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

    Sh*t. Wish I capped Cancelo over Foden.

    Foden will be rested won't he?

    1. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yup.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If he's Amrit then he starts imo

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        He's fit*

    3. Lord of Ings
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I capped him as well
      Good luck to you too!

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

      Any news?

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

        Nah, just post-deadline anxiety. Too late now.

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

    Good luck everyone. My brain hurts.

    I'll have 10 players max. Opted against taking a hit to get a playing goalkeeper, which I may come to regret...

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Same here.

      Didn't want to ditch DDG for Ramsdale for a hit. Can't see any more than 6 for Ramsdale given how poor Leeds team is, so for the sake of max 2 points, it made no sense.

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

        Same. I like DDG as a pick for the foreseeable, and I hope he repays our faith with some nice DGW hauls!

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

        Good call I reckon. Ramsdale owner here. DDG for the dbls should work out just fine.

  3. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    My only ask is that ESR is on the bench ……….

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Blasphemy!

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Worse than that - treason!

      2. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Sorry dude.

    2. Red Red Robins
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hes my VC, 🙁

  4. El Presidente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is the game on?

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

      Good question

    2. jason_ni
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If they cancelled at this point would be a new record for cancelling so close to ko.

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

    Tierney brittle hamstrings

    Surely a game for Tavares to start

    1. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hopefully

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Blasphemy x 2!

        1. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Lol

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Hehe

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I thought that but long rest until next Sunday, brought Tierney in anyway, surely Artera won't wanna spoil a good thing going

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

      Possible. First time we've had decent rotation for Tierney. Arteta no longer has to run him into the ground.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Please don't be saying these things!

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

      They're unchanged. He starts.

      1. No Kane No Gain
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Confirmed?!

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

        Unchanged as game cancelled?

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

          Lol pessimistic

  6. 420king
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    me: Salah + Lacazette + Raphinha + Foden + Bernardo + James - 8
    vs
    cup opponent: Saka + ASM + Alonso

    Pretty sure he beats me somehow...

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

      How does someone still in cup not own salah?!

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

        He does, but he has C on Ronaldo and VC on Sarr.

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

          How tf am I out of the cup with people like that still in lol.

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

            It's a dead team that got lucky twice. Would have beaten me if I played him last round too.

          2. Wirtzel Gummidge
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Magic of the cup!

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

    Can we give Leeds one point at PL table for bracing themself to play the game with depleted squad in covid situation.

    Kindly reduce Spurs and united points as well.

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Honest club, deserve the point.

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

      Bielsa has never complained either. Fair play to them.

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

      Love to see them stay in the PL. Well deserved! They'll fight to the last man it seems. +1 for Leeds

  8. El Presidente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Oh dear....

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      What's up Presidente?

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Drop your pudding?

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

      What?

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

      Do tell…

    4. EmreCan Hustle
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      What, WHAT?

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

      Coffee's too hot?

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

      oh god no

    7. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Don’t keep us in suspense …

    8. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He's have roast venison instead of roast turkey for Christmas.

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

        Sounds like a win

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

      OMG

  9. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Guesses on chances of these games being played tomorrow?

    a) Spurs Pool
    b) Wolves Chelsea
    c) Newcastle Man City

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

      A very low
      B almost certainly off
      C Most likely

    2. The White Pele
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      80%
      70%
      85%

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      60%
      80%
      50%

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

      I’m betting on City game to be on as heard no covid rumours about that one

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Took a hit for a 3rd City player, probably 4 points gone.

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

          Took a hit for Foden as well

      2. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Fingers crossed for Cancelo, Bilva and Foden!

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

      A) Toss
      B) A
      C) Coin

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

        To Your Witcher!!!!

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

      A. About average.
      B. Almost no chance.
      C. Goes ahead.

    7. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      60%
      30%
      80%

      But obviously no idea.

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

      65%
      90%
      75%

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

      Wait is the Chelsea game also likely to be called off?

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

        I’d say it’s almost certainly off.

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

        afaik some newly created Chelsea fan account on twitter casting doubt

    10. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      25%
      10%
      40%

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

      80
      10
      95

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

      Sneaky feeling Chelsea will be off with reports of more positive Chelsea cases.

      Spurs/Pool possibly in danger with London cases so high.

      Hope City game goes ahead at least.

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

        Hard to believe Chelsea don't have enough players

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

          Don't think squad size is important. Man U have a fairly big squad, no?

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

          They would have if they realised that Christensen played for them

    13. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      a) 0 unless behind closed doors
      b) 50%
      C) 75%

    14. Botman and Robben
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      3%
      90%
      90%

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

      a) 64
      b) 50
      c) 89 (easy Citeh fixture)

  10. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    a) Brownhill > Martinelli (-4)
    b) Brownhill > ESR (-4)
    c) Don't take a hit, play with 9

    1. The White Pele
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      FH

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

    https://twitter.com/Teamnewsandtix/status/1472240085051584512?t=t434IxoLGOD8tx5idTJiHA&s=19

    ESR benched.

