Scout Network

How are the Scout Network approaching Blank Gameweek 18?

After a short break, Fantasy Premier League managers are set for the rollercoaster of Blank and Double Gameweeks in quick succession.

While we wait to find out how top-flight teams will fare in the FA Cup, there are big decisions to be made about chips, transfers and captaincy.

Some of the members of the Scout Network have shared their first passes at draft teams for Blank Gameweek 18 and have discussed their thought processes.

FPL Family

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka

The additional games added to both Blank Gameweek 18 and Double Gameweek 19 made me stop and reassess my plans. Yves Bissouma’s fifth yellow card of the season means I now only have five players with a fixture next time out so I am strongly considering the Free Hit chip.

Both Manchester clubs and Arsenal have the best fixtures of the Gameweek and it makes a lot of sense to go all-out owning players from those three clubs.

However, owning nine players from three clubs also brings a large element of risk. If one of those games was cancelled that would require the whole bench to play and thus for me that is too big a risk in the current climate.

While still targeting these key games and clubs I will also invest in other players who spread the risk factor. The likes of Spurs, Newcastle and Wolves offer good opportunities to safe-guard your Free Hit team while also providing a good likelihood for FPL returns.

Harry Kane, Karl Darlow, Roman Saïss, Callum Wilson and Pedro Neto all look good for spreading the wealth as well as for returns. Especially when you couple them with key picks such as Kevin De Bruyne, Rúben Dias and/or Joao Cancelo, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Kieran Tierney.

FPL Family

FF Titans

How are the Scout Network planning to manage Gameweek 18?

Image showing FF Titans planned team for blank Gameweek 18

After considering several different strategies for Gameweeks 18 and 19 I have decided to opt for prudence.

The new fixtures added to both last week are lifesavers and allow me to focus on bringing in assets from four key clubs: Burnley, Aston Villa, Manchester United and Manchester City.

I have saved two free transfers from the previous Gameweek and I plan to use one ahead of Gameweek 18 to bring replace Mohamed Salah with Bruno Fernandes. This will then give me potentially nine activ players for Gameweek 18 – although this includes Pascal Groß who has only played 90 minutes once in the last six Gameweeks. 

This strategy means that for Double Gameweek 19, I will have another two free transfers so I will probably sell Kane and one of my midfielders to buy back Salah and a cheaper forward option.

With what’s going on, I will make my transfers as late as possible. I am also currently planning to use my Triple Captain chip in Double Gameweek 19, while saving my other three chips for later on in the season when other Blank and Double Gameweeks will undoubtedly be scheduled.

FF Titans

El Statto

How are the Scout Network planning to manage Gameweek 18? 1

FFScout’s RMT tool showing El Statto’s early thoughts on blank Gameweek 18 team selection

I will be using my Free Hit chip this week as I focused my transfers on bringing in players who play twice later on next week in Double Gamweek 19.

I have not pushed the button yet though just due to the uncertainty around games currently so will just spend the break looking at who to bring in before making the changes just before deadline, just in case.

Initial thoughts will be to have at least one, probably two Man City defenders, likely Dias and Cancelo, as well as their talisman De Bruyne.

Fernandes and Kane are also very high on my priority own list for this Gameweek. Those four will form the basis of the side and then I am planning to target the better fixtures so players such as Bukayo Saka against Crystal Palace, Karl Darlow and/or Callum Wilson for a trip to Sheffield United.

El Statto

FPL Nymfria

I have been a little unlucky with the rescheduling, mainly because I had my team set-up quite nicely for a Free Hit in Blank Gameweek 18 and a Bench Boost in Double 19.

I sold De Bruyne three Gameweeks ago for Raphinha, mainly because of form, but with a view to fund Robertson for the Double Gameweek. In the short-term that has given me better returns, however, with Manchester City’s fixture now added to Gameweek 19, I fear this has left me at a long term disadvantage. 


For me, I think I’m now locked into a Free Hit whether I want to be or not. But if you’re still deciding? Here are three questions I always ask myself:

1. Am I selling players that I have a lot of value tied up in and that I want to keep long-term for players that don’t blank? If the answer is yes, then I would Free Hit. In my case, I’d be selling Son, Salah, Robertson and so on, for players I’m unsure I’d want to keep long term.


