Covid-19 has wreaked havoc in the Premier League over the past few days, causing five matches to be postponed this weekend. These sudden outbreaks in Premier League squads also mean that most FPL managers are facing the prospect of being unable to field a full XI in Gameweek 18. However, with five games still going ahead as of now, there are still plenty of available players to target for this matchday.
Here are our FPL picks for Gameweek 18!
GK: Aaron Ramsdale (ARS) – £5.1m
Aaron Ramsdale has kept two clean sheets in a row for Arsenal and is averaging a league-high 5.4 points per match this season. Ramsdale has also earned the most bonus points amongst keepers this season and has excellent fixtures over the festive period, with the Gunners taking on Leeds, Norwich City and Wolves.
Defence – Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.2m) | Joao Cancelo (£6.8m) | Reece James (£6.2m) | Matt Targett (£4.7m)
As has been the case for the last three weeks, the trio of Trent Alexander Arnold, Joao Cancelo and Reece James are once again the best options in defence for Fantasy managers as the three highest-scoring midfielders in FPL this season. Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea have been the top three defences in the league this season and barring any further postponements, all three teams are expected to play in Gameweek 18.
Another excellent option in defence for this week is Aston Villa left-back Matt Targett. Villa has improved defensively under the management of Steven Gerrard – conceding only five goals in six games – and take on a Burnley side that haven’t scored in each of their last three fixtures.
MID: Gabriel Martinelli (ARS) – £5.2m
Gabriel Martinelli has started each of Arsenal’s last four Premier League games – returning two goals and two assists in that time – and is an excellent budget differential option with an ownership of just 0.7%.
MID: Mason Mount (CHE) – £7.6m
Mason Mount has registered four goals and two assists in Chelsea’s last four league appearances, and the Blues midfielder has 12 goal contributions in only 10 starts this season.
MID: Phil Foden (MCI) – £8.0m
Phil Foden registered 12 points in Gameweek 17 and has scored three goals and registered two assists in his last four away starts for Manchester City.
MID: Ilkay Gundogan (MCI) – £7.3m
With Pep Guardiola’s side playing Newcastle United in Gameweek 18, doubling up on Manchester City midfielders might be the way to go in Gameweek 18. There are plenty of viable options to bring in such as Kevin de Bruyne and Grealish, but the player most likely to start this weekend is Ilkay Gundogan. The German midfielder was rested in midweek against Leeds United and has the 2nd highest points per game amongst currently available City midfielders (5.2).
MID: Mohamed Salah (LIV) – £13.1m
Mohamed Salah is yet to blank in FPL since gameweek three and has four goals and one assist in his last four appearances for Liverpool.
FWD: Ollie Watkins (AVL) – £7.7m
Ollie Watkins has four goal involvements in six games under Steven Gerrard and is the best available centre-forward option for the five matches in Gameweek 18 as Villa take on a Burnley side that are currently in the relegation places.
Captaincy Pick
While Mohamed Salah is still the standout captaincy choice in FPL, picking an equally capable vice-captain is important this weekend as games could be postponed after the deadline. Ollie Watkins could be the safest bet as Villa play the first game of the weekend on Saturday, but other explosive options include Phil Foden or Mason Mount.
Shivaan Shah