FPL Planning for Gameweeks 16-18

The season continues so in this article we take a look at some FPL planning for Gameweeks 16-18. With the help of the Fantasy Football Scout Members Area we highlight the best teams to invest in, the best players to buy and if we should use a chip.

Our FPL planning for Gameweeks 16-18 can be extremely helpful to fantasy managers. Having a good idea of which teams to invest in and which players to buy could help you claim a successful start season. So, let’s dive in!

Gameweek 16-18 Fixtures

Below we can see the Fantasy Football Scout Fixture Ticker in difficulty order. The teams at the top have the easiest fixtures and the teams at the bottom have the toughest fixtures.

Who has the best fixtures?

Arsenal, Wolves, Brighton, Chelsea and West Ham all rank amongst the top five teams with the easiest fixtures.

Who has the worst fixtures?

Everton, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Leicester and Fulham all rank amongst the bottom five teams with the toughest fixtures.

Best Players to Buy

Arsenal – The Gooners sit top of the fixture ticker for the next three Gameweeks. In defence the cheapest and most reliable in the backline is goalkeeper David Raya (£5.5m). For a little more you could bring in Jurrien Timber (£5.6m). The most reliable defender in terms of gametime is William Saliba (£6.1m), who recently scored in the league. Bukayo Saka (£10.5m) could become a priority in attack for FPL managers. However, fellow midfielder Martin Odegaard (£8.3m) and forward Kai Havertz (£7.9m) could also be good routes into the frontline.

Wolves – Gary O’Neil’ men still have two fantastic fixtures against promoted sides in the next two rounds. Whilst poor at the back, some may still hold hope for attacking full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.9m), especially against two poor opponents next. It could be a great opportunity for Matheus Cunha (£7.1m) to get back amongst the double-digit hauls. Alternatively, fellow striker Strand Larsen (£5.6m) has also proven to be great value, after four returns in his last six matches.

Brighton – Crystal Palace, Brentford and West Ham lay ahead for the Seagulls. In goal is Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m), who could be a good option for those looking for a new goalkeeper. Jan Paul van Hecke (£4.5m) is an option in defence, but the standout could be full-back Pervis Estupinan (£5.1m), who has been producing great distribution data recently. Penalty taker and striker Joao Pedro (£5.9m) may be the pick of the bunch in attack. However, those looking for a midfielder should look to Kaoru Mitoma (£6.5m), who has managed 21 points in his previous three games.

Who else should we consider?

Chelsea – Based on their excellent recent form, and their upcoming fixtures, the Blues remain a great team to invest in. Although ropey at the back, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez (£4.8m) and centre-back Levi Colwill (£4.5m) could be the safest options in regards to gametime. Cole Palmer (£11m) is their standout attacker, but the midfielder is being chased down in terms of goal contributions by forward Nicolas Jackson (£8.2m). Midfielders Noni Madueke (£6.3m) and Pedro Neto (£6.2m) offer themselves up as differential options.

Newcastle – Although unconvincing at the back, the fixtures ahead may suggest potential for their assets across the board. Full-back Lewis Hall (£4.4m) may be cheap enough for managers to back. Most FPL managers will be focused on attackers like penalty taker Alexander Isak (£8.5m) and midfielder Anthony Gordon (£7.2m), with the former being their standout option due to recent form.

Liverpool – The Reds are flying high at the top of the table, so regardless of fixtures, are a clever team to invest in. At the back goalkeeper Alisson Becker (£5.4m) seems to be close to a return. However, whilst Ibrahima Konate is out due to injury, Joe Gomez (£4.9m) could be the cheapest route into the defence. Sustaining excellent distribution data, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7m) could be their most exciting pick, with multiple routes to points. Midfielder Mohamed Salah (£13.3m) remains an essential in FPL, but other than that attacking options are slim due to rotation.

Should I use a chip?

For those managers who still hold the Wildcard chip, you have until Gameweek 19 to use it. With that in mind, it could be wise to use it for the fixture swings ahead.

In regards to the Free Hit, Triple Captain, and Bench Boost, waiting for Blank and Double Gameweeks to arrive could be a wise move. The most experienced FPL managers usually use their chips during those weeks.