2. Am I happy to muddle through with just a few players in a Blank Gameweek, in the hope the Free Hit serves me better down the line? If the answer is yes, then consider not Free Hitting. The answer to this one is yes for me, however, I only have four players for Blank Gameweek 18 unfortunately, and one of them is a goalkeeper. So I can’t really ‘muddle through’ even if I wanted to.


3. Are there players that really worry me for either the blank or the double that I can’t get without a Free Hit? If Yes, use your Free Hit in the appropriate week. For myself, no City is an issue, and with less players available to me in the Blank Gameweek, I would take one Gameweek of cover in 18 and look to add using a possible hit for Double Gameweek 19.

Teams I will be targeting for my Free Hit are Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, Aston Villa & Newcastle. I will then fill in the cabs avoiding Burnley and Sheffield United.

Whilst I am 95% sure I will be Free Hitting for Gameweek 18, I will not be hitting my chip until the final moments, as once it’s used, it can’t be retracted. I am going to use the international break as a chance to consider the Wildcard strategy. Though with good returns in the last three Gameweeks, I am a little reluctant to mix things up too much, I would need to have four-plus players I would want to change, and keep long term, for me to consider it seriously. 

FPL Nymfria

Bendito Fantasy

Spurs’ Heung-Min Son in action against Leicester

Para esta jornada 18 usaremos el Free Hit. 

Tenemos varios partidos interesantes y buenos equipos de los cuales echar mano. Empezamos en la portería y defensa, Newcastle enfrenta a uno de los equipos con peor record ofensivo, de tal manera que tenemos a Darlow y Fernandez en la selección acompañados por Cancelo y Stones, estos dos últimos se encuentran en gran estado de forma y enfrentan a Brighton, el city no debe tener problema con clean sheets en este encuentro. 

Seguimos con el medio campo. Son es nuestro primer nombre en la lista, enfrentan a Aston Villa y en el papel no luce sencillo, pero Son sigue siendo uno de los jugadores mas rentables en FPL este año. Gündogan lo acompaña, esta elección fue dificil pero necesaria para poder acomodar la delantera, Gündo ha encontrado la portería en los últimos encuentros y mantiene un puesto titular por el momento. Finalmente Rashford y Fernandes cierran el medio campo. Manchester United tiene un partido que luce complejo contra Burnley, sin embargo sus mejores hombres en ataque son este par y tendrían nuestra confianza de cara a la jornada. 

En el ataque tenemos a Harry Kane, que es el factor decisivo para no tener a KDB en el equipo, el emparejamiento con Son lo hace sumamente atractivo para esta fecha. Lacazette contra Crystal Palas luce muy atractivo debido a la buena forma que está mostrando el Francés, y finalmente Wilson de Newcastle para un ataque con muchas posibilidades de gol.

En la banca el primer cambio es Saka de Arsenal, quien podría entrar en lugar de Gündo de último momento. 

La tarjeta está activada y pueden haber cambios conforme los equipos jueguen en la copa, pero esta es la primera versión del equipo. 

Benito Fantasy

What’s happening in the Scout Network?

Scout Network: Thinking ahead to the blank and double Gameweek in 18 and 19

Scout The Gameweek – The new podcast from the Scout Network

Next week sees the launch of the new Scout Network Podcast – Scout the Gameweek. Each week, the show will feature a different member of the Scout Network, Scout Academy and/or FFS International to discuss the upcoming Gameweek, look back at the learning points from the previous round, considering transfers, chip strategy and captaincy options.

El Statto

El Statto’s website Jumpersforgoalposts.info saw an impressive 10% increase in traffic during December, as his site continues to grow. The website also passed the 55,000 total views milestone since its September launch. Over the festive period, there were some tweaks and new features added to the interactive stats section of the website. This update allows FPL managers to look at how many returns each player has provided compared to team-mates/others in similar price or position. Articles will be back on the website soon with a look at Free Hit differential and less-discussed options aside from the big hitters.

