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. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FH Team: 3 city 3 united 3 spurs 2 arsenal

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

      4 at the back?

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

        Yes Dias Stones Tierney Reguillon

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeh same here

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        only 1 united for me though

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

      almost the same.

      442? I got 2 united and 3 arsenal instead.

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

        4-5-1

    4. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nice

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

    Kane or KDB capt ???

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I've gone kdb

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

      Kane

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

      Kane

    4. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Feel the Brighton game will be a bit more open.

    5. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kdb

  3. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Where's this talk of Cancelo being out come from?

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

      Just because of posts on here I’ve booted him out of my team

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What kind of logic is this....

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

      Said Cancelo was tired vs Birmingham but also that he is so important to the team

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

      Pep mentioned tiredness...............

  4. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On FH.

    After Pep's comments on Cancelo, do we think he starts or should I go Dias to be safe ?

    Thanks

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What did he say?

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

        Said he was tired in the game Vs Birmingham that's why he subbed him at HT

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

      No. You take the best defender in the game and you don't think twice...

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

      Depends on bench and if you're willing to take risk. I've switched to Dias but many happy to still go Cancelo.

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

    Yedlin or Bogle who have more chance to play (bench)

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

      Yedlin

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

    A) Saiss + Lloris
    B) Dier + DDG

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  7. Harvey Specter
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is basically everyone going for a FH team this gameweek?

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

      Yes

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

        Those who arent like myself, probably tend to avoid the comments section if everything is just FH talk

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

      I had to

      Only had 4 players

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

      Had 4 playing players or something so yeah..

    4. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    5. Wicked Weapon
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks like it. I've left it very late to decide and now my head is exploding.

    6. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not me. I have seven starters with one hit

    7. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I went for WC - have set up decent team for 18, and then potential to BB in 19 if i want.

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

      Na

  8. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This ok for FH?

    Lloris
    Tierney - Stones - Saiss
    Bruno - Son - KDB - Sterling - ESR
    Kane - Willson

    Bench: Mitchell + nubs

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

      Who is ESR?

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Smith Rowe

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

          And whos that

          1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            JFGI

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

            Good morning

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

        Smith Rowe Arsenal

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

      Love it. Similar to mine. Dier instead of Saiss, Yedlin instead of Tierney, Leno instead of Lloris. You've very good TV!

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers, no Rash and Laca a little scary. Would you want Laca + Rash or Sterling + Wilson?

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

          S+W!

    3. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

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

    How nailed is Shaw to start?

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

    Is Martial likely to start?

  11. estheblessed
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captain:

    a) KDB
    b) Laca
    c) Son
    d) Bruno

    ?

    1. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      A

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

    A or B?

    A. Rashford / ESR
    B. Gundo / Wilson

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

    what happened to Cancelo?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Pep said he's tired, and may rest him. Just get him if on fh and have a good bench, upside of him is too high

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

          Never said he may rest him.

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Impliedddd

        2. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          "Last season he struggled a little bit with a new club and new ideas but now he has had more time and he is playing good. He was tired in the last game but hopefully tomorrow if he tries to play he can be better than the first 45 minutes against Birmingham but he was outstanding."

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

        Pick one for this gw ?

        A) lacazette
        B) rashford

      • Drogba Legend
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        FH: G2G or take a punt on Sterling, etc?

        Leno
        Stones - Cancelo - Lindelof
        KDB - Son - Bruno - Rash - ESR
        Laca - Kane

        Fodder - Mitchell - fodder fodder

      • @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Has Jesus hit a hatty yet

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

            Last time he got a hattrick is when the three wise men visited...

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

            I hear he's nailed

        • boroie
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          A - Tierney, Foden (with first sub Brewster)
          B - Stones, Wilson (with first sub Wilson)

        • jamichael
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Do you lose the 1 FT if Free Hit is activated? Thx

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Yes

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

              If you have 2 now, you'll have 1 next week if thats what you mean

          2. On The Up
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Any Burnley fans know anything about C Taylor?

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                3 years, 2 months ago

                The c stands for Charlie

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

              A) Martial, Stones & (ESR 1st on bench for security)
              B) Laca, Cancelo & (Burke 1st on bench)

              advice?

            3. Scholes Out For Summer
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Sterling + Willson

              or

              Laca + Rashford

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

                B

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

                B

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

              Go with 3-5-2 draft with Wilson or 4-5-1 draft with Stones for double City def?

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

              Anyone with 4-5-1?

            6. The Wizard of Ozil
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              A) Lloris & Saka (Shaw on bench)
              B) DDG & Dier (Saka on bench)

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

                A

            7. Drop Dead Tsimikas
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              A KdB and Sterling FH team. Sacrificing too much elsewhere or would you do it?

              Areola
              Stones - Tierney - Shaw
              Sterling - KdB - Bruno - Son - Smith Rowe
              Wilson - Kane

              Bench is trash

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

              PAGES ARE FLYING HAHAH HELP PLEASE!!

              Lloris
              Stones Tierney Maguire
              KDB Bruno Son Saka

              a) Cancelo Rashford Kane.
              b) Sterling Wilson Lacazette.

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

                B

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

              Bottomed..

              This is my FH

              Leno
              Aurier, AwB, Cancelo, Tierney
              Son, KdB, Bruno, Rashford, Smith Rowe
              Kane

              G2g?

              Would love to fit in Sterling/Laca but can't have them all I guess..

            10. The Reptile
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              a) Rashford and Wilson

              b) Gundo and Laca

            11. Snooze ya lose
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Gundo or Dias? Have cancelo already

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

                Im a Gundo man

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

              "Maybe I forget someone"

              Can just imagine Pep smiling directly into the camera & winking after dropping that one