Chip Strategy

What chip strategy are FFS users planning for Blank Gameweek 18?

Nearly half of Fantasy Football Scout voters are contemplating the Free Hit in Blank Gameweek 18.

In our recent poll, 45.0% revealed that they would be pulling the trigger on a one-week-only Wildcard squad.

Specifically, they explained they would be playing the Free Hit regardless of any changing circumstances to their teams.

Results as of Friday morning

By comparison, just under 2.0% of our voters indicated they would only use the chip if their squad sustained more injuries or suffered from more coronavirus (COVID-19) postponements.

That certainly suggests the Free Hit could receive additional attention from members of the community on Tuesday considering recent events in the football world. 

It will be interesting to see what these managers do about 2020/21’s latest Fantasy Premier League curveball.

Ahead of participating in Blank Gameweek 18, Aston Villa revealed on Thursday that a coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak had occurred at their training ground.

‘A large number’ of first-team players and staff tested positive in the most recent round of tests, forcing the premises to be closed on Thursday morning.

That put paid to first-team training ahead of Villa’s FA Cup match with Liverpool, scheduled for the evening of Friday, January 7.

As things stand, the tie is going ahead with Aston Villa’s Under-23s filling in for the first-team, provided they test negative.

Blank and Double Gameweek audition for Man United and Aston Villa

What impact that will have on Blank Gameweek 18 remains to be seen. 

The postponement of Spurs’ visit to Villa Park could drastically change the look of Free Hit squads. Or it could even force more managers to play the chip than before.

Son Heung-min (£9.8m) and Harry Kane (£11.0m) still sit in 63.5% and 44.8% of Fantasy squads worldwide while 38.1% own Jack Grealish (£7.7m) and 29.9% hold Emiliano Martínez (£5.0m).

Uncertainty reigns though. A postponement would wipe out all those popular assets from the list of active players while a similar arrangement to tonight’s FA Cup game could intensify interest in Spurs assets.

Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) and Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) are the two most-talked-up captains for Blank Gameweek 18 but Kane and Son would surely come into the conversation if they face Villa’s youth team instead.

Result on Thursday morning

We can see that there was a slight change in the voting patterns between Thursday and Friday morning; before and after the news of Villa’s COVID-19 outbreak.

The differences are subtle, perhaps because of the remaining uncertainty, but, comparing the two sets of data, we saw an increase of 0.8 percentage points supporting the Free Hit (regardless) option between Thursday and Friday.

Tellingly, there was a decrease of 1.2 percentage points among those planning to handle Blank Gameweek 18 with free transfers (no hits).

We saw a similar drop in the category of free transfers (one hit) while there was an increase of 0.2 percentage points for those prepared to take two or more hits.

It is still worth considering the relatively sizeable chunk of Fantasy Football Scout voters hoping to tackle Blank Gameweek 18 without a chip.

andys-gw17-article 7

Even after the uncertainty surrounding Aston Villa’s involvement, 47.6% of our voters are planning to use only free transfers between now and Tuesday’s deadline, although there is some disparity in terms of propensity to take hits within that.

Either way, that overall total is higher than the number who selected the ‘Free Hit regardless’ option and is at a similar level to the total when we combine these voters with those pulling the Free Hit in the event of more postponements and/or injuries.

This fact is an important element for Fantasy managers to consider for this Gameweek.

We are, admittedly, focussing on a relatively small sample size here compared to the rest of the world, although knowing what the more enthusiastic managers are doing, of which we have many here on the site, is useful information.

And what we are seeing is an indication that a large number of managers are hoping to avoid using their Free Hit if possible.

The news came on the same day that Southampton’s third-round FA Cup tie with Shrewsbury was postponed.

Following a significant number of Shrews players and staff testing positive for COVID-19, they have not trained all week after closing their facilities for 10 days.

The FA’s professional game board is to decide when the fixture will be rearranged for “early next week” but as the pile-up continues, authorities are starting to run out of free slots between now and the end of the campaign.

773 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Good Afternoon!

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good afternoon sir!!!

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hello

    3. What am I doing?
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      afternoon

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hello mate

    5. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good moaning.

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

        I'm do feel like a good moan today. After fielding just 6 players a couple weeks back, I was thinking that at least I was set up well for the blank and double without the need of a FH. This probable Villa Spurs cancellation negates all my planning as I probably have to FH and am not set up as well as others for the double.

