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

    With no Lamptey I think Cancelo can be rested

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

      Quotes:
      @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. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Why not post a link if you want to convince people?

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

        None of that is an unknown to anyone. The only interesting aspect of those quotes is the last sentence imo.

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rubbish

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

        i hope so. owner myself

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

      I'm going Dias. Hopefully less risk.

  2. Tinfoil Deathstar
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed. Re-post. Last-minute FH doubts with my three-man defence. Zero ITB and fodder on bench. I am currently set on Option A which is very safe for CS potential but low on excitement. Thoughts would be very appreciated.

    A) Dias, Stones, Dier
    B) Saiss, Shaw, Cancelo

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

    Dias or Cancelo?
    Please help

    1. Tinfoil Deathstar
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If you are on a FH I'd go Cancelo. I say this as a Dias owner.

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

      I like my sanity so Dias

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

    Good morning, thoughts on team?

    DDG

    Tierney, Dier, Stones

    KDB(C), Foden, Bruno, Rash, Son

    Wilson, Kane(VC)

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

      I don't think he'll start

  5. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Still too early to press the FH button?

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

      now or never..

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

      2 hours to deadline... hit it

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

    On FH18 -- which would you prefer?

    A)
    DDG -- Tierney -- R.Dias -- Saka -- Lacazette

    B)
    Leno -- Dier -- J.Cancelo -- Rashford -- ESR

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

      A

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

      A

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

        Thanks guys

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

      A and B

  7. 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

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

      Don't get him over Son

  8. Hailzter
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which 2 would you pick out of the below 3 on a free hit?

    Son, Laca, Rashford

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

      I went 1st 2 if that any help

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son is obvoius. I'd go Laca. Great form.

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

      The first 3

  9. 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?

    Cheers

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

      Dias slightly more nailed but both nailed on in short term

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

      Dias is their no.1 centre half

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

    Been messing a bit but thoughts on final FH team
    3 spurs
    3.ars
    3 city
    2.man u

    No bruno as.playing catch up

    Lloris
    AWB stones Shaw
    Aubameyang Son Saka Foden KDB
    Harry Laca

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

      you have to play Bruno, you won't catch up otherwise

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

    Anyone else punting on Cavani ?

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

      He could start alongside Martial, so why not.

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

    What's the general consensus on Cancelo now? Too risky, best avoid?

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

      get dias if on fh imo

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

      Doubt

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

      did Cancelo>Dias

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

      Looking at the full quote, I think he plays.

      1. Alberto Tomba
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What's the full quote? Nothing in the Twitter ticker or BBC page to suggest he doesn't play

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

          Manchester evening news website

          1. Alberto Tomba
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers Tinkerman, though I'm not seeing anything he said of concern: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-press-conference-live-19608408

    5. ajk1211
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Too much risk now for me I think.

      Have Stones so either bringing in Dias or Switching to 3-5-2 for Gundogan as 3rd city asset

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

    Is there any truth about united game being postponed due to covid? I want to bring Rashford for a hit

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

      Where did you see that?

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

      Source?

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

        Tomato

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

        There isn’t one, it’s been reported in a tabloid that Burnley have 4 out due to Covid, but no suggestions the game will be called off.

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

      huh ? source or dont post things like this

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

      So it begins

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

        Bakar on the twitch stream https://www.twitch.tv/rambofyi

        I think Burnley will be fine and will not be postponed but i got scared

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

          Scared? You need to get out more (when lockdown ends of course).

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

      Bolognese?
      Tartar?
      Hollandaise?
      Mignonette?
      Peppercorn?
      Ravigote?
      Bearnaise?
      Remoulade?
      Carbonara?
      Picadillo?
      Gremolata?
      Bechamel?

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

        Haha. Good effort.

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

    So many unanswered posts... ppl should try answering 3 before asking their question

    Just imo

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

      Yep

  15. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Can Cancelo play 3 games in a week if he's tired?

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

      No point trying to predict Pep imo. I will personally switch to dias

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

      He has done it before.

  16. Straobalno
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any info about Wilson?

  17. suddenorgan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FH, I like my players to either cost above 8.2, or below 5.1, nothing in between. Bad idea right?

    Darlow (Nobody)
    Yedlin, Holding, Stones (Garbage)
    KDB, Sterling, Bruno, Son, Smith-Rowe
    Kane, Laca (Brewster)

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

      Not at all - nice side. Sterling obviously makes defence weakther but that's the trade off

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

      Don't double on Newcastle.

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

        it's all I can afford!

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

          I'd drop sterling then

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

    BEHOLD

    Ramsdale (Steer)
    Stones, Dier, Saiss (Mitchell, Kilman)
    KDB(vc), Bruno, Son, Rash, ESR
    Laca, Kane(C) (Davis)

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

      it's like an actual balanced version of my team above

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

    Best 4.8m GK for this week?

    A) Pickford
    B) Guaita
    C) Areola
    D) Ramsdale

    Thanks

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

      Guaita could be a shout!

      Arsenal aren’t that prolific and he could get a major haul if he keeps clean sheet.

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

        Yeah at least i can enjoy saves, should get a few

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

        Havent ARS scored the most of any team in the last 3?

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

    Thoughts???

    Leno
    AWB Shaw Stones Dier
    Sterling KDB Bruno Son Saka
    Kane
    (4.0, Brewster, Davis, Douglas)

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

      Solid 4-5-1 there, TS. I like it.

      Confident on doulbe Utd?

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

        Not exactly but nobody else I really like. Just not sure if sterling is too risky to avoid the likes of Tierney and Laca

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

          Yeah, it's a tough one. Sterling upside is huge.

          I'd like a Spurs defender but not sure where to fit one in.

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

    With the Cancelo news, I’m nearing relief for using FH which cancelled his actual transfer I originally planned. Although if he’s out, I hope he’s out DGW19 too.

    Would rather more clarity from Pep, but what do we expect.

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What Cancelo news?

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

        City need to see if he’s available.

        Not the kind of uncertainty you want on a FH maximising the starting XI.

  22. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Leno
    Cancelo AWB Stones

    A) AWB
    B) Tierney

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

      Awb for DGW

  23. Sean
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I know they've played the least games but Burnley only have 9 goals this season wow

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

      They have always been bad at getting goals to be fair.

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

      just got DDG for that reason.

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

    A) Stones (Yedlin + McGoldrick on bench)
    B) Dias (Yedlin and no one else on bench)

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

      a

  25. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FH team G2G?

    Lloris
    Dias - Tierney - Saiss
    Son - Saka - KDB - Bruno
    Kane - Laca - Wilson

    4.0 - Clark - Burke - Mitchell

    1. Saka Rice
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why Saiss? I rather have a man city defender and downgrade Lloris if you need to

  26. TSN
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed. Sorry for reposting
    After 1 hit:
    Leno (martinez)

    Holding cancelo saiss AWB (cresswell)
    Son bruno grealish salah (bissouma)
    Kane brewster (bamford)

    only 9 players who'll play tonight? Should i just use FH?

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

    https://www.toffeeweb.com/season/20-21/news/40333.html

    Does that mean Villa vs Everton will go ahead? (Or at least that's the hope?)

    Sorry if I missed any previous posts on this

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

      It’s the plan, but surely to be reassessed.

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

    Is Cancelo a doubt?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes, but probably plays. The quotes to me back up my viewpoint that long term he isn't nailed

      • Sean
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        nah Pep just trolling, only thing he really said was Sterling is fit

    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. Saka Rice
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I think Lacazette is a better option than Rashford have you considered him?

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

      Anyone punting on Foden?

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

        im thinking about it