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17 December 2021 607 comments
J0E J0E
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Joe and Seb help Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers prepare for a decimated Gameweek 18.

The Covid pandemic has wreaked havoc with the Premier League schedule already in Gameweek 17, with six teams missing out due to the spread of the infection.

Gameweek 18 looks similarly chaotic, with half the matches postponed. At the time of writing it is still unclear whether any of the weekend’s fixtures will take place.


READ MORE: Covid watch: The club-by-club latest and how it affects FPL


Amid the confusion, Joe and Seb try to make sense of it all and offer their top tips for tackling Covid chaos in FPL.

They reveal their plans based on every eventuality, from a limited Gameweek 18 to a circuit breaker for a few weeks.

For Joe, goalkeepers and a better midfield look to be his top priorities, while a freshly Wildcarded Seb ponders his options.

Manchester City’s assets already featured on the Christmas shopping lists of many FPL managers. Their 7-0 thrashing of Leeds in Gameweek 17 ensured they became a top priority.

Armed with a plethora of heatmaps and statistics, Seb offers an extensive guide to the best options to consider and the influence that a returning Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) may have on Pep Guardiola’s side for their next matches.

Goals imminent, worst defences and best expected statistics stars are also covered, as is the progress of the show’s community team. There’s also a frisk of the next four fixtures, whenever they may be scheduled.

Due to the tight turnaround of games, and a family trip to the cinema to see the new Spiderman film for Joe, this week’s show took place late afternoon on Thursday 16 December. This sadly counted Andy out of proceedings due to work commitments.

Be sure to subscribe to our Youtube channel to get notified of future live episodes. It is also available as a podcast.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

607 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Lionac
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Get Watkins for a hit or play Wilson?

    1. Kellz86
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Honestly I wouldn’t hit for a player that has a fixture

    2. lugs
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      100% play Wilson

    3. AC Yew
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I wouldnt be looking to swop out anyone that has a fixture right now! Unnecessary hits..must be a better move to make if you really need to take a hit!

    4. Lionac
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks, Will play Wilson than.

  2. artvandelay316
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Should have 9 players if Bernardo plays... Save FT and just stick it out with those, or use FT to swap DDG for Ramsdale?

    1. thewhitepele
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rams

    2. Firmino
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Obviously use your FT. Free points

    3. AC Yew
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      if FT definitely use it.

  3. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Repost

    Ronaldo + Bowen + Omo > Laca + Foden + James ?

    1. Ranger3
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good, thinking to do Ronaldo to Laca too... Can't bench this much money again.. But utd have newcastle next

  4. Tinfoil Deathstar
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Assuming this weekend goes ahead, I'll definitely be moving Gunn to Ramsdale with FT. I'll have £1.4m in the bank left after that. What is the best move for a -4 to bring me up to a full XI?

    A) Allan -> Martinelli
    B) Livramento -> Cash
    C) Antonio -> Lacazette
    D) Something else (brilliant suggestions only)

    Sanchez*
    TAA - Cancelo - James - Alonso
    Salah - Jota - Foden - Raphinha
    Watkins - Antonio *

    Subs: Gunn*, King*, Livramento*, Allan*

    1. thewhitepele
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C, bringing in Cash for Livra would result in quite a heavy back five..

    2. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    3. Lionac
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    4. im1974
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

  5. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who for the long term?

    A. Watkins
    B. Lacazette

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A. Much better fixtures

    2. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. GS456
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    4. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks all

  6. Maddamotha
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Vardy, Sissoko > Watkins, Foden -4?

    1. GS456
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah easy

    2. Il Capitano
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      yes yes yes

  7. GS456
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I have White, would you still do Sanchez > Ramsdale

    1. Fish up a tree
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah & play both when Arsenal at home or easy away games

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes I would, Ramsdale is the keeper you want long term plus

      1. GS456
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks lads

  8. Andrew
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who to get rid of for Watkins?

    Antonio, Dennis or Ronaldo

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ant

    2. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ant Ronaldo Dennis in that order

    3. Il Capitano
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Antonio

  9. Il Capitano
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    1FT 0ITB

    Guaita*
    TAA James White Cancelo
    Salah Jota Bernardo ESR Brownhill
    Watkins

    Foster* - Ronaldo* King* Livra*

    No cash to upgrade Guaita, worth downgrading anyone to upgrade him? Ronaldo is the obvious route to some funds, but getting Lacazette means I can't get Ramsdale in nets. Any ideas? Martinez?

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

      King to Broja maybe? Might be a waste this week since neither play.

      1. Il Capitano
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Could do, but you're right, feels like a waste to swap a non-player for a non-player, especially when a -4 is involved

  10. We Go Again
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is Sanchez -> Ramsdale worth a -4 to get 11?

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

      Yeah as it will be a long term trans

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    3. Il Capitano
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      yeah

    4. thewhitepele
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      yay

  11. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone only gonna use transfers on deadline for Saturdays games only?
    And hope for the best, as Sundays games could still be called off?

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

      That's not a bad idea. I didn't factor that in.

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm not interested in teams playing on Sunday anyway. Looking at Ramsdale, Lacazette and Mings.

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

        Liv, city , Chel on Sunday

        1. No Kane No Gain
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yes but gives 24 hours extra for more postponements

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

            True, why I was thinking of Saturday games
            Vardy to lacca/Watkins etc

    3. kringe
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looking at Villa and Arsenal only as play on Saturday

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

        Yeah me to, 1,30 deadline, will wait till then!

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

      Exactly this … only considering Villa and Arsenal at the moment.

  12. EmreCan Hustle
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Toney to;

    A. Watkins (not a differential in my mini league)

    Or

    B. Lacazette (differential, but exposes me to 3 Arsenal players during a pandemic)

    Thanks.

