Pro Pundits

The value Man City options on offer for Blank Gameweek 18 and beyond

Planning anything in this crazy Fantasy Premier League season is proving rather difficult. Even as I’m writing this, the Blank Gameweek 18 schedule has changed once again. 

Aston Villa’s meeting with Tottenham Hotspur has now been officially called off, and in its place, Spurs’ home game with Fulham has been added.

I keep telling myself to ‘embrace the chaos’, but it does make planning kind of hard! However, as Fantasy managers, we need to adapt quickly, so in this, my latest column, I’m going to talk Blank Gameweek 18, with a heavy focus on Manchester City and their opponents, Brighton and Hove Albion. 

I will also touch upon some of the other teams involved this week, and highlight a few standout statistics relating to them. 

BRIGHTON’S DEFENCE

City’s opponents in Blank Gameweek 18, Brighton, shipped another three goals against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out, which takes them to a total of 28 this season. Only West Bromwich Albion (39), Leeds United (33), Crystal Palace and Sheffield United (29) have conceded more.

However, the defensive statistics suggest they’ve been a bit unlucky. Based on expected goals (xG), they should have conceded just 18.66. They’ve also conceded the third fewest shots.

When analysing the goals they’ve let in, we can see six have been from penalties and seven from set-pieces. That suggests a lack of concentration, or discipline. Whatever you want to call it, it’s worrying, and to highlight it, you just need to watch Dan Burn’s (£4.2m) performance against Wolves in Gameweek 17. 

The fact they tend to switch-off could also stem from the keeper. Before he was dropped, Matt Ryan (£4.3m) was obviously struggling, and I have doubts that Robert Sánchez (£4.4m) is the long-term solution. To be fair to him, he has made some good saves, but he’s still young and will make mistakes.

So, knowing Brighton are susceptible to conceding from set-plays, finding a place in your squad for one of City’s biggest aerial threats, Rúben Dias (£5.8m) or John Stones (£5.0m), makes a lot of sense to me. Dias is due a goal too, having racked up an xG of 0.76 without scoring. It goes without saying that Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) is a good option too, but his set-pieces could be really important this week, which gives him the edge over team-mate Raheem Sterling (£11.4m).

MAN CITY’S DEFENCE, AND THE IMPACT OF DIAS AND STONES

Sky Fantasy Football: Sticks and Stones? Who to bring in before the Overhaul? 2

City have conceded 13 goals in 15 Premier League games this season, and just three in their last 12 in all competitions. Dias has played a huge part in that, and has probably been their best player this term, but Stones has offered real balance alongside him. As a partnership, they’ve given up just one goal in eight starts together!

Pep Guardiola’s side are clearly the best defensive play this week, and when you look at their schedule to follow (see below), a defensive double-up is really appealing.

CANCELO’S POSITIONING

João Cancelo (£5.8m) has looked really sharp this season, standing in at left-back most of the time.

However, with Kyle Walker (£6.1m) out of action, he’s moved to the right, and has often found himself pushing ahead of the holding midfielder when in possession, and occupying spaces on the edge of the oppositions box.

To highlight this, here’s his combined touch heatmap from the recent games against Newcastle United and Chelsea:

In Blank Gameweek 18, City will have a lot of possession in Brighton’s half, and will surely turn to the likes of Cancelo to unlock their defence. I know I say this a lot, but attacking returns look imminent here!

GUNDOGAN’S NEW ROLE

Another player whose role has changed in recent weeks is Ilkay Gündogan (£5.4m), who has been taking up a more advanced position. That’s coincided with goals against West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle and Chelsea.

Rather than playing as a second player in a double-pivot, he’s now more of a number eight and taking up some smart positions in the box, something he touched upon in a recent interview:

“… even though I like to be included in rotating the ball, when I am playing as a number eight and more offensive position, I try to put myself in the spaces where I think something could happen or I feel like the space is not occupied by a player of ours or the opponent. Both goals I scored in the last games were similar in the way they were from the right side and Raheem assisted me both goals and I tried to be in a space where I am free and able to get the ball and finish with one touch. It worked out quite well and as long as I am playing in that position I try to continue like that.” – Ilkay Gündogan

His seven shots in the box and four big chances in their last four matches are more than any team-mate, and his five shots on target are joint-top with De Bruyne. Here you can see where he’s been shooting from over that period, with his attempts on target in green:

If Gündogan continues in this role, I think he’s a viable option, and if you’re not comfortable with a defensive double-up, pairing the German international with De Bruyne could be a nice play.

