Scout Picks
18 December 2021 1102 comments
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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. Will Kane
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Got triple Arsenal so.... 1-0 Leeds? I'm a Leeds fan so could live with it 🙂

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

      Got triple Arsenal after taking a -8 so yea that scoreline sounds about right

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

    I don't think I can be bothered to watch the game. I might just see the score come in on the Covidiprinter.

  3. el polako
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Foggy in Leeds, just watch game being called off now... lol

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

      Haha

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

      Nah, fog is a an excellent anti-viral.

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

    Lacazette YC for diving for a penalty in the 17th minute

    Lacazette second YC for excessive moaning about a Martinelli penalty dive, in the 58th minute

    Lacazette walks off the pitch at 59:56

    1. The Final Boss
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      And you wake up and realized it was a dream and went on to see the score as asnl win 4-0 with laca brace and esr goal from the bench.

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

        Now you're being unrealistic

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

          Lol

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

    Quick, name me your Gunners

    Ramsdale, Tierney and ESR here

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

      Ramsdale and Gabriel

      Clean sheet pleeeease

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

      Ramsdale, Saka and Lacazette.

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

      Ramsdale lacca v/c

    4. Brehmeren
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Laca, Rams, ESR

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

      White

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

        I assume you had social obligations

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

      Ramsdale White Laca

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

      Saka-Laca-BOOM

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

        mBOOMo?

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

      Left bicep named wibble
      Right bicep named wobble

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

      Ramsdale, White and ESR

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

      Saka ESR

    11. Qui-Gon-Joe
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Laca and Tierney

    12. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lacazette, ramsdale & ESR

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

      Ramsdale, White and Saka, which I'm slightly surprised doesn't have higher ownership.

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

        Loads of options in midfield

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

      Ramsdale and Saka (vc)

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

      White ESR Lacazette

    16. Root
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lacazette and Ramsdale

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

      Ramsdale, Tierney, Laca VC (Foden C)

    18. Salarrivederci
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Saka (VC) and Ødegaard!

      (Got Gelhardt to destroy Ramsdale cleanie too)

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

        Booo

    19. The Mighty Hippo
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ramsdale and Tierney (vc) for me

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

      RamSakaLacca

  6. Butcher
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Lacazette (c) here....!

  7. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Sambi Lokonga has covid... Arsenal about to get a lot of new cases then

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

    Arteta more of a fraud then we already knew he was. Benching ESR again, laughable.

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

      Came off bench last week an scored

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

        Put your best players on the benching, If that's your reasoning lol. Ragnick should put Ronaldo on the bench. All about the impact!

    2. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hirsute fraud

    3. _Make
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Indeed. Chop and change a winning side playing impressive football I say.

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

      How silly.

    5. Top 210 Club
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He a glorified PE coach. Dropping their best players.

  9. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Was half hoping that ESR’s goal would force Odegaard out the side. Grrrrr

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

      Same.

      ESR has my vice captains armband too. Fingers crossed for a repeat of the midweek performance from the bench!

  10. FFSbet.com
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    While you wait, did you know?
    Jurgen Klopp wants fans to listen to experts on the COVID vaccine

    Hmm...

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

      What would your advice be?

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      sack him immediately, how dare he

    3. el polako
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Klopp should focus on talking about football, he is in no position to advise people on health issues.

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

        What about the people he's advising the public to listen to?

        1. el polako
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Look I'm just tired of celebs using their popularity to preach or tell others what they should do.

          You are football manager, tell me about your team or last game and f... off.

          You're actor, tell me about your last movie and f... off.

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

            So u don't agree we should listen to the experts?

            1. el polako
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Don't go all Cathy Newman on me.

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

                😉

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

            feel like this every time i see Sterling shaving

          3. Radzio
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Exactly what he's saying. Listen to him regarding football as he is a football expert. Listen to medical experts about vaccines etc.

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

        He’s not advising people on health issues, he’s advising people on who to listen to about health issues (i.e. experts and professionals rather than some preacher on YouTube or Gary from IT)

        1. el polako
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          If you look at his last interview(s) he is clearly suggesting that vaccine is the way to go - and it might aswell be (I'm double jabbed).

          My point is, we don't need celebs talking about the matters they clearly don't have a clue about.

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

            While you may not many others may benefit from hearing it from people they trust in, especially if they are already down the path of not trusting the usual sources.

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

            Agree but it has been happening for two years everybody is talking about it you'll find many uneducated telling ypu what to do based on what they hear from media etc who probably partying down the streer ! 😀

          3. Alan The Llama
            • 16 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah, I remember the outcry when Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger went into politics.

            Except that didn't happen.

            When people complain about actors or anyone else having a political opinion, what they really mean is a political opinion that they don't agree with.

            1. el polako
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              This is much bigger than politics, this is health of millions of people we're taking about.