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      3 arsenal players is too much, so A

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

        Cheers.

    2. thewhitepele
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Would go B if chasing, otherwise A

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

        Chasing 35 points in my mini league.
        OR around 23k. Which is not too bad.

        1. thewhitepele
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          35 not too bad, go Watkins as ownership will be high overall as well

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

            Cheers.

  13. drughi
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Guaita, Livramento and pukki > Ramsdale, Tierney and Watkins -8 yay or nay ?

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

      Yay

    2. Fish up a tree
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

  14. jimbo90
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    De Gea* (Foster*)
    James TAA Cancelo Dalot* (Livra*)
    Gallagher* Jota Bernardo* Salah (Sissoko*)
    Lukaku* King* Watkins

    1FT. I have 6 players playing and my Lukaku punt backfired horribly. Worth a free hit this week? I am so lost on what to do

  15. CRAZY TRAIN
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What a difference 2 days make - on Wednesday I was stressing over who to bench out of Raph, Gallagher, Alonso, Livra........today I'm feeling relief at seeing Brownhill in my starting 10

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

      I wish I had Brownhill

      1. CRAZY TRAIN
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Desperate times

  16. Kane Train
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Price not a problem which one would you rather have?

    A) Ramsdale
    B) Ederson

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

      Ederson

    2. AC Yew
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A. Money can be spent better elsewhere and frees up Man City spot.

      1. Kane Train
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        It’s just for this week as I’m not taking a hit for anyone

    3. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  17. Fish up a tree
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What’s better to get me 11 out

    A Livra to Tierney
    B Antonio to Laca

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

      B. Tierney is so injury prone he could become another transfer issue soon.

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    3. Aimar
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tough one
      But i’d go Laca as tierney is injury prone

      What about tomiasyu or Gabriel ( Goal threat )

  18. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is it worth to take a hit for Sanchez->Ramsdale/Mendy?WC in gw20.

    1. Aimar
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yea
      Ramsdale
      It is a long term one

      1. Old Wulfrunian
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        cheers

  19. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    My goalkeepers are Guaita and Foster- which one to switch to Ramsdale

    A Foster
    B Guaita

    1. Aimar
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Guita

    2. Fish up a tree
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A then you have cover. Arse do have a blank in GW25 minimum so saves a problem then

    3. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm in a similar situation - Guaita and Gunn. The obvious switch is Guaita. I'm selling Gunn. 2 active keepers after having no keeper twice now pushes me to having 2 active keepers in the current climate.

  20. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    King, Livra, Guaita out for Gelhart, Targett, Ramsdale?

    Obviously Gelhart is fodder but might get minutes

    1. Aimar
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Do it

  21. Aimar
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is bilva to sterling woth a hit ?

    Any news on Bilva ?

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

      Wait for news. I wouldn't recommend a hit for players who have a fixture.

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      The pep presser is later, maybe he'll provide an update on Silva

  22. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which one?

    A) Ramsdale + Odegaard/Martinelli/5.9
    B) Meslier + ESR

    Considering Gillespie + Gallagher out -4 to get 11 players.

    1. Aimar
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A —- > Martenli

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thank you!

  23. Rains of Castamere
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I don't want to lose Antonio after holding this long, but I can't see him playing both games on 26th and 28th December... which means potentially two blanks in three games...

    Antonio ---> Watkins it will have to be. Such a dearth of striking options available!

    1. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Regret not getting rid of him 6 weeks ago.

      Now he's lost the Norwich game and many are struggling to put out a full team, it's probably the easiest time to sell.

      The Freys and the Lannisters stand together! 🙂

      1. Rains of Castamere
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        🙂

        Thank you Lord Frey, we're in full agreement there. Keep a tight watch over those Riverlands.

    2. Fish up a tree
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Antonio looks knackered & be surprised is West Ham haven’t got a new striker to come in beginning of Jan

  24. vova
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play Brownhill or King to Laca -4?

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

      Lacazette

  25. Maradona
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Antonio, Bowen and Gallagher -> Watkins, Gundogan and Martinelli for a -8? Exact funds so can’t stretch to Foden/Bernardo at City, and don’t want to sell anyone with fixtures. Does it feel too short term?

  26. mcsteely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A: Gallagher to Foden (play with 11)
    B: Raphina to Foden (play with 10)
    C: Livra to Tierney (Play with 11)

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B shouldn't even be considered in current circumstances. I'd go A

    2. Kaptenen
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A easy

  27. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Burns gone. Big hill ahead for England to climb here.

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yep. Not filled with confidence about our chances.

  28. Kaptenen
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best option here?

    A) Foden
    B) Sterling
    C) KDB (-4)

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. No Kane No Gain
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C if you captain this week

  29. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Antonio out, for who?

    1. Watkins
    2. Lacazette

  30. CRAZY TRAIN
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ronaldo owners - holding or selling?

    1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm getting rid I think - I think the best plan at the moment is just to attack each gameweek as it comes, and funds are needed for that.

      1. CRAZY TRAIN
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I'm undecided. I bought him at 12.4 so will probably break even if I do sell, and it opens up huge options to strengthen elsewhere (i.e, Gallagher > KDB/Sterling), but it just feels like it will come back and bite large....

    2. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Selling....too much money tied in someone who's not been getting games.

      The money is better used for squad depth and strengthening multiple areas of the team instead of on one player who's not even playing right now

    3. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Holding. Antonio goes out first, its not like I need cash

      1. CRAZY TRAIN
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        If you've got Antonio and are looking at the likes of Watkins then yes, with you there.

    4. Ranger3
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I think if you can get a good replacement you should do it.. I'll decide tomorrow, I'm looking at Laca.. He even have Norwich just after