Team News

Free Hit managers set to snap up Sterling as Man City declare him fit for Blank Gameweek 18

Raheem Sterling (£11.4m) looks set to be available for Manchester City as they host Brighton in Blank Gameweek 18.

The premium Fantasy Premier League midfielder missed out on the FA Cup win over Birmingham on Sunday because he was “not fully fit” but Pep Guardiola gave a more positive update in his Tuesday afternoon press conference.

The Manchester City manager did not mention Sterling by name but, after ruling out Aymeric Laport (£6.0m) and Nathan Aké (£5.4m), as well as reminding us who is currently self-isolating, he declaring the rest of his squad were “okay”.

“(Aymeric) Laporte is injured, Nathan (Aké) is injured. Eric (Garcia) is solitary, Cole Palmer is solitary. The rest, maybe I forget someone, but the rest are okay.”

Pep Guardiola

That is apart from Sergio Aguero (£10.3m), of course, who Guardiola revealed to be in quarantine. Pep added: “Aguero is in quarantine. I think after nine or ten days he will be back.”

Those interested in Manchester City assets will be encouraged by Graham Potter’s latest injury update.

Brighton will be without two forwards in Danny Welbeck (£5.5m) and Aaron Connolly (£5.2m) for the Blank Gameweek 18 trip to the Etihad Stadium.

Central midfield could also prove a problem for them with Yves Bissouma (£4.5m) suspended, Adam Lallana (£6.2m) ruled out and Steven Alzate (£4.3m) a slight doubt. If Ben White (£4.4m) were to step into the position alongside Davy Pröpper (£4.8m) that could see Dan Burn (£4.2m) return to the back-three even after a torrid time against Wolves last time out.

Everton’s attack could arrive at Wolves at less than full-strength based on Carlo Ancelotti’s injury update on Monday. 

Calvert-Lewin offsets longest goalless streak with another Fantasy assist

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.8m) has been ruled out of Blank Gameweek 18 by a hamstring injury that he carried through the Gameweek 17 defeat to West Ham.

While the Everton manager revealed it was not an “important” injury, he wants to protect the player from doing any further damage, considering he supposedly has very little experience with hamstring problems.

Meanwhile, Richarlison (£7.8m) is a doubt for Blank Gameweek 18, requiring a decision after this week’s pre-match training session regarding an unspecified problem.

“Pickford is okay. Richarlison we have to wait at training today to make a decision. Calvert-Lewin is not available. Hamstring problem. No (there is no timescale). I think soon he can recover. He never had this kind of injury, he was not able to judge himself. He played all the (West Ham) game. This means that’s not an important injury but we want to keep him safe and when he comes back to be 100%.”

Carlo Ancelotti

Wolves are not without their own injury issues with Willy Boly (£5.4m), Marçal (£4.8m) and Daniel Podence (£5.5m) ruled out of Blank Gameweek 18 along with long-term absentees Jonny (£5.4m) and Raúl Jiménez (£8.2m).

Manager Nuno Espirito Santo revealed: “We still have Jonny (injured), Willy Boly out and Marcal out. We have some problems.”

The best Arsenal players to consider for a Blank Gameweek 18 Free Hit squad

Any Fantasy managers worried about Rob Holding‘s (£4.5m) chances of starting in Blank Gameweek 18 can take encouragement from Mikel Arteta’s most recent injury update.

During his Monday press conference, the Arsenal manager revealed that centre-back Gabriel (£5.0m) would have to be assessed ahead of Thursday’s meeting with Crystal Palace considering, at the time, he had not yet returned to training following his period of self-isolation.

“He’s missed a few weeks of training because he had to isolate. It’s better now. We expect him to be training with us and couple of days and we will make an assessment whether we can have him or not on Thursday.”

Mikel Arteta

Considering Holding has started 10 of the last 11 Premier League matches for Arsenal, his place seems safe, while Pablo Mari (£4.4m) has featured in each of the last three when Arsenal took nine points from a possible nine.
The Gunners’ front-four of Alexandre Lacazette (£8.3m), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m), Emile Smith Rowe (£4.4m) and Bukayo Saka (£5.3m) is likely to go unchanged for Blank Gameweek 18 too.
That’s because the Gunners still did not know enough about Gabriel Martinelli‘s (£4.9m) ankle problem on Monday.

