FPL

Goals + assists imminent! Who is ‘due’ in FPL Gameweek 18?

22 December 2025 172 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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First, came Joe’s much-liked ‘Goals Imminent’ table. Then, the Fantasy Football Scout podcast of the same name. Now, Goals Imminent is here in article form!

Heading towards Gameweek 18 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL), these Members Area statistics identify some underachieving players who look ‘due’ for a goal and/or assist.

Naturally, we’ll attempt to assess whether they’re unlucky, suffering a rare blip, or just aren’t particularly good.

LAST WEEK’S SUCCESSES

Goals + assists imminent! Who is 'due' in FPL Gameweek 17? 6

As predicted, Matheus Cunha‘s (£8.0m) huge number of recent shots led to goals in successive games. In three matches, the Brazilian has taken 22 attempts, put eight on target, and had five labelled as big chances.

That makes him a fairly straightforward replacement for injured Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes (£9.4m).

Over at Arsenal, Declan Rice (£7.1m) failed to score, but an assist, bonuses and defensive contribution (DefCon) rewards took him to 11 points – more than Cunha.

Whereas Antoine Semenyo (£7.7m) was down to assist, but ended up scoring past Burnley. We even saw Florian Wirtz (£8.0m) pick up his second FPL return of the season, setting up Liverpool’s opener against Tottenham Hotspur.

GOALS IMMINENT

The first table shows players who’ve accumulated at least eight shots over the latest four Gameweeks, but scored no more than one goal.

 

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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

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defensive contributions

FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

172 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Manani
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Thiago replacement?
    already got Ekiteke

    FH19, so Wolte not 'necessary' I think

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    1. DBry
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Bowen

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    2. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Bowen

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  2. Sid07
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Who to ditch for Ekiteke
    1) Raul
    2) thiago

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    1. tuturututu
      10 months, 3 days ago

      1

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    2. DBry
      10 months, 3 days ago

      1

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    3. mrtapio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Raul. Watched the game against Forest. His never infront of goal when Fulham attacks. His often behind the fulham player with the ball. I took his 5pts and transferred him out.

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  3. tuturututu
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Who will score more points in gw18?

    A) Wilson and Timber
    B) Rice and Senesi

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    1. DBry
      10 months, 3 days ago

      A

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  4. FantasyTony
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Better moves to get in Rice & Ekitike?

    A) Bruno F & Thiago
    B) Saka & Raul (play Wilson over Bruno)

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    1. tuturututu
      10 months, 3 days ago

      A

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    2. Mr Turnip 1
      10 months, 2 days ago

      A

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  5. Flynny
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Pick 1 to bench. Thanks

    A....Andersen at west ham

    B...richards v spurs

    C....Anderson v city

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    1. FantasyTony
      10 months, 3 days ago

      B

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    2. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
      10 months, 3 days ago

      B

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    3. Mr Turnip 1
      10 months, 2 days ago

      C

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  6. fedolefan
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Hate useless Dyche and Sels. Ruined the last two weeks. Am paying 4.7M for Dubravka 1 pointers.

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    1. tuturututu
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Is this new goalie now first gk?

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      1. Yes Ndidi
        10 months, 3 days ago

        Would be nice to have a 4.0 Dyche keeper

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    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Prior to kick-off, Dyche explained Sels' lack of training played a part in his decision.
      "John has done really well in the two games, to be fair. Matz has only had four days of training," he told Sky Sports.
      "He had a bad finger he was playing through and a groin (problem) so we have had to be careful with that. But John has earned the right for this one, that's for sure, with two very strong performances."

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      1. fedolefan
        10 months, 2 days ago

        Don’t even know what to make of it. Looks like Dubravka is coming in again next week for me.

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  7. DBry
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Transferred in cunha, Bowen and Keane with. My 3ft this week.
    Was planning on the free hit next week, vs the team in 2nd in my h2h league.

    Should I free hit this week and reset? Use those 3ft next week, get Ekitike instead of Bowen/

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    1. Vasshin
      10 months, 3 days ago

      In the same boat. Used my 3ft

      Raged transferred Saka and Guiu to Rice and Bowen after Arsenal game
      After United game, transferred Bruno to Rogers.

      So thinking whether to use fh this week instead of 19.

      But I will probably decide after tomorrow’s arsenal vs Palace game and you should also wait until that game to decide whether to use FH or leave as is.

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  8. Lallana_
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Do you guys think Rice rises twice before the deadline?
    I want to do Wilson>Rice for next week.

