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. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lloris + AWB + Holding
    or
    Leno + Maguire + Dier

    ?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      B probably. Would maybe even go AWB over Maguire anyway just for the bonus points.

      1. Lord.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        And the lack of yellow cards

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

          A

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

    A) Rashford, Cancelo, Saka, AWB (template)
    B) Sterling, Dier, Lindelof, Smith-Rowe

    I'm tempted.

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

      Shaw over Lindelof, maybe?

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

        Will Shaw start? Yeah maybe... I have no bench though.

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

        A, Dier, Lindelof too dull 🙂

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

          Yeah but it's all to gain Sterling who is ultimate differential.

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

            Yes i love the differential. I would go Shaw then

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m going with Rashford + Foden over Sterling + Smith-Rowe.

      I think you need to captain Sterling if paying 11.4

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

      I’d go template on here, not that template in the grand scheme of things.

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

        It's very template. Look at the transfers in for the round....

    4. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      So your dilemma is mainly between Rashford or Sterling.
      I have a gut feeling that Sterling is about to go on a good run.

      1. Lord.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I have dreams of last seasons' restart, when a one-week punt became a season keeper.

  3. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    G2G FH?

    Lloris
    Saiss Cancelo Tierney (AWB Mitchell)
    KDB Son Bruno Gundo Neto
    Kane Wilson (Brewster)

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

      G2G

      Neto, Cancelo, to Stones Luca is an option???

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

        Similar problem

        A. Stones Saiss, ESR, Laca
        B. Dias, Tierney, Saka, Wilson

        Thanks, guys

  4. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pick one

    A Sterling ( Ings/Vardy) Antonio
    B Rashford Ings Vardy

    If going Sterling i have to keep one of Vardy or Ings out...

    1. mowgli26
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Minen_12
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  5. Minen_12
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I currently have Reguilon. Will he start? Or should i sell him? and for who. Cancelo and Tierney are my other 2 Defenders.

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Should start, Davies played Sunday

    2. Minen_12
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Pundits saying that Davies came off in the 70th with the premier league fixture in mind.

  6. mowgli26
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pope
    Cancelo Saiss Tierney
    Gundogan Bruno Rashford KDB SmithRowe
    Lacazette Kane

    Forster, Brewster, Struijk, Mitchell

    Let me know your thoughts. Stick with Rashford or swap to Sterling?

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

      Stick with Rashford, unless you drop Laca to Wilson (and play around) 🙂

      1. mowgli26
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Appreciated. Just checked again and switching to Sterling would mean I would have to change Gundogan (max players) for a nobody....stick with Rash!

  7. Blue&White85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Definitely overthinking this but just looking at options:

    A. Stones, Cancelo, Rashford, Wilson & Smith Rowe (sub) - 442
    B. Stones, Sterling, Wilson, Smith Rowe & Mitchell (sub) - 352
    C. Stones, Lindelof, Sterling, Saka & Brewster (sub) - 451
    D. Cancelo, Lindelof, Sterling, Smith Rowe & Brewster (sub) - 451

    Lloris, Norris
    Tierney Shaw, Yedlin, XX, XX
    KDB, Fernandes, Son, XX, XX
    Kane, Davis, XX

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

      D or B

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

    Think Antonio will start GW 19?

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

      For sure. Do they have option upfront?

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

        So doesn’t need more matching?

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

          Not expecting him to start both but somehing like 120-140min quite likely.

    2. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He had a decent run out last night, and now gets a rest, so why not?

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

    Gtg?

    De gea
    Aurier Tierney Dias
    Son Bruno KDB Saka Gundo
    Laca Kane
    (Ramsdale, Brewster, Bogle, Yedlin)

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

      I would downgrade Ramsdale, and upgrade Aurier? Prefer Lloris this week too

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

        Can do Aurier, De gea to Shaw, Lloros

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

          Yeah prefer that Chip Butty 🙂

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

            Hahaha, I like Shaw but scared he won't start

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

            Help here mate

            A or B please, (i have answered a few)

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

              A or B please, (i have answered a few)

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

                sorry not sure what is going on

                A. Stones Saiss, ERS, Laca
                B. Dias, Tierney , Saka, Wilson

                Thanks, mate

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

                  Tricky. I love Laca this week but much prefer Tierney to Saiss. Probably A

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

                    Cheers

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

      Good coverage there

  10. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    is this enough? Don’t want to FH at all but Cancelo now at risk!?

