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

    Maguire or AWB?

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

      Maguire

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

      I'm on AWB but more people seem to like the Maguire pick

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

    Pick one...

    A) Laca, Neto, Tierney
    B) Wilson, Rashy, Holding

    1. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      very close, but I prefer A

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

      B

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

    Who to captain?

    A: Bruno
    B: KDB
    C: Son
    D: Kane

    1. Orion
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB

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

      Kane {C}
      KDB {VC}

  4. seanie3
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    best combo on FH

    a) shaw & gundogan
    b) stones & smith rowe

    1. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      anyone?

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      a

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

        sorry b

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

          I'm confusing myself, a as I'm playing Gun

    3. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      b

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

    Is Balbuena gonna come back into the team or unlikely with Dawson playing so well

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

    Stupid to WC without BB?

    1. Orion
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yeah...

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

      Nope , nothing stupid this season. Stupids are doing well this season

    3. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not stupid but not recommended

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

    Chances of Brewster starting?

    1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn't worry. its either zero or 2pts

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

        Wondering if he’s worth downgrading DCL for (another zero) to increase funds for next week.

  8. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have to bench one of Wilson or Saka.

    Currently starting Saka.

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

      I’m starting Wilson. Saka first on bench. Theory. Sheff Utd a bigger shambles than Palace.....but not much in it

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Saka on my bench

  9. shady4revr
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Dias Pieters Mitchell Dier
    KDB Son Reed(fulham lol) Bruno
    Kane Wood

    Steer Chilwell DCL Bowen

    1m in the bank, ft made, dcl to laca -4 hit? Or martinez to darlow??

  10. shady4revr
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captain Picks

    1 Kane
    2 KDB
    3 Bruno
    4 Son

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

      I'm on the same dilemma, so many good options. Been on 3 for a while but considering the switch to 1

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

      2 for me

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

    Fellas help me out here

    A: Cavani and ESR (3-5-2)
    B : Wilson and AWB(4-4-2)

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

    Right time to activate , and relax gl all

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      GL

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

    No Newcastle defense for me. Could be a mistake

  14. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Cancelo Smith-Rowe
    B) Stones Saka

    Ty

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

      I've gone A

  15. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is only one playing bench player playing too risky for FH?

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Only you can answer that but for most people (with average risk appetite) that should be fine.

  16. D.Glynn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you prefer on a FH,
    A) Wilson
    B) Neto.

  17. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I've convinced myself a hit for a DGW player is actually free, which it sort of is and it has sorted out some longer term issues in squad.

    -12 and still only 9 (including Mitch)

    Cancel Holding Mitch
    KDB ESR Sterling Son Rash
    Kane

    Hopefully saving the free hit pays dividends...

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

      Good luck on your free hit being worth a straight 20 points elsewhere on the season

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

    Last call

    Shaw + Gundo (Smith Rowe on bench)

    or

    Stones + Saka (Riedewald on bench)

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

    I’m going KDB capt over Kane. Scoreline to be 5-0 or 6-0. Fulham have had late notice but so to have Spurs on this particular fixture. Goodbye and Goodluck

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

    Wan Bissaka or De Gea?

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

    If you ever get one reply only and it's from me. You should probably do the opposite. I seem to have the opposite idea to most on the A/B thread

  22. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A. Saka or
    B. Gundogan ?

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

      B

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

    Current FH team has 0.9 itb

    Leno
    Cancelo, Dier, Tierney
    KdB, Gundo, Neto, Bruno, Son,
    Laca, Kane

    Tripe bench. First XI gtg or upgrade?

    1. Muller Reus Corner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Upgrade leno to Lloris or De Gea

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

        Dier to Holding

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

          2 Arsenal defenders?

          What about Dier? Wondering if Reg or Aurier a better choice. Is Cancelo also even nailed. Tricky...

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

      At the very least put your spare cash into one bench player in case someone in your XI doesn't play

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

    Is Wan Bissaka nailed? Also would you prefer him or Lindelof?

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

      Yes

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

    Can’t believe I’m going without Wilson on FH. Classic overthinking 😕

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I don't think a Wilson blank would surprise anyone. Nor would a Wilson goal of course

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

    Last question
    Which one?

    A) Wan Bissaka
    B) Lindelof

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

      Anybody??

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

      A

  27. BilalM
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best Captaincy pick for chasing rank.

    A. KDB
    B. Bruno
    C. Kane
    D. Son

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

      A

  28. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Help!

    A) Laca and Rashford
    Or
    B) Wilson and Sterling

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

      A

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

    A. Sterling & Saka
    B. Gundogan & Kane

    ?

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

      B

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

    A. Stones, Saiss , ESR, Lacazette
    B. Dias, Tierney, Saka, Wilson

    Thank you so much

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

      B

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

      I have all 4 from A and 2 from B so go A!