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    1. tuturututu
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Who do you think will be more effective in gw18 between those two?

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      1. Lallana_
        10 months, 3 days ago

        probably rice due to more routes to points

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        1. tuturututu
          10 months, 3 days ago

          What duo would you go for on a FH, Wilson and Timber or Rice and Senesi?

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          1. Lallana_
            10 months, 3 days ago

            Wilson and Timber for this week

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            1. tuturututu
              10 months, 3 days ago

              Thanks

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  9. TanN
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Can afford:

    Wilson and BrunoF -> Rogers and Cunha

    Leaves me with 0.2itb, should i make these moves now? Is there likely to be price increases/decreases?

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    1. Mr Turnip 1
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Don’t buy rogers before Arsenal and Chelsea

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  10. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 months, 3 days ago

    feel for isak,ive had a broken fibula,it aches and aches at night for months

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    1. Lallana_
      10 months, 3 days ago

      so sad for him 🙁

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  11. Yes Ndidi
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Raya
    O'Reilly VVD SvdB Keane
    Foden Wilson Bruno
    Haaland Bowen Ekitike

    Dub Gordon Van Hecke KDH
    1.0ITB
    Not desperate to do it tonight, because I don't lose value on Bruno, but would you
    a. Bruno > Cunha for a hit
    b. play Gordon, hope Wilson is OK and if not rely on a bench of Van Hecke at the Emirates and nothing else! Then do the transfer for free in time for WOL.

    I get the feeling that the only way out of this whilst trying to remain on the curve (ahead of it would be a bit of a stretch this week) is by means of a hit, so I might as well get it out of the way.

    thank you

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    1. EDEN THE MAN
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Would wait for Bruno confo then do A.

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  12. G Banger
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Who we getting for Bruno to fund Etikite:
    a) Cunha (will Man U have any teeth now)
    b) Rogers (tough fixtures can he keep it up)
    c) Rice

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    1. tuturututu
      10 months, 3 days ago

      C

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    2. Count Olaf
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Did Bruno to Cunha and buying Rice, too.
      I think Rogers can wait.

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    3. EDEN THE MAN
      10 months, 3 days ago

      C

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    4. Mr Turnip 1
      10 months, 2 days ago

      A

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  13. Count Olaf
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Do you think Arteta will use Rice tomorrow? He had a 15-minute cameo in the previous round against Brighton.
    Thinking of buying him today before the price rise.

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    1. Lallana_
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Palace are a good side but Arsenal do have depth...surely he rests him

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      1. Count Olaf
        10 months, 3 days ago

        Thanks, that's what I'm thinking as well. I will do it today and hope for the best.

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  14. EDEN THE MAN
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Who to replace Bruno F up to £7.5m? Need to pull trigger before price rises.

    Rogers makes sense, but fixtures too and can’t stretch to Cunha.

    Appreciate any ideas!

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    1. Lallana_
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Rice
      Minteh (bench this week for 442)
      Bruno G
      Gordon

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      1. EDEN THE MAN
        10 months, 3 days ago

        Have Rice - Foden - Semenyo - Saka.

        Cheers, you think Bruno G better than getting Rogers then?

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        1. Lallana_
          10 months, 3 days ago

          At the moment I would probably not get Rogers as he has 3 hard away fixtures in the next 5 and a low xGI

          Don't like Bruno G too much due to his yellow cards either

          I would probably take a hit for Cunha or Wirtz if possible!

          If not, probably Cherki or Gordon for a two week punt

          If you're low on transfers maybe just get Rogers for the long-term and hope he does something in the harder games

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  15. SpaceCadet
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Bruno > Wirtz before price changes?

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    1. Lallana_
      10 months, 3 days ago

      I got Wirtz in early but slightly worried about his hamstring towards the end of the game! We probably won't have a press conference though so if you really want him you can take the slight risk

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      1. Tonyawesome69
        10 months, 3 days ago

        Slot presser tomorrow 9am

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        1. Lallana_
          10 months, 3 days ago

          Great, let's hope for the best!

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      2. SpaceCadet
        10 months, 3 days ago

        Didn’t know that. Guess best to wait for more news and forget about the prices

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  16. Mrdazzo
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Hey folks, I already have Senesi, OReilly, Timber and Mukiele.

    For that fifth spot I'm thinking

    A: Chalobah

    or

    B: Konate

    Thoughts on either? Anyone else I'm not thinking of?

