Metrics

How many top 10k FPL managers played their Free Hit chip for Blank Gameweek 18

Just under two-thirds of Fantasy Premier League managers ranked inside the top 10,000 played the Free Hit chip for Blank Gameweek 18.

Before Tuesday’s deadline, just 15.6% of them had pulled the trigger on a one-week-only squad.

However, as the evening’s first games kicked off, it was confirmed by LiveFPL.net that the usage of that chip after 18 Gameweeks had risen to 78.5%.

That means just under 63% of the top 10k saw Blank Gameweek 18 as the optimal time to play the Free Hit.

It is now by far the most utilised of the three non-Wildcard chips this season.

As a result, the Triple Captain and Bench Boost were largely, and expectedly, left untouched.

However, it is certainly of note that 7.6% of the top 10k played their second Wildcards, almost certainly with Double Gameweek 19 at the forefront of their planning.

After several weeks of planning, we can finally examine the players that made the Free Hit cut among the top 10k.

As you can see from the template above, the small number of matches made for a large number of heavily-owned assets.

For example, Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m), Son Heung-min (£9.8m), Harry Kane (£11.0m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) all secured places in over 94% of top 10k Free Hit squads.

Callum Wilson (£6.6m) has already let down the 70.1% who brought him in for one week only, blanking in the 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United.

Meanwhile, over 60% chose Tyrick Mitchell (£3.9m) and João Cancelo (£5.8m) and 58% felt Kieran Tierney (£5.4m) was worth extra spend compared to Rob Holding (£4.5m).

Therefore, it is up to the relative differentials to make a difference among these managers with roughly 44% investing in John Stones (£5.0m), Alexandre Lacazette (£8.3m) and Marcus Rashford (£9.6m).

It looks as if the goalkeeping department has the potential to make the biggest difference between these Free Hitting managers with just 26.4% ownership for the most popular shot-stopper, Hugo Lloris (£5.6m), in such squads, with Bernd Leno (26.3%) just behind him.

It is also worth considering which Free Hit assets count as relative differentials compared to the wider template top 10k template – although the 62% usage for the Free Hit will have significantly influenced that matrix of players.

Once again, it looks like the goalkeepers have the biggest power, however underwhelming that sounds. 

32.4% of this week’s top 10k came into Blank Gameweek 18 considering neither one of Leno (22.1%) or Lloris (19.2%) has a particularly large share at this level.

Bukayo Saka (£5.3m) could be something of an effective difference-maker for Free Hitters considering 53.9% of such managers decided to own him for Blank Gameweek 18 compared to 43.2% ownership for the rest of the top 10k.

Meanwhile, Rashford and Lacazette are both in roughly 44% of Free Hit squads compared to 33.5% and 32.4% of all top 10k squads.

There are some interesting decisions on display from those taking a longer-term approach with their Blank Gameweek 18 teams.

Holding is preferred to Tierney and Pedro Neto (£6.0m) has been selected by 31% of the top 10k’s Wildcard managers despite just one match in Double Gameweek 19.

And with Manchester United’s kind fixture schedule, Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.3m) was chosen by a similar share, more than the backing for Harry Maguire (£5.4m).

All eyes will be on Manchester City and Spurs on Wednesday concerning the top 10k captaincy debate.

40.8% of managers at this level backed De Bruyne with the armband, off the back of his double-digit haul against Chelsea and Brighton’s growing injury list.

The addition of Spurs’ meeting with Fulham did play a big part in the captaincy conversation in the end.

Kane mopped up 29.8% of the armband support among the top 10k, which left Fernandes with just 15.6% of it for Manchester United’s trip to Burnley.

Even though Son still sits in more top 10k squads than Kane, he is backed by fewer of them for the captaincy for the match with Fulham – just 11.2% of them choosing the South Korean as their skipper.

Raheem Sterling (£11.4m) has been conspicuous by his absence in this article thus far – mainly because he has gone under the Free Hit radar, it would seem.

Not among the most popular midfielders among Free Hitting top 10k managers, just 0.9% of managers at this level have captained him for Blank Gameweek 18.

Statistics taken from LiveFPL.net

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1,155 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Last Man Standing Update

    Current safety score = 1
    Top score = 23
    LMS average = 8.8 (-0.97) = 7.83
    Players played = 3.8/12
    Captains played = 7.88%

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

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

      Still in it. Let's win it

  2. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    VARCHESTER TOP!

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

      Feels good

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheats do prosper afterall

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        If you say they cheated today you are either biased or blind, mate

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Didn't see it today. Ive seen enough this season.

