Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 18 Preview – Is Anyone Not Injured?

In this FPL Gameweek 18 Preview we will do our usual top talking points, fixture tickers, should I buy/sell, captaincy corner and my moves.

Top Talking Points

Gameweek 17 – Bournemouth and Luton Points Voided

At the time of writing, it’s just been announced that the Luton v.s. Bournemouth game will be replayed and the points from those players will be voided. Fixtures sage Ben Crellin says there is no rush for it to be replayed.

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It doesn’t seem like it will make a big FPL impact. There aren’t any good assets right now anyway and we just expect they will be less and more boring to watch.

AFCON and The Asian Cup

There are only three gameweeks left until the start of the African Cup of Nations and The Asian Cup in January. It’s time to start thinking about this. Fortunately for you, we have written a comprehensive guide include dates and players that we think will play. We will be updating over the next few weeks. You can find it here. TL;DR – start planning your transfers.

Gordon Injury Replacements

Anthony Gordon is injured. We don’t know how bad it is but Harvey Barnes isn’t far off his expected recovery time and, after this week, Newcastle fixtures take a turn. So, I think you can convince yourself to sell him even if we don’t know for sure. There are lots to choose from but you probably own one or two of them.

• Bowen – He’s the West Ham talisman and getting about 0.5 xGI per game so is a great pick. The only thing is he is a bit more expensive than Gordon at 7.6.
• Sterling – Chelsea have great fixtures but Sterling may only be a good shout in the short-term. He is frustrating to own as he doesn’t return often. But he’s put up double digits against two of the three newly promoted teams this year and plays Luton in Gameweek 17. He also has 4 yellows so will inevitably pick one up in the next game and get suspended.
• Palmer – Palmer is a lot cheaper than Bowen and Sterling at 5.6. He’s been putting up insane numbers thanks to a lot of penalties. His xGI per 90 is 0.75 and without penalties it’s 0.41. Why do we care about non-penaly xGI? Well, Nkunku is close to being fit and he might take them off Palmer. He might even take his first team spot but we doubt it.
• Hwang – I think it might finally be time for me to admit that this guy is a good asset. I just can’t wrap my head around a Wolves attacking asset being good. But, he’s getting 0.49 xGI per game for only 5.7. On the other hand, he has 4 yellow cards and The Asian Cup coming up soon so you will need to transfer him out later. Feels like Gordon or Palmer are better options for the price.
• Richarlison – Could be an option for only 6.7. He’s incredibly frustrating to own because he misses when he shouldn’t but he should be nailed to start up top when Son goes to the Asian Cup.
• Bailey – Number 1 points per start with 7.8 points per start. I don’t really think he is an option in FPL because he doesn’t seem to be 100% nailed and is rotating a bit with Diaby but in Draft he could be a fun pick.

I like any of these guys so its quite hard to pick a favourite so consider your team and risk appetite and pick one. I’d probably take Palmer as the top option just because the fixtures are good and he is so cheap.

On the other hand, you could just hold him. I don’t think this week will be super high-scoring because none of the fixtures are great.

Fixture Tickers

This is a regular stalwart of our pieces throughout the year. We will look at which teams have the best fixtures over the next five gameweeks to help you plan your transfers.

Teams in capitals are home fixtures and teams in lowercase are away fixtures.

Ahead of FPL Gameweek 18 the fixture tickers are looking a little dull. Nobody seems to have a great run.

Defensive Fixture Ticker

Chelsea top the fixture ticker this week. To be honest with you, they only have like three games between now and 29 that I wouldn’t want to start one of them. None of their defenders are 100% nailed but I love Colwill for the price tag of 4.5. Chilwell is injured long-term so that left back spot is available and he can play through the middle. Thiago Silva has played every game this year but he’s something like 83 years old now so I’m not sure he will start every game. Regardless, I think he is a good pick. I have NO INTEREST in Reece James – he can’t play twice in a week and will just get injured again. I can’t be arsed with him in this busy part of the season. Badiashile at only 4.4 is also a nice pick.

