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. Legohair
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A or B???

    A. Tierney&Dier&Cancelo
    B. Tierney&Stones& Cancelo

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stones > Dier so B

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

      So, Dier vs Stones effectively? Stones.

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

      So Dier or Stones.....

      Stones if you dont have triple city

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

      B

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

      B, A if just this week

  2. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any thoughts on this one?

    A) Cancelo Dier Leno (Brewster)
    B) Stones Tierney Lloris (Davis)

    Mitchell my only other bench player in addition to the cheapie forward

    1. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

      1. Nice to Finally Michu
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers Werner

  3. sufcben
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On FH Team A or Team B?

    A
    Lloris
    Tierney - Saiss - Dias - Stones
    Saka - KDB - Rashford - Bruno - Son
    Kane

    B
    Ramsdale
    Tierney - Saiss - Dier - Stones
    Sterling - Saka - Son - Bruno - KDB
    Kane

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

    Sterling + Wilson
    or
    Laca + Rash

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

      I'm on A

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

      First one

    3. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If you captain Raz then A, if not then B

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

      Laca rash

    5. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

    6. Bis_78
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I've got B but am now tempted with A

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

      I'm on A

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

    Fill last two spots here

    Pickford
    Cancelo Holding
    Son KDB Sterling Bruno ESR
    Kane

    A) Wilson, Bogle
    B) Aurier, Maguire

    1. Kane Train
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Aurier and Bogle probs won’t play.

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

      Dier AWB

  6. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best Man United defender to bring in?

    A) Maguire
    B) Lindelof
    C) Wan Bissaka

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

      A for me, thoughts above?

    2. dustbin89
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why Lindelof more of an option than Shaw?

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

    Cavani punt anyone?

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

      With Martials recent form?

      1. *Reformed-Character*
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        what form?

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

      Nope

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

    Son (C) or Bruno? Pope back makes me question the latter

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

      Son

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

        Gonna be exciting 😮

  9. wijohnson85
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Play 4-4-2 with Dias
    B) play 3-5-2 with Gundogen

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

      Dias personally

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

      I have the same query!

      1. wijohnson85
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I’m steering to playing safe. Dias is due a goal and Brighton are poor on setplays. I just struggle to see gundogen as a regular goals scorer

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

    Ha second time my post ended up at the bottomed.. Doesn't matter anymore! Good luck all! Aurier to do the trick

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

      I hope so too unfortunately lol

  11. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Getting down to crunch time!

    Anything you would change about this FH team?

    Leno
    Cancelo Tierney AWB
    (c)Bruno (v)KDB Son Rashford Saka
    Kane Wilson

    Forster Brewster Mitchell Bernardo

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

      I wouldn’t have double Arsenal defence.

      Lloris + Holding over Leno + Tierney maybe?

      1. School of Poch
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Great suggestion thanks! I'm not a fan of any defensive double up and hadn't thought of that alternative

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

    Anyone going Bruno and Rashford? I just don’t see there being enough points for both. I see 2-0, 2-1 United

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

      Yes

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

        Covering the bases?

    2. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have both at the moment but I do have my doubts as well. Who is better at Rashford's price point though?

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

        Got to go Bruno!!!!

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

        Not sure

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

      Yep

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

    Who to start?

    A) Lowton
    B) Brewster

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

    Locked in. Good luck all!

    Lloris
    AWB - Stones - Holding
    Son - KdB - Bruno - Rashford - Foden
    Kane - Lacazette

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

      GL. Nice team.

    2. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nice Foden n Rashford punts!

    3. *Reformed-Character*
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I don't see foden playing personally

  15. Evil Greg
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cancelo will play guys.

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

      I want also to know

  16. G Banger
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Last decision (I think)

    a) Dias + Holding
    b) Stones + Tierney

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

      Definitely b. Attacking returns with Tierney.

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

    Any concerns here?

    DDG
    Cancelo Stones Dier
    KDB(VC) Bruno Son Saka
    Kane(C) Lacazette Wilson

    Norris; ESR Fernandez Mitchell

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

    Lost on last

    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

    1. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Still a strong team for me. If you want Sterling I'd go for it

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

      Only if you captain. Think Rashford + Foden could be a better duo over Sterling + SmithRowe

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

      Only concern would be Areola and Shaw cos CS unlikely but rest good.

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

    Stones nailed for Brighton game?

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

      yes

  20. luk46
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    last decision on fh:

    A - Saiss + ESR + Sterling
    B - Cancelo + Saka + Rashford

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

      B

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

      B easily

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

    Sterling or Laca for Just this GW ??

    1. Kryptonite666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Laca.

    2. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling

  22. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish + Bamford to Rashford + McGoldrick for a -8? Feels weird typing it. Please talk me out of it

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

      Don't do it.

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

        Reasoning: you're sacrificing two performing players and spending to get in Rashford who is subject to rotation (on-field, if Pogba is playing) and a forward with extremely limited ceiling. And not on a FH, but long-term.

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

    A - Bruno
    B - Sterling

    1. Kryptonite666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      How is that even a question ?

      1. *Reformed-Character*
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        quite easily a valid question

    2. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Easy A

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

      This week I feel Sterling but I have both

  24. Howmayiozilyou
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench 1

    A. Saka
    B. Stones
    C. Wilson

    Help!

    1. Kryptonite666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      All 3 should be starters imo. Are these your weakest players ?

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

        Yes! On a free hit and need to bench 1

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

      Wow - lovely problem to have. I would be inclined to bench the defender but that is hard!

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

        Just benched Stones (I have cancelo)
        Will probably change a few more times before the deadline

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

    Have AWB on the bench, swap Cancelo out for Dias And start Dias or hold on to Cancelo

    1. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What's wrong with Cancelo?

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

        Peps comments about him being tired

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

    FPL site is down

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

      Unavailable
      Sorry, but we are unable to load the requested page at this time.

      Please try again in a few minutes.

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

        Yes

  27. Villa Velour
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A: Sterling, Wan Bissaka, Kilman
    B: Rashford, Stones, Wilson

    1. FPL Elephant
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B if you want all starters

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

      Def B

  28. FPL Elephant
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A or B please?

    A) Leno and Holding

    B) Ramsdale and Shaw

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

    Brewster brace in the last fifteen minutes in a 3-2 Blades win...

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

      Better not!

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

        I think I would describe this as highly unlikely so you should be fine!

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

    Look ok?
    Can't afford Tierney

    Leno
    Dier Stones Bellerin
    Sterling Kdb Bruno Son ESR
    Kane Wilson
    Forster Brewster Mitchell Kilman