FPL
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

 

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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. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Who to sell to fund Ekitike

    A Semenyo (on 4 yellow mind)
    B Thiago

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      B

    2. mrtapio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      B

  2. adstomko
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Choose one:

    a) Bowen
    b) Cunha

    1. NZREDS
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      I’ve gone cunha for the fixtures after Newcastle

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      cunha

    3. mrtapio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      Cunha

  3. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Which option? 1 FT

    A. Senesi and Thiago to 4,6m def and Ekitike for -4
    B. Roll to 2 transfers

    B seems more sensible but with Bou tough fixture run and Ekitike with WOL LEE BUR in next five A seems exciting.

    1. mrtapio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      I would do A.

  4. F4L
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    is Stach just playing right now because Longstaff is injured?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      Don’t think so.

  5. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Thoughts on this move? Only way to get cunha and ekiteke who seem like best options. Thanks

    Thiago bruno minteh to ekiteke cunha anderson -4

    Raya
    Calafiori oreilly andersen Richards rodon
    Saka bruno foden semenyo minteh
    Haaland thiago guiu

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      Rank?

      1. Flynny
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        600k.

        1. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          No hits!

          1. Flynny
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 21 days ago

            I think it's 'hits'

            I don't like any alternatives

  6. jonnybhoy
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Gordon or Cunha to replace Bruno? Doing it tonight before price change

    1. Flynny
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      Cunha

    2. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      Cunha the obvious one.
      Hopefully everyone stays away from Gordon, but I don't think Man U away is a good place to start owning him anyway.

      Both in due course though

  7. HighestPeake
    • 2 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    A) Rogers Ekitike
    B) Cunha and woltemade

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      a

    2. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      A

  8. Alli
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Bruno, Thiago > Rogers, Ekitiké?

    Sanchez - Dúbravka
    Chalobah - Guéhi - Andersen - Cash - Esteve
    Saka - Rice - Bruno - Foden - Bruno G.
    Haaland - Thiago - DCL

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      Yeah

  9. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Wirtz or Rice?

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      Rice

  10. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    A) Thiago + O’Reilly
    B) Ekitike + Alderete + 0.5ITB

    1. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      3k OR!

      1. Yes Ndidi
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        I'm glad you added that information. I was just about to offer some assistance but I don't think you need it.

        Difficult one btw. But Ekitike probably essential until 22 now

        1. MIGHTY JOE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          I’m glad you gave me some assistance anyway!

          I also feel like it’s a tough one - but at the same time agree that Ekitike is essential at the moment, so maybe not that though decision?

    2. mrtapio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      Really close!
      Maybe B. Would you consider getting Cherki as 3rd City-player then? (Assuming you got Foden and Haaland).
      1.6k OR here

  11. Kantelele
    • 3 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Best GK from GW 20 :
    A) Martinez
    B) Sanchez
    C) Pickford

  12. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Best mid for the next few?

    a) Cunha
    b) Rice
    c) Wirtz

    1. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      A, then B, then..........................................................................................................C

    2. Rider on the Storm
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      A

  13. Yes Ndidi
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Just waiting to see if Wilson's knock turns into a flag. If it does, my team will be lit up more than my Christmas tree. I really ought to do something about KDH soon, but Bruno is more pressing this week. Hopefully KDH will be back before I remember to transfer him out.

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      He's already flagged

  14. DagheMunegu
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Raya
    VVD O'Reilly Rodon
    Saka Rice Bruno Foden Minteh
    Thiago Haaland

    Dub Andersen Van Hecke Guiu

    3ft 0 itb

    What about Thiago Bruno Andersen to Ekitike Cunha/Wirtz Clyne/Gudmunson ?

  15. Kantelele
    • 3 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Foden or Ekitike in for Bruno ? (1 transfers or 2)

  16. Kane Train
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Which 2 would you prefer?

    A) Cunha & Thiago
    B) Rice & Ekitike

    1. DBry
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Tough,
        Rice and Ekitike.

        Think you want cunha and Ekitike if possible
        Maybe cunha and Bowen

    2. Letsgo!
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      Will u sell wilson to rice for -4?

      1. Kane Train
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        No

      2. mrtapio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Depends on your team, but don't be afraid of taking hits. If I know I'm going to get a player, I do it right away even for a hit (unless the fixture is bad that GW).
        Keeps you on the front fot instead of being weeks behind on players you want.

