After going through all of this sort of speculation, including the methodology of choosing, over a period of years for what became season 11, I'm not getting into it this time around.
As I indicated early on in the TAR 18 speculation thread, what we get this time is going to be based on whatever "pattern" or method of selection the cast that TPRB decide to use. And either it will be cast in a better manner this time around or it won't. I'm not going to spend any of my energy speculating with zero information, which is all we have it terms of specifics. Trying to read the tea leaves isn't productive for me.
Last time around, the route and the tasks made up for some of the casting choices in season 11. I'm just going to sit back and wait and see what comes of it. No stress, no worries!