    Well done Lacazette punters. Wanted to, but also wanted no hit + potentially Ronaldo next week.

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

      Muhahaha

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

        He did score last time this happened tbf.

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

      Benched or not in squad. Find out soon.

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

      Woohoo

    4. The White Pele
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ødegaard owners unit.

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

        ...of what department?

        1. The White Pele
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          e*

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

      well that sucks!

    6. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      god will arteta just go!

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

      If this is correct I have 2 players playing. I repeat I have 2 players playing

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

        what's your ID?

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

          I have Martinelli and Lacazette

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

            Brave

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

      ESR specialises in scoring from the bench

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

      Why is ESR benched ? Lost place or just being eased back? Surely comes on though

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

    cant wait to see the mini league teams, and the next round of the cup to see how many he/she has got

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You can see your cup oppo before the deadline you know

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

        and I have but I haven't looked since and they may have made transfers

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

      he

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

    You think that going (c) Cancelo may not end up being a disaster?

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

      We're good pal, double digits incoming.
      Mo prob still outscore us though!

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

    All my three strikers (Watkins, Dennis, Antonio) will not play, but I have eleven players, which will play. Are the points lost or will come all three strikers automatically to the bench?

    Thank you!

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

      Points lost, you have to have at least 1 striker

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No you don't 😆

    3. Toonmad
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You have to play at least 1 striker

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

      Can't go 5-5-0. One def/mid will be benched

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

      You'll lose out on one player. Have to play one striker in a formation.

    6. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      haha

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

      No valid formation no point to come in

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

      Did you play your Guardiola chip?

    9. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Whoever does not play, will be replaced by players that do play

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Have to have 1 striker though

    10. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You can’t have a 5 5 0 … so I think one of you available players will be on your bench …. I think

    11. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Chances are all 11 won't play.

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

        😆 so don't bother?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          So the 3rd bench will get on.

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

      Is it reverse All Out Attack chip?

  15. jason_ni
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Its obvious, we just need to get players from the teams on sky sports going forward.
    Money talks!

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

      Haha yep

    2. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lol … looks that way

  16. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal unchanged apparently

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

      Game to be postponed within the next 60 minutes so not changing?

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

      Gotta try new clothes at some point...

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

    Surely any games on London to be called off?

    1. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      behind closed doors i reckon

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

        Yeh that would be sensible

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

      Why?

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

        Declared Major incident from COvid

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

          Oh really ? Thanks.

    3. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Surely can't be played with fans after Sadiq Khan declared a major Covid incident in London.

      1. im1974
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Give over. As if Sadiq (windbag) khan carries any weight. He was more than likely at some, politically arranged, photo op courtesy of captain hindsight Starmer

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Better than captain no sight bojo the bozo

            Wonder what it is about Sadiq you don't like? That you didn't get from right wing meme pages

    4. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Emile Smith Gotta Go

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

        To the bench.

      2. Free Hat
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Emile smith D'oh

    5. Lord of Ings
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You guys reckon Laporte starts?

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

        If it happens, yeah.

    6. tbos83
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Played my fh, ensuring 6 players from ars/Lee and 3 each across remaining fixtures. So in theory should be OK even if a game called off tomorrow. In theory...

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I'm using it on one of the DGWs

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

        I'm using it for the Spurs TGW or DGW

        1. tbos83
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Fair play.

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

      The postponements have pushed me into watching EFL Championship games. Entertaining stuff, to be fair

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

        Another nice goal

      2. EmreCan Hustle
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Aren't EFL games being affected?

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

      Saka & Gelhardt for me in this one.

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

        Saka gelhardt ramsdale for me

        1. Original Sin
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Tierny Saka Laca for me, Gelhardt on bench

    9. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lineups...

    10. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      ESR on the bench

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

        Party in the middle of the park.

    11. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      burned a FT by missing the deadline … doh 🙂

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Could be a blessing in disguise.

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          nah, was bringing in Rapha & Laca for free … 12 points lost 🙁

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

      Martinelli and Laca VC (Salah C) let’s go gunners !

    13. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Koch is in

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

        Filling gaps

    14. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Surely esr will start v Norwich...

      1. Lord of Ings
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Martinelli is in amazing form
        Doubt that happens

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

          Esr in hot form too

          1. Lord of Ings
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Arteta doesn’t change a winning combo
            So you gotta hope arsenal lose today

            1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              hes so inflexible

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

        No doubt will come off bench

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

          For another goal hopefully

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

            Did last week

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

      My girlfriend loves Robin Koch.

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

        Hopefully not everyones

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

          😆

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

        I can confirm this

      3. bigwig
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Didn't know his name was Robin, so unfortunate, he must get it ripped out of him

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

        So does your mum