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. Millie7
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Yedlin - Dias - Holding - Mitchell
    Reidewald - KDB - Bruno - Son

    Robertson + Grealish > Yedlin + KDB for -4 gives me this??

    will be WC next week

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  2. Kasper the ghost keeper
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mari the best 4.4 and below defender?

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

      Yedlin

      1. Kasper the ghost keeper
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Less rotation risk or better pick assuming both start?

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

          For this week Yedlin

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

      Yedlin for me too

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

    Which one sounds best?

    A) Dias Laca in 433
    B) Gundo/Saka Laca in 343
    C) Rashford Saka in 352
    D) Stones Rash in 442

    Core team is:
    Lloris
    Cancelo/Tierney/AWB
    KDB/Bruno/Son
    Kane/Wilson

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

      C

  4. United20
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed.

    FH team thoughts appreciated

    Lloris
    Cancelo AWB Saiss
    Fernandes Son KDB Saka
    Kane Wilson Lacazette

    Subs: Steer Holding Burke Mitchell

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good

    2. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      ManU clean sheets on the road are kinda non-existent though....

  5. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For -8

    Soucek Dallas Zouma OUT

    ESR Stones Cancelo IN

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

      Soucek and Dallas out before double, why?

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Soucek out is not a good move.

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

      Yeah don't sell the 5.0 goal machine that is Tomas Soucek

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

    Hi all

    Feeling fairly settled on this team. Covers most bases with a reasonable bench. Any final changes required?

    Lloris
    Cancelo - Stones - Tierney
    KDB - Bruno - Son - Neto
    Kane - Lacazette - Wilson

    4.0 / Smith-Rowe - Fernandez - Mitchell

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

      Very solid team with a good bench

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Fine. Like Neto pick.

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

      Thank you

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

      hard to fault
      why Neto? i'm tempted but they don't create many goals
      debating Son vs Rashford

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

      I picked Neto purely to get some coverage in each game and he is involved in most Wolves attacking play.

      Good value too.

  7. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Currently ranked in top 1k.
    Need advice if anyone is willing.

    FH or to not FH?

    My free transfers will leave me with this?

    Cancelo Dias
    KDB(c) Rash Son Bruno
    Wood

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Fh.

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      FH to solidify your rank

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

      Maybe take a - 4 to bolster your team a bit

      Im playing with this on a - 4:

      Dias Cancelo
      KDB Bruno Son
      Wood Kane

    4. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think that will get you by.

      I'd be tempted to try and get an extra player in if poss but I don't think it's essential.

  8. Sean
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    one does not simply sell Soucek

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sean is my favourite poster of all time!

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

    Dillemmas on FH - what do you do?

    1) Laca (3-4-3) or Rashford (3-5-2)
    2) Saka or Gundogan (means only one City def beside KDB)
    3) Lloris or DDG

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rashdoganis.

  10. Heisenberg W. W.
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which option sounds better on FH

    1. Lloris + AWB
    2. DDG + Reguillon

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

    AWB or Tierney?

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

      Tierney

  12. YuvalFPL
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Going with the following for a -4 currently.

    Should I take another two hits to bring in Saka and Holding? If just one, which one should I go for?

    (Martinez Nyland)
    Cancelo Dias Mitchell (Robertson Ayling)
    KDB Bruno Rash Martinelli (Soucek)
    Kane (Adams Bamford)

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

      I wouldn't bother with either tbh. I don't think losing Soucek before the DGW is wise.

  13. I Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Rashford + Stones
    B) Jesus + Maguire

    Have KDB, Bruno, Diaz and Shaw so will be triple City and triple United either way.

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

      A

  14. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anywhere i could strengthen this team?

    De Gea
    Stones Reguilon Tienery
    KDB Fernandes Neto Son
    Laca Kane Wilson

    Steele Smith Rowe Mitchell Kilman

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

      I think you're all set. Similar team to mine above.

      1. Zlatan F.C
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        i've changed Reguilon to Cancelo

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

      Nice upgrade.

  15. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Leeds vs Soton off in DGW?

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

      Not confirmed yet, apparently Leeds open to the idea

  16. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On FH. Price not an option..
    A. Sterling
    B. Lacazette

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A if fit, for sure.

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

      B... Looks OK to start, in form, and facing a terrible CPalace defense. Sterling could be gold, but not sure he will start

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

    Saiss, Stones or Maguire?

  18. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FH TEAM

    Lloris, £4.0m
    Cancelo, Stones, Shaw, (Mitchell, £3.8m)
    KDB, Bruno, Son, Saka (£4.3m)
    Kane, Lacazette, Wilson

    £0.2 ITB

    Would you make any changes to this or GTG?

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

      Bench is risky, looking good otherwise.

      I would upgrade your 4.3 mid to Smith-Rowe.

