FPL: Players To Target For Gameweek 18 And 19

Currently, the most obvious choice of playing the free hit would be in the blank game-week, unless you have structured the team in a way that you could use the chip in the subsequent game-weeks. Only ten clubs are playing in the blank game-week, and out of the big six clubs, only 4 of them are playing. In my opinion, if you already have a team full of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool, you’re probably good to cover game-week 18 and the doubles in game-week 19. Though the game between spurs and villa is likely to get suspended, we might be able to witness Spurs play Fulham in the game-week 18. If there is a slight chance of a Spurs game, it makes their players like Son, Kane and Dier lucrative options to keep an eye on.

Man City

Against Chelsea, we saw City run riot as Kevin De Bruyne played as a false nine, and we could see the same for a few fixtures. De Bruyne was involved in 11 goals in the premier league in 14 games this season. Since game-week 13, De Bruyne has created 1.26 big chances per 90 mins and has an xG of 0.48 and xA of 0.56 in his recent run. Since City is playing both their fixtures at home in the double game-week, so is a no-brainer for the captaincy and as well for the Triple Captaincy.The Citizens have an exceptional defensive record in the past run of fixtures since that defeat to the spurs. In my opinion, a double-up of Cancelo and Stones could give you a lot of points in both the game-weeks. 

Manchester United

As soon as it was announced that the Red Devils would play against Burnley in the blank game-week, people would have laid their eyes on a double-up of United’s attack, including Fernandes, owned by no less than 52 percent of the managers. Martial is bought by 5.9% of the managers and has scored 33 points since game week 13, and possibly be a good differential for the blank. Rashford, in comparison to Martial, has scored more goals and has provided more assists this season but, there is no such significant difference between their underlying stats.

Arsenal

Arsenal has improved defensively this season and has kept five clean sheets till now. Tierney is the standout performer of Arsenal’s defense and has excelled in both the offensive and defensive spheres. Rob Holding is also an option to ponder as it is a cheaper option, and he has been playing up to the mark if you are only looking for clean sheets. In the last four game-weeks, Arsenal has played much better and are joint top of the league (tied with Aston Villa) for shots in the box. Lacazette would be on top of the priority list of Free Hit options going into the blank as he has scored four goals in three games. Bukayo Saka has been starting consistently for Arsenal and has returned in each of the past three game-weeks. Valued at 5.3 million, Saka is a profitable option in the blank and the game-week 19 for Bench Boost. 

Leeds United

Though Leeds is not good defensively as they leave a lot of space behind the midfield and get exposed at counters, but has managed to keep six clean sheets against below-par oppositions. Alioski is the kind of player to be targeted as he possesses an attacking threat as a full back. Alioski used to be a doubt to play when the season had started, after a set of injuries within Leeds, he has grabbed a spot in the starting eleven. If you are about to use the Wildcard in the future, he could prove to be a differential as he is acquired by a minimal of 2.7% of the managers and has bagged two goals in the league, doubts may rise over his selection in the future as he was not even starting when their team was fully fit. Bamford is also a must have for the double game-week as he is playing Brighton and Southampton, and has already scored 10 goals and has a xG of 0.6 goals per 90 mins. Raphinha is priced at 5.5 million and owned by only 1.6% could be an option for the bench and has an xG+xA of 0.5 per 90 minutes. In my opinion, there are better options to keep on the bench if you are willing to play bench boost in game-week 19 like Tomáš Souček who is a set piece threat and has scored 5 goals.

Liverpool

Though Liverpool has had difficult results in the previous games, you cannot rule out Mo Salah in a double game week when Klopp’s side would have a rest for at least a week. Robertson provides an offensive threat as well as a cover for their defense playing against Manchester United and Burnley. 

Chelsea

However, Chelsea will also play twice in game-week 19 but at the moment there is too much inconsistency amongst chelsea’s attack at the moment. A safer pick would be a defender like Ben Chilwell who provides an attacking prowess in comparison to Reece James who might be a doubt to play against Leicester.

Leicester City

Well you can’t hesitate to buy Jamie Vardy in a double game-week who has an xG of 0.8 per 90 minutes, but he has not scored a single goal from open play since 5 games in the premier league and his non penalty xG is 0.41 per 90 mins. James Maddison is much more reliable in comparison to Jamie Vardy within Leicester City’s players.

Differentials

As the Magpies will be playing Sheffield United in the blank, Karl Darlow looks the best option to consider when the Free Hit is activated. Darlow has made 64 saves this season and has attained 61 points. If you plan to play Bench Boost, Sam Johnstone is another player to look out for the double game-week to keep on the bench as the Baggies keeper has made the most saves in the premier league. McCarthy would be potentially out in the double game-week due to illness, and in my opinion he needs to be Sold as his fixtures does not seem to be rewardable. Michail Antonio is owned by only 1.9% of the managers, as he has a double game-week against Burnley and West Brom at the London stadium so could be a great differential as a 3rd choice striker. Coufal has an xG+xA of 0.16 per 90 mins, priced only at 4.7 million and owned by only 4% of the managers he is a profitable option amongst other defenders

In my opinion, Free Hit is the only option left to play in game-week 18 as the game between Spurs and Villa would be postponed eventually. Bench Boost might be a viable option to use in the double game-week  in comparison to the triple captaincy as there are a lot teams involved in the double game-week.

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