on a free hit.

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

    What would you go for?

    A) Stones, DDG
    B) Maguire, Lloris

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

    Rate My free hit team

    Darlow
    Dias Regulion Tierney
    Saka Fernandes Son KDB(C) Sterling
    Laca Wilson

    Brewster Mitchell Douglas

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

      6/10 - needs Kane

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

        Laca will outscore Kane imo and can have Sterling with the extra cash

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

          Laca and Kane both needed 🙂 Foden and even Gundogan should match Sterling albeit Pep Roulette...

  9. Kebab pig
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Did Pep say anything about Sterling? Will he play?

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

      Fit

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

    FH:

    A) Foden, Maguire..........(McGoldrick, Saiss, Mitchell)
    B) Wilson, Stones............(Saiss, Mitchell, 5.6 MID)
    C) Gundogan, Maguire....(Wilson, Coady, Mitchell)

    Rest of Team:

    Lloris
    Tierney, Dias
    KDB, Fernandes, Son, Saka
    Kane, Lacazette

    Cheers

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

    Fourth repost, come on guys please!

    Is Shaw Injured?

    And will Lindelof play?

    Cheers

  12. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Reguilon on a FH - yes or no?

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

      Aurier

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

        Will he start though?

      2. Balls of Steel
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This, more nailed

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

        Probably. Doherty played 90min in the last two.

  13. GOATMEAT
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which one of these is most likely to start?

    A) Cancelo
    B) Dias
    C) Stones?

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

      B

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

      BCA

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

      They're all gonna start.

  14. Pegilagi
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GTG with WC?

    11/11 playing GW18 and possible to get 10/11 for double fixture on GW19. No Liverpool coverage tho and struggling to change Salah/Firmino in before 19..

    Leno (Martins)
    Cancelo - Wan-Bissaka - Dias - Alderweireld (Coufal)
    KDB - bruno - Smith Rowe - Son (Soucek)
    Laca - Wilson (Bamford)

    1.1 in bank

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

    Everyone I posted a source on the previous page

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

      A random twitch stream isn't a source

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

      An @ symbol and username isn't a source. You should give the platform, or just provide a link to make things easy.

  16. x.jim.x
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Why isn't Reguilon in many teams? Wasn't he rested at the weekend?

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

      Better options

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

      Aurier

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

    Sorry guys, I brought in Cancelo this GW and cursed him. The last time I brought him in he got rested that GW vs. Burnley!

  18. VICTORIOUS SECRET! !
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane (TC)

    Yay or nay ?

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

      no

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

      Never trust spurs for a quick buck

  19. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For mybench order please. Which is more likely:

    A) SHU fail to score
    B) SHU score

    stupid question right?

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

      A

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

    Maguire or Wan Bissaka?
    AWB sure to start?
    Please help

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

      Shaw

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

    Cancelo will rest 1 out of the next 3 I predict but which one, which game is most suited for a rest

  22. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you prefer for DGW19 and beyond:

    A) Kane (shu) + Rashford (liv ful) free

    B Laca (NEW) + Salah (MUN BUR) -4

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

      A

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

    Love how Cancelo suddenly disappears from the FH teams

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

    who do u rather guys?

    A) leno dier saiss sterling

    B) lloris tierney cancelo rashford

    owninng de bruyne and stones in botth options

  25. etown
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Was gonna go with Saka but want to do something different.

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

    Kane sure to start?
    Please help

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

      Don't see why not..

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

      Defo

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

    So,

    A. Gundogen and Saiss or
    B. Neto and Dias

    thanks..

  28. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How's this FH team look?

    1) Should I downgrade to Darlow to upgrade my bench?

    2) Is Saka/Dias/Yedlin (3-4-3) > Maguire/Stones/SmithRowe (4-3-3) a better move?

    Lloris
    Cancelo Dias Tierney
    KDB Bruno Son Saka
    (K)ane Laca Wilson
    (4.0 Yedlin Mitchell Burke)

  29. bring_on _the_fantasy
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What the best option for next week?

    Free Hit or Triple Captain?

  30. Diro
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    DIlemma !

    A) Play with 7 player :

    Mitchell, Stones
    Fernandes, KdB, Son
    Wilson, Kane

    B) Or FH to have

    Lloris
    Tierney, AWB, Stones
    Saka, Son, Fernandes, KdB
    Wilson, Kane, Laca

    ??

    Knowing that if I FH, in GW19 I will get back Salah (for KdB) and Anguissa (for Soucek) I bought with my 2FT and I will lose 0.3 because of price changes