With Reece James just lasting 50 minutes in his comeback game and suffering another knee injury, FPL Managers are hugely disappointed. James is ruled out for a month as per the official statement from Chelsea- “Reece James underwent assessment earlier today, scan results confirmed a setback with Reece set to be ruled out for up to a month”. In this blog, we take a look at the Best Reece James Replacements ahead of FPL GW18 based on stats and upcoming fixtures.
Link to all our FPL GW18 blogs including Fixtures to target, Predicted GW18 Lineups, Differentials, Captaincy metrics, transfer trends, and more. Completely free to access as well!
Fixture ticker from FFFix and Stats from Fantasy Football Scout
Reece James Replacements for FPL GW18
Our top replacement picks are ranked in order based on the player stats, team’s defense(clean sheets prospects) and upcoming fixtures.
Long-term James Replacements ahead of FPL GW18
1. Cancelo
Cancelo is the most nailed and attacking defender from the Best defensive side in the league as they have the Best Expected Goals conceded(11.28). Cancelo has started all of City’s Premier League games this season except for GW17 where he was benched. His benching was likely due to the World Cup fatigue and should be back from GW18. Man City also have 2 upcoming Double Gameweeks in GW20 and GW23. Even though Cancelo’s underlying attacking numbers have reduced compared to last season, Cancelo still has 2 goals, 2 assists from 14 games this season.
Key Stats-
- Cancelo has the most penalty area touches among defenders(45) this season- A minimum of 1000 minutes
- Cancelo’s GW18 opponent Everton have conceded the most chances(72) and most crosses(181) from the Left flank in Premier League this season. Cancelo operating as a Left back could see this as a great opportunity to haul in GW18
If you have the budget and City slot open with no other fires to put out, go for him.
Further Read: FPL GW18 Tips – Transfer Trends and Best Transfer Combinations
2. White/Gabriel/Saliba
Arsenal have a confirmed Double Gameweek in GW23 and there are high chances(74%) that there is a Double Gameweek in GW21(MUn, EVE). With two upcoming Double Gameweeks and three nailed-budget defensive options available from one of the best defenses in the league, an Arsenal defender is surely required for this run. Gabriel and Saliba carry the Goal threat from set pieces while White offers the budget route.
Arsenal Defense numbers this season– Least Big chances conceded(17), Second most clean sheets(7), 2nd least Goals conceded(12).
Further Read: FPL GW18 Ultimate Guide: Tips, Differentials, Captaincy & More
3. Andy Robertson
Even considering Liverpool’s defensive woes, Robertson still stands out as a great pick due to his attacking potential. Robertson has 4 assists from Liverpool’s last 4 Premier League games. He has also accumulated maximum bonus points in 2 out of these 4 games. Liverpool also have chances of having a Double Gameweek in GW21(Chelsea(H), Chelsea(A)).
Robertson Stats since GW14(Among defenders):
- Chances Created- 14(1st)
- Big chances created- 4(1st)
- Successful crosses- 15(1st)
Further Read: FPL GW18 Differential Picks to Consider | FPL GW18 Preview
4. Botman
Trippier has become a Must own pick and is already owned by 66% of managers. At this point, owning Trippier alone doesn’t help you to increase ranks in the case of a Newcastle clean sheet. Botman available at just 4.4 million is a steal. Newcastle have conceded the least goals(11) in the league this season. Doubling up on Defense from the league’s best defensive team is not at all a bad idea.
Pro Tip-
If you already own Patterson as your Bench defense option, Botman is a great pick. They both rotate really well till GW24 with zero games against the Top 6 teams if you follow this rotation.
- GW18 – LEE (H)
- GW19 – BHA (H)
- GW20 – FUL (H)
- GW21 – CRY (A)
- GW22 – WHU (H)
- GW23 – BOU (A)
- GW24 – LEE (H)
5. Estupinan/Dunk
Even though Brighton’s fixtures are a little tricky, the possibility of a Double Gameweek in GW21(lei, CPL/bou) make them decent options.
Further Read: Predicted GW18 Lineups of All 20 Premier League Teams
Short-term James Replacements ahead of FPL GW18
1. Luke Shaw(till GW19)
Wolves and Bournemouth in the next 2 games are 2 games with very good clean-sheet potential. Both these sides are ranked 17th and 20th for Open play xG this season. Getting Shaw and moving to White/Dunk in GW20 is a good strategy. Latest updates is that there could be a Double Gameweek for United in GW20/GW22 which means that he could be a good long-term hold too!
Further Read: Players close to a suspension ahead of FPL GW18
2. Cucurella(till GW19)
A direct replacement for James whose minutes are nailed due to his counterpart Chilwell’s injury. Cucurella has a Double in GW19 despite involving difficult and tricky games vs City and Fulham. GW21 may be a Double Gameweek for Chelsea with Liverpool(H), and Liverpool(A). It is yet to be confirmed though.
Further Read: FPL GW18 Tips – Transfer Trends and Best Transfer Combinations
3. Matt Doherty- Differential Pick
Doherty is owned by less than 1% of FPL managers and is a great punt if you are looking to take one. He got 2 goals in the last 2 friendlies before PL restart and looks to have taken the RWB slot. He also took up some great attacking positions in GW16 vs Brentford. Villa(GW18) and Palace(GW19) are two teams who like to attack and leave spaces behind. This could work well in the favor of Doherty. Double Gameweek in GW20(albeit a difficult one) is an added bonus. Detailed Doherty analysis in our GW18 Differentials article.
Further Read: Predicted GW18 Lineups of All 20 Premier League Teams
Conclusion:
Depending on your team value and squad structure, you can get a short-term replacement like Shaw, Cucurella, or Doherty till GW19/GW20 and then move to Defenders like White, Robbo, Cancelo, and Dunk who will have Double Gameweeks. Another option would be to get a direct long-term replacement like Robertson, Ben White, or Botman, etc directly who are rotation-free and consistent players.
My personal suggestion would be to for Long-terms picks and focus on the longer run(DGWs). But if you are a manager good at taking those short-term punts, why not try them out! If you have a good bench option to cover for James, you can even roll the transfer and attack GW19 with two free transfers.
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Further reads from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL GW18
FPL GW18 Ultimate Guide: Tips, Differentials, Captaincy & More
FPL GW18 Tips – Transfer Trends and Best Transfer Combinations
Top FPL Gameweek 18 Captain Picks Based on Analysis & Metrics
Best Reece James Replacements ahead of FPL GW18
FPL GW18 Tips & Preview – Breaking Down Key Dilemmas
FPL Gameweek 18 Transfer Tips: Two Players to Buy, Hold & Sell
FPL GW18 Scout Picks with Justifcation Based on Stats
FPL GW18 Differential Picks to Consider | FPL GW18 Preview
Predicted GW18 Lineups of All 20 Premier League Teams
Players close to a suspension ahead of FPL GW18
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Srinivasan S
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