FF Titan

FF Titan spent some time over the festive period looking at the the FPL Cup and offering advice to managers regarding cup strategy, which started in Gameweek 16. They also looked at the Premier League penalty statistics to date to see what value the penalty takers can offer us as FPL Managers.

Over the next few weeks FF Titan are planning a piece on the FPL Instagram community, looking at the most interesting accounts in this rapidly growing FPL community.

FPL Family

Over the festive period both Lee and Sam were busy with appearances on the FPL Show on both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve as well as on the Official FPL Podcast ahead of Gameweek 17. The FPL Family also passed the 8,000 followers milestone on Instagram. Throughout January, Lee and Sam will be making regular appearances on the FPL Show and Podcast as usual and both will be active on Social Media discussing their Free Hit plans for Gameweek 18 – Lee on Twitter and Sam on Instagram. Sam will also be launching the Scout The Gameweek podcast for us her at Fantasy Football Scout.

FPL Nymfria

Nymfria’s YouTube channel has been reaching record numbers and interactions over the festive period, as new graphics and content continues to be developed and rolled out into the New year. FPL Nymfria has also published a lot of content surrounding her plans for her Free Hit in Gameweek 18 and possible Bench Boost in double Gameweek 19.

Sam FPLFamily <p>Fantasy Football Scout's General Manager. Half of the FPLFamily. Pundit on the FPL Pod, Fantasy Show and Sky Sports News&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

909 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez (Steer)
    Stones, Dier, Taylor (KWP, Coufal)
    Salah, Fernandes, Son, El Ghazi (Stephens)
    Kane, Vardy, Bamford

    1FT, 0.4 in bank

    (A) Salah --> KDB
    (B) Taylor --> Dallas

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A since that will give you 8 players for BGW18. B does not help you for 18

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        (Not counting Taylor as he may still be injured)

    2. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

    4. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A this week for sure. B next week if required. Are you going for BB? A -4 could give you that

  2. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I feel like I'm in a good position to go 'chipless' and 'hitless' in GW18/19, with a view to WC25 BB26 FH29 TCtbc. Below are my teams for 18+19. Would you use the same approach or am I being naive?

    18
    Martinez
    Dias Holding
    Bruno KDB Son Neto
    DCL Watkins

    19
    Martinez
    Dallas Dias Coufal
    Salah KDB Son Bruno
    Ings Watkins Bamford

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah you're all good without chips.

      I'm on this for free and feel the same:

      18
      Martinez
      Dias Dier Holding
      Bruno KdB Son Grealish
      DCL Kane Brewster

      19
      Martinez/McCarthy
      Ayling Dias Coufal (Dier, Holding
      Bruno KdB Raphinha Grealish (Son)
      Bamford Antonio? Kane

      1FT this week, 2FTs next week, no chips.

      1. Ozzy smith
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah very nice, you're gtg with that mate, just missing Salah. But I understand if you're happy to go without for now. Same ref the 2FTs for 19. Looking at Neto + DCL to Anguissa + Ings atm. Tempted by Antonio though.

        1. Black Knights
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I could get Salah but it would be at the expense of both Son AND Kane (to make the funds) so although it was my original plan, I've really gone off it lately and might prefer to upgrade DCL and Brewster instead.

          1. Ozzy smith
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Can't disagree with that. As it stands, he would be my Kane cash cow for their upcoming DGW without a doubt. Good luck!

      2. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yep and likewise gtg , you could even consider BB in 19 with those subs

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No doubt I would follow your plan and go chipless in both .
      With no hits you must be one of the few to have a strong starting side in each of 18 and 19 . I would ride the advantage you have.

      1. Ozzy smith
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, yeah I've found myself in a decent position. Hard not to get twitchy with all the FH, WC + BB activity going on lol.

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          You may fall a little short of some ( myself included) but your advantage will come later , no doubt
          I have no option but to use the FH gw 18 and set up for BB on 16 wc though I may save it depending on developments

          1. Ozzy smith
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah you're effectively committed to the FH with the late wildcard. Hopefully you make justifiable gains. I do think DGW19 is prime time for an effective BB tbf. Decent affordable bench assets playing for decent sides with decent enough double fixtures (whu leeds sou). Good luck!