          1. HD7
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            And I saw how Lamela made the referee get Martial sent with awful theatrics... didnt see the fans of other teams sympathise?
            But its normal, so many years, so many teams who have lost at the very end from Man United:)

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

    11 point from 3... -_-

    1. Team Bobcat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thats good this week

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

      5 from 3 here.

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

    GGMU!!!!

    Top of the league juuuhuuuuu!

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

    10 points gets me a green arrow.

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      16 from 4

  6. Team Bobcat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gave Greenwood another chance today. Is it time to move him now. Looks like he could drop. Soucek has nice gw19 fixtures..

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

      Yes and with cavani fit martial and rashford more likely to start either side

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

        Martial done his hammy

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

          Confirmed?

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure why you still have him!

      1. Team Bobcat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He was my differential all along in an otherwise solid team. I am still sorry losing him. Strange

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

          I’ve had this conversation with you a few times and encouraged you to sell. There’s so many differentials out there!!

  7. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    When was last time MUN was top of the league? 10 years ago?

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

      When we won it in 13 I think

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That's right, almost 8 years ago... geez

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

      2017. 3 years and 4 months

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Was that with Mourinho?

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

          Yes

    3. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      2012

  8. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    5pts from 3 any good

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

      12 from 5

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

      Same. Saiss was a disaster. No United defense a rookie mistake.

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

        Exactly the same. Forgot how bad Burnley are

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

          They were shocking . No cutting edge at all until the last few minutes. I'm annoyed with myself. At least I didn't captain Bruno.

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

            Still early days in the gw! Spurs city and arsenal should get you points

    3. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      4 from 2

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

      3 from 2 here.

      Saiss over a MUN def. not sure what I was thinking!

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

        Same here!

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

          Hopefully better things to come for us!

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

    Terrible day for FHers

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not really. Those with Rashford and United defence did well.

      (Non FH here)

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Im not on fh but have utd def. I assumed most have them anyway

        Rashford is almost exclusively in fh teams true but 6 points is an okay return

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

      I'm happy enough with AWB, Rashford, Fernandes plus no Newcastle.

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Shd have said most fh teams then!

      2. Boyd to Sven
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This.

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

      Not really
      They are on 11.45 on average vs. 4.6 for no chippers

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

        FH worth more than 7 points though...

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

          As in the chip

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

          Just two matches played though.

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

            *3, ignore me.

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

              Yeah I’m going on the basis that most teams have City and Spurs well covered already.

    4. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Could have been better, but not over yet

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

      Not the worst but not the best start either. Basically on the Arsenal game now, a 1-0 Palace win with a Mitchell clean sheet and it’s all good 🙂

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

      Pretty much all relies on the Arsenal game on Thurs. Most have 2 Spurs or 2 City anyway. United didn't really punish.

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I don't think so. City game could be crucial, all FH went with 3 City and not all with the defensive double up... also Spurs, most have 2 but a lot with triple up às well...

  10. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry I broke Fernandes. First week in my team.

    1. Im New Here
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      So it was you

    2. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He's played eight away games this season and delivered attacking returns in six of them. No prizes for guessing which two I captained him in...

  11. Rash
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    9 points up on FH so far so not great up to now

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

    Impossible to cap Bruno next GW now
    One YC vs. Liverpool (decent chance given it will be a cagey game) and misses a DGW

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

      Also need confirmation on villa playing city or hard to captain kdb as well

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

        Good point! And that might only come post deadline

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

          Back to salah? Burnley looked awful tonight but might not get hammered

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

    16 from 4. Not sure what I expected from Wood, maybe a jammy assist in dgw.

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

      Did you go through with it? If so well done indeed.

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

    Stop the count, Stop the Prem!

  15. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So now I want KDB and Kane to blank as non-capper. Pfft that's so boring.

  16. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Chilwell to Cancelo?

    Will be priced out after tonight and have no city defenders

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

      Too early for transfers
      You can get stones instead

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

      No.

    3. Team Bobcat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have Chilwell and only for the fact he is droppingI would not be giving him a second thought. He is staying in my team

      Difficult one, coin toss i guess

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

      Ridiculous to do a transfer before Cancelo has even played the current GW and with the COVID situation

      Also Chilwell unlikely to drop - the FHs distort FPLstats, FFFix is better and only says -64%

  17. Team Bobcat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is this a bench boost must

    Martinez Holding Bednerek Wilson

    Bloody wilson..

  18. 2OLEgend
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you BB this if the LEE vs. SOU game is postponed?

    Martinez, Bamford, Dallas, Raphinia

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

      Yes

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

        2, 8, 2, 5. I think thats a decent score for bench boost

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

      Yeah probably. All 3 Leeds at home to Brighton is good.

