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. Westfield Irons ⭐️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What GW score are you hoping for this week?
    On a Free Hit, so I want 70 minimum

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

      11

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

        lol

    2. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Whatever the average is, plus 15

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

        Bury usually like -10

    3. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      89 after Kane hatrick

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

      Same. Rarely happens this way, though.

    5. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Anything around 55 is a win. But with only 8 players for me, I'll take a cheeky 45.

    6. LC1
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm hoping for 75+

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

      What if every one else scores 100?

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

        That's fine. Helps everyone clear the dead teams.

    8. Calculated Risks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'll just be happy with the game updated

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

      With 9 players including Mitchell, I'll be happy with 45

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

        Everyones team is exactly the same so it doesn't matter. No joke.

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

      Where did you pluck that number from?

    11. Sean
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      70 about right yep

    12. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      FHers should be aiming for 100 🙂

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

      Think 50-60 is realistic

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

      yeah, about that

    15. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think for BGW 60 would be good

    16. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd be pleased with 90+

    17. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Around 10-15 more than average would do for me.

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

      Average plus 7-14

    19. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      10 below average (no free hit)

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

      As a free hitter, 20 over average. Expect a lot of teams to only have 5/6 players.

  2. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I’ve text me Mum to reserve the tv for 8.15

    She said ‘but spurs aren’t playing’

    Idiot

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Haha

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

    I've seen glaciers move faster than this.

  4. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    just for the record. not updated

  5. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Looking forward to stones, son and Bruno coming of my bench on Monday night 🙂

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      *off

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

    Well, the four player graphic has updated, so that's something.

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

      it was there the whole time.

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

        Yeah, I hadn't realized they actually do that automatically. Damn it.

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

          its changing everytime 😀

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

        oops - its actually updated 😀
        sorry

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

      If you keep clicking on Update you'll see it cycles through different sets of 4 players...

    3. L'Aeroplanino
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      lol never know about this

  7. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    damn these FHers making the game take so long to update

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

      how? what difference does it make?

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

        I wouldn’t be surprised if Free Hit teams double the amount of active teams so that they don’t have to rollback to the previous team after FH.

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

          yeah may be they save it separately in the database so in that case it should make the difference.

      2. The Senate
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        just someone to fruitlessly blame I'm afraid

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

          😀

  8. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Clark to score a header then... Just putting it out there.

  9. zotter
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Right ... site is broken

    Free wildcard for everyone

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

    Watcha waiting for FPL ? circuit breaker ?

  11. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No DGW for Villa or Leeds = bench boost saved
    TC.....

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

      Free hit

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

      confirmed?

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

      Yeah, that might resolve my issue, as well. Would have had to take a hit to avoid a benching nightmare.

    4. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yup!! KDB TC confirmed!!

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

    Finally!!

    1. h3nh3n
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      you are mean

  13. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would be very surprised if this match doesn't end 0-0

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

      hope so

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

    How sad are you lot? Sitting round waiting for a game to update, posting the odd comment on a fantasy site to fill the time. Sad sad sad...

    😉

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

      wait for the whoosh

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

        Didnt have to wait long

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

          heh heh heh

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

      You are no different

    3. Dennis System
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      irony-ometer just exploded

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

      Somewhere out there is life....

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

      I know... imagine constantly refreshing just to see the team you took about 20 hours looking at. Then see a dgw set up for Bb with players that might not even have one now.

      Couldn’t be me :p

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

      What does that make you? Sitting around commenting on us saddos. 😀

  15. toerag
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FPL is typing... 😆

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      hahahaahhaha

  16. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Guess the overall FH played %:
    I think 30%

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

      Less than 10%

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

      Wasn't it announced under 10% a few pages back? Not sure how they have that info already though.

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        oh i missed it but yes if you count the dead teams it may be around that low

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

          700k played it.

    3. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Around 15%

    4. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      50%?

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

      I would guess closer to 40/45% of "live" teams

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

    1-1. Wilson blank, Burke goal, Clarke header. Bookmark it.

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

      You're alright

  18. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    even i gave up the f5 😛 😀

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

    Do we think Man City Villa will go ahead next GW? Apparently Villa Everton is under threat now

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      i think yes

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

        I hope so cause I want to TC KDB

        1. Westfield Irons ⭐️
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I can't remember, the TC chip is not like Free Hit, once you activate you can switch it off before the deadline if you change your mind, right?

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

      Surely that’s safe. Would be two weeks after the Villa Covid outbreak

  20. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The game won't update due to the number of Arsenal players being picked.

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

      LoL

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

      Lol

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

      Circuit Breaker is Triggered

  21. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FPL site gone weak by so many FreeHits

  22. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is it not updated yet or what ? 🙂

  23. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Imagine it never updated. How long before you just forgot about it?

    Sad to say I think I'd still occasionally check after a few weeks passed.

    1. Jealous Viper
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably would give up checking around Thanksgiving

  24. rubberdignerapids
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    From one blank gw 18 to a new wave of BB/TC DGW 19 team drafts...

  25. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So Villa could have fabled triple GW I guess (if the Everton cancellation story is true)

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

      What the second game will be in potential double then, I lost track of the all postponed games...

  26. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Fantasy Premier League
    @OfficialFPL 1m

    Mainframes are rebooting. The game will be updated in the next day or two.

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

      Yay thanks

  27. Old Man
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Chaps (and Chapettes) - please can you tell me on which channel is the first match being shown?

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

      Sky sports

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

        Thank you.

  28. Camino Aleatorio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    welp, did not free hit

    i expect Red Arrows but this is just one game-week in a 38 week WAR

    I have 8 players and nobody else that I really want, except Rashford

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

      Casual

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

        we'll see.

        What kind of life-time Total Season Point total makes you a causal?

        Maybe I am

  29. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    72 mins and game is still updating

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

      Update still has a CS. HOLD!!!

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

        Hahahaha

  30. Tommyg
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What of we all got blind swapped with another players team for the week? It could be a new chip. The roll the dice chip.

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

      i think i wouldnt mind that at all this year 🙄

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

      Along similar lines, except it swops out your 3 lowest scoring players in the GW, with the 3 highest scoring in the same positions (i.e. 1DEF, 1MID, 1FWD), while still maintaining the 3 players per team rule. (You have to activate the chip before the GW cut-off, of course)