            2. @persecuted_by_mods
                4 years, 1 month ago

                This, he's the kind of guy in any other scenario would cry about "muh free speech"

                What is it this time Polako, you now don't like free speech?

        2. ZimZalabim
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          his advice was to listen to people that are experts in that regard, so pretty good advice.

          Saying he shd focus on football etc is such a brainless thing to say

          1. el polako
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            I don't need his advice, that's the whole point.

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

          Haha. He even mentioned people who say he should stick to what he knows. As if the only thing someone is allowed to comment on in life is their job. Really odd way to look at things.

          1. el polako
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Don't care what he mentioned, he shouldn't be using his popularity as a platform to preach about such important things if he isn't an expert in the field.

            1. Ginkapo FPL
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              If he doesnt whilst others like Trump do is this positive?

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

        What's your point?

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

          that Leeds have not beaten Arsenal in the PL in 18 years.

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

            ?

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

        Experts ? Like Fake Faucci ? Mmmmm

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

        Thank you Klopp

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Arsenal now also drabbed by covid.

      1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        1 player tested positive

      2. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        yep, chelsea too. Its like people didnt learn anything the past two years and think they can control the spread by testing every day lol

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

          Very pathetic ...

    5. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Did everyone vc this Arsenal game??

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

        Every single living being.

        1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Even yer da?

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

        Yeah

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

        Tierney VC here

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

        I didn’t. Probably would have been wise though.

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

        Laca VC

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

        No my vice on Gundo

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

        Lacca v/c

    6. The Train Driver
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Where can I buy a new F5 button for my keyboard?

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

        What you doing that for? Some nice early transfers?

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

      Name me your favourite 'Gunnars'

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Henry

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

        Saurus.

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

          Ooh, jinx!

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

        Saurus

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

        Ole

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

        I'm Gunnar pass

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

        Bergkamp

    8. Cojones of Destiny
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      got Tierney, Saka, Laca for -8 and can hope for at least 6 points return good deal right?

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

        Just booting up the casio

        2

        +

        2

        +

        2

        1. Cojones of Destiny
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          genius

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

        I'd say so

        1. Cojones of Destiny
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          cheers to a fellow Gunner and GL to our team !

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

      All I want for Christmas is for Arsenal to concede

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

        Agree. I got no Arsenal. Gelhardt (VC) lol....desperate times

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

          How is that possible?

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

            Well....I did have ESR but sold for Bowen couple weeks ago. Not getting Ramsdale was a big error.

      2. Fantasy Football Friend!
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        My Christmas wish is to put one in the Arse as well!

      3. Salarrivederci
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Gelhardt will make that happen

      4. Cojones of Destiny
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        ain’t happening

      5. Assisting the assister
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        With no starting keeper I concur

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

        Dont worry i got Ramsdale and Tomiyaso so 99.99999% they will concede

    10. Salan
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      My wish is Laca got HT and then postponing all tomorrow matches.

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

        Typical comment for these selfish times

        1. Cojones of Destiny
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          this

    11. Jernau M Gurgeh
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Right, Sourdough Pizza in oven, nearly ready, see y'all in 45

    12. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Wonder how many players I have next gw

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

        Probably 0 for everyone that has 11 this week

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

      Why is ESR benched again? Captain black needs to lay off the crack

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

        Other 3 impressed in his absence.

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

          He doesnt like goals? What more can ESR do lol

    14. Tcheco
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I made my transfers 1 hour before the deadline and still got burned.

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

        How?

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

      Still not updated as they're adding a free WC for all?

    16. abk
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      still updating..

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

      There was covid in the air that night
      The bench was sh1te, Smith-Rowe
      They were playing there for you and me
      For Farcenal FC, Smith-Rowe
      Though I never thought that we could lose
      There's no regret
      If I had to do the same again
      I would, my friend, bench Smith-Rowe
      If I had to do the same again
      I would, my friend, bench Smith-Rowe

    18. WVA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'll be happy if ESR comes on for 1 point.

      Apologies to everyone with Arsenal defence, I finally got Ramsdale!

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

        Timing

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Well there goes the clean sheets then, guaranteed

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

          Oh well, Ramsdale was nice when it lasted ..

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

        First time Ramsdale owner here.

        If we concede, you know who to blame.

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

          Here also, expect a Red card within the first 10 mins

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

            That's Lehmann

        2. @persecuted_by_mods
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah, supersaints

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

              Lucky me

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

          The year is 2029, FPL still not updated

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

            postponed

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

          Is there an omicron outbreak at FPL Towers?

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

          My cup opponent ranked much higher than me had more players thank me. I secretly hope he brought in Villa players early 😆

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

          What I would like from this game ……… Ramsdale saving a Raphinha penalty …. Owww Christmas time …