Scout Picks
18 December 2021 1102 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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It may be an exercise in futility but we have, again, chosen our best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players for Gameweek 18 ahead of Saturday’s later-than-planned 16:00 GMT deadline.

The revision of the picks follows the earlier postponement of Aston Villa v Burnley.

It’s a 4-5-1 formation this week and, as ever, we are limited to an £83.0m budget for our starting XI.

Our four substitutes, meanwhile, are chosen from the budget/mid-price crop of players to give some potentially cost-effective alternatives to the big hitters who invariably make the initial cut.

With six postponements and injuries, suspensions and positive tests abounding even at clubs whose matches are unaffected, there’s a smaller pool of players to choose from than usual this time.

GOALKEEPER

Cornet and Smith Rowe 1

Which Leeds United will turn up against Arsenal on Saturday? The side that battled so valiantly in defeat at Stamford Bridge last weekend or the one that rolled over against Manchester City in midweek? It’ll be an understrength Leeds, either way, with at least eight of their already thin first-team squad missing out in Gameweek 18 – and that’s without any Covid outbreak. Aaron Ramsdale (£5.1m) gets the nod partly as a consequence of the opposition but, of course, also on his own merit: he has the highest points-per-match average (5.4) of any first-choice goalkeeper this season and, in this decimated Gameweek, remarkably only two starting shot-stoppers are cheaper than the Arsenal man despite his heroics.

DEFENDERS

FPL Gameweek 17 round-up: Thursday review, injury news and the things we learned
 

 1



The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

 1

https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2021/12/16/covid-watch-club-by-club-latest/
  1. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Went Cancelo (c) Laca (vc), omg...

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Foden (c), Saka (VC)

      Salah hattrick incoming

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, afraid of that now!

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I was very tempted with Cancelo(C) but stuck with reliable Salah in the end. Ideally would have Salah(c) Cancelo(vc) but I think not (vc) an Arsenal player is asking for trouble.

    3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling(c), saka(vc)

  2. DARE TO BISCAN
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    593 the real winner this gw

    1. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I mean, his younger brother, 503

    2. Zimo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Eh?

  3. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Chaotic GW, how do you feel?
    A. Excited about this 4-games GW
    B. Can't wait to get rid of and go to next GW

    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      This is funny, I should get green arrow this week 🙂 But I have doubts if the atmosphere here is going to be anything but very toxic.

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Blame the virus not the atmosphere 😛

  4. BIG TONES
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What a journey. Good luck to everyone

    1. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers . likewise

    2. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Enjoying the ride/crash.

      Good luck all!

  5. Goooo Rickie
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Now we just wait for the news that Leeds vs Arsenal is cancelled...

    1. BIG TONES
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Deleting my team and throwing my computer away if that happens

  6. Big Mac 24
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Last second -4 Cash to Tierney and threw the A on him in case tomorrows games get called off. C on Bilva

  7. Tango74
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Tempered to lacca VC

    Bottled kept on foden

  8. The Mandalorian
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Special never brags

    Good luck all

  9. Andy_Social
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I'm good for 10 (inc Bilva), but not if this turns out to be the case:

    BenchWarmers
    @BeWarmers
    ·
    1h
    | BREAKING: Wolves vs Chelsea is in SERIOUS doubt after more positive COVID cases were reported in the latest round of #CFC testing.

    1. fusen
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      not sure I'd trust these unless serious journalists report it. Lots of fake posts doing the round.

    2. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Wolves journo Tim Spiers more recently:

      https://twitter.com/TimSpiers/status/1472230803845304321

      Could all change in an instant, I appreciate.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I prefer your news!

      2. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Any news on the other games tomorrow Neale?

        1. Skonto Rigga
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          None mate, completely in the dark. The usual noises from clubs/journos about "being confident" of the games going ahead, which would be rendered meaningless by one round of daily testing.

    3. BIG TONES
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Darn going to miss out on my four points from double CHE defence

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      😆 The scouts will need to amend their picks once again?

      1. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        It's a Free Hit XI, we're allowed to before the deadline 😉

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, poor us who wanted to follow the scouts 😛

    5. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Only have James. Probably be good for me

  10. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Best of luck to all this "GW".

    I know I'm going to get a poor score but just hope we are all due some better luck soon! Let's not give up!

  11. Dušan Citizen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Just brought in 3 Arsenal players for -8, Laca, ESR and Tomiyasu. 10 players for me.

    Didn't want to take any risk with getting players whose games are to be played tomorrow. Good luck everyone!

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Will ESR start?

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I think he should, this game is perfect for him. I think Odegaard or Martinelli might get a rest.

  12. Firmino
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Watkins -> Laca
    Bowen -> Saka -4

    And captained Foden with Laca as vice captain!