“Well, we don’t know how bad (the ankle) is. (Martinelli) is getting a scan this morning. We didn’t look after the game because he was in a lot of pain. Yesterday he tested a little bit better. So let’s hope, we have a scan today, that it’s not serious and we can have him back soon. But we will know more tomorrow certainly.”

Mikel Arteta

Meanwhile, Thomas Partey (£4.9m) could be involved after building up match fitness in the wake of his self-isolation.

“Thomas (Partey) has been in full training for the last four or five days. He’s completely asymptomatic. It would (have been) a little rushed to play him against Newcastle but I think he will be ready for Thursday.”

Mikel Arteta

Manchester United will be able to recall Luke Shaw (£4.8m) and Victor Lindelöf  (£4.8m) for their trip to Burnley tonight as the two players completed a full training session on Monday.

The return of the latter could be well-timed considering Eric Bailly (£4.9m) could only manage partial participation in training following a neck injury in the FA Cup and requires assessment ahead of Blank Gameweek 18.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) could enjoy a welcome return to his favoured left-attacking-midfield role as Paul Pogba (£7.7m) is also a slight doubt for the Burnley game.

“All of them trained today. Paul (Pogba) and Eric (Bailly) didn’t do all of it but Luke (Shaw) and Victor (Lindelof) did, so I’ve got a decent amount of players to pick from. Let’s see with Paul and Eric how they are tomorrow.”

Mikel Arteta

Sean Dyche will have Nick Pope (£5.4m) back in goal when Manchester United visit Turf Moor tonight but will have to make late calls on left-back Charlie Taylor (£4.5m) as well as Jay Rodriguez (£5.8m) and Dwight McNeil (£5.7m).

“Nick Pope is fine, Charlie Taylor is touch and go, along with Jay Rodriguez and Dwight McNeil. We’re still waiting on news for Kevin Long’s ankle knock.”

Sean Dyche

Central midfield could present a problem for Burnley as Dyche must “wait and see” whether Ashley Westwood (£5.3m) and Josh Brownhill (£4.9m) can be involved. Josh Benson (£4.5m), Dale Stephens (£4.3m) and Jack Cork (£5.0m) are available but combine for just 480 Premier League minutes this season.

“We’ll wait and see on Ashley Westwood, Josh Brownhill, Jimmy Dunne and Bailey Peacock-Farrell, but we’re really hopeful.”

Sean Dyche

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder kept his cards close to his chest ahead of the visit of Newcastle to Bramall Lane, grouping George Baldock (£5.0m), Enda Stevens (£5.0m), Phil Jagielka (£4.0m), Billy Sharp (£5.5m) and Lys Mousset (£5.8m). together in one blanket, rather unhelpful, update.

“We’d like to think some of those five will be (available). It will be touch and go on a couple. Hopefully, all five will be available for the weekend. We don’t know on two or three of those players if Tuesday night comes too early for those players.”

Chris Wilder

There were very few injury updates to come out of Spurs and Fulham’s press conferences. Erik Lamela (£5.7m) appears to be available but Jose Mourinho wants to make a decision on him considering the recent off-the-field issues while Giovani Lo Celso (£6.9m) remains out for several weeks.

“He’s injured. He’s out [for] a few weeks.”

Jose Mourinho

Meanwhile, Scott Parker revealed that there were no injury updates in the Fulham camp.

“Everyone is fine. There isn’t an injury update as such. The lads coming back from injury (Onomah, Kongolo and Tete) came out well on Saturday.”

Scott Parker

Crystal Palace’s pre-match press conference for their trip to Arsenal is due to take place on Wednesday – after the Blank Gameweek 18 deadline.

1,140 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Chance of starting - high/medium/low:

    A) Reguilon
    B) Gundogan
    C) Foden

    1. southernrocker1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably all medium.

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

      High
      High
      Medium

    3. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      high
      high
      low

    4. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Medium
      High
      Highish

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

      Why would regulion not start?

    6. Noisy Neighbour
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      My opinion

      A) 60%
      B) 75%
      C) This isn’t UEFA

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

      Medium
      High
      Medium

  2. southernrocker1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling or Son guys?

    Budget not a problem.

