Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips, advice and best Free Hit squads for FPL Gameweek 18

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Blank Gameweek 18 ahead of today’s 16:30 GMT deadline.

The most important skills to cultivate as a Fantasy Premier League manager is flexibility.

Pro Pundit Sam hit the nail on the head when discussing her plans for the upcoming matches.

The 2020/21 season continues to present challenges – the goalposts moved once again yesterday with more changes to the fixture schedule. But do those changes present us with an opportunity?

Let’s take a look at Legomané’s latest fixture ticker.

This has been updated following Aston Villa’s postponed fixture against Tottenham Hotspur and the hastily rearranged Tottenham Hotspur versus Fulham match, shifted from Gameweek 16. 

There’s talk of Southampton’s trip to Leeds United being moved because Southampton need to play their FA Cup third round match against Shrewsbury – and that must happen before the fourth round matches. 

But there’s also the chance Southampton are handed a walkover because it was Shrewsbury who were unable to field a side. However, at this point in time we don’t know what will happen.

The ‘TBA’ entries are possible slots where postponed matches could be added. These are:

  • Aston Villa v Newcastle (Gameweek 11)
  • Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur (Gameweek 18)
  • Burnley v Fulham (Gameweek 17)
  • Everton v Manchester City (Gameweek 16)
  • Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur (Gameweek 33 – EFL Cup final)
  • Southampton v Manchester City (Gameweek 33 – EFL Cup final)

Given that both Newcastle United and Aston Villa have exited the FA Cup – and their Gameweek 11 fixture needs to be rearranged – it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Aston Villa end up with a Triple Gameweek 19. Although other slots are available.

Looking further ahead, the FA Cup quarter-finals are due to take place in Gameweek 29 and teams reaching that round could see their Premier League matches moved to Gameweek 26. That looks likely to be the next big double Gameweek, with a large selection of teams playing twice.

In general, for teams still in the various domestic and european cup competitions, further postponements are likely. And of course coronavirus (COVID-19) may cause further disruption.

In addition there’s also team news to consider, and a hamstring injury to the highly-owned Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.8m) will no doubt force a rethink for many.

The Best-Laid Plans

With both ‘mice and men’ struggling, assessing the best way forward is very much team specific. 

The Scoutcast provided a perfect example of this with Joe deploying his Free Hit chip, Karam navigating the blank using transfers and Seb undecided. 

For those using their Free Hit this Gameweek, Joe’s side is a good template, featuring triple-ups on Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Joe’s Gameweek 18 Free Hit team

Arsenal, all of sudden, provide a number of budget options. Their improved performances in recent weeks have seen their players appear on the Fantasy radar.

As Neale pointed out in his Big Numbers article, Bukayo Saka (£5.3m) has mustered seven shots in the box over the last three Gameweeks, a total that no other FPL midfielder has surpassed in that time.

And the 19-year-old has been much discussed. David looked in-depth at his prospects against Crystal Palace, where Tyrick Mitchell (£3.9m) has replaced Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m).

David concluded that, despite the change, Saka owners need not be deterred:

There is enough in these numbers to suggest Mitchell has not improved things on the left as much as we might imagine.

But for those needing to squeeze a little more out of their budget, the cut-price Emile Smith Rowe (£4.4m) is a valid alternative.

Despite playing fewer minutes than Saka over the last three matches, [Smith Rowe] has outperformed him for assist potential.

– David

Encouragingly, Smith Rowe came off the bench to score the winning goal in Arsenal’s FA Cup tie against Newcastle United, and he’s been picked out by Pro Pundit Tom Freeman as one of his three differentials for Gameweek 18.

He appears to have established himself as an important component of Mikel Arteta’s side, with Tom pointing out:

What’s noticeable is how much quicker the Gunners move the ball with Smith Rowe in the number 10 role, and having that creative figure in central areas has really helped them click going forward. In fact, since Gameweek 15, no team can improve upon their 6.87 expected goals (xG)

Alexandre Lacazette (£8.3m) and Kieran Tierney (£5.4m) have impressed recently: no player has had more big chances (five) over the last four Gameweeks than the Frenchman, while Tierney’s total of seven key passes in the last three is bettered by just five other Premier League players (regardless of position).