So, moving away from City, here’s a few standout statistics and observations relating to some of the other teams involved this week:

  • Manchester United have scored 21 goals in their seven Premier League away matches this season, averaging three per game – not bad, is it? It’s also worth noting Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) is yet to blank on his travels, registering six goals and four assists in seven appearances. Yes, Burnley are a decent defensive team, but can be exposed by better sides, and a midfield double-up involving Rashford and Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) looks sound this week.
  • Since Boxing Day, Arsenal have scored eight goals. They’ve also taken more shots and had more attempts in the box than any other side during that time. This week, I see the wide players being key, so Bukayo Saka (£5.3m) is near the top of my Watchlist. Since moving to the right-flank, no midfielder has taken more shots in the box, and he’s also been on corner duties too. However, if you’re working with a smaller budget, Emile Smith Rowe (£4.4m) is another nice option.
  • Though there have been signs of improvement at Arsenal recently, Wilfried Zaha (£7.4m) can cause them problems. Let’s not forget, the Gunners have failed to keep a clean sheet at home this season. I also think they look vulnerable against quick players who like to run at them, which should suit Zaha. If you can fit him in, he should do well.
  • Over the course of the season, only two teams have given up more big chances than Sheffield United. Bearing in mind Callum Wilson (£6.6m) has been directly involved in five of Newcastle’s eight away goals in the Premier League this season, plugging him into one of your forward positions makes a lot of sense this week. The Blades are also on a club record 20 league matches without a win, and are yet to keep a clean sheet.
  • In this climate, filling your Free Hit benches with Sheffield United and Newcastle players looks wise, seeing as they kick off shortly after deadline. The likes of Ethan Ampadu (£4.3m), Jayden Bogle (£4.3m), Rhian Brewster (£4.5m) and DeAndre Yedlin (£4.3m) are all cheap and should get some minutes, and at least contribute a few points from the bench in case of any disruption to Wednesday or Thursday night’s fixtures.

So, best of luck in Blank Gameweek 18 everyone, and thanks for reading!

1,530 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Steager
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any decent WC Teams? All i see is FH Teams.

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

      Because wc16 still working hahaha

  2. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best option out of these on FH?

    A) Saka, Tierney & Maguire/AWB
    B) Saka, Holding & Wilson
    C) Rowe, Tierney & Wilson

    A is 4 at the back while B & C are 3.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’d go with B or C personally. Worth the punt on FH

    2. Sir France's Bacon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

    3. HNI
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C more upside? Can advice me belownwhich can give more points?

  3. HNI
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is it better to have
    1)De gea + Dier
    2) Leno + Reguilion/Wanbisskaa
    Basically which of 2 from Ars Manutd Spurs should we trust for cleanies?

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

      United and Spurs.

    2. HNI
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Although Utd and Spurs more cleansheet chance leno does more saves than de gea and dier doesnt seem as attacking

  4. Jönny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How many minutes do you think Cavani gets over GW18 and DGW19?

    Am at the point where I feel like just doing something daft... I reckon if he gets 180+ mins over the three fixtures (80 vs Burnley + 30 vs Liverpool + 70 vs Fulham??) he could well pick up a decent tally....

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

      SHU after that, thinking Cavani/Martial over Laca for a hit this week, but which..

  5. Sir France's Bacon
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Think I'm almost set, which one of these two options?

    A - Rashford, Wilson, (McGoldrick)
    B - Neto, Kane, (Brewster)

    Rest of team:

    De Gea - Areola
    Dias - Cancello - Tierney - (Ampadu) - (Kilman)
    KDB - Saka - Bruno - Son - XX
    Lacazette - XX - XX

    Cheers.

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

    A) Holding and Saka
    B) Tierney and Smith Rowe

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Flip a coin

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

      There is more between Tierney and Holding than it is between ESR and Saka so...make of that what you wish

    3. Sir France's Bacon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd probably go B, but not a lot in it

  7. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    DCL > Wilson worth a -8?

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Will I guess it’s -4 in isolation

  8. rozzo
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If I have 2 transfers this week and use the free hit do I revert back to 2 transfers next gw?

    1. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No you go back to one

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

      Just 1.

  9. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Mari Holding Kilman Mitchell
    Son Saka Bruno
    Kane

    Steele Soucek Salah Firmino

    -4 Salah and Firmino out save FH or free hit?

    Cheers

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

    Think I’ve settled on this FH team

    DDG
    Tierney, Cancelo, Dier
    KDB(c), Son(vc), Bruno, Gundogan
    Kane, Lacazette, Wilson

    Subs: Smith-Rowe, Kilman, Mitchell

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DDG, Dier, Gundo to Lloris, AWB, Saka

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

        Can’t do as 3 Arsenal already. Personally prefer the triple City starting against the triple Arsenal

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

      I have exactly the same team. I could not afford Tierney so I go with Holding. Rest is exactly as your team. GG!

