Being a Fantasy Premier League manager at the moment is a thankless task with matches getting called off left, right and centre.
We detailed the challenges facing FPL bosses in this week’s newsletter article and outlined some tactics to mitigate against the madness, including picking a strong bench and naming a captain and vice-captain from different teams and in different games in case any other matches are scrapped at the 11th hour.
As it stands, only five fixtures are scheduled to take place this weekend, although handily given they each have numerous attractive FPL assets, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City are all in action.
Managers struggling to get a full starting XI out this weekend shouldn’t fret too much as there will be plenty of others in the same position. The temptation to take a -8 or more or play the Free Hit may be there, but given the uncertainty at the moment, it seems sensible to avoid doing so if you can get at least nine players out.
Related Stories
Gameweek 18 fixtures
Saturday 18 December
- Aston Villa vs Burnley
- Leeds vs Arsenal
Sunday 19 December
- Newcastle vs Man City
- Wolves vs Chelsea
- Spurs vs Liverpool
Here is our starting line-up for Gameweek 18 which includes an Arsenal triple-up against Leeds and costs £81.9m in total.
Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)
The clean sheets and bonus points haven’t flowed quite as steadily for Emi Martinez this season compared to last, but Aston Villa have shown signs of tightening up under Steven Gerrard. The Argentine has kept two clean sheets in six games since Gerrard’s appointment, ahead of Saturday’s visit of Burnley, who have failed to score in either of their last two away games.
Price: £5.5m Points: 67 Gameweek 18 fixture: Burnley (h)
Joao Cancelo (Man City)
Joao Cancelo failed to make a Premier League start for the first time this season against Leeds in midweek and only due to a suspension which shows how important he is to Pep Guardiola. Cancelo ranks top for shots (36) and second for assists (five) among defenders this season.
Price: £6.8m Points: 91 Gameweek 18 fixture: Newcastle (a)
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
We were treated to some spectacular long-distance goals in midweek. First there was Kevin De Bruyne’s piledriver against Leeds on Tuesday which was followed by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s screamer against Newcastle the following day that almost decapitated Mike Dean. No player has scored more FPL points than Alexander-Arnold (with 67) since Gameweek 11.
Price: £8.2m Points: 119 Gameweek 18 fixture: Tottenham (a)
More from Football
Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal)
Gabriel Magalhaes is the third-most bought defender ahead of Gameweek 18 with managers noticing the Brazilian’s increased goal threat in recent weeks. Over the past two matches, Gabriel has scored, had another effort disallowed for offside and had three shots in total which bodes well against a struggling Leeds defence.
Price: £5.2m Points: 73 Gameweek 18 fixtures: Leeds (a)
Reece James (Chelsea)
A few short weeks ago, Chelsea looked near impenetrable at the back. Thomas Tuchel’s side conceded only four times in their opening 10 games, but have since let in nine in their subsequent seven fixtures to slip behind City and Liverpool in the table. Although the clean sheets have dried up, Reece James offered a timely reminder of his worth as an FPL asset, scoring eight points against Everton in midweek.
Price: £6.3m Points: 84 Gameweek 18 fixture: Wolves (a)
Mason Mount (Chelsea)
If there is one Chelsea player who has shone brightest during their recent sticky patch, it is Mason Mount. The England international has returned in each of his last four matches, scoring four times and providing two assists. Unsurprisingly given that form, Mount is top of the charts for FPL points over the past four gameweeks, one clear of Mo Salah.
Price: £7.6m Points: 84 Gameweek 18 fixture: Wolves (a)
Related Stories
Phil Foden (Man City)
Phil Foden marked his return from a recent niggle in style against Leeds, scoring and providing an assist in a 7-0 drubbing to earn 12 points on Tuesday night. With question marks surrounding Bernardo Silva’s availability, Foden appears to be the standout City attacker for Sunday’s meeting with Newcastle, who have conceded more goals (37) than any other team this season.
Price: £8.0m Points: 61 Gameweek 18 fixture: Newcastle (a)
Mo Salah (Liverpool)
A well-taken finish against Newcastle ensured that Mo Salah matched Jamie Vardy’s record of either scoring or providing an assist in 15 Premier League matches in a row. Salah has a good record against Spurs too, scoring eight times in 14 matches against them.
Price: £13.1m Points: 168 Gameweek 18 fixture: Spurs (a)
Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s absence has opened up a slot on Arsenal’s left wing and Gabriel Martinelli has seized it with open hands. The 20-year-old has been excellent over the past couple of games, providing an assist against Southampton before scoring in the win over West Ham. A no-brainer at his price tag.
Price: £5.2m Points: 37 Gameweek 18 fixture: Leeds (a)
Related Stories
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Ollie Watkins has played the full 90 minutes in all six of Aston Villa’s games under Gerrard and he has been in good form too, scoring three times and registering an assist. The England international combined one of each in the 2-0 win over Norwich in midweek to earn his highest-points tally (12) of the campaign.
Price: £7.7m Points: 61 Gameweek 18 fixture: Burnley (h)
Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal)
Alexandre Lacazette was on course to match Watkins’ return against West Ham after assisting Gabriel Martinelli’s opener before stepping up to take a penalty after being fouled by Vladimir Coufal. Alas, for the first time in an Arsenal shirt, Lacazette failed to convert from 12-yards out. Nevertheless, the Frenchman played well and will lead the line once more in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s continued absence.
Price: £8.3m Points: 28 Gameweek 18 fixture: Leeds (a)
from Fantasy Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3seTk5L
via IFTTT
Post a Comment