Fulham have one of the worst five defences in the league according to xGC and Brighton are incapable of keeping a clean sheet so I would avoid them. Estupinian would be the only one who would tempt me but he’s still injured.

United sit sixth in the xGC table but only Arsenal and Newcastle have more clean sheets than them over the course of the season. I can’t say I’m super interested in their defence either.

Villa on the other hand, are just class. 7^th best defence according to xGC and 4 clean sheets so far tis year. I’d be very tempted with them. Pau has a knock but I think he will be fine. You could check on Thursday afternoon after the press conferences to confirm. I think its unclear whether Cash will start. Personally, I am far more interested in Alex Moreno who is a fucking beast of a player. I’m just not sure he is nailed yet.

Attacking Fixture Ticker

Okay, lets start with the easy ones. Man United assets are too expensive and they are a mess. You can ignore them.

I’ve already mentioned Sterling and Palmer as good attacking assets for Chelsea. There aren’t any others. And, I already mentioned Bowen as the West Ham talisman – Kudus is okay but he’s going to AFCON.

Now, Fulham… They just lost their best attacking asset in Raul Jiminez to suspension. I don’t think there is anyone else I’d consider.

Brighton are a bit of a mess still. I like Mitoma but he’s going to the Asian Cup so he’s not worth buying. They also rotate their strikers so Ferguson, Welbeck and Joao Pedro are too problematic (particularly during this silly season). Adingra is fine but that’s about it. Fine.

Should I Buy?

In this section, we will look to answer the most basic question. Should I buy this player ahead of FPL gameweek 18?

Palmer, Bowen, Sterling – Yes. See Gordon replacements above.

Alexander-Arnold – I don’t think so. He’s got dreadful fixtures. He’s still great but I just wouldn’t. Play the fixtures not the form.

Dubravka – Yes. May get replaced in January but that’s future you’s problem.

Cunha – Not a big fan of this one. Feels like you’re just doing it because there is nobody else.

Watkins – 100% yes. Captain him this week.

Colwill – Yes. Like him.

Sanchez – I’d rather have Dubravka or Raya.

Joao Pedro – No thanks. I like players who are nailed and he ain’t.

Saka – He’s still good but the great fixtures are over.

Son – If you have a plan to get rid of him by the Asian Cup start date then fine.

Solanke – Yeah, he’s been good recently and Bournemouth seem to have hit their stride.

Pedro Porro – Yes. He’s great. Slightly concerned about his output when Son leaves but that’s a future problem.

Kulusevski – I wouldn’t. He has a new role and his out has improved but he’s still been poor for like a year now.

Should I Sell?

In this section, we will look to answer the other basic question. Should I sell this player ahead of FPL gameweek 18?

Haaland – Sure. Just make sure you have a plan to get him back.

Other City Assets – Sure. You might be able to get away with just benching them.

Mbeumo – Yes. He’s injured.

Hwang – Yep, fine to sell..

Andersen/Mitchell/Guehi – Definitely sell Andersen – too expensive and/or you can make a profit. The other two you can bench or sell. Regardless, their good fixture run is over.

Nketiah – Yes. Why do you even have him?

Diaby – Sadly, yes. I don’t understand what has happened but he’s not playing enough to hold.

Darwin – If you just bought him then why are you selling him so fast? I don’t mind selling I just find it confusing.

Isak – Yeah. Even if he isn’t injured, Wilson is fit now too so he’s just a rotation risk.

Captaincy Corner

It’s Watkins. The only guy with a good fixture this week. Salah good option too, regardless of the fixture. But, I just wanna captain someone that isn’t Salah or Haaland and this is a good week to do it.

James’ Move

I am likely selling Gordon for Son. I have loads of money having sold Haaland and I already own most of the good cheap midfielders. Son doesn’t have a great fixture this week but I’m happy to roll with him this week and next and then just wildcard out of him and Salah.

That’s it!

Good luck in FPL Gameweek 18! Hope you all do well and I do better 😊