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_WILDCARD
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best option from these for FH

    A) Cancelo, Tierney, Gundo + Lacazette (in a 343)
    B) Stones, Holding, Sterling + ESR (in a 352)

    Thanks

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

      A

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

      Flip of the coin that.

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

    Gundogan and Lacazette or Sterling and Saka?

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

      Sterling & Saka assuming Sterling plays, reckon he will

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

    No sterling. No Wilson. Good bench. Gtg?

    Lloris
    Tierney Shaw Dias
    Saka Bruno KDB Son Gundo
    Laca Kane
    (Ramsdale, Brewster, Kilman, Mitchell)

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

      Isn’t Shaw Injured?

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

        No? Trained yday

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

    REpost
    DDG Areola
    Stones Dier Cancelo Coufal Wan-Bissaka
    KDB Bruno Son SmithRowe Soucek
    Kane Wilson Antonio

    This is my wildcard team with a view to BB in 19. (Salah and Bamford will be added next GW)

    Any Glaring mistake or suggestion please. Thanks in advance.

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good, nothing to suggest. Covered all bases and 2 FTs sets you up with 13DGWers. Like it all.

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

        thanks!!! and good luck mate

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

    Starters Pos Form GW Pts Fix

    How 'bout this?
    Too risky?

    de Gea

    Holding-Cancelo-Davies

    Son-De Bruyne-Rashford-Fernandes-Smith Rowe

    Kane-Lacazette

    Subs
    Steer

    Mitchell
    Keinan Davis (4.3)
    Struijk (3.9)

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

      Laca to Wilson and strengthen the defence?

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

    Not sure I agree with putting players who will almost certainly get 1 or 2 points on the bench on a FH. It's the one and only free hit. Go for it I say, pick the best 11 you can and pray Pep won't get you

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

      If Pep was the only worry I would agree. But covid making everthing so uncertain that I'm going for a full playing bench on FH.

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

        fair enough 🙂 GL!

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

      I’m very worried about my Foden and Cancelo picks. Rest should be fine and gone for one decent option on bench (yedlin)

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

        Me too mate (except Gundo not Foden) GL

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

    KDB, Son or Kane (C)?

    Currently on KDB!

    Cheers!

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

      Tough one with that Spurs fixture...

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

    Got not answer last time :/. Please help

    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.

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

      Won’t get answers now, pages flying

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

        Thanks

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

      C

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

        Thanks. Hopefully Utd smashes Burnley tonight.

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

          Surely hope so mate!

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

    Looks like most people are captaining KDB over Kane/Son?

  10. Kudo Warrior
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Two key questions:

    1. Villa vs Everton, I remember reading that this was in doubt also due to the quanrantine period only ending the day after. Do we have any info on if this will be moved also?

    2. Do we have any further info on Leeds vs Soton game and if it will be moved from DGW19?

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

      Re Q1:

      Everton's match at Villa will be rescheduled from Saturday 16 January 17:30 GMT to Sunday 17 January 12:00 GMT, and will remain live on Sky Sports in the UK.

      Source: FPL App

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

    Sixth repost

    Is Shaw Injured?

    And will Lindelof play?

    Cheers

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

        Finally, cheers man

        1. Kudo Warrior
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No problemo.

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

      Nobody on here knows!

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

      Have you answered anything?

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

        In the 9 years on here, erm, yeah, have you?

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

    Remember it’s only a game that should help us escape from the difficult world
    we currently live in!! I’m rocking with this lot, GL everyone 😀

    Lloris
    Cancelo, Tierney, Stones
    KDB(C), Bruno, Son, Saka
    Kane(v), Laca, Wilson

    (4.0, Clark, Mitchell, Burke)

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

      Nice team that Rafa

    2. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Went Rashford instead of Laca....rest of team likewise. Good luck!

    3. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Given your starting 11 is identical to mine (even captain and vice), I like the way you rock it! Good luck fella.

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

        Cheers and very much GL then!

  13. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A. Awb
    B. Stones (Have Cancelo)

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

    Ref Cancelo, this is what Pep said, so make up your own mind is what I say..
    https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/man-city-brighton-pep-guardiola-news-preview-63746053

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

      Yeah, looks pretty clear to me.

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

      He basically said nothing by saying a lot.

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

      Mud mud mud

  15. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So not getting Cancelo now then?

  16. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Decision is basically Rashford or Wilson on a FH?

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

      Rash and it is not even a question

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

        I dunno, Wilson plays against Sheffield....

  17. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Nobody captaining Kane, why ?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I am

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

      I think I am, Kane Bruno KDB and Son, all great options this week.

  18. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Last piece of the puzzle guys. Please help us out.

    A) Rashford (settle for Holding, Stones & Wilson)

    B) Traore (can afford Tierney, Dias/Sais & Laca)

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

      A

  19. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Dias or Cancelo in FH?
    Bench is Kilman,Mitchell and Brewster

    1. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo imo

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

    Worth downgrading Saka -> ESR (to start) to afford Lloris/Tierney over DDG/Dier?

  21. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Going without Kane will end in tears. Don't want to but I have to

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

      Not ended in tears for a while now

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Hopefully you are right

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

    Please share some thoughts on my FH team:

    Lloris
    Cancelo, Stones, Tierney
    KDB(c), Bruno, Rashford, Son, ESR
    Kane, Lacazette

    Mitchell on the bench and fodders

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good. GL

    2. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Best one ive seen so far. GL

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

      Incredible team value right there, so jealous

  23. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bogle likely to start for Sheff Utd?

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

      Ye he's my bench player

  24. 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.

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

      B

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

    Will Aurier start?

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

      Yes

  26. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    (C):

    A) KDB
    B) Sob
    C) Kane
    ..?

  27. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best defender that plays in gw 18 and has a double in gw19 thats not Man City as maxed out?

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

    Who starts?
    Martial or Cavani?

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

      Both too risky, let the dust settle before going for either

    2. Kudo Warrior
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probs Cavani but Martial will come on at some point also.

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

      Both

    4. Party time
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Martial will start. I am 100% sure

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

          Would you go Rashford and Martial and forget Bruno?
          Sounds risky I know but it’s only for one week.

          1. Party time
              3 years, 2 months ago

              No. I am going with Bruno, Martial & Bissaka on FH.

              Rashford + Martial are great too but I would rather have Bruno in the team

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

          Martial, wish I could fit him in alongside laca and Kane

        3. Granville
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No idea which is why you should avoid

      • I Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A) Lloris, Tierney, AWB, ESR
        B) Leno, Dier, Maguire, Saka

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

        Cancelo - Looks as likely as ever to play, no?

        Pep in todays press conference:
        " 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. "

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

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

          I have a Newcastle defender as backup just in case.

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

            I have Yedlin as backup

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

          It's Pep. I'm still very confident Cancelo starts.