            1. Debauchy
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Agree 19 is the time to BB for me but have a few issues now - Balbuena for 1 and getting KDB in may take a hit or 2 to play it. Getting in KDB and a City defender surely a good thing looking beyond 19 also . GL mate

        2. Black Knights
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah we've found ourselves quite fortunate so although we won't have the most 'optimum' team, we're not gonna be far off. Best using our chips later when they'll hopefully have more net gain.

          1. Debauchy
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            This , no doubt

    3. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes both teams Jimmy and Black Knights look good without chips

      1. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers. Sorry for jumping in on Jimmy's post; it seemed like a good chance to sound mine out too!

        1. Ozzy smith
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No probs! Always others in a similar position to help out too.

          1. Black Knights
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Ah just noticed your picture is Jimmy Dickinson!! Play up Pompey!

            1. Ozzy smith
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              First to notice haha! PUP.

              1. Black Knights
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                I had a season ticket with my Dad at Fratton for like 15 years growing up. Then around the time we won the FA Cup my Dad moved to Florida and i stopped going. Miss it down there!

                1. Ozzy smith
                  • 9 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  Good timing from your Dad eh! Not missed much since haha.

    4. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Also going chipless for both, Dale Stephens hopefully gonna go big for me with 1 point next GW.

    5. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nope it's sound. Your teams look good.

    6. Releasebreaks
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes definitely you should go with no chips, is a good advantage to play them towards gw25 as rivals will burn all chips now with gw18&19.
      Im in same boat, i feel my team is ready to navigate without chips, but maybe will give TC to KDB.
      Whats your feedback on below?

      gw18 - 10 players ready - no hits
      Martinez
      Stones Bellerin Dier
      (C)KDB Bruno Son Zaha Neto
      Kane

      gw19 - 9 dgw players - 1 hit
      Martinez
      Stones Zouma Justin
      (TC)KDB Bruno Son Salah Neto
      Bamford Antonio

      1. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah it's great. Son and Neto are great SGW players for those weeks.

      2. Ozzy smith
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Agree with BLACK KNIGHTS. Stick to your current plan mate, you're in good shape.

  3. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    When will McCarthy be back for Southampton?

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Covid, i would expect GW 18

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends how he recovers from COVID. You cannot say 10-14 days. People recover at different rates to covid

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        True. I note that Klopp managed Salah's mins when he returned after covid recovery

      2. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        And look at Lascelles.... hes been out for 8 GWs now...

        1. Dr Dream
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          ...and that Maxim fella...or is he back now?

    3. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Had started isolation prior to Liverpool so i guess we'll wait until the weekend or just after, then wait for a negative test?

  4. Crunchie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez, McCarthy
    Dias, Dallas*, KWP*, Chilwell*, Coufal*
    Salah*, Bruno, Son, Soucek*, Raphinha*
    DCL, Kane, Bamford*

    DGW BB 19 planned

    Would you FH this team (currently 6 , 1FT 0.1ITB)

    or take a -4 to get 8 in.

    Salah to KDB and Chilwell to Cancello were my thoughts.

    However there will be more hits to make to transfer out Kane and DCL for BB? mmm

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Take the -4 to get 8. Those two transfers will help you set-up for GW19 and onwards for the good City fixtures

    2. Abinho
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hmmm with those city players coming in, i would take a hit and get it up to 10 players for BGW.

      1. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks very much for replying

  5. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best advice right now IMO is to use this break of almost a week. It's been a really tough season. There is more content than ever and even if you don't go looking for it, it often finds you. It takes up time and energy, dragging you from one line of thinking to another. Injuries, postponemnts, chip worry etc. It all so fatiguing. People take this game dead seriously, however much of a jokey front the put on. Step back. Switch it all off. Take a break like a sane person would do in anything that vaguely resembled a job. Book a night in just before the next deadline to catch up on the vitals and prepare your way forward. You'll probably grow more in the time off than any amount of research in this period, and you'll not fall foul of pouring time, energy, transfers, hits or chips into the game in this most unpredictable of periods. Good luck whatever you spend the week doing. See you for the inevitably disappointing BGW

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Couldn’t agree more well said

    2. FPL_Motty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yup, I'm actually quite glad theres this break before the next GW because Christmas was pretty full on.