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      son safe, raz fun differential

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

      Sterling for me, this week (Brighton) and a sweet double next gameweek.

    4. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      the one who isn't useless

  3. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On FH better option?

    A) Wilson, Bogle/Yedlin 352
    B) Aurier, Maguire 451

  4. SilentLemonMan
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Should I free hit ??

    Dias Stones Maguire Holding
    Son Bruno KDB Saka

    Looks in real need of some strikers but tempted to ride it out with 8.

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd go with that

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

      No

    3. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      miles better than me and I am not FH

    4. SilentLemonMan
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      thanks all - will just hold

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

    Not FH-ing. Thinking about a hit to get DCL out. Is DCL to Wilson worth -4? Any other options?

    Would give me an extra player this week.

    1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not for me
      Low scoring GW imo, hit has to pay off

    2. Ain't No Holebas Girl
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same position and I think I'm doing this move, DCL would have been going anyway and gives me a bit more in the bank for next week, plus an extra player to root for this GW. Wood is another option I guess as he has DGW straight after but not particularly inspiring.

  6. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is this worth it?

    -4 for Salah > KDB this GW
    Grealish > Salah next GW

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

      Yes if KdB is going to be your captain.

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      defo and C

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

      Yes

    4. SilentLemonMan
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yes

  7. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saka or Wilson?

    1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Saka

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wilson

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

    A OR B??

    A) Dias
    B) Cancelo

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

      B - stats and BAPS

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B just

  9. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts? With or without him.

    I know Sterling is great differential on FH but is he worth to make rest of the team worse?

    I mean its about one group players vs other group players. It s not just Sterling.

    I would C him if i bring him

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      you high?

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No. Im chasing

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

    Any chance of a Brewster start?

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

      nah prob cameo

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

        I have 9/10 players, him included. A goal would be sweet.

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

      Yes

  11. Autopick XI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on Fabio Silva for the next 2 game weeks? 2 home fixtures and only 5.2m?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Doesn't look PL level

    2. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      And zero goal threat

    3. Return of the FF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cutrone back might hinder minutes

  12. MGD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    RMWCT:

    11 BGW (With Mitchell and Brewster)
    9 DGW (With Son and Wilson)

    __

    DDG
    Cancelo - Stones - Coufal - AWB
    Salah - Kdb - Son - Bruno
    Bamford - Wilson

    Forster - Smith Rowe - Mitchell - Brewster

  13. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Get Whom ?
    A- Dias
    B- Stones
    C- Cancelo But may he not play

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      still C

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

      A - should be safe all season

  14. Binny
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any advice. On FH.

    Leno
    Cancelo, Shaw, Dier
    Sterling, KDB, Bruno, Saka
    Kane, Martial, Wilson

    4.0, Fernandez, Burke, Mitchell

    0.2 itb

    Cheers

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I swapped Leno & Dier > Lloris & Holding

      Loving Sterling 🙂

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

      Son instead of Martial, downgrade Fernandez to Douglas and then Smith Rowe instead of Burke. Thats what I would do

    3. Binny
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks gents

  15. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Final draft FH?

    Lloris
    Stones, Cancelo, Holding
    Rashford, Bruno, Son, KDB
    Kane, Laca, Wilson

    4, ASR, Mitchell, Kilman

    Who to C?

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

      Your team value must be insane

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        107.3 time to make it count 🙂

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      vgtg

  16. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Wilson or gundogen?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Fancy Wilson

    2. rubberdignerapids
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wilson by a smidge

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      both

    4. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      wilson

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

      personally gundo, Newcastle are pants

  17. Nedvěd11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Dias and Rashford (Already KDB and Cancelo)
    B) Sterling and McGoldrick

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

      A

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. rubberdignerapids
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A for sure because of how bad a pick McGoldrick is. Answer mine right below. Cheers!

  18. rubberdignerapids
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which Free Hit team scores more points?