    3. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Villa might also be postponed

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

      Cheers all! Fingers crossed for DGW for Leeds and Villa

  19. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ole's at the wheel and ohhh we're winning the league.... ohhhhh we're winning the league.

  20. FPL Joker
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I am doing incredibly crap this year despite winning all my mini-leagues last year. I'm playing my WC for GW19. I really need to go for some differentials but get some of the must haves in too. Any ideas?

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

      Invest in defence
      Man city, utd

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

      Differentials: Sterling, double west ham defence and Vardy

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Still long way to go. Stick with it and don’t go too crazy on differentials

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

      Antonio, Pogba, Sterling, Foden, Trent

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

        All potentially explosive too

    5. FPL Joker
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks, guys. I’ll do this.

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

    Utd top of the table is good news, Ole's contract to be extended

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

      I mean... you would think that's the least he deserves for winning the league?

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Have you ever been to Old Trafford?

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

          Easily more times than you've been with a woman

          1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I've never been to Old Trafford with a woman.

            Defensive answer from you..ill take it as a no

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

              No point arguing with a muppet. Mate, I probably own more shares in United than you could ever dram of. Please take your internet sxual frustration elsewhere 😀

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

                Dream* and for the sake of your prepubescent emotions I'll skip spellchecking the other word 😉

              2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                😆 you are just rambling now. Enjoy x

    2. FC Belter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Unfortunately the witty back and forth banter got a bit sour at the end...

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

    Saiss fail

  23. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do we think McCarthy is likely to be back for gw19?

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

      Should think so yes

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably but might only have 1 game

  24. jia you
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    14 from my triple MUN in on WC... not a horrible start to my last minute decision

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

      Well played

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        cheers mate... small mercies this season feel huge

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

          Nice to get off to a good start on wc

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

      The real upside is, that you get to sit down and relax, while FH'ers already trying to work out possible transfers to bring in City players and so on. The headache from the last few days of drafting and following Ben Crellin completely gone now 😀

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        true, might regret not holding it later in the decision but true it is nice to ease through 18 and 19 stress free after pulling the trigger

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          *holding it for later in the season

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

          Ye. I think the FH will come handy in BGW29.
          How is your WC team looking? I am thinking about doing Kane + Rashford -> Ings & Salah (-4) if Leeds - Southampton is on 😉 Gives me:

          Areola
          AWB - Dias - Stones - Coufal
          Salah - KDB - Bruno - Son
          Ings - Antonio

          (Martínez, Holding, Smith Rowe, Brewster)

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I'm strongly considering going without any Liverpool short-term, high risk I know but they've been so poor recently feel its worth the risk...as long as City have their double

            1. jia you
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Lloris
              Cancelo Dias Maguire Coufal
              KdB Bruno Rashford Son
              Antonio Laca
              (Forster Neto Holding Brewster)

  25. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I guess theres plenty of managers who actually want 3 of their players to do nothing, owning Bruno, KDB, Son and Kane.

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

      So boring

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

      Everyone practically

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

        every spoon fed casual

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

      Yeah, particularly Kane as he is heavily captained in my league but not by me.

    4. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I own three and would want all three to haul, just my captain to score highest...horrible way of playing a 'game' wishing assets to blank!

    5. Ruudy Van
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I went Sterling(C) and cavani instead of rashford and Kane. Not a great start

  26. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Did not expect my WC team to match the FH teams this week, but after today I think it will.

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

    Captain matrix

    GW 19 KDB or Bruno
    GW 20 Bruno
    GW 21 KDB
    KdB to Salah transfer
    GW 22 Salah
    GW 23 Kane
    GW 24 Bruno
    GW 25 Bruno

    Thats my pick only one of KDB / Salah plan and keep Kane and Son.

    Boom. Done.

    Who's with me?

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

      Brave man if you captain Bruno next GW!

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

      Wouldn't captain Bruno in gw19. Kdb or Salah

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I can’t even plan one week ahead right now!! 19 can you captain Bruno? Yellow vs pool and he’s suspended. Also need confirmation on villa situation before deadline as don’t want kdb captain and find out he has one game.

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

      Plan was to ditch Son for Salah, but I might Join you. Depends a lot on how each look over next set of games.

    5. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Tempted to try similar

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

    Thoughts on Salah, Adams, McCarthy to Kdb, Antonio, De gea (-8)

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

      KDB may only have a SGW

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

        Game vs. Villa won't get postponed surely

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

          Hopefully not, but I didn't think the Everton would be either!

  29. DROP IT LIKE IT'S HART
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Very hard done there as a Maguire owner. That disallowed goal cost me 9 points potentially.

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

      8 as long as Pogba scored.

      1. DROP IT LIKE IT'S HART
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Still very significant. He was my differential.

    2. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Shocking decision