    3. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep true to a point though I enjoy the odd look in . That said with playing FH in 18 and with price and other changes and to come I will sit back and throw a team together before the deadline

    4. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      great point. the recent 'decision fatigue' article really resonated with me, I often over-tinker for it's own sake and end up still making last minute decisions.

    5. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      So true. And everyone does it for the ultimate glory of... a hospitality package. Now imagine if there was serious money involved in Fantasy... this would be insane at legendary level.

  6. GOATMEAT
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any news when Taylor will be back? Any chance for GW18?

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Don't think so, hammy takes around 3 weeks

  7. A.J.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have Man City given any explanation to why it was ok to name the latest positive covid cases, but unable to last week? We were left to investigate and guess before the Chelsea game.

    According to Pep, they were told by the PL not to. Is it only fine to keep it under wraps when important 1st team players are the affected?

  8. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone just going with 8 or 9 BGW players and not bothering with FH this week?

    1. FPL_Motty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, more than you think based on posts on here. 3 elite FPL managers in Zophar, Lateriser and Bakar are all saving FH for GW 29

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Glad it’s not just me then.

        1. FPL_Motty
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah. I actually think this is a pretty poor week to play FH personally. Unless your team has only 4 or 5. But most FH teams will all include KDB - Bruno - Son - City Def - Kane - DCL. Most teams already have all of these guys, so most free hit teams arent any different to the template. I'd rather play FH in a week when all of those big hitter premiums are blanking and teams without FH are screwed, thats when there will be a much bigger upside for FH

          1. Pep bites Kun
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Good points. I'm in the lucky position to be able to field 11 (fingers crossed - don't want to jinx it) with just FT and have a full squad for 19, some single gw'ers but a strongish bench. I'm -4 off a BB for a keeper and really tempted to use. The whm & Brighton fixtures for a double won't come around too often

          2. FPLMACKEM
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I couldn't agree more. This is exactly my thinking. I'm probably going in with just 7 and have KDB, Son, Bruno and Cancelo included.

          3. Levis501s
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            My worry is either all the top teams blank in 26, in which case i'm not sure I'd want to play my Free Hit in a GW with no premiums playing and you can only select from the dross. Or that all it takes is 2+ of City, United, Spurs, Chelsea, Pool, Villa, Everton etc to be knocked out of the Cup and the Free Hit will be rendered almost useless in BGW29 due to the premiums playing both 26 and 29, AND the free transfers everyone gets from 27 to 29 after setting themselves up with a wildcard in 25.

            1. FPL_Motty
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Its a judgement call, but right now in front of us, the only big team blanking in 18 is Liverpool, all the other premiums are available. Whereas in 29 theres still a chance most big teams blank. For me its better to deal with what I know for certain, which is in 18 I see very little upside in a FH to gain fringe players from fringe teams.

              I see your point about selecting from dross but put it this way - if the big teams get to the QFs, and city / utd / spurs blank in 29. How on earth will people get a team for 29 without a free hit? Ok so they use FT but then like you said, their team will have to be crap players, without a free hit, those crap players are in your team permanently. Whereas for those with a FH then, gw 30 rolls around and boom all the big hitters are back in your team.

              Personally I don't want to build with transfers from 24 -29 to build a team full of players from poorer teams, I feel this really damages your team, throughout that period and after.

      2. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes, all of them with really bad OR so far. I wonder why....

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No, I'm going with 10.

    3. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not me. I've used FH for gw18 and the team looks great. Then my team reverts back to gw17 team for gw19 where I have 14 19dgw players and one single gw player. I'm looking to get ahead of curve and improve my 42,000 rank

      1. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I forgot to say I'll be BB in dgw19

        1. flynner25
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          What are you planning to do for DGW 26 and Blank GW 29?