        Moan moan moan, Corona, FPL, moan.

        1. Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          no worries Eddie, luck will come around mate

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

            Cheers Steve

        2. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah mine has been so bad that I can’t even bring myself to explain. Feel no matter what response I get it won’t be worthy of the pain.

  2. Sir Edo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all!
    Cancelo had three yellow cards in PL and cot another one in Carabao cup.
    Shouldn't he be one card from suspension? 3 cards according to FFS..

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      They dont carry over from the cups

      1. Sir Edo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks!

      2. Sir Edo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        So you could collect a lot of yellow cards in both FA and Carabao cup without anything happens, only red matters? Strange..

        1. Ruth_NZ
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No. Just doesn't affect the PL is all.

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

      Don't think cup cards count.

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Doesn’t count.

    4. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      But you’re not going mad, it used to but stopped in ‘18.

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

      Cup cards did count at one stage but no longer

  3. aleksaa2
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rob Dorsett from Sky via Twitter:
    I’ve been told the #avfc outbreak much more extensive thank with #fulhamfc or #nufc. Entire Villa first team squad and staff self-isolating because they have either tested positive or been in close contact with a teammate who has. Unlikely any will be exempt from 10-day isolationI’ve been told the #avfc outbreak much more extensive thank with #fulhamfc or #nufc. Entire Villa first team squad and staff self-isolating because they have either tested positive or been in close contact with a teammate who has. Unlikely any will be exempt from 10-day isolation

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep.

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Oh the joys.

    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kick a man while he's down why don't you 😉

    4. BC1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Reckon they'll move the Spurs v Fulham game to this Tuesday instead then?

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No, Spurs play Sunday in the FA Cup.

        1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Can move Spurs v Fulham to Wednesday ?

          1. Van der Faart
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Fulham due to play Friday.

            1. Uncle Gamst
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Move that to Saturday

              1. Van der Faart
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Yeah I can see Sky doing that lol

                1. Uncle Gamst
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  Hmm, well Sky are due to broadcast it Villa v Spurs so if it is postponed they might get the Spurs v Fulham game?

                  1. Van der Faart
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    3 years, 2 months ago

                    I meant moving the Fulham Chelsea game. I dont see them moving that even though they would get Spurs Fulham too.

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

                  They may have too agree. Thry will be running out of slots themselves to show one game at a time

        2. Uncle Gamst
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Spurs to rest first teamers against Birmingham...might prefer to get Fulham out of the way?

    5. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Twice!!??

  4. StayoutheSpiceZone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So Villa kids playing tonight, surely that game will be called off midweek u reckon?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Should be forced to play for the their players flagrant flouting of the rules.

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

        Already a precedent set with City who were missing three first team players.

        But then again they are a 'big' club

      2. Ron_Swanson
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        How do you know they flouted the rules?

  5. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which 10 absolute jokers voted for the "play the triple captain" [in GW18] in the graphic above in the article?

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

      I played TC on Salah in a single BGW once, he scored 4 times. That said, it was a very different world...

      1. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Bet you won't be playing it in GW18 though!?

    2. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably the ones who captained Tierney last GW and Mee one before that.

  6. Meinhoff
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have planned to FH in 19, and manage the BGW18 with free transfers. Now everything has changed and I am not set up for 19 if I use FH in 18.

    I should probably WC now, right?

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd love to advise you, but I'm trying to bury my head in the sand.

      Seems to work for ostriches, it could work for humans too I think

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

      Sounds like you have it worse than me. Its just unfortunate that the most popular strategy of FH in 18 and BB 19 has been least affected by this cancellation. Of course, we don't know what's to come but for the time being you've been disadvantaged.

    3. pavlev
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      i mean the FH seems more necessary now but then it also becomes even more exposued to cancellations. either utd or city get cancelled and the FH is surely wasted

  7. Team Bobcat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The precedent was set when Newcastle and Villa had their league games suspended. Even City availed of the opportunity against Everton.

    I believe that all games should be played regardless playing all underage players if necessary.

    This is the 2nd out break that villa have had. I am not convinced about their management of the virus thus far. An investigation may be warranted.