  11. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GTG?

    Lloris
    Cancelo Tierney AWB
    KDB Bruno Son Gundogan Saka
    Kane Laca

    Forster Yedlin Brewster Mitchell

    I'm pretty gutted I can't fit in Auba instead of Laca.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gundo to Wilson. Then beautiful.

  12. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Funny one, bench order:

    1. Mitchell (ars)
    2. Burke (NEW)
    3. Kilman (EVE)

    Thanks

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

      231

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

    On a FH, would you say this is G2G?

    Lloris
    Cancelo - Stones - Tierney
    Bruno - Rash - KDB (c) - Son - ESR
    Kane - Wilson

    Subs: Forster - Brewster - Kilman - Mitchell

    1. thom830g
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes - go!

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

    How about this lame 4-5-1, can't afford a better team:/

    Leno
    Holding,Cancelo,Shaw,Dias
    Kdb,Bruno,Rashford,Son,Saka
    Kane

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

      Shaw is Dier sorry

  15. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pick 2 from:

    A) Saka
    B) Gundogan
    C) Neto
    D) Foden

    1. thom830g
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A and D for me

  16. Tomlette Greggs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gents.

    Is Leeds' double gameweek in 19 still on? Or is the game vs Southampton confirmed/likely postponed?

    Thanks in advance.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sounds like it could be off if Shrewsbury can get enough players together for a game next week

    2. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Prob postponed but not certain yet

  17. OBAMA
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    start saka or fernandez?

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

    Need Help Mate !

    I had 2 FT for GW18 and I use them to Salah > KdB and Anguissa > Soucek. If Aston Villa was playing, I would have 10 players playing without replacement possibility but now I only have 7 player playing because of Villa postponement. Here is my team :

    Martinez*, (McCarthy)
    Konsa*, Stones, Mitchell (Justin, KWP)
    Grealish*, Son, Fernandes, KdB (Soucek)
    Bamford*, Wilson, Kane

    0.4 itb

    7 player playing because Martinez, Konsa, Grealish and Bamford don't play GW18. I would like to FH but if I do that, I will lose KdB and Soucek I bought with my 2FT and now KdB is 0.2 expensive than when I bought him and Salah is 0.1 cheaper.

    Knowoing that I planed to take Dallas for GM19 but it won't maybe be possible if I lose the profit made with Kdb over Salah's lost, would you keep this team to hold FH or FH and buy De Bruyne and Soucek next week for -4 ?

    Cheers !

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Southampton too.

      I demand the lad on the first page to apologise to me

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        😉

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

      Oh dear thanks for update

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gonna switch Bamford to Antonio on WC

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

      Old news mate, you're a day late

    5. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably switching Raphinia to KDB

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

      It looks like best to save BB then. I have dcl too who needs to become Antonio/Addams. Cam.advice me above mate?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No BB for me looks like too

  19. Help Me!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Fabianski gonna play?

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

    Double West Ham defence for gw19 worth it?

    Have Coufal already but can't afford Cresswell

  21. Sanchit
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captain KdB or Bruno?

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

      KDB for me. Much better fixture.

  22. Invincibles
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best DCL replacement? (-4)

    Laca
    Cavani
    Martial

    Thinking Laca due to being in FH teams.

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

      Laca for the next 2 weeks

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

      Laca is a GW18 punt
      Martial would be a better option as Cavani maybe will not get many starts

  23. dando89
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rate my FH team please?

    Leno
    Stones Cabell Saiss
    Rash Son SmithRowe Bruno(VC) KDB
    Laca Kane(C)

    1. dando89
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That should be Cancelo in defense!

  24. akhilrajau
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Whixh combination ia good
    A. Neto, Lacazette ( 343)
    B. Rashford, Brewster (352). Fifth mid is smith rowe

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

      B

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

    How does this fh team look?

    Lioris (Peacock)
    Dias Cancelo Saiss (Ampadu Yedlin)
    KDB Bruno McTominay Son Saka
    Laca Kane (Brewster)

  26. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Are any of these downgrades worth it to get Rashford over Lacazette?

    A. Tierney >> Holding
    B. Saka >> Smith Rowe

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

      Any downgrade is worth Rashy over Laca

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

    Kdb better option than Kane/Son?

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

      KDB with either Kane/Son

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

        I meant captain sry

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

    People on WC which keepers combo are you going for ?

    Thanks

  29. the vanisher
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If i made 3 transfers (-4) last night and I decide TODAY to use the FH what will my team revert to on gw19?

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

      your -4 will get cancelled
      3 transfers will get included in your FH
      team will get reverted to your team at deadline of last GW

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

      Your team pre-transfers.