          1. FPL_Motty
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            The plan for those using FH and BB now, will have to be using 2nd WC in 24, build to a 26 team with 11 doubles but also then use transfers from 26 to 29 to get a team for the blank. The huge problem with this is that the teams in 26 will be the usual big teams, city, spurs, liverpool, chelsea etc. But those big teams are likely to be the ones who blank in 29 since it is the FA cup quarters. Alot of teams will find it very difficult to go from a team full of players from those teams in 26, to ditching them all for 29.

            1. flynner25
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              What do you think of the Idea of having 11 players (10 Players plus Burke) in GW18......and then have 8 DGW players with 3 spurs in DGW 19?

              Means I can save free hit.......Going without Salah however. But could play Triple captain on KDB to counteract this.

            2. El Presidente
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Tipical example of overthinking things. The same thing the non FH are doing now, the non FH in GW29 can do as well. I would even argue that by using the WC on GW26 you can prepare for both a lot easier than right now.

              1. FPL_Motty
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Not sure what you're saying to be honest. GW 29 has a very good chance of being a very different situation than 18. Like I said its likely the big teams will make the FA cup QFs, thats not overthinking thats just to be expected. Therefore this means those that blank in 29 could be Liverpool, City, Utd etc. That then leaves your team in 29 needing to ditch Salah / KDB / Bruno etc. Why on earth would you want to permanently transfer these players out to cover a blank, a free hit would be way better for that GW

    4. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Happy to go with 7-8 and save FH for later.

    5. grumpyman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rolling with 7 or 8 with a hit. Like keeping chips in the bag as long as possible.

    6. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep, 10 plus Brewster for this week, then 11 DGWers next week for FTs only, no chips or hits. Found myself lucky with team composition so although it's not the optimal team for either, the chips stand to gain me more down the line.

  9. Seamy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On a FH this week.
    Would you rather;
    A) Kane & Fernandez (2 Man City players & weak bench)
    B) Lacazette & Cancelo (3 Man City players & strong first sub)

    1. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think a strongish or at least a playing 1st sub is important.

    2. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd go B honestly especially if you have Son as well

      1. Seamy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah I have Son. Leaning that way too

  10. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Man City have 7 new cases of Covid, 4 female players, 2 male players, 1 backroom staff.

    Man UTD have none yet obviously in the same area as Man City.

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      United don't have Mendy to contend with.

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not really about what area you're in just because another club in your county / vicinity had an outbreak, if that was the case nearly all the London clubs would have gone missing the last week because of Fulham

  11. In a Rush
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Afternoon all any thoughts on this free hit draft please?

    Darlow
    Tierney stones Awb
    Bruno kdb son Rashford
    Wilson Lacazette Richarlison

    Button Saka Clark Mitchell

    0.3itb
    Cheers all

    1. FPL Space
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Downgrade Richarlson to Brewster
      And upgrade Lacazate to Kane
      Bring Saka in 11
      Start with 3 5 2

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers yeah I do have a draft that’s exactly that I’m just not sure on double spurs I do own Kane already. Haven’t hit the button yet but have a couple of drafts.

        1. FPL Space
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Or otherwise keep Lacazate and wilson, downgrade Richarlson to Brewster, and upgrade Rashford to Sterling

  12. flynner25
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do all the transfers that managers confirm on FH squads affect the delta number for players price rises/decreases?

    1. FPL_Motty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Been wondering this myself. What if Salah gets 1m transfers out and drops twice, but the week after hes magically back in 750k teams, it wont show up as 750k transfers in and his price will go back up will it? Honestly no clue about this

    2. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Don't think it does. Just like WC transfers don't count until the GW ends.

      1. Chandler Bing
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        GW deadline*

        With FH, it doesn't even count after the deadline as the players go out of the team automatically going forward.

    3. Abinho
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good question! I don't think delta will be affected by FH transfers, it seems too complicated. But i'm not 100% sure.

  13. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else scared of playing BB 19 with the sudden surge in COVID cases recently?