    3. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      Which two would you do?

      A Saka to Rice sideways?

      B Bruno to Rogers, Cunha, Wirtz

      C Petrovic to Raya

      1. Bobbyg1
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        B C

        1. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          Ta,

          Any preference?

          Could even add Rice to those thatv3

          1. Bobbyg1
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 21 days ago

            Yeah Rice for me

    4. adstomko
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      Choose one:

      A) Ballard
      B) Keane

      1. Kane Train
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Keane

    5. tuturututu
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      FH team let me hear your thoughts guys thanks

      Alisson
      Timber, VVD, Hincapie
      Foden, Cherki, Saka, Semenyo, Wilson
      Haaland, Ekitike(c)

      1. mrtapio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Pretty much perfect imo. Not sure about Wilson though. Downgrade VVD and/or Timber to another Liv/Ars defender. Upgrade Wilson all the way to Cunha?

        1. tuturututu
          • 5 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          What do you think about Timber to Senesi and Wilson to Rice? You wrote exactly what I thought about, thanks

          1. mrtapio
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 21 days ago

            That would also work! Think it might be an improvement

          2. mrtapio
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 21 days ago

            How much you got to spend in the Timber-spot?

            1. tuturututu
              • 5 Years
              3 months, 21 days ago

              Would have 0.3 itb if getting Senesi. Tough one really, double Arsenal defence or Rice vs Brighton, Senesi's almost certain defcons or Wilson vs Westham

          3. mrtapio
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 21 days ago

            Would maybe consider Everton, or even Palace, defenders over Senesi this week.

            1. tuturututu
              • 5 Years
              3 months, 21 days ago

              Cool, will surely consider, thanks mate

    6. Redranger
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      Which sounds better?

      A) Saka & Thiago > Rice & Ekitike
      B) Woltemade & Thiago > Ekitike & DCL

      1. Kane Train
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        A

      2. Rider on the Storm
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Both are good.
        B for me

      3. DBry
          3 months, 21 days ago

          A

      4. Kane Train
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Would you rather Ekitike or Bowen?

        1. mrtapio
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          Ekitike by a mile

      5. Kane Train
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Please need an answer asap
        Which 2 would you prefer?

        A) Cunha & Thiago
        B) Rice & Ekitike

        1. Rider on the Storm
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          B for me
          Tiago is in a poor form

      6. Kantelele
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Foden or Ekitike ?

        1. Kane Train
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          Ekitike this week

      7. EWH2020
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Can't catch a break, every week another injury to deal with.

        Bruno
        Dewsbury Hall
        Munoz
        De Ligt

        Bruno to Wirtz -4?

        1. Kane Train
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          Nope. Wirtz not worth bringing in for -4

          1. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            3 months, 21 days ago

            Funny that you ask so many questions about your own team, but have all the answers to everyone else’s.

        2. Rider on the Storm
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          Y

        3. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          I just did it. Worth a punt and can alway swap to Cunha gw19 if it bombs

      8. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Where do these stats come from? Rice has 6 assists from 3.42 xA

        1. DBry
            3 months, 21 days ago

            Just overperformed the data.
            Chances taken from less like;y positions

        2. Rider on the Storm
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          What's best?
          A. Ekitiké+Rice
          B. Saka+DCL

          1. Kane Train
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 21 days ago

            A

          2. DBry
              3 months, 21 days ago

              A

          3. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
            • 1 Year
            3 months, 21 days ago

            Football Friends, which two to play?

            A. Chalobah (AV)
            B. Guehi (TOT)
            C. Alderete (LEE)

            Danke, and Buone Feste!

            1. DBry
                3 months, 21 days ago

                Bc

                1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
                  • 1 Year
                  3 months, 21 days ago

                  Gracias

              • Rider on the Storm
                • 14 Years
                3 months, 21 days ago

                A for sure.
                Then c

                1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
                  • 1 Year
                  3 months, 21 days ago

                  Merci

            2. DBry
                3 months, 21 days ago

                Rank
                Bowen
                Ekitike
                Cunha
                Over Christmas?

                1. Brosstan
                  • 11 Years
                  3 months, 21 days ago

                  Ekitike
                  Cunha
                  Bowen

              • DBry
                  3 months, 21 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