    Teams that foult the coronavirus rules will fall foul more often than not and should suffer consequences accordingly. Level the playing field. All games to be played regardless and failing that a bye to the other team.

    Wouldn't be long before teams got their act together regarding their management of this virus.

    I am all for health of players and staff. Two villa out breaks in a short time suggests to me that players and staff health being put at risk at villa at the very leastnit by premier league but their own team management.

    Double edged sword. Rant over

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

      Would like to agree, put it just takes one person dunnit. Kinda infectious as I undertsand.

      1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Grealish does not seem like thectypecto follow rules

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

          So is Mendy, Lanzini, Reguilon, Lo Celso, Milivojevic and many others.

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

      When did Villa have a virus outbreak before?

      1. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        There hasn't been two outbreaks at Villa, as far as I'm aware.

      2. aleksaa2
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Never. Newcastle had a virus outbreak and that's why they postponed the game. Nothing to do with Villa.

      3. Team Bobcat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Moyes and one or two more were self isolating not too long ago for a match or two. Before villa Newcastle game, they fulfilled their fixture at the time but since Newcastle got their game cancelled then teams are thinking differently once cases confirmed

        1. The Rumour Mill
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Moyes manages West Ham not Villa, I think you got your claret wearing teams mixed up.....

          1. Team Bobcat
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Jeez that just sums up my season so far. You are correct. It was west ham..crikey

            1. The Rumour Mill
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              The fact you got 5 upvotes for spreading completely false information truly is a sign of the times 😉

              1. Team Bobcat
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                The point of the post was that any game should not be suspended regardless of covid issues.

                The rest is just gibberish

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

      Yes. I agree. They should follow the NBA bubble and Fifa/UEFA should abandon the idea that the Euro will go ahead

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

      This is definitely the first case at Villa - love to hear the basis for "I am not convinced about their management of the virus thus far"

      1. Team Bobcat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Any team that has a large outbreak you would have to wonder at the very least about their management protocols preventing them from getting the virus.

    5. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      NFL team Denver Broncos earlier this year played their league match without a quarterback (unequivocally most important position in all of sports) because all of the reserve ones also got infected. Match proceeded, some random practice squad receiver played that position and of course they lost massively, but the proceedings continued and now playoffs are starting as per schedule.
      I agree, PL should do something similar, play U-15 if you dont have enough players, but match must be seen through.

      1. Team Bobcat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Absolutely. If you start muddying the waters you get to where they are now.

        Why should one team get their game suspended and not another?

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

    Any chance of Spurs Fulham being shorehorned in to GW18?

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

      I would guess its unlikely if it is short notice, wouldn't really be fair on Fulham if they don't have time to prepare.

    2. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No, Spurs play Sunday in FA Cup, so they couldnt play Tuesday
      Fulham play Friday in PL, so they couldnt play Wednesday.

      Mind you this is the PL organisers we are talking about so who knows?

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

        Ah, drats. Does sound very unlikely.

        1. Van der Faart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          It is unlikely but then weve seen Spurs play 4 games in 7 days earlier in the season when the schedule demanded it. Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday. If it does so happen I can see Jose going bugaloo over it.

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

            Forget fantasy, this would be worth it alone.

            1. Van der Faart
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              I'm a Spurs fan but I think it would make great tv too. I'd love to see him go nuts. He wasnt pleased about the Fulham game being called off 3 hours before KO either so stoking the fire even more with him would be box office entertainment

  9. Eddie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Shoehorned*

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

      Arggh*

  10. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So with the Villa Spurs game potentially off, well.. almost definitely off.

    I'm only going to be able to field 6 players, definitely worth a FH right?

    1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      God knows. Need to digest for a few more days.

      It's a choice between a 'sh*t sandwich' or a 'turd baguette'. I'm not starving enough to contemplate which one I'll choose yet

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Lol

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

    Worth taking a -8 instead of FH?

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

      I did a -4 to get up to 9. Two of them on AV, who knows if they will both play next week. Seems like waiting until the last minute is the best thing to do!

  12. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    New WC draft

    Triple City
    Triple UTD
    Triple Arsenal

    Couple of hammers, Couple of Leeds, Wilson, Johnstone

    struggling to see what could possibly go wrong

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

      Triple Arsenal... what could possibly go wrong?

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      BB 19?

