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. JonSnow
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Aguero seems to have disappeared from the app for me? Anyone else have this issue or just me

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

      With Chrome he is there, ecpected back gw 20.

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

        Must be a glitch or something, out anyway I guess, cheers.

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Please don't use the app, especially for transfers. If you must use your phone, open the browser instead and use the website...

  2. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    those without salah, do you get him and for who?

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

      Kane & Son to Antonio and Salah for the DGW

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        for a hit ?

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

          -4 for me. But have to see and scout if Salah is in form or not.

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            not sure it s worth a hit. son and kane have sheffield. tough call.

          2. bitars
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            How will you see that before the DGW?

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

              Good question 😉 Bed time here...

              1. G-Whizz
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                😆

                Night mate 🙂

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

      Would cost me Kane and Son vs Shu. Yet having Salah and Antonio is tempting.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        cheers

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

      I don't know I'm thinking Salah not with it ...

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

        Worth*

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          fixtures arent as good as city thats for sure. will wait how kdb does tomorrow. thanks

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

      Son Laca > Salah Rodrigo although thinking also Laca > Ings and play Son

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        thanks

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

    Really hoping for Arsenal and Spurs cleanies to be wiped. Not got one defender from either. Just didn't fancy Arsenal to keep a clean sheet against one of their bogey teams in Palace. Can definitely see Spurs keeping a clean sheet but couldn't afford any of their defenders so went with Ait-Nouri. Turned out well so far.

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

      Yes, and I have no Arsenal assets and Dier. Still wanting and hoping bad things happen to other is just not nice and polite. I don't like the negativity around it.

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

        This is FPL, hoping for bad things to happen to others is part of the game! 😀

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I hope all your players score tremendously well. But only if I have them too!

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

            XD

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You better not be playing against Fulham then if that's your attitude!

  4. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Worth wildcarding if Leeds and Villa postponed leaves me with only 5 double gameweek players?
    The non-duble players include watkins and Martinez that may not even be fit to play

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      who are your non dgw players ? i m sure watkins and martinez will be fine

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

        Bamford, Raph, Son, Saiss, Martinez, Watkins. All good single fixtures apart from the villa lads to be fair, so could just get KDB and dias for a hit and settle for 7 double player.

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

    template move of the week probably DCL -> Antonio right

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

      Yep. I'll be doing it.

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

      How did he play v the mighty Stockport?

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

    How does this DGW19 FH squad look?

    Fabianski (4.0)
    Coufal Dallas cancelo (pieters mitchell)
    Kdb sterling Bruno salah (esr)
    Bam Antonio Rodrigo

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

      Ok, but not you need that chip later.

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

        Sounds like the blank gw will be ok to go around without FH

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

      Depends if Leeds Southampton is postponed

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

        Well officially not postponed yet so what are your thoughts for now?

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

    Johnston
    Justin Stones Dawson
    KDB (C) Salah Maddison Soucek
    Jesus Vardy Werner

    120 points here i come

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

      Dawson nailed? Not so sure

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

        I'd say he is especially now Balbuena is isolating too.

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

    First draft WC team for Fanteam. Any improvements?

    Lloris, Martinez
    Dias, Cancelo, chilwell, coufal, Mitchell
    KDB, Salah, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek
    Watkins, bamford, Antonio

    0.4m ITB

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

      I don't think 2nd WC is available until after the GW19 double is it?

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

        It's available after GW16 this season, some already used it

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

          I am talking about FPL, no idea about fanteam to be honest

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

          Not FPL Ragabolly on Fanteam, it's not available until GW19 has concluded i don't think?

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

            No idea! and sorry for jumping into conclusions thinking it's FPL

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

              Yeah just checked, on Fanteam it's not actually available to players until after the double FISH&CHIPS ok.

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

        I still have the first one 😀

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

          Ahh ok, doh didn't think of that for some reason?!! I don't suppose many managed to retain it?!! I guess much will depend on Villa & Leeds holding on to their doubles then or not?

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

    I have 6 DGWers if Villa have double (DDG, KDB, Bruno, Coufal, Justin, Grealish*)+ 3 Spurs (Kane, Son, Dier), Wilson and Holding. Plan was always to FH but will it be more valuable if kept for later? Pull the trigger or wait?

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

      I wouldn’t FH personally.

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wait until late on, lots that can happen between now and the deadline

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

    Is Vardy going to be ready for DGW 19?

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

      Ready to explode

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

    For those of you that were planning to BB with Leeds, Burnley defender, West Ham,I actually think gameweek 23 is a better time to bench boost than this week (if Leeds Southampton is off)

    Burnley vs. Brighton
    Fulham vs. West Ham
    Newcastle vs. Leeds

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

      Are they doubles? Cresswell and Coufal with home games for me against Burnley and West Brom feels a lot better. Leeds feels marginally better against Newcastle than Brighton. Only one there that may be better is Burnley but Burnley have 2 games this week and one is against West Ham which could be a cleansheet.

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

    Now that gw19 is finally here, which one would you offload to bring in Kdb for gw19?

    A) Son (can sell at 9.4, currently 9.8)
    Or
    B) Rashford (can sell at 9.5, currently 9.6)

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

      A

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

      Keep son

    3. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      None

  13. Amans94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Repost from last page:

    McCarthy (Johnstone)
    Justin, Dias, Dallas, Coufal (Balbuena)
    KDB, Fernandes, Son, Salah, Soucek
    Bamford, DCL (Brewster)

    Balbuena, DCL, Brewster --> Antonio, Watkins, Targett for -8 and BB?