    1. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah I am but will probably still go for it

    2. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wait to make the call, assume ur team is setup for it already so u can track cases over the next w2 weeks. Judging on trends so far after a spike a few weeks after Xmas things will slowly start to calm down again as ppl interact less and I’m sure pl teams have asked players to keep it tight atm due to cases rising so that should curb cases

  14. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    totally off topic.
    My son's got footie/cooking cards: one player, one meal.

    So her's TAA with the Shepperd's pie. I am not british so who could helpto get me a link of the REAL shepperd's pie?

    1. totaalvoetbal
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Try the bbc food website

  15. Dreaming of glory
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What is a successful FH worth?

    Would you gauge15-20 point gain as a success or would you want to believe u could gain more to make it worth pulling the trigger and not banking it for later down the line?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 2 months ago

        15-20 anything less is a fail, but of course you could get way more from it

        1. Dreaming of glory
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yea I’m looking at that as a conservative base but it would be dependant on dcl & lowton blank. If one of them returns someone else I swapped needs to double digit and it’s hard to predict those

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Yup it is dangerous when using it to switch players rather than fix blanks or injuries

              1. Dreaming of glory
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Yea I have 7, so 8 with ft. Only 2 of the original 7 really would need be switched but 1 of them could return so makes it a bit of a coin flip. Gained good ground recently tho and don’t want to fall back as with 9 players ur kinda looking at the right captain call and maybe just 1 blank to avoid a drop which is a tough ask

      • Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        People on FH! What's your reason for Kane & Son double up against Villa?

        1. Chandler Bing
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          FOMO with ownership honestly. Spurs don't need to score 5 for Kane or Son to be involved and with their ownership, you just can't help but not own them. That said, I prefer Laca to Kane this GW purely due to how bad Palace are.

        2. ritzyd
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No spurs on my FH, maybe famous last words but i reckon spurs score one at most.

        3. Dreaming of glory
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          What are ur alternatives? With no kun, martial a bit meh, laca is only real bigger team striker that stands out and he’s a bit ff meh even tho he’s on a heater

          For mid well there are lots of options so son is more droppable but he is the top point scorer in FPL. If his name was salah or KDB he wouldn’t be dropped so why is son more droppable this season?

      • The Mighty Whites
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thoughts on 3-5-2 FH team, 0.1 ITB?

        DDG / Forster

        Cancelo / Dias / Tierney / Yedlin / Mitchell

        KDB / Fernandes / Rashford / Son / Saka

        Kane / Wilson / Brewster

        1. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          As good as any I've seen. Looks like all bases covered. You just need to get captain nailed. Marching on together.

          1. The Mighty Whites
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers mate, MOT

        2. flynner25
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Excellent

          1. The Mighty Whites
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers!

        3. McSauce
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          ye lovely, similar to my own but you have better Team Value so you have better Def

          You - Dias & Tierney
          Me - Saiss & Stones

      • Riggs
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Do we know for sure that GW 18 will be played? I have plan to use FH (didn't activate it yet), but I am afraid of eventual postponement, and thus losing the chip. Do we have some solid information or we're continuing to be guessing? Probably will activate the chip 1-2 hours before deadline, despite of price rises...

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Nope all in the same boat , watch and wait

        2. ritzyd
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          They confirmed that elite sport will continue so as good as you are going to get sunject to any individual games being called off so safe to press FH now IMO

        3. Jambot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I wouldn't activate it yet if i was using it

      • rnrd
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        who scores more over the course of GW19 to GW 25 ?

        A Grealish (could get a one game ban if booked in 19 or 20) : EVE - mci - bur- sou - WHU - ARS - bha - LEI
        B -4 Rashford : liv - ful - SHU - ars- SOU - EVE - wba - NEW

      • PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wpuld you rather rid of Kane or Son for DGW19 and beyond?

        1. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Kane

        2. Chandler Bing
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I would if on a WC. I am and I'm getting rid of Kane for Ings/Vardy.

      • Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Think I'm settled on this FH draft for now... thoughts?