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Covid pending yes

    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Will have more players than me that's for fecking sure! Unless I relent and accept that all planning over the last 4 or 5 weeks was just a complete waste of time and press the FH / WC button

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Remember the old saying about not feeling invested in one method and ignoring others just because you’ve spent a lot of time on it

        1. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          It's good advice. It just runs contrary to human nature is the only problem with it 🙂

  13. drughi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Surely villas game with everton alson in doubt now ?

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Well it's only 8 days away, so yeah, definitely could be postponed too.

      And, we all daren't even contemplate it yet, but how many more Covid cases will we have in the coming weeks too? Will many teams have just 1 game in 19? Will some go from having a double to zero games? Is this just the tip of the iceberg?

      My head hurts 🙁

      1. Team Bobcat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It is a right mess all i think because the league allowed the flood gates to open first when they allowed Newcastle defer their fixture. They only have themselves to blame for that. Can not see it being reversed so looks like the league is in a right mess, way worse off than last season

  14. RubeRx
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    When do they plan to officially announce if the Aston Villa/Sours game will be postponed?

    Could it possibly be over the weekend or are we looking at Monday at least?

    Just seems strange if they already have the test results what are they waiting for?? or are they going to get tested again?

    It's not like the Fulham situation where they were waiting on test results to make a decision?

    Is there even a possible scenario where the game could go ahead??

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably an hour before kick off after last weeks abysmally slow announcement of the Spurs Fulham game

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

        Following government precedent they'll declare it on the day before, and then cancel it on the day.

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

      They will be testing every couple of days. Won't know until Tuesday earliest I'd guess

    3. Team Bobcat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      We can consider ourselves all lucky if we get an announcement. Tot ful was cancelled with only about 4 hrs notice. There was rumour about it being cancelled but decision was only made official then. Up to that point it was still going ahead

      Other games have to be at risk this gameweek that we dont know about given the criteria now for cancelling.

      Fingers crossed and hope forthe best. The covid is rampant.

      Decision should be to suspend or revise cancelling criteria.

      At limbo otherwise

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

    All elite bubbles has achieved is to galvanise the sense of security and the arrogance of football clubs. They haven't policed themselves effectively and those bubbles are now becoming breeding grounds that covid is able to rip through, and then be spread much wider as they disperse to their families and essential activities. It needs to be shut down, now.

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Agreed, these aren’t Really even bubbles, I assume the players kids are still going to school and their wives still Doing whatever It is they do.

      The players need to be stopped from mixing with each other as much as possible as individuals otherwise it just takes 1 case in a team and you have an outbreak

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

        transmissions are unlikely happening in training or during play. They're happening indoors, on transport and when the players rub their hands all over the heads and faces of their teammates and they get the virus in their eyes, nose or mouth. It's an embarrassment watching it happen and they need to say no more. Football is not essential, it is not saving lives

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      As long as you have the likes of Walker and Grealish playing, it will never be controlled!

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

      i think this has more to do with players being irresponsible outside the training ground and bringing the virus over

      ie. xmas/new years gatherings may have led to this

      it only takes one to break the rules and infect everyone else

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

        and this does not happen, or has a much lower probability of happening if they are not brought together.

  16. aleksaa2
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Phil McNulty from BBC:
    Aston Villa had 14 positive Covid-19 tests in their first team bubble - 10 of which were players.

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      fffffeeeeeccccccckkkkkkkkk

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

        Please make them field the under 23s with Martinez.

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

          Save points.

    2. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Do you have a link for this story please? Ta

        1. jammie26
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Ta

    3. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      More bad English from the BBC - should be
      10 of whom were players

  17. FPL_adict
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Can someone please enlighten me regarding the free hit chip?
    If I make my transfers and take hits during the week and then activate my free hit chip afterwards (before the next gw deadline), will the earlier made transfers be considered part of the free hit (like it happens with the wildcard)? Will my points hits be restored back to zero for the upcoming gw? Thanks.

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If you play FH in GW18, your team in GW19 will be the same as it was for GW17.

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

        Thanks for the reply. Will the points hits I have already taken be overturned?

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

          Yes

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

            Thanks Eddie. If that is the case, I wonder why people are activating their FH chips early. At least, if you don't, you still have the option to choose between a FH and a WC later on.

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

              Catch price rises. But given everything that is going on, probably not worth it.