  14. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So who are the essentials GW19
    Man City def? KDB? Salah? Bruno? Antonio? WHU def?

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

      correct, all of them

  15. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son + Bissouma to KDB + Smithrowe for -4..?

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

    Would you FH this team to the new one?

    Current team

    DDG*, Forster
    Justin*, Coufal*, Dier, Holding, Mitchell
    KDB*, Bruno*, Son, Grealish*?, Zaha
    Kane, Wilson, Brewster

    FH team.

    Johnstone
    Justin, Coufal, Stones. Mitchell, 3.8
    KDB, Bruno, Salah, Rashford, Soucek
    Vardy/Werner, Antonio, Brewster

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

    So FH is played. Feel it was well played as well this GW those who played it.

    Who is BBing or Trip Cing GW 19? Holding? Using WC perhaps?

    Please share.

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not good enough squad for BB, may play TC but nowhere near 100%

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

    Early thoughts here?

    A) Martinelli -> SOUCEK
    B) Wilson -> ANTONIO
    C) Son -> RASHFORD

    DDG
    CANCELO, TARGETT, Bellerin, Dier
    KDB, STERLING, BRUNO, Son
    BAMFORD, WATKINS

    FORSTER, Wilson, Martinelli, Mitchell
    Bank 0.3m, 1FT, all chips

  19. Soto Ayam
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you rather

    A) Dallas home to Brighton and Southampton

    or

    B) Saka home to Newcastle

    ?

    Cheers

    1. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

      1. Soto Ayam
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers. That's where I'm at

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

    If I do DCL > Antonio for DGW19 that means I will have 3 WHU players in my team.

    Is that a good or bad thing?

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

      Was 2 a good thing?

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

        2 was good with Coufal & Soucek i feel but 3 might be playing with fire lol TM

    2. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends on the players. I am between DCL to Antonio and Ings

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

    Is anyone pulling strings on a transfer early to catch a price rise, or are most waiting for Villa game cancellation news before making changes?

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

      Wanted to pull the trigger and FH but not sure. The team is ready and just need to confirm but something stopping me 😀

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Absolutely waiting.

  22. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    before prices change.
    Son + Bissouma to KDB + Smithrowe for -4..?
    ALready have kane

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

      I'd wait if you could afford to.

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

    Kane and Soucek 🙂

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

    Im sure this has been discussed and apologies for not knowing-- but we still do not know about Leeds / Southampton doubles. Seems like most likely they will only have one game each but it hasn't been officially announced? And we don't know if it will be announced prior to gw19, correct?

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

      Nothing announced, given it's a fixture issue vs Covid, news should be out before deadline.

  25. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Risers: Kane (11.1) Gündogan (5.5) Wan-Bissaka (5.4) Soucek (5.3) Leno (5.0)

    Fallers: Podence (5.4) Shabani (4.4) Taylor (4.2)

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

      Cheers 🙂

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

      Thanks Raga - 2+

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

      4 up on FH team lol.

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

      Ty

    5. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers Ragabolly.

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

      Hi -
      which Taylor is this ?

    7. KnightSlayer
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ok Neil Taylor of Aston Villa

    8. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      In years to come we'll look back & say

      "Do you remember when Soucek was only 5.3"

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

    Will we find out about Leeds and Villa games pre-deadline??

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

      Very likely.

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

        Thanks TM, think I might sit back and wait until announcements have been made one way or another. It’s stressful trying to plan your team with all different permutations

  27. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    As it stands, I can field 1 keeper (McCarthy if fit in time, if not then Forster) and 10 outfield players, 8 of whom are DGW players. I have three players on the bench but two are injured (Taylor and DCL) and the other is Mitchell against City, which fills me with dread.

    If I sell DCL for Ings, I would then have 12 fit outfield players, 3 of which would just have a single. Would you play bench boost? If not, would you take a 4 point hit for Taylor and then do bench boost?

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

      Doesn't sound optimal.

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah that is what I was thinking but if I did Ings in (which I have wanted to do anyway) then who do I bench? All my midfield and strikers are DGW players. Watkins is in there but I know he will pull one of those random hattricks or five assists out of the bag if I bench him.

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

          Watkins could easily only have City.

          1. The Big Fella
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah fair. I am going to wait until deadline anyway before buying. I think a lot of people will do early transfers this week and get stung. Cheers!

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

            Hello TM, hope you had a good Xmas down under? why would Villa have a game taken away? Sorry I'm only half paying attention this year as I've more or less given up but don't want a complete disaster OR so trying to steer the ship somewhat still.

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

    Any news on Vardy injury as yet?

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

      It’s his ongoing injury, he’s well rested, should be fine but hopefully find out more in the presser

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

        Oh thanks - he should be fine then but may not play both games or just magned minutes for both?

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

    Wait til the last day before making moves?
    Tempted by Salah, Adams, McCarthy to Kdb, Antonio, De gea

    1. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You're getting rid of Salah?! I would wait anyway. KDB may miss a game as we are still waiting for news on Leeds and Villa.

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

    planned on doing BB in 19 but now not sure-- Fabianski, James, Adams all doubts and might have Son, Adams and 3 leeds all with single fixtures... maybe go Son Rodrigo > Sterling Antonio for -4 pt hit and still BB? No KDB worries me but can't afford Antonio then

    Fabianski* Johnstone
    James* Dias Cancelo Coufal TAA
    Son Salah Bruno Raphinha Soucek
    Adams* Bamford Rodrigo