        Darlow
        Dias | Mina | Schar | Shaw/Telles
        KDB | Sterling | Bruno | Son
        Wilson | Martial/Cavani

        4.0 | Smith-Rowe | Mitchell | Davis

        What would you change 🙂

      • McSauce
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        FH Team, any improvements I could make? 0.0ITB

        Darlow
        Cancelo Saiss Stones
        Saka KBD(c) Bruno(vc) Son Rashford
        Wilson Kane

        Possible Moves;
        Kane --> Lacca/Martial & Rashford --> Sterling

      • JasonG123
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Which combo on FH?

        (A) DDG and Saka
        (B) Leno and AWB (switching formation)

        1. McSauce
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          A

        2. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          A

      • Sz21
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Just 4/5 BGW'rs in 18 so need to use a chip.
        10 DGW players atm for 19 + Son.

        1. FH 18 and possibly TC in 19 or later.
        2. WC 18, BB 19. FH later.

        Which looks a better option for this team?
        McCarthy.
        Robbo, Stones, Dallas, Coufal.
        Salah, Son, Mane, Fernandes.
        Bamford, DCL.
        Forster, Soucek, Brewster, Ferguson.
        1ft, 0.2m ITB.

        1. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          2

        2. ritzyd
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          1 with forster, brewster and ferguson on your bench. Makes bb19 very unappealing as you would need at least a -8

      • Abinho
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Hey guys, appreciate any quick thoughts on the following team for BGW.

        Martinez / McCarthy*

        Cancelo / Dias / Holding / Robertson / Mitchell

        KDB / Fernandes / Son / Soucek* / Bissouma*

        Kane / Bamford* / Adams*

        Starred players are blanking. Currently got 9 playing. Should i take a hit to swap out bissouma for smith-rowe? This gives me a slight chance of points, and he's a good enabler for the future.

        Going for smith-rowe will allow me to bring in Alioski (or another 4.5 defender) for Mitchell, which gives me 10 players with 2 games in DGW, and enough reason to use BB.

        So much possible tinkering. Stay sane guys.

      • The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I rarely remember my dreams but when I do they often come true. Dreamt last night that White from Brighton got a red card in the 3d minute...

        1. Herman Toothrot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Then you don't know if the dreams you don't remember are coming true or not.

          1. The Train Driver
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Inception 😮

      • FPL ElasticO
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        How is this FH team?

        Darlow
        Tierney/ Saiss/ Cancelo/ Shaw
        KDB(c)/ Son/ Rashford/ Bruno/ Saka
        Kane

        Bench:: Forster/ Fabio Silva/ Brewster/ Mitchell

      • Mattious8
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        9 players for GW 18. No transfers left.

        A) Hold
        B) Free hit

        1. Gandalf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Depends which players but 9 sounds fine

        2. Abinho
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I'm in the same position. I think i will hold. I got KdB, Fernandes, Son, Kan, Cancelo, Dias, Holding and Martinez. Tempted to take a hit though, smith-rowe in for Bissouma.

        3. flynner25
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Hold

        4. Lord.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Depends on your plans for GW19. It might be worth a hit or two to bring in players for GW18 who also have a double in 19.

          1. Mattious8
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            McCarthy/Foster
            Cancelo, McGuire-----Creswell, Robo, Dallas=blank, all DGW 19
            KDB (C), Grealish, Son, Fern, Saka =3 out of 5 DGW 19
            DCL, Watkins---Bamford= 2 out of 5 DGW 19

      • Urchin
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I guess BGW and DGW may just restore the normalcy. Chance for all the 'Great and Goods' to restore balance.

        1. PapaWengzz
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Dont think so...plenty of greats wont be playing any chips

      • The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Who will be the safe captain choice this week? I have Son, Bruno and KDB and I have already changed the captaincy between the three of them around four times. It is currently on Son but I think KDB may be the best choice

        1. Gandalf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Has to be KDB for me. They looked great against Chelsea

        2. Mattious8
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          KDB

        3. FPL Space
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          KDB is better option than three, because of poor defensive form of Brighton. Villa and Burnley are more solid defensively.

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

          Safe as in highest EO KDB easy