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. burnhilla
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Does Leeds have a DGW19 or is it still unclear?

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

      We won’t know before deadline.

      I’d say 80% likely fixture is delayed

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

        Thanks a lot!

    2. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looking unlikely

    3. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Have it for now but match vs Southampton could be moved. Unclear

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

      I think they will go to a SGW

  2. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Chances of martial and Foxes starting?

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Foden

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

      Foxes?

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Foden. Stupid autocorrect

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

      No game for Leicester unfortunately

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

    Steffen or Ederson starting?

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ederson

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

    Lloris
    Stones Tierney Maguire
    KDB Bruno Son Saka

    a) Cancelo Rashford Kane
    b) Sterling Wilson Lacazette

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

    What are the odds Cancelo starts tomorrow?

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      80%

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

      90%

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

      Why wouldn't he start ?

    4. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      80%

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

    Thoughts on my final FH draft?

    Leno
    Dier, Stones, Cancelo
    Son, Saka, Bruno, KDB
    Kane, Laca, Wilson

    Bench: Foster, Yedlin, Lookman, 4.0 defender

  7. Tarzan
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rate my FH team
    Darlow - 4.0
    Maguire - Tierney - Stones - Mitchel - 3.8
    KDB - Rashford - Son(C) - Neto - Saka
    Lacazette - Kane - Wilson

    1. OLLY G
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Darlow might not start.....

    2. dark91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Which of the front 8 will you bench?

  8. Reacher
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lloris
    Cancelo, Stones, Tierney, Shaw
    KDB, Bruno,Son,
    Kane(c), Laca, Wilson

    ESM first on my bench, the rest are fodder

    Thoughts?

  9. Westfield Irons ⭐️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Luke Shaw too risky for a Free Hit?
    WIll he start?

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

      Wondering same!

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

    Best option out of these?

    A. Tierney ESR
    B. Holding Saka

    1. Cowboy John
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

    Rashford, Martial or Laca as a final call?

    1. The Road to Turfdom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rash

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

    Help please.

    A) Smith Rowe and Cresswell
    B) Saka and Coufal

  13. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Laca or Wilson? (For this GW only)

  14. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Fabio Silva or Andy Carroll in a 3-5-2?

    i know both are horrendous so lesser of two evils please!

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

      Big Andy!

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

      I'm not answering this

      1. ShaunGoater123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        ha ha, kinda fair enough!

        alternative is 4-5-1. basically comes down to:

        A) Ramsdale / Holding - 4-5-1
        B) Leno / Silva or Carroll 3-5-2

  15. All about the galacticos
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which scores more
    A) Dias & Saka
    B) Gundogan & Saiss

  16. wantsharptv
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A. Yedlin Stones Sterling
    B. Tierney Cancelo Rashford

    I'm torn

    Thanks

    1. Spg76
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B looks like more points on offer

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

    The person I'm facing in H2H will likely use his FH which would cancel out all my players. Worth taking a risk and captaining Cancelo or Wilson?

    Cancelo Dier Mitchell
    Son KDB Bruno
    Kane Wilson

    I got this team after a -8 hit

  18. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Locked in...

    Leno
    AWB Saiss Stones
    Son KDB* Bruno Rash Saka
    Kane Laca

    Good luck everyone..

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lloris and Holding over Leno and Saiss?

  19. Gazwaz80
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    https://apple.news/AKc20OqDxTzyYgMdDLgPDMw
    I’m confused about Cancelo, will he play the full 90 or not :/

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

      Same Question

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

      He will start for sure

  20. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling worth getting in now he's fit?

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

      He's in my team.

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

        Cool

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

      Massive upside to it

  21. Slim25
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on this FH team?
    Lloris
    Tierney, Cancelo, AWB
    Bruno, KDB (C), Son, Gundo, Saka
    Laca, Kane

    Cheers!

  22. Obi Wan Elokobi
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I’ve just seen Free Hit is trending on Twitter. Fantasy is very serious this year

  23. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Locked in. GL all.

    Lloris (4.0)
    Cancelo Tierney a Saiss (Yedlin Bogle)
    KDB(c) Bruno Son Gundogan (ESR)
    Kane Lacazette Wilson

    🙂

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Very similar. GL 🙂 hopefully Wilson blanks

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

    Repost.

    G2G FH?

    Lloris
    Saiss Cancelo Tierney (AWB Mitchell)
    KDB Son Bruno Gundo Neto
    Kane Wilson (Brewster)

    1. Hog Roast Junkie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good

  25. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Shaw/AWB, Lloris
    B) Aurier/Dier, De gea

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

      A with AWB

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

    Best forward that has two games in gw19?

  27. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will Foden be back to the bench guys ?

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

      No idea. I'd guess start if forced to guess

  28. Hog Roast Junkie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which order would you pick these in?
    A. Maguire (bur)
    B. Saiss (EVE)
    C. Saka (CPL)

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

      CAB

  29. FPLShaqiri
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Got 0.1 extra to spend on FH. What is the best way to spend it?

    Lloris
    Stones Dias Tierney
    KDB Bruno Rashford Saka
    Kane Laca Wilson
    (Verrips/Yedlin/Anguissa/Mitchell)

  30. BinManJack
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    a) Saka & Holding
    b) ESR & Dier

    Already have Tierney

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

      B