    A) Ramsdale*
    Shaw* / Stones / Holding
    Sterling* / KDB / Bruno / Son / Saka
    Lacazette / Kane

    Or

    B) Lloris*
    Cancelo* / Stones / Holding
    Rashford*/ KDB / Bruno / Son / Saka
    Lacazette / Kane

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

      B

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

        B

  19. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi.... Which free hit option do you prefer please? Thanks

    A

    LLORIS
    Dias TIERNEY MAGUIRE (YEDLIN Mitchell)
    Kdb Bruno son GUNDOGAN (Smith Rowe)
    Kane Lacasette WILSON

    B

    LENO
    Dias DIER LINDELOF (Mitchell DOUGLAS)
    Kdb Bruno son RASHFORD Smith-rowe
    Kane Lacasette (DAVIS)

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

      A

    2. rubberdignerapids
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A looks like a much better team- answer mine above thanks

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

    Good to go lads?

    Lloris
    Tierney, AWB, Stones, Shaw
    KDB, Sterling, Fernandes, Son, ESR
    Kane

    Steer; Brewster, Davis, Douglas.

    Bench is awful but I'm throwing caution to the wind.

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

      looks good, id think about laca over son just for this week and you could upgrade your def or ESR ?

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

    Yedlin, Mitchell, Reed is my bench. Should I downgrade Saka to ESR to improve it?

    Lloris
    Tierney, Cancelo, Stones
    KDB, Son, Bruno, Saka
    Kane, Laca, Wilson

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

      sounds safe, but you'll kick yourself if saka scores - so hold

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

    On a Free Hit, Team A or Team B G2G?

    TEAM A
    Darlow
    Stones, Cancelo, Dier
    Fernandes, KDB, Saka, Son
    Wilson, Lacazette, Kane

    Bench: Dubravka, Smith Rowe, Kilman, Mitchell

    TEAM B
    Darlow
    Stones, Tierney, Dier
    Sterling, Saka, KDB, Fernandes, Son
    Kane

    Bench: Forster, Brewster, Mitchell, Kilman, Fodder

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

      B with Laca over son and upgrade Darlow ?

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

      TEAM B (fix)
      Darlow
      Cancelo, Tierney, Dier
      Sterling, Smith Rowe, KDB, Rashford, Son
      Kane, Wilson

  23. Autopick XI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best striker to replace Danny Wellbeck? 5.7 ITB.
    silva or Rodrigo??

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

      Rod

  24. Ostrich Baby
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How's this for a FH team?

    Lloris

    AWB Tierney Cancelo

    Sterling KDB Fernandes Saka Smith-Rowe

    Wilson Kane

    Ramsdale Clark Robinson Brewster

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks great!
      Nice bench even

      1. Ostrich Baby
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        thanks! Risky without Son but I'm hoping your Arsenal boys deliver.

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

    9 players after a hit any good this week ? Or use the Free Hit Chip ?

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

      9 is strong. But depends if enough city

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

        Haha! 0 🙁

  26. burnhilla
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Should I save Free Hit with this team?

    Currently 8 players (*) on GW18, but I still have 1 FT and 1.6 ITB.

    Pope*
    Cancelo* - Dier* - Coufal-
    KDB* - Bruno* - Son* - Raphinha
    Kane* - Wood* - Bamford

    Bench:
    Johnstone - Soucek - Dallas - Furlong

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

      save the FH

  27. squits
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rmt please guys

    Ramsdale

    Stones saiss tierney

    Kdb sterling(c) esr bruno

    Laca kane wilson

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ramsdale a bold move!

      Maybe Dier ahead of Saiss? Saiss more of a threat though, could come good

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

        Stretched my budget so had to go with Ramsdale. Maybe save points incoming

        1. Dion D's Solo Shower
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          He might, yeah.
          Darlow another option though

  28. Dion D's Solo Shower
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I know it might drown amongst the rest of the FH teams in here, but if you've read this far, give it a clance would you?

    Leno
    Dias - Shaw - Dier - Fernandez
    KdB - Bruno - Rashford - Sterling - Smith Rowe
    Kane

    Anything you'd change?

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

      Like it!

      1. Dion D's Solo Shower
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Appreciate it, Squits!

        Bench is all rubbish, but what can you do...

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

          Kdb and sterling could be gold!

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

    A Sterling hatty is all I'm asking for this week. He's a pretty big differential generally, but even amongst FHers by the looks of many drafts.

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

      Worth a shot. It's a game after all. Could be very fun

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

    Thoughts on getting both Sterling AND Foden?

    I think either starts on the left, both have high ceiling and looks like at least 1 starts.

    BUT it means no KdB...

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Too crazy, I think