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. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Johnston Antonio Taylor Dallas

    Would you hit the BB ???

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends if Taylor still out. But I would yes.

  2. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So Leeds now have one or two games next gameweek?

    And now Villa versus everton could be off?

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

      Wouldn't make a transfer until near deadline, could easily be 1 for Leeds and 0/1 for Villa.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Sorted, cheers TM, hopefully we’ll know for definite then before next deadline.

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

      What's going on?

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

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/23166980

    You cant write the script.

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

      Ampadu 9 points are tasty.

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

        epic pic of pedrito in the ucl final

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

          Indeed 🙂

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

      The irony is that you're actually a very lucky manager with some of the picks you go for.

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

        Give me an example pal

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

          Shaw: Rumoured possible injury & probably should have been sent off.

          You're moaning about a player like that 24/7.

          Honestly you're just disappointing to read comments from. I don't get why someone who is genuinely decent FPL-wise wastes so much of him time moping about trying to get people to respond to him, instead of being a bit more positive & helpful to other people.

          It's a bit of a cry for help & attention and you should probably aim to spend a bit of your time doing something better for your own health.

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

            Shaw was always nailed. Ole always claims players are injured when they are not. He was rested for the game. Never a red card and also robbed of a fair assist.

            The rest isn't relevant but probably true.

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

      Looks like you wrote it

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

    Dcl to who for next dgw? Max 8.0m
    Cavani?
    Anyone else?

    1. Crouching Tiger
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If Martial picked an injury, Cavani could be interesting.

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

        Did he? Didn’t realize, thanks

    2. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Antonio? Bamford?

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

        Have bamford , is Antonio starter now? As he only played 13 and 31 min in last 2 games

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

          90 mins in the cup and Haller is gone. Every chance he plays but might not.

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

    #mufc are top of the table after starting the season with 4 days of training, a window where they didn't get their primary target & an atrocious start.

    The fact that this team didn't capitulate, but kept improving is a testament of how good a manager Ole is.

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

      That's not how you spell "lucky".

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

        haha bugger off

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

    All the good defenders this week and I have to pick a 1 pointer. Typical.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I picked a 0 defender, Lindelof lmao, can’t write it

  7. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Robertson & Son > Stones & KDB worth -4 for DGW?

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

      yes for me.

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

      Wouldn’t sell Robbo no, another way?

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Kane? But it’s really cause I want a city defender too great fix’s and best team defensively

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

          Hmm, tough. Just doesn’t feel right selling Robbo for a hit especially when he has a double.
          But would also want to keep one of Kane or Son

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

            Son to Mahrez if you’re feeling proper punty...

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

              Or Kane to Jesus

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

      Yes

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No way

  8. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you take a hit for Pope->Fabianski?

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nah

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

        cheers

  9. Here's Tom with the We…
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Nope

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Reply fail to Wulfranian

  10. Groot the Leveller
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So, what to do with DCL?
    Hes heading for another fall. I bought him at 7.0, so will get 7.4 for him, 0.4 ITB.

    Unplanned FH this week due to villa/dcl means my -4 unravelled.

    Martinez, (4.0)
    Dier, Stones, Diaz, Cresswell, (Ayling)
    Bruno, Salah, son,

    1. Groot the Leveller
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      ....Grealish, (harrison)
      Kane, Dcl, Bamford

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

      Easy sell, prolly going Antonio

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Easy sell

    4. Groot the Leveller
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yup
      want to sell , but who to?
      Antonio - but not playing yet
      Adams..??
      Watkins??
      Grealish + Dcl to vardy and Smith rowe?

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

      Same issue here. Am thinking of Cavani or Antonio as the most likely replacements. But also very unsure about what the game schedule is going to be.

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

      I’m getting Brewdog back so I stop benching Soucek!

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

    GGMU !

  12. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    well 11 from 4 was a a bit of anti climax so far, at least DDG got a cleanie!

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Average about 3

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

    When will Ole get his well deserved Manager of the Month trophy? FA robbing him to give the trophies to frauds favorites like Flopp and Baldiola ad infinitum. The FA needs to grow up!

  14. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Antonio nailed on to start and on pens for the DGW19

    There is a lot of choice up front with Bamford, Vardy, Antonio, Ings and Werner all good options it seems

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

      Nailed!

    2. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Never been on pens as far as I know.

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

      You have to be joking with a lot of choice upfront lol. Werner is a terrible option, Vardy is alright but a little expensive and hard to predict. Ings I like although the fixtures aren't the best but I'm not sure that's much a problem for him. He's also at a slightly awkward price punt.

      Antonio looks the best option and that's despite him probably only getting 60 mins both weeks.