  19. Michelle Davin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Fantasy League still didnt add Percy Tau.

    Expecting a hatrick from him tomorrow

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

      They did, he is 5.5. Feel free to buy him!

      1. Michelle Davin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        haha too expensive.

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

          Not for a hatty though haha

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

    If I just use my transfers for next 2 weeks I will have 8 players for this week and 10 for the doubles.

    Is there any advantage to using the free hit now? Only advantage I can see is to load up on City and maybe United players?

    What with covid and likely postponed games later on surely its better to save the free hit for later on?

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

      You would want city players and to a lesser extent utd players for both the BGW and DGW so may as well bring then in with transfers, I'm saving free hit

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

      Save it for one of the many future double gameweeks.

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

    Pick 2 from:

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

    1. sthelenslad92
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A & C

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

      B and C, really like Nero

  22. Bullet Eder
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which pair on Free Hit?

    A. Leno + Cancelo

    B. Lloris + Stones

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

      b

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

      A by a mile. Cancelo not optional. This could be the week he gets like 18 points.

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

      B

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

      A

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

    Fellow non-FH managers with less than 9-10 players, what does your team look like and how many hits have you taken?

    My team with -4
    Stones Cancelo Holding
    Bruno KDB(C) Bruno
    Kane

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

      -4
      DDG
      Cancelo Stones Holding Mitchell
      KDB (C) Bruno Rashford
      Kane

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I don't think 2 bruno's is fair. This is me. No hits.

      Cancelo, Holding, Mitchell
      KDB (c), Bruno, Son
      Kane, Brewster

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

      Two Brunos?

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

      Though I did not fall under the criteria, I think you are g2g.
      I took a -4 to have the exact 7 player you have, plus three (at best) who would normally be bench fodder: Mitchell, Brewster, ESR.
      What I am trying to say is your players are absolutely fine 🙂

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

        Thanks, just wanted to compare with other managers in a similar position as me. I have the core players covered. Just have to hope the red arrow is small for this GW

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

          yeah, hopefully we will come away with minimal damage.
          All the best 🙂

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

            Cheers, GL to you too

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

      Can get this with -4

      Cancelo Dias Dier Lowton Holding
      Bruno Son Saka KDB
      Kane

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

      haha apologies, 2nd Bruno should be Son

      Stones Cancelo Holding
      Bruno KDB(C) Son
      Kane

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

        Thats's how I read it for some reason hahaha

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

          haha me too, that's how I missed it!

    7. LSK
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      -4
      Shaw, Dias, Stones
      Rashford, Fernandes, KDB, Son
      Kane, Brewster

  24. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start one:
    A) Fernandez
    B) Saiss
    C) Stones (have Ederson)
    D) Dier

    1. sthelenslad92
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stones

  25. cigan
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi!

    Got 7 players for this week at the moment, looking to navigate through the next 2 weeks with a couple of hits - but there's so many options. Should I really be selling Salah/Robbo seeing it will be very tough to get any of them back?

    Dias Dier Lowton Holding
    Bruno Son Saka
    (+ Martinez, Johnstone, Robbo, Salah, Soucek, Vardy, Adams, Bamford)

    A) Vardy, Robbo > Kane, Cancelo
    B) Vardy, Robbo, Adams > Kane, Cancelo, Wilson (-4)
    C) Vardy, Soucek > Lacazette, Gundogan
    D) Vardy, Robbo, Soucek > Kane, Cancelo, Gundogan (-4)
    E) Salah, Adams > KDB, Wilson
    F) Salah, Vardy, Robbo > KDB, Kane, Cancelo (-4)

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

      2FT - Salah and Robbo to KDB and Cancelo

      2 moves I done was Salah and Robbo to KDB and Stones. I can do Son to Salah in 19 if I want Salah back. Already have Cancelo

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

        How much cash did you have tied up into Salah/Robbo?
        I bought for 12.2 / 7.0

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

          12.2 and 7.2

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

            Thanks - I think I might keep Robbo as it could be hard to get both back next week. But selling Salah looks like the easiest way to improve the team right now so I think he has to go

  26. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Odds on Foden starting?

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

      75%

    2. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Really tempted...but realized he had 3x90 in the last 3 games. On pep's termos its dangerous

  27. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Dier or Holding in my normal team?

    Would be on the bench next GW

  28. MGMT
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Final FT draft, template as it could be...

    Lloris

    Cancelo - Tierney - Stones

    Rashford - KDB - Son - Bruno - ESR

    Laca - Kane

    4M - Tuanzebe - Mitchell - 3.8M

    Any final suggestions?

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

      What if Sterling is fit?

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

        Hope Rash matches what he does

  29. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start who?

    A) Saka
    B) Neto

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

      A

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

    On FH

    XX
    Stones Dier XX

    A. Mitchell & DDG

    B. Yedlin & Leno