But for Pro Pundit Lateriser, the upside option is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m). On penalties for the Gunners, his form has improved with that of his team-mates. Lateriser made the case:

Aubameyang’s registered 1.42 expected goals (xG) in his last two games, which is the same he managed in five full matches previously. His total of two big chances in the last two Gameweeks is also the same he managed in five full games previously.

His co-host on The FPL Wire, Pro Pundit Zophar, also included the Gabon international in his Free Hit selection for Gameweek 18.

Meanwhile, Pro Pundit Andy explored the option of using the Second Wildcard to set up a strong side for Blank Gameweek 18 and a potential Bench Boost in Double Gameweek 19. Although his article was written when Aston Villa still had a match in Gameweek 18. 

Which Man City Trio?

Elsewhere, form and fixtures have aligned for Manchester City.

Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) was Joe and David’s choice for the armband on the Captaincy video. And Jan Sienkiewicz had the Belgian ahead of team-mate Raheem Sterling (£11.4m) in Captain Sensible:

De Bruyne is certainly the safer of those two considering the most recent fitness update on Sterling but he remains the exciting explosive option considering his hat-trick performance against the Seagulls last season.

Tom Freeman highlighted the improvement at the backRúben Dias (£5.8m) and John Stones (£5.0m) have conceded just one goal in eight starts together.

A double-up on their defence appeals for many, with Joe including João Cancelo (£5.8m) alongside Stones in his Free Hit team. According to Tom, “attacking returns look imminent!” for the Portuguese.

But if you fancied a cheap attacking player then look no further than Ilkay Gündogan (£5.4m).

Karam’s differential on the Scoutcast, a player the creator of Live FPL, Ragabolly, picked out when interviewed by Lateriser and Zophar, and one written about in glowing terms by both Tom and Neale.

His seven shots in the box and four big chances in his last four matches are more than any other City player. And the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder has spoken of a shift to a more advanced position:

… 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

How to cope with a rollercoaster season

Mindfulness coach Dominic Watts wrote an excellent piece last week on how to handle the highs and lows of this uniquely challenging season.

On the face of it, I can understand the view that we should not get ourselves worked up about FPL. After all, you’re picking an imaginary team of real players who get points for you and then getting really annoyed when you don’t pick the right ones.

But if you want to pick it apart, you can make similar arguments about most things people care about. The thing is that as human beings we create meaning. We give meaning to the things that we care about and so if we decide to care about FPL, it becomes meaningful to us.

Without doubt FPL matters to those of us who play it seriously.

In his article, Dominic described how we are ‘time-travellers’ who ride the rollercoaster of FPL. He offered us ways to manage this uncertainty but acknowledged how difficult that can be:

Uncertainty relates quite nicely to acceptance because it’s hard to accept uncertainty. When we can’t accept something, we fight it, and this uses up a lot of energy.

The solution he proposed is to learn to look properly and that by connecting to the present, we will be able to see things in a different light. Well worth a read.

Community Competitions and Head-to-Head Fixtures

RedLightning rounded-up the Community mini-leagues and competitions last week.

The ‘open-to-all’ Fantasy Football Scout mini-league and the Community Members mini-league are currently the top two leagues in FPL. Congratulations to the high-flying managers participating in those.

For the 8,000+ competing in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here, and the fixtures for Gameweek 18 can be found below:

Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

2,473 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Elephant
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A or B please?

    A) Leno and Holding

    B) Ramsdale and Shaw

    1. Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Captain Haddock
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A please

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

      absolutely A

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

    FH

    Lloris
    Stones | Tierney | Digne
    Saka | Zaha | Bruno | Son | Sterling
    Wilson | Martial

    Sanchez | Brewster | Adarabioyo | Kilman

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

      think you need kane

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

    What are Smith-Rowe's prospects for holding his place?

    1. Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Should start

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

      his to lose in my opinion

    3. Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Pep says he was tired in the last game and he mentioned alternatives to him too.

      don't know what to make out of it!

      1. Neo-Viper
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Reply fail!!

  4. Nolberto Solano
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Help complete a FH team. First to 3 wins:

    A) Leno, Stones, Rashford & Smith-Rowe
    B) De Gea, Tierney, Gundogan & Saka

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

      b

    2. Marcin the Pole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A and its not close.

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

      A

    4. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      a

    5. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

    Is cancelo fine to start?