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

      Nah just Vardy, Ings and Bamford.

      Antonio if you want to roll the dice. Werner sucks and his price is too awkward to buy anyway. I'm considering Pulisic or Ziyech though.

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

      Werner lol

  15. El Lobito 10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Just me or is Salah's upcoming schedule a bit brutal? Utd home, Spurs away, City away, WH away Leicester away. Burnley at home no pushover but Brighton at home probably is. All in all, a grim fixture run.

    Was going to do Son to him for double but now looking at Ziyech or Pogba. Which would you?
    A. Keep Son (single gameweek)
    B. Salah (double)
    C. Ziyech (double)
    D. Pogba (double)

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

      I'm keeping son.
      Salah has f-ed my season, not having him for hauls, then getting him and capping him and he does nothing.

      So i know, if I don't get him, he has hauls incoming.

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

      Salah can haul in any game tbh, fixtures don’t really matter for him.

      1. El Lobito 10
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        They do matter

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

      This is precisely why I planned my team around GW18. City's fixtures post 19 were great and Liverpools not as much so tripling up on City made sense.

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

    Salah will smash the points on dgw ...

    1. JaydenLFC87
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      TC?

    2. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nah

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

    Joao Cancelo: "One of the reasons why I joined Manchester City was to be managed by Pep Guardiola

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

      Greatest manager ever

      1. El Lobito 10
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Looool

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

      Benching confirmed?

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

        Scared of the same too

  18. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Antonio now fully fit or will ue come on for 25-30 minutes?

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

      Think is fit.. haller is not there so antonio have to play 90 mins every game

    2. sandman58
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Played 90mins at weekend in the cup
      Full week to rest up for next 2 games
      He's fit

  19. Mweene
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Just woke up..

    8 from AWB and Fernandes. Seems not bad considering the other blanks tonight...

  20. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy
    Cancelo Chilwell Coufal
    Salah (TC) KDB Bruno JWP Soucek
    Kane Bamford

    Steer Dallas Brewster Lewis

    0.4 itb 1 FT

    Thinking Kane to Vardy for 11 DGWers?

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

      If you ur aim to get as many dgwers as possible then wait to see if Leeds Southampton is cancelled before making your transfer so you can consider all of the options

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

        Because Kane am has a pretty good single

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

          Yep just don’t know if I can live without Vardy on a DGW

  21. Jamizz
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    De Bruyne went up in price by 0.2 before GW18 deadline and jumped from 25% ownership to 39% mostly because of those on FH. He's back to 25% ownership, what happens to his price?

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

      Well he is 11.8 now and will stay on 11.8 until he rises to 11.9 (which by the looks of it is tonight or tomorrow night) 😀

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

        That's annoying

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

      Nothing. A fail or 2 and his price will drop quickly.

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

        He’s been quite resistant to drops tbf this season. Even when his ownership substantially dipped

  22. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy (Foster)
    Creswell Stones Strujik (Mitchell Douglas)
    KDB Salah Sterling Barnes (Burke)
    Antonio Vardy Bamford

    No point having good subs as the starters will surely all play at least once and I can't BB after FH. Was thinking maybe Werner or Ings but don't have budget. No Bruno but United may well not score at Anfield.

    Any thoughts appreciated!

  23. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Top of the league top of the league

    1. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      😀

  24. JaydenLFC87
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is it madness to consider Cresswell TC for the DGW ??

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

      Yes

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

    Is Cavani a viable option for the DGW with Martial looking like he has an injury?

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m thinking the same, gonna consider bringing him in for their good run of fixtures if hes confirmed out

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wouldn’t go near him myself. Even with Martial out.

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

      Cavani is an option but at his age and with his injury history you can’t expect him to start every game.

      Even with Martial out then both Greenwood and Rashford can play upfront so plenty of competition still.

  26. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Has Balbuena lost his place now ?

    1. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He is in isolation

  27. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So are Leeds not having a double now?

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

      Not confirmed yet

  28. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi.....I can field this team for - 8 in dgw19

    Players in lower case may only have 1 match....

    Would you bench boost? Not sure I'll be able to get a better chance all season

    Thanks

    JOHNSTONE martinez
    ROBBO CANCELO DIAS COUFAL Dallas
    SALAH BRUNO KDB SOUCEK Raphinha
    ANTONIO Watkins Bamford

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

      You'll get a better chance after WCing.

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

        I think that may be very tricky

        That wildcard will be played around gw25 and will help to prepare for the blanks in 29....

  29. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Those Man City fixtures are mouth watering.

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

    Yes picking Siass and not a Man U defender hurt me tonight

    1. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks for letting us know