FPL Gameweek 18 preview: Every player you need to think about | indy100

Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool celebrates during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 20, 2025 in London, England

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The festive period means there's lots of Premier League action to look forward to and a lot for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers to juggle - all while tucking into tantalising turkey (or perhaps Wellington or other delicious alternatives if you're vegetarian or vegan), marvellous mince pies or great grog.

But fear not, we'll have you covered with our picks throughout. To give you a heads up, expect our Gameweek 19 preview on 30 December and our Gameweek 20 piece on 2 January 2026. To note, this Gameweek 18 preview was written on Tuesday (23 December) before the Carabao Cup quarter-final between Arsenal and Crystal Palace.

A reminder that chips reset ahead of Gameweek 20, so make sure you've used every one by the end of Gameweek 19 otherwise you'll lose them.

WHY NOT READ: The best Fantasy Premier League team names and how to change it

Gameweek 19 starts with Manchester United v Newcastle United kicking off on Boxing Day (Friday 26 December) at 8pm GMT (3pm ET / 12noon PT) and the FPL deadline closes 90 minutes before then (6.30pm GMT / 1.30pm ET / 10.30am PT).

It can be tricky knowing if it's best to stick or twist, who to bring in for each Gameweek. But indy100 will have you covered through the whole season ahead of every one - taking fixtures, form, how well players do against specific clubs and more into account.

Here's our guide on who to pick for FPL Gameweek 18.

Best Gameweek 18 goalkeeper picks

Focusing on the short term, Liverpool's Alisson (£5.4m) seems the most likely candidate to return in the net as the Reds host Wolves next.

Manchester City have kept three clean sheets in their last three league games and with no red fixture in their next seven, Gianluigi Donnarumma (£5.7m) might be a stronger premium pick for the longer term.

Everton's Jordan Pickford (£5.5m) is the third-highest FPL scoring goalkeeper and the Toffees travel to Burnley next where he could scoop a load of points once more.

Best Gameweek 18 defender picks

The top scoring defender at the moment is Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah (£5.5m) but the Blues have Aston Villa up next before games against Bournemouth and Manchester City.

Sticking along the lines of goalkeeper picks, although Liverpool's defence has not been the best this season, with Wolves at home Virgil van Dijk (£5.9m) or Ibrahmia Konate (£5.4m) seem the best way into the Reds defence.

Everton's James Tarkoswki (£5.5m) and Michael Keane (£4.7m) could be fruitful picks with the trip to Burnley up next.

And as we keep mentioning, with Manchester City's red hot form and decent run, Josko Gvardiol (£6.0m), Ruben Dias (£5.7m), Matheus Nunes (£5.4m) or Nico O'Reilly (£5.3m) could all offer consistent returns.

Best Gameweek 18 midfielder picks

Although Aston Villa travel to Chelsea and Arsenal next, Morgan Rogers (£7.2m) has been in sensational form and a key part to their 10-game winning streak in all competitions.

He might have been quiet last time out against West Ham United but Manchester City's Phil Foden (£8.9m) should not be overlooked, especially with City's decent run on the horizon.

Manchester United's Matheus Cunha (£8.0m) has provided attacking returns in each of the last three games and with Bruno Fernandes out for the foreseeable and Bryan Mbuemo at the Africa Cup of Nations, Cunha might be one to watch.

If you're looking for a Liverpool midfielder against Wolves, Florian Wirtz (£8.1m) might be the best bet. Jack Grealish (£6.5m) could be strong for those wanting to get into Everton's side.

Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo (£7.7m) seems to be finding some form again but the Cherries travel to Brentford and Chelsea with the visit of Arsenal in their next three.

Best Gameweek 18 forward picks

Sorry for sounding like a broken record here but Manchester City's Erling Haaland (£15.1m) is surely the first name in every manager's squad by now.

With Alexander Isak sustaining a broken leg and out for at least a couple of months, Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike (£8.9m) will be the main man up top for the Reds. He's scored five in his last three league games with Wolves, Leeds United and Fulham up next.

West Ham United may be in the bottom three but the Hammers have a good run coming up with no red fixture in their next 10. Their talisman Jarrod Bowen (£7.6m) should be considered because if there's anyone that can drag West Ham to safety, it's him.

And Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.8m) can't stop scoring - he's scored six in his last five league games now. Leeds have a tough run coming up though with two red fixtures in their next four.

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