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    1. Tonyawesome69
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Keane/Tark

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    2. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Keane, Lewis Potter, R James

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  17. RICICLE
    10 months, 3 days ago

    A little help if you could please kind gents

    Raya
    VDB - Chalobah - O’Reilly
    Foden - Rice - Bruno F* - Saka - Bruno G
    Ekitike - Haaland
    ____________________________________
    Dunbravka: Mukiele: Gudmundsson: Guiu

    0FT, 0.0 ITB

    Moved early the other night for Ekitike as part of a -4, now Bruno goes and gets injured the week I finally bring him in, quite unbelievable.

    A) Take another -4 to replace Bruno, likely to Cunha
    B) Leave it and just play Mukiele

    Thanks guys!

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    1. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 3 days ago

      B is a strong play this week. I wouldn’t even think twice about taking the hit

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      1. RICICLE
        10 months, 3 days ago

        Cheers bud, yeah I don’t mind playing Mukiele to fill in, but in isolation it is very tempting to take the hit as we know Bruno won’t play

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  18. Tmel
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Cunha or Rice?

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    1. RICICLE
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Between the two, and taking into account how we may be unsure how United will play without the likes of Bruno & Mbuemo, I’d say Rice here.

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    2. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Personal preference, honestly. Expect 4-5 points from rice most gameweeks, and 2 pointers and the odd 8-9 point gameweek for Cunha

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    3. Mr Turnip 1
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Cunha

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  19. mixology
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Etikite has had so many rises, I could’ve sworn he started season at 8 million. He’s still only 0.3 over original price.

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  20. Count Olaf
    10 months, 3 days ago

    If buying now, any reason to spend the extra 0.2 for Mukiele over Alderete ?

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  21. SpaceCadet
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Wirtz or rice? Own Saka and no liv attack.

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    1. The Knights Template
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Short tern Wirtz punt then Rice

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      1. SpaceCadet
        10 months, 3 days ago

        Cheers bud

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  22. stumanchuu
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Slim pickings, but best up to 4.7 midfielder bench foder to allow my bruno/thiago to ekitike/cunha transfers?

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    1. Tonyawesome69
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Miley short term, Potts long term

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    2. Lallana_
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Potts

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    3. stumanchuu
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Thanks

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    4. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Shame you can't get up 0.1m to a Stach. Painful when that happens!

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      1. stumanchuu
        10 months, 3 days ago

        Its always that 0.1 ha

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  23. Lallana_
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Who scores more this week?

    Wilson or Rice?

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    1. Count Olaf
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Wilson is flagged, so we can't tell without knowing if he plays.
      If he does it's 50/50. Wilson higher ceiling, Rice more reliable.

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    2. Mr Turnip 1
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Wilson, he’s likely fine says the manager

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  24. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Any thoughts on my FH draft?

    Pickford
    Frimpong Lewis-Potter Keane
    Saka Foden Cunha Wirtz Rice
    Haaland Ekitike
    Dubravka Bijol Heaven Obi

    Maybe no Arsenal defence is a bit crazy

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    1. Casual Player
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Haven’t looked closely because I’m not FHing but seems solid.

      Frimpong is a great shout, as nobody would have him outside FH and 21ptr like KLP is in range or outcomes

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  25. Casual Player
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Cunha or Wirtz is a popular decision, I’d like some views on the Temu version please:

    Mount or Mac Allister?

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    1. Casual Player
      10 months, 3 days ago

      While I appreciate the +2 upvotes I’d appreciate some actual responses more haha

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    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Mount for me! Actually feels like he could be quite important in this run without Mbeumo and maybe Bruno

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  26. g40steve
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Best keeper moving?

    Rice, Rogers, Wirtz or Cunha for Bruno?

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  27. Joyce1998
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Best option

    A- Bruno + Thiago >> Cunha/Wirtz, Ekitike
    B- Bruno + Thiago>> Cunha/Wirtz+ Bowen + 1.3 itb
    C- Bruno + Thiago + Guiu>> Cunha/Wirtz + Bowen + Ekitike -4

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  28. Allthegearnoidea
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Is it worth a 4 point hit to swap out Bruno F & Thiago for either A). Wirtz and Bowen or B). Rogers/Wilson and Ekitike?

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  29. wasif1323
    10 months, 1 day ago

    A. bruno to wirtz this gw. semenyo to cunha next gw
    B. bruno to cunha and semenyo to gordon

    My starting linup rn is: alisson, o'reilly, mukiele, hincapie, semenyo, rice, xhaka, cherki, haaland, ekitike and bowen. bench is bruno, chalobah and andersen

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  30. Johnh1995
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Who to captain? Haaland or Ekitike

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