    1. Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

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

      Should be

  6. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    (C):
    A) KDB
    B) Sob
    C) Kane
    ??

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

      Gut call, I am going with A, City exciting to watch when dominant

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

      Im on KDB

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

    Afternoon all. Which FH team do you prefer please?

    A) 3-4-3
    Lloris
    Tierney - Stones - Cancelo
    Son - Bruno - Saka - KDB(C)
    Kane - Wilson - Laca

    B) 4-5-1
    Lloris
    Tierney - Stones - AWB - Holding
    Sterling - Son - Bruno - ESR - KDB(C)
    Kane

    1. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

    TAA to Wan -bissaka?

  9. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Why captain KDB over Kane?

    Me no understand

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

      It could go either way, Fulham's solid defensive form puts me off personally, even though it doesn't mean anything.
      I like the numbers pointing out some stuff, Brighton most conceded penalties is a cool stat, plus expect City to heavily dominate

  10. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What do you think about Aston Villa on DGW19, any risk on players still with covid?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hopefully will become clearer next GW.

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

        I have to choose a GK now.. I was on Martinez

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

    Best 4.5 mid for FH that is not Smith Rowe?

    1. Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      None good enough to start IMO. Anguissa at a push

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

      anguissa

  12. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any update on the Soton/Leeds game?

  13. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Wowza. DCL 817,140 managers already sold.

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He’s on -220.7! Might drop twice

  14. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Should I replace Grealish for a further -4? I have 7.5 to spend.

    1. Vlekz
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nah not anyone who might cover up that hit, and villa have a lot of pending games, you will want him back

        1. Plagued by indecision
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Cheers. You're right. I may reconsider if Villa's game against Everton is called off, but we'll see. Thanks!

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

      Good luck all.

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

      Given peps cryptic comments, who for free hit?

      A....cancelo

      B...dias

      Thanks

      1. Blue&White85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Depends what you want. security of starts Dias, ceiling Cancelo. I personally am jumping on Cancelo but just make sure you have bench options.

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

        Taking The chance with cancelo, Clark reafy to step in

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

        I'm leaning B tbh

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

          I have yedlin on the bench.....

    4. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Should never have done this but started thinking about a team with Sterling. Thoughts?

      De Gea
      Cancelo Tierney Aurier Shaw
      KDB Sterling Fernandes Son Smith Rowe
      Kane

      Subs: Norris, Clark, Brewster 4.3

    5. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      So it comes down to

      A. Saka and leno
      B. ASR and lloris

      1. Nolberto Solano
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A

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

        A

      3. Blue&White85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        If you already own Tierney, B. Wouldn't fancy double Arsenal defence.

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

          I own tierney

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

        B

    6. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is clark nailed? Not in ffs predicted lineup

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

        I’d go Yedlin over him

    7. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Which? A) stones and Mctominay
      B) holding and gundogan
      One will be first sub

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

      Sterling and Smith Rowe or Rashford and Saka?

      1. Kane and Ablett
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Sterling

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

      Reguilion or Dier?

      If doesnt start, Smith-Rowe will comes in (or Mitchell, depending if there's more unexpected rotation)

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

        Dier

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

      Final choice on a FH, which one?

      A) Lloris + Maguire + Sterling + Wilson
      B) Darlow + Stones + Son + Rashford

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

        B

    11. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A. Holding/Wilson
      B. Tierney/Saka

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

        B

    12. Enzo the Baker
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is the FPL website down? I'm getting an error loading the page.

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

        Shaw

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

          Reply fail to below

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

        Yeah it keeps bugging for me and saying connection failure then other times I get the same thing you do and it's jumped me to the podcast page.

        Got a horrible feeling it'll feck up the FH and charge me -40 😆

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

        It's working for me

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

        Same

    13. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Shaw or Davies?

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

      FHers who are you captaining?

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

        KDB, thought even off Sterling, but love watching KDB, even when he doesn't deliver points, it looks unlucky

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

        KDB

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

        Raheem

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

      No news/ strong rumour still on Leeds Southampton?

    16. Ready Manager One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DDG or Darlow?

      TIA!

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

      Worth bringing in lloris or Saka for a hit??

      Will cost a hit to sell too as I want Soucek or Martinez back nxt wk

      Currently on 7 players no hits or chips used...