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Too late

  13. Under my Cucurella
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Why has Foden become essential all of a sudden? Is he not still a rotation risk at City?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Course he is. I wasn’t bringing him in for this reason and going with Watkins instead until the Villa game was cancelled.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      That’s a secret.

    3. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      One of the few sexy choices left (potentially) playing.

  14. Thomas Magnum
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Wonder if anyone who took -8 or more will end the week on negative points

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Tough decision whether to take or not take hits. I went against. Hopefully getting 9 out that I'm happy with

  15. Mika-eel
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Damn that was tense. Good luck everyone!!

  16. tuvok
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Quick! Shall I play benchboost this week or save it?!?

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Too late mate

      1. Mozumbus
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Maybe he's asking for GW19

    2. Skogen89
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Haha

  17. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    And its Arseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenal.

  18. Heisenberg W. W.
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I've been very economical with taking hits this year. Up until now, I only took -12 (which is good to my standards)

    So I went trigger happy and went for -8
    Guaita 》Ramsdale
    Brownhill 》 Saka
    Ronaldo 》 Lacca

    GL everyone!

  19. threeputt
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    oh yeah site works perfectly now.......

  20. Tabasco
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Forgot about the deadline and did Gallagher to Saka at 16:00 - wonder if it'll go into next week's transfers! Disastrous

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Think you'll be OK

    2. Zimo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I don't think u can do that until Game updates

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      This sounds made up.

      1. Tabasco
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Simmer down lad

  21. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is there a rule that you have one forward? I transfered Raphinha in for - 4. But then I was not able to bench Watkins. Was my Gilmour -> Raphinha transfer senseless like my Vardy -> Watkins transfer?

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You have to play at least one striker

    2. 420king
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Is your formation 5-4-1?

      1. Corona is not good 4 U
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yes, but I wanted to bench Watkins.

        1. 420king
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Need one of them not to play, but it's likely that happens.

    3. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, must have one forward and a keeper, even if they don't play. No 5-5-0

    4. Zimo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes u need to play at least 3 Defenders, 2 mids, and 1 fwd

      1. 420king
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        It's impossible not to have 2 mids 😛

    5. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I don't think you can play 5-5-0 formation if that's what you mean

    6. vincentwsho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Crap took a hit to do Gallagher to Saka.... and realized afterwards

      At least I benched Reguilon as he might not start anyway....but still the hit seems less worth it now 🙁

  22. Pep bites Kun
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Transfers in. 9 hopefully quality players, 2FT, no hits. Best of luck all! Intensive pre-gameweek for most I'd imagine ..

  23. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Got in tierney last second. Esr vc. Fingers crossed they start.

  24. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    WC played. Should get 14 starters, barring postponements 😎

    1. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Good luck with Gelhardt and Klich !

      1. Forza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Gelhardt third on the bench and a midfield of Salah/Jota/Mount/Raphinha/ESR. It looks good, the only problems are ASM and no second GK.

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      What's your WC team?

      I still have my WC and thinking of just holding it for as long as possible.

      1. Forza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ederson, 3.9
        TAA, Cancelo, James, Alonso, White
        Salah, Jota, Mount, Raphinha, ESR
        Lacazette, ASM, Gelhardt

        There's a heavy slant on the limited options for this GW, so next GW might be a better time... But there might not be a next GW.

  25. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Decent chance Tierney gets the bench today

    Would love a Leeds 1-0

    1. Mozumbus
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Any Leeds goal has to come through Raphinha, whom transferred in the last minute

  26. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    No hits taken

    Red arrow?

  27. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any early news of arsenal team?

    1. Drexl Spivey
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Auba fit.

      1. threeputt
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        slapper !

      2. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Great as captained him

        1. Mike2795647
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          He’s already confirmed out according to Arteta

  28. JONALDINHO
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Got out 11 with no hits. What’s all the hassle about!

    1. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Me too but one of therm’s Manquillo so minus points

      1. Gizzachance
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Same !

    2. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      It's when Bilva and ESR are benched. Again.

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      -8?

    4. threeputt
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      pride comes before a fall, you havent reached tomorrow yet......

    5. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Prepare for hits soon ... DGWs are coming like storms! 😛

  29. BrutalLogiC
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    9 incl. ESR, Bilva, Tierney, Gelhardt

  30. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    So many Arsenal fans today. Who do you have?

    I got Ramsdale, Tierney (vc) and ESR

    1. lugs
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      White & a last minute transfer Maddison to Martinelli(vc), (which allows me to upgrade a City mid to Son next Week)

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Nice. Not sure if we plan transfer nowadays!

        1. lugs
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Son = Immunity lol

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ramsdale Saka Lacazette (vc)

    3. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ram, ESR, Laca (vc)