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

    KANE OR SON CAP FAST HAHA

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

      Kane

    2. Trane84
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      (K)ane

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      kane

    4. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane

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

      Kane

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

        CHEERS

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

        Kane

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

      K

    7. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane

  2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    i assume cancelo rumour is just rubbish?

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

      Sure

    2. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Well the quotes are from Pep... but I suppose their not mutually exclusive

      1. Volley127
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        They're*

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

      Probably.

    4. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo culture needs to stop.

    5. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The pep comment about him being tired? Troll.

    6. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Got rid anyway. Stones allowed me to get Saïss

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

      what rumour

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

      Didnt Pep said something about him?

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

    On FH

    A. DDG Bellerin McGoldrick
    B. Leno Yedlin Wilson

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      a

  4. FPL FAN
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With a -4 hit, i got this lot:

    Cancelo Stones
    Bruno KDB Son
    Kane

    Am i an idiot because didn't use FH?

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

      nope

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

    Why no KANE in scout picks?

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

      I have the same question. It's little bit weird.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Money

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I have the money .

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Should've given them a loan then

    3. For Fuchs Sake
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The Scout Picks have to keep within the set budget

    4. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      They have a budget they stick to. Think he must not have fit in that budget.

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

      Ah thanks everyone. Makes sense I guess.

  6. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    IS THIS FH TEAM GTG?

    DDG (£4.0m)
    Cancelo, Stones, Dier (Mitchell, £3.8m)
    KDB (C), Bruno, Son, Saka (Smith-rowe)
    Kane, Lacazette, Wilson

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

      Yes

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

      Think you might have left it late if not.
      Looks good to me, but I wouldn't want DDG.

    3. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's pretty much template

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

    Captain
    Sterling or KdB

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

      Kdb

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

      kdb

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

        G2G. Good luck!

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

      I’ve went Sterling as the differential pick

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

        I kept KDB as captain. I do have both.

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

          have both went sterling for potential upside a 4th in ML

  8. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB C let’s go!

    Lloris
    Stones, Cancelo, Holding
    Rashford, Bruno, Son, KDB
    Kane, Laca, Wilson

    4, ASR, Mitchell, Kilman

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

      Nice, what’s that team value, damn

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        107

  9. STEP rOVERS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With deadline looming - Who are you differentials / Punts for GW18?

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

      Cenk Tosun (c) let's go

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

      It's loomed!

      I've gone for both Gundogan & Saka in the XI.

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

        Nice. Raz for me

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

        same gl

    3. Caleb's Kitties
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gabriel jesus

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

        May his shots deflect of Sterling.... Nice Pick. GL

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

      Raheem and also cap

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

        Noice

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

        Same, feels good

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

      Seems no one play Zaha.

      1. Yes Ndidi
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Timing.

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

        Most fell into the new formation makes Arsenal better at defending trap

    6. Yes Ndidi
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wilf.

    7. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Silva

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

    Get Cancelo Or Dias for FH ?

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

      Pens Down :/

  11. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Locked in! Decided to save the FH and just play 8 with a -4.

    Predicted rank drop?

    Cancelo | Stones | Lowton | Mitchell
    KdB | Bruno | Son
    Kane (C)

    In the end felt I was only really missing an extra United player or 2 and Arsenal. But given Burnley away can be tough and Arsenal are well...Arsenal, didn’t think it was worth it.

    Good luck all!!

    PANTS DOWN XXX

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

      To get that 8 out and keeping a FH is a great move.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Hope so, who knows!

    2. For Fuchs Sake
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      even if you drop, you can make it up with your FH later. I only had 5 players, so had little choice.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Fingers crossed, hoping I can use the chips when the whole country is a bit more stable!

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

          Its only valid until May

    3. FPL FAN
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Did exactly the same, but without Lowton. I think we are good.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Let’s see, cheers

  12. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    thanks God its over. Good luck everyone

    1. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good luck man.

  13. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saved FH. No hits. Managed 9 plus Benteke and Stephens.

  14. JelliedSpark968
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Site is still up?

  15. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Still open for me?

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      And gone...

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

      Same here

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

        Now its updating

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

    Final decision!!!

    a) Cancelo Dias Son Saka
    b) Stones Maguire Sterling SmithRowe

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

      Too late

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

      Too late bro.

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

      hahah ugh ok A it is then!! Lets gooo good luck all

  17. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pens down

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

    Im so glad its over! GL!

  19. Kai
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rumors of Pep benching himself

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

      Hahahaha

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

        Oh why Pep, oh why

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

      Bielsa buckets himself

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

    Captain KANE o/

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Here here!

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

    Lucky with high TV, Hope it pays off

    Have absolutely no bench

    Darlow
    Cancelo Tierney Stones
    KDB(c) Bruno Son Rashford Saka
    Kane Laca

    Verrips Mitchell Davis Douglas

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lloris
      Stones, Cancelo, Holding
      Rashford, Bruno, Son, KDB
      Kane, Laca, Wilson

      4, ASR, Mitchell, Kilman

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

        Brilliant, that's even higher

        Did you consider Saka + United defender instead of Wilson + Holding?

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yes, just fancy Wilson tonight.

          Did consider Sterling, KDB, Bruno, Son & Rash but hit the rest & no bench?

  22. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pens down

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

    Pens down, rooster out...

  24. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Well it's time gentleman please!!

    Too late if not ( 😆 ) but G2G?

    Lloris
    Cancelo, Tierney, Saiss
    KDB (C), Bruno (v), Son, Gundogan, Saka
    Kane, Laca
    (Steer) (Wilson, Clark, Douglas)

    GL to all!

    1. RVP 20
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Have the same team! Only Foden in place of Gundogan..
      Good luck!

  25. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thank god that's over!

    Good luck all (especially those that went Lacazette over Rashford and Stones over Cancelo 😉 )

  26. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bale's time

  27. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ended up with Ramsdale and Sterling on a FH. I must have lost my mind.

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

      Ha i was on Ramsdale for a while, couldn't bring myself to do it in the end

      Sterling captain though

  28. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cancelo 20 pointer incoming this week lads

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

      20 mins...

  29. JelliedSpark968
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Went Cavani last minute, should be fun

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

      Should start if rumours are to go by. Nice punt.

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

      Same here. Good luck to us!

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

    It's over ... WC done, what am I doing? 😆

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good luck, thanks for your help