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. Tyzer Chiefs
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best defender for 4.8... Davies or Shaw?

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

      FH or WC? Shaw

      1. Tyzer Chiefs
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        None, just a FT.

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

    The team:

    Cancelo Mitchel Maquire

    KDB Bruno Son

    Kane

    Options I am considering:

    a) 12 pt hit: Justin, El Ghazi and DCL out for Stones, Rashford, McColdrick
    b) 4pt hit, just get Stones for Justin

    I think A for now, selling deadwood or so.

    What could go wrong ?

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Reading now Canvelo won't play. See my post below

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cancelo*

  3. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Digne as a punt?

    Lloris
    Tierney,Cancelo,Digne
    KDB(c), Fernandes,Son,Gundogan,Saka
    Kane,Lacazette

    Areola,McGoldrick,Yedlin,Mitchell

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think Wolves will score, but I love Digne

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

      Got Digne in as well. Went for a rash martial duo instead of Bruno

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You think Martial starts?

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

          Definitely

  4. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Final squad. How's she looking?

    Leno
    Dier Stones Cancelo
    KdB ESR Bruno Son Rash
    Kane Laca
    Bench 4x fodder

    1. The Road to Turfdom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      sublime

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

      Cancelo wouldn't play

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Why?

    3. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Very nice.
      ESR allowing Rashford and Lacazette

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Exactly. Had Saka and then had Rash + Wilson. Thought it's better upgrades

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

      Good but you need 1x playing bench to cover Cancelo risk

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Where is this news coming from? Dias safer to start?

        1. The Tinkerman
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Check Manchester evening news website, peps comments in presser, personally I think he plays.

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

          Pep suggested he was tired
          Gut feeling is he will start still

          1. My heart goes Salalalalah
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Let's hope!

          2. My heart goes Salalalalah
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Dias safer? Have Stones

    5. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Must have a great TV, if I try to do that front 7 it’s DDG, Dier, Stones, Holding, no playing bench, and 0.2m short of affording even that! 😀

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

        he will have 3.8s and 9s in

      2. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It's really not. 103.1

    6. SomeoneKnows
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Got the same team except I went for Lloris & Tierney instead of Leno & Dier

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

    Is sterling really worth several downgrades? Hasn't exactly been on fire

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

      my thinking exactly would mean downgrades in defence or laca to wilson, but I really do not fancy wilson for some reason.

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

        Yh I agree 🙂

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Where is this Raz rumour coming from?

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

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

    Douglas to Kilman with the remaining 0.4?

  7. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do Salah > Rashford if it allows Balbuena off my bench > Dias ?

  8. Neo-Viper
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Foden to Bsilva maybe?

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

      Would think Silva is the least likely to start out of the front players.

  9. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    which two to go with between Saka, Wilson and Neto?

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Saka Wilson

  10. vandebeek
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anything new about leeds-southampton game?

  11. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Presume this is ok for FH, I haven't been looking on here but I presume it's relatively template?

    Lloris (Forster)
    Dias, Cancelo, Maguire, Tierney (Mitchell)
    KdB, Son, Bruno, Neto (Smith-Rowe)
    Kane, Wilson (Brewster)

    1.0 itb.

    A) Should I go Stones over Cancelo for assurance of starts?
    B) Neto or Saka?

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

      Cancelo is starting for sure

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

    Hey guys, struggling to pick between Dias or Stones, not using a FH so need the player to be nailed on for at least the next 4-5 GWs. Would you say they are equally nailed on for at least the next few GWs?

    Cheers

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

      yes

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

        Even with Laporte returning soon?

  13. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any word on Sterling from Pep?

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

      go back a few pages

    2. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      fit

  14. PrestigeWorldwidewidewide..…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martial or Laca on a FH?

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

      Laca

  15. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) 352 with Cancelo, Smith-Rowe and Neto

    B) 352 with AWB, Gundogan and Smith-Rowe

    C) 343 with Saiss, Gundogan and Wilson

    Which one is the best? Already have Dias and Kdb.

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

    Is aurier fit? Will start then?

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

    On WC

    A) Grealish and Lacazette

    B Soucek and Kane

    Both teams will switch Lacazette/Kane to Salah in GW19

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

      B.

  18. jb1985
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I am set, bring on 16:30 so i cant bloody make any more changes:

    Lloris,
    Shaw, Tierney, Dias,
    KDB, Son, Bruno, Gundo
    Cavani, Laca, Kane

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

      looks good

  19. Jönny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How many minutes do you reckon the following get over BGW18 and DGW19?

    Jesus
    Martial
    Cavani

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

      160
      250
      120

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

        Thanks!

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

    On FH:

    A) Lloris/Tierney/Rashford
    B) Leno/Holding/Sterling

    Which grouping scores more points?

  21. as33
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling, Bruno or Kane to captain?

    1. as33
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Or Laca 🙂

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

      Sterling

  22. Mike82
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any news on Saints v Leeds getting called off for the FA Cup?
    I'm basically wildcarding this week to cover both this and next weeks doubles and would like Bamford and Dallas in but if not a double for Leeds then would add in a hammer or 2.

  23. LABILLETHEGOAT
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    guys which one would you go for?
    a. ESR + Rashford
    B. Gundogan + Lacazette

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

      A

    2. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      b

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

    I really hope that getting Rashford, Lacazette, Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe & Lloris will be worth the FH card

  25. Max City
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez Forster
    Cancelo* Holgate* Creswell Justin Dallas
    KDB* Son* Rash* Bruno* Grealish
    Brewster* Watkins Bamford

    I used my 2FT to get KDB and Cancelo..
    Now I only have 5-7 playing players for BGW18 (it was 8-10 players)

    A) Take more hit to bring another MUN or MCI players
    B) WC to tackle BGW18 and DGW19

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

    Which team guys? Help!

    A
    Lloris
    STONES Tierney SAISS
    KDB Bruno Saka STERLING
    Kane Wilson Laca

    B
    Lloris
    DIAS CANCELO Tierney
    KDB Bruno Saka SON
    Kane Wilson Laca

    1. Mr.K
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd go with B but it's close.

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

      A due to “doubts”

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

        Who is a doubt?

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

      A for Sterling

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

        And Brighton are vulnerable to headers from corners ... Stones could get lucky and nick a goal

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

          I do have Cancelo and Dias in my other draft though...

  27. Mr.K
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I'm on a WC and wondering whether my defence is too weak. Thoughts?

    De Gea - Meslier
    Holding - Mitchell(?) - Dallas(?) - Dias - Coufal
    Saka - KDB - Bruno - Son - Soucek
    Lacazette - Kane - Wilson

    Naturally other feedback is welcome as well.

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

      Son or Sterling?

      1. Mr.K
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I don't dare to go that deep in with City. They haven't played well + Pep roulette + Spurs playing Sheffield. I think I'm happy enough with Son.

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

          Thanks, although Spurs play Fulham!

          1. Mr.K
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Ah yeah, sure. I was thinking of the City's DGW!

    2. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      good team.. Dallas is not a weak option.. and Mitchell is a bench fodder anyway

  28. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So if I want Sterling I’ll have to drop Kane (I have Son)

    A. Kane, Gundogan and 3.9 defender 3-5-2
    Or
    B. Sterling, Saiss and fodder striker 4-4-2

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I personally like Kane better

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

    Template FH team for those who can't be bothered to spend ages:

    Lloris
    Cancelo - Tierney - AWB
    KDB - Bruno - Son - Saka
    Kane - Laca - Wilson

  30. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gundogan or Sterling for GW18?

    Would likely keep for next few game weeks?

    Thank you