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

    FPL are too busy getting their jinxes in...

    @OfficialFPL
    SCOUT: Sheff Utd last kept a clean sheet against Chelsea in GW35+ back in July

    They've conceded in each of their 20 #PL matches since

    Callum Wilson owners = Smirking face

    #FPL #SHUNEW

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

    Brewster might score before this game gets updated...

    1. Aldershot Gas
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Brilliant 🙂

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

      Now that’s just unnecessary jahahaha

    3. Nice Baps.
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I said earlier; he's gonna score one day. Imagine the scenes when he gets a haul

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

    Best option?

    A) Adams
    B) Antonio
    C) Lacazette
    D) Wilson

    For a draft league/longer term

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

    my Macbook battery is on 7%. will it make it till the update ?

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

      on 6% now 🙁

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

        If it apple your need to pay then for the extra 5%

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

      Buddy you are so boring 😀 be patient

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

      It would if it was a PC

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

        isn't mac better than pc?

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

          5%

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

          shhh don't tell them...

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

    Game waiting on Boris to announce a 2 week break on the PL. more to follow at 6pm

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      source?

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

        HP

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

    Why is Everton v Villa under threat now?

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

      The Rona.

    2. Pinturicchio10
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Asteroids

      • zotter
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I would be surprised if so ..... positive villa tests would have been taken about a week ago now. Ten days from there takes you to this Friday

      • Rochdale_Cowboy
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Frozen pitch

      • Patio Kev
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Villa players still got Covid

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

      any chance last minute transfers are lost?

    4. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      https://twitter.com/villareport/status/1349045110856626179

      Shouldn't kept Martinez in my wildcard team 🙁

      Good value they said. He has lot of doubles coming they said.

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

        bye bye Watkins finally

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

        he does. but not now

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

        Cant predict the covid

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

        moved him out for DDG

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

        he will get lots of doubles in the future

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

        Dents the bb, but he still has a lot of games to be postponed, and he's actually good option. If you wildcarded now, it will be difficult to make gk transfers and I would be happy to have Martinez until the end of season.

        1. S.Kuqi
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          True. Saves me gk transfer later.

      7. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Might aswell take a hit to remove him for dgw gk

      8. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Tbf he does have lots of doubles coming

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

        Here's hoping Forster is still in net for the DGW then

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

      its heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeendrick

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

      Looks like it will be updated 5 mins before kick-off 😀

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

        you are optimistic

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

      If leeds v saints is pp im literally sc@$%d. Have 5 players in that game. Grrrrr

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

        Considering WC...

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

        Scared?

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

        Unless Shrewsbury get kicked out pretty sure it will go. Those two teams are easy to plug in later in season with no Europe

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

        Snap!! been planning for weeks to get 15 x DGW'ers for DGW19 and took multiple hits in getting there!!...looks like we might have to cut our losses with a TC?

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

          Not using any chips

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

      DCL on -242% on FPL stats, Salah on -241%

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Really nice especially Salah dropping

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

        can*t sell them all

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

      Wilson to score before the game is updated

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

      Scenes at FPL Towers when they remember that the employee that was meant to click update has actually been furloughed.

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

        Gunnersaurus?

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

      DCL - > Antonio tonight?

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

        has antonio had covid already?

      2. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No Injury prone and covid.

      3. I Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Been so long since I've seen my non-FH team that I can't remember if the incoming DCL price drop affects me or not.

      4. Patio Kev
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Sure as we are in such a stable environment at the moment that it’s definitely worth early transfers to save that £0.1m.

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

        Did it last week, fancied a punt.

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

      Rumours that the Spurs/villa/Fulham change has crashed the servers

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

      If the FPL site hasn't updated by kick off, presumabley no points for Wilson...

      😉

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

      Who did we all captain in the end?

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

        Cenk Tosun

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

        Brewster

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

        kdb

    15. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Fpl has been updating so long that we deserve free wildcard

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

      Rumours the FPL site has developed a new, persistent cough....

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

        FPL site has lost all data ..........complete reset, we are all on zero

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

      I love waiting for things

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

      DONE

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

      dated up

    20. Il Papera
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stuck in a vortex of seeing that the game is being updated to reading about the game still being updated to seeing that the game is being updated to reading about the game still being updated

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

        No longer stuck

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

      WHOA... I JUST SAW MY PRE FH TEAM AND MY A$% FELL OUT 😆 😆 😆

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

      My ML is rather annoyingly on top of things. Of 25 surveyed, only about 5 or 6 noncompeting teams this week. Most everyone else is FHing.

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

      hahah crashed!!!!

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

        i did see the player above me has only 5 playing tho

        nice

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

      Game's broken again.

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

      I've ordered Nandos

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

      This is going to be my first time in years getting out of the second Cup round. VvD (c) dead team with four playing against me.

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

        heheheheheh