    Cancelo Stones Mitchell Maguire/AWB
    Son Bruno KDB Burke
    Kane

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

      Looks fine

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Do you know what this Cancelo rumours are all about

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

      Thats a good nonfree hit team

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks man

        1. STHH
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I think Cancello and Clark being unfit is the rumour mill striking. I'm not worried.

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

    Who is ur C for GW 18 ?

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

    Lacazette looks like such a trap

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

      Not many other options imo. He's been playing well

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

        451 the main alternative but agree

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

      Agreed. Plp should get Wood instead

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

    All I want is Wood to score and Areola to keep cs.

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

      We have very similar wc teams so same wishes
      What’s your plan to get Liverpool in next GW?

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

    If money no object, is there any point playing Cancelo over Dias on this FH?

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

      more likely attacking returns

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

      More likely to get BPS and Assists

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

      OK cheers. Let's aim for that higher ceiling then! GL

  15. Same Old
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    First post...

    Why is nobody talking about Martial or Cavani in their FH teams?

    Any news on whether either/both will start?

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

      You answered your own question

      1. Same Old
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Fair

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

      People are concerned they will share minutes I think

    3. STHH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's hard to predict which will start and many are assuming one will be subbed off for the other. Actually I wouldn't be surprised if Martial played as RWF, with Cavani down the middle.

  16. TheBiffas
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    DCL --> Wilson for -4?

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

      Yes

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

    Captain one:

    KDB
    Son
    Kane
    Bruno

  18. Pi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you prefer to have?

    A) Tierney (CRY)
    B) Saiss (EVE)
    C) Maguire (bur)

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

      A for attacking potential

  19. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Distribute risk?

    1) Tierney / SAKA / Lacazette
    2) Tierney / NETO / Lacazette

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

      Saka is better than Neto. Look at players individually.

  20. ludaslol
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any Cavani drafts?

    1. Same Old
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cavani or Martial were in my draft but the fear is minutes shared

      Great differential if they do play

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

    After a ton of FH drafts... Might have finished, G2G?

    Lloris
    Cancelo, Stones, Tierney (Kilman, Mitchell)
    KDB, Bruno, Rashford, Son, Smith-Rowe
    Kane, Wilson (Brewster)

    0.0m itb

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

      Looks good. I'd go Dias, Man u defender and Saka over Cancelo, Smith Rowe and Wilsom

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

      i like it

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

    A) Lloris, Shaw or AWB
    B) De gea, Aurier

  23. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anybody owning Meslier as number one? What fo you do with him now?

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

      what's wrong with him?

  24. F_Ivanovic
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Non FH team (4 point hit taken) - how's she looking

    No GK

    Dias - Holding - Mitchell - Cancelo - Dier
    Zaha - KDB - Bruno - Smith Rowe
    Kane

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

      Very nice for no FH

  25. Mo Mane Mo Salah
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saka or Gundogan?!
    Or defensive rearrangement for both?!

    Cleanies seem imminent

    Major Headache on FH

    Llloris
    Cancelo Stones Tierney Saiss Shaw
    KDB Bruno Son Saka Burke
    Kane Laca Brewster

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

      I would go both and drop a defender to fodder

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

      I like that 442 team tbh!

  26. Tosa86
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My actual draft FH:

    lloris
    Tierny - AWB - Cancelo
    Fernandes - KDB - Rashford - Son (vC) - Smith Rowe
    Kane (C) - Wilson

    Button - Yedlin - Mitchel - Davis

    Any suggestion adn feeback is very appreciate.

    kane or laca??

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

      Kane

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

    Sterling or Laca for Just this GW ?

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

      Sterling

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

    Guys, need your help, currently on A because of nailedness + aerial threat.

    A. Dias + Stephens (BUR), fodder on bench
    B. Stones + Kilman, Lookman on bench

  29. Arsenal97
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) De Gea Saiss Saka
    B) Lloris Cancelo Smithrowe

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

      B

  30. ccarmi2208
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any guidance appreciate, I've only just joined this.

    Which one do you reckon guys ?

    A. Darlow
    Tirerney/Stones/Dier/Dias
    Saka/KDB/Fernandes/Son
    Lacazette/Kane

    B. De Gea
    Tierney/Stones/Cancelo/Dier
    Saka/KDB/Fernandes/Son
    Wilson/Kane

    KDB or Kane for captain

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

      I prefer B slightly but both look good

      KDB