              However, any more games cancelled and everyone will be Free Hitting unless the whole league is shut down.

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

                I suppose you can still make transfers to catch price rises and then, just before the deadline, decide on FH vs WC. It does seem like many will be on FH especially if the spurs villa game gets postponed.

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You will keep the transfers you've already made as part of your FH (no hits of course), and you can tinker with that team as you wish until deadline.

      Then, once the GW starts you will have your FH team only for that GW & then you will revert back to the exact team that you finished GW17 with.

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

        Thanks, THEGAFFER82

  18. Tomsk
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What's up with Liverpool lately?
    Draws versus West Brom & Newcastle and loss to Southampton.
    Just a blip/unlucky or anything more?
    Lack of good options from bench to change things seems to be them being over reliant on same players week after week. Maybe that catching up with them.

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

      Pool fan here, doesn’t help with both CMs playing CB. Means we’re a lot slower getting the ball up and also can’t recoup the ball back as quickly. Doesn’t help that our forwards want to walk the ball in instead of actually taking a shot as well.

      1. Tomsk
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah agree. Lack of activity in central midfield making it easier for opposition to manage the front three.

  19. SirT83
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On FH:
    A-
    Leno
    Dias* Cancelo Maguire
    Bruno Son KDB Rash* Saka
    Wilson Lacazette*

    B-
    Leno
    Bellerin Cancelo Maguire
    Bruno Son KDB Sterling Saka
    Wilson DCL

    On first one I have 0.8 itb to upgrade a shitty bench

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

    Now I hope Leeds v Southampton game is moved to BGW18

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

      no no no have 5 players there ready for BB in dgw 19

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not sure why anyone would consider BB in current situation

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

      no chance i think

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

    Looks like both the Villa-Spurs game and the game vs Everton are at risk. 14 positive cases and all the resulting 10-day isolation. That's pretty brutal.

    Goodbye bench boost plan. I just hope the City - Villa game goes ahead...

    1. Caravagio
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Someone said they just need to produce a negative covid test and then they dont have to isolate.

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

        that was my undertanding - the great unwashed need to isolate for ten days after +ve result as won't be tested again. Whereas footballs are tested every few days so are ok to integrate once have a confirmed -ve test.

        I am far from an expert though (well apart from having a social media account)

    2. Uncle Gamst
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      City v Villa nearly a fortnight away...by then all Villa will have had it 😉

  22. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Planning really does nothing for you this season, makes it harder in fact. The real winners are the casuals checking their teams the night before.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I've casually made no transfers this week.
      Looks like I'll need to FH/WC though 🙁

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

        Yeah I just did the standard Salah > KDB move. Had 11 set out to play but now it looks like it might be 7/8 at best.

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

      Real winners are those that have forgotten about their teams. I can't tell you how many points I have lost because of my transfers this season. Ha ha

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

        This. Should just change my password to something random and forget about it!

    3. Pinturicchio10
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Depends how good your planning is.

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

        Sitting in the top 500 at the moment but only had DCL son and Kane miss games. I wouldn't consider myself a casual. I got rid of grealish for raphinha to spread funds for DGW 19. Have Matinez though. Rough with the smooth

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

          Lucky you! I have DCL, Son, Kane and Martinez too, might have to offload one of the Spurs boys’ a week early.

    4. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is Saïss nailed on now ?

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

        Seems so.

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

          Scratch that, I have no idea. Let someone else with a better understanding of Wolves' defence advise you.

    5. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If teams had 10 first team players out due to injury they wouldnt be allowed to ask for games to be postponed, they'd be told to get on with it and play whoever is available to play. I get that this is a pandemic but the PL really need to nip this in the bud now. Not having protocols in force is madness.

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

        PL has failed the day they autohrozed the postponement of the first game (newcastle).
        the rules prior to PL season debut were: if you have 15 pro available, you should play. All PL side have at least 30 pros.

        That game should have never been cancelled and opened breaches for all clubs to claim postponements

        1. Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah, they need to go back to the OG plan, it will be fpl carnage because you could get city playing against Sheffield United reserves but I think it’s the only way to get the season done

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

            Covid spread relies also on everyone's responsibility and this is not proper to football. Clubs are responsible for handling their outbreaks and positive cases. Should 10 players be tested positive in a team, well your Week-end opposition should not be responsible for it. If Villa plays theur U23 this WE, they should play them against Spurs in PL too

            1. Van der Faart
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              This is so accurate. Other clubs suffering consequences from other clubs and to a greater extent players acting irresponsibly

        2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          100% agree

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

          Very true. They compromised on their own rules and screwed themselves over. Morons.

