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. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else considering Foden (3-5-2) over Wilson (3-4-3)?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Considering Neto actually

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

      On FH he is a great option. I would say even better than Wilson. But most wont agree.

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

        Wilson goal involvement is % is really high.

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

          Watch Sheffield fight for their lives this GW.

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

        Cheers Loon, gonna punt on him instead of Wilson....

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

          Purely based on hunch!

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

    Is Stones fairly nailed?

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

      Yes

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

        Cheers....he’s not too far behind Dias and Cancelo in terms of decent options?

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

          Think I'll go with him and save some money.

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

      Completely

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

      yep he's a rock

    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers all...

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

      Yeah he’s flying atm

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

      Picking him over the more popular Cancelo and using that extremely valuable 0.8

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

    Will we get a Shaw update? Could be a nice punt with how attacking he can be

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

      He is back in full training.

  4. The Greenback Boogie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thinking about WC'ing now to get the best out of both GWs.

    De Gea*
    Stones* - Tierney* - Yedlin*
    Salah - Bruno* - Sterling* - Son* - Smith-Rowe*
    Kane* - Bamford

    Forster - Mitchell* - Coufal - Brewster*

    So I can get 10 players this week and have 7 for next week plus Kane and Son who have a good fixture. Thoughts?

  5. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Tierney, Saka, Lacazette too much for Arsenal cover...?
    Or Swap Lcazette with Rashford and change to 352...? (Bruno is only ManU cover)

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

    Lascelles playing this GW?

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

    How are people making the call on when to use their FHs?

    1. Leonard hatred
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Covid has made it a bit awkward. Personally I've got a 7 player stop-loss. If I can only field 7 effective players (considering bench risks and filler as non-players) I'll FH.

      Not hit that yet (well except for the week my dbl city dbl spurs didn't play) but thats my target.

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

    Any update on Wilson since this?

    Jan 9
    Callum Wilson & Jonjo Shelvey withdrawn from NUFC squad as a “precaution”. They flew down to London with squad yesterday. Club hoping they will be back for Tuesday at Sheff Utd.

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

      No update by Bruce. But he was pictured in training yesterday.

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

        Cheers. Wouldn't be massively surprising if he is on the bench then?

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

    Best 4.7m or less GK as back up for Lloris - on FH18?

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

      Rams

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

        Ah yeah, good call cheers....

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

    RMT FH

    Lloris,
    Maguire, Dias, Cancelo, Tierney
    Saka, KDB, Bruno, Son
    Kane, Lacazette

    Subs - 4.0, Basham, Brewster, Burke

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

      Excellent

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

      Very strong, and like the 4-4-2.

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

        thanks mate

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

    Wilson or Neto?
    tempted by neto punt, however Wilson return will hurt rank a lot more
    also anyone else not going Son Kane double? Feel Kane is better at home and looking at Rashford instead

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

      Neto, fun punt on a free hit, passes the eye test

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

      It's only a 7% difference in ownership between those 2.

    3. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wilson for me

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Potential number of Sheffield defenders missing through injury

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

      Prefer Neto, but more of a gut thing (sorry, probs wanted that backing up better!). Happy holding both Spuds in my FH team, but managed to squeeze in Rash too, so don's have same dilemma. Good luck!

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

    Who's the best £4.6M defender for the bench to complete this FH squad? Thinking Clark or SHU def?

    Thanks.

    Darlow,
    Holding, Cancelo, Saiss
    Bruno, Son, KDB, Rashford, Saka
    Lacazette, Kane
    (Forster, Brewster, xxx, Mitchell)

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

      Would look at Yedlin

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

    How many players do you have playing today?

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

    AWB or Maguire a better option on free hit?

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

      AWB for me, offers more attacking threat from assist potential

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

    Best pick on FH?

    A. Stones+Saka
    B. Shaw+Gündogan

    Lloris
    Cancelo, Tierney, XXX
    KDB, Bruno, Son, XXX
    Kane, Wilson, Laca
    (4.0, Clark, Mitchell, Burke)

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

      Stones and Saka are the more likely starters and Man City defender > Man Utd defender

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

      A

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

      A

    4. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  16. Tingate
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    -8 can get me this, save Free Hit? Also, if I hit Free Hit i'll need to take a -8 next week to get the City players in anyway.

    Guaita
    Cancelo - Mitchell - Dias
    KDB - Fernandes - Burke
    Lacazette

    Thanks!

    1. Millie7
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      looks fine. doing similar myself

  17. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which option is better??
    A) FH

    B) Start 7 players plus a -4 hit (Pope Dias Anguissa KDB Bruno Son Kane)

  18. Redranger
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1) Leno & AWB
    2) DDG & Holding?

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

      1 for me, covering both defences and AWB offers more attacking threat

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

        Yeah, that was I was thinking. Got 1) on my FH already

  19. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This is what I'm thinking currently

    DDG
    Cancelo Tierney Reguilon
    Bruno son KDB Saka Gundo
    Kane Lacca

    Yedlin Mitchell Brewster

    No rashford is my biggest issue but can't quite find an easy route. Do have little in the bank.

  20. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rashford at home this season 1G0A in 9 games

    Rashford away this season 6G4A in 7 games

    Why is no one talking about this?! 4 out of his next 5 are away...

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Leaning towards Rashford over Son atm in my wildcard team. Away form and one extra fixture

      Then easy swap back for Son in gw21

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

      United players are generally crap playing at home

    3. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Have to wonder how much of an impact home vs away actually has while games are being played behind closed doors.

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

    Will Tosun start?

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

    So, what's happening with the Leeds-Saints DGW game? Is it happening or still big doubts about it?

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

    Would you rather have Rashford or Lacazette this gw?

  24. Spurrsy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any ideas, I'm so lost predicting future GWs this season.

    Martinez (Forster)
    Dias, Mitchell, Coufal, Dallas, Bednarek
    Salah, Son, Bruno, Soucek, Raphina
    Kane, Bamford, Adams

    A. FH

    B. Forster, Salah and Raphina out (-8) for Ederson, De Bruyne and Smith Rowe. Makes 8 players for WK 18.. and potential setup for bench boost WK 19 (will just change mitchel most likely with my FT before 19)

  25. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Leave out Fernandes free hit? Sterling instead

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

      It doesn't matter much if you're not gonna cap either

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

        Huh? Check ows

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

          ows? Probably only the captain points gonna matter since everyone's players are mostly template. If you're capping kane or kdb it doesn't matter whether you pick bruno or sterling.

    2. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rather have McGoldrick up front than go Bruno-less.

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

    Is it confirmed that Leeds Southampton will be moved out of gw 19?

  27. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saiss not in many teams?

  28. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rate my freehit team please?

    Leno
    Tierney, Stones, Dier
    De Bruyne, Bruno, Son, Gundogan
    Kane, Wilson, Lacazette
    Bench:
    Forster, Mctominay, Mitchell, yedlin

    Any suggestion would be appreciated?

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

    Asked why Wilson and Shelvey were not involved against Arsenal, Bruce said: “Purely precaution. Hopefully, we’ll leave it with the medical people, and (they will) be ready for Tuesday.”

    Anyone else rethinking the Wilson pick because of this slight uncertainty?

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He trained yesterday with the squad.

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

        I know, small chance of a benching if not 100%

  30. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rashford or Lacazette on FH. First to 5 wins. Go!

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

      Laca