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

        You can't really catch a groin strain

        1. Van der Faart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          So? Injuries are a part of football. And it would mean clubs and players would be a lot more careful about how they act outside of the training ground every day. There has been too many footballers caught out breaking the rules. If you break the rules you should be punished. Not rewarded and having a game postponed.

      3. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Agree. If they were stricter, it would have really incentivised clubs to ensure their players are properly following the rules that everyone else has to abide by. Instead we get stories about players hosting parties over christmas.

        The set-up even make it more preferable to have more players out with COVID than just a few. Palace had to play games as normal when their best player Zaha had to self isolate. Meanwhile Man City avoided the most fixture congested part of the season even though they have a huge squad.

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

          Exactly and Man City were happy to go ahead against Everton. As a Palace fan we would have got more than 0 points against a poor Newcastle and at the time a winless Burnley. Still fuming about letting luka play after is stupidly. If players cant isolate then they should be hit with two weeks wages as the clubs would have to play on regardless under the original rules. NBA should be the example here and if they dont then the games go on regardless

      4. The Rumour Mill
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        The problem is the PL protocols were in direct conflict to all medical advice, so they weren't viable or fit for purpose in the first place.

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

        I agree but the horse has bolted - no way can Villa be made to play an u23's team when Newcastl, City etc games were postponed for far less.

    6. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m fully behind a circuit breaker now. Save us all having to spaff our FH/WC on what’s left of GW18

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I suppose it means I’ve burned my wc but a 2-3 week break does look a good idea

        1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          If that happens I guess you just WC in players that you want on merit rather than fixtures and hope the dice roll well on return.

      2. The Rumour Mill
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I don't think it would work though, players would still be training together etc, it would just be matches off and more fixture congestion down the line for almost no reduction in covid cases

    7. CasaBanter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It mentions 47.6% aren’t going to Free Hit, but what % people have already used it?

      I bet some of those 47.6% would like to use a Free Hit, but can’t because they’ve already burned it.

      1. aleksaa2
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That and take into account that the poll started before Villa news. Many teams have Son, Kane, Grealish and Martinez, so now people who didn't use a FH will be forced to.

        1. The Rumour Mill
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yes the problem is the situation is changing so quickly that the poll is already horrendously out of date, and will look positively prehistoric by the time the GW18 deadline actually rolls around. Same goes for all the podcasts this week unfortunately, although they were at least entertaining to listen too 🙂

        2. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Where is this coming from - apart from the Villa problems already publicised have there been more developments?

    8. Dele
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Worth hitting the free hit now? Or still best to wait...

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        How many hits have you taken?

      2. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Just wait. What if other games go and we end up with 2 games in 18 or it even gets canned completely

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

      I think there is still decent chance Spurs play Fulham on GW18. I mean, it's in Spurs interest to play and not accumulate postponed games. They should play their C-team at the Week-end at Marine in FA cup and play their A on tuesday.

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

        It's a point of view from Spurs only. How about from Fulham?

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

      'A total of 112 individuals received positive results from 3,507 players and club staff tested this week.'

      'The English Football League remains confident its protocols are "continuing to mitigate against the spread of infection" with relatively low numbers of positive results among the overall number tested.'

      What planet...

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

        So just over 3% currently. I figured that was high, but nationwide it's about 2%.

        Probably high enough to justify closing it down.

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

        Steve Bruce has his say

        https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55590296

        Reminding us that ASM and Lacelles are still suffering from it and that one of his staff was ', nearly hospitalised'

        https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55590296

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

          They got it on international duty right? Travelling is the absolute worst thing.

    11. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      stop players travelling together !

      Get them all to drive, meat at McDonalds car park just off the A1 at 9am and go in convoy, worked for us in Sunday league

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Always carnage on the morning the clocks go back/forward

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

        beef or chicken?

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

        Get dressed in the car park. And grealish you forgot your shin pads again

      4. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Apart from the fact that I think M's food is absolute crap I do like your clever play on words "meet/meat" at McD.