Fantasy Football Gameweek 18 Buy, Sell, Injury Report

As we approach Fantasy Football Gameweek 18 of the Premier League, scheduled for December 26-27, 2024, it’s essential for FPL managers to strategize effectively to maximize their points.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to assist you in making informed decisions for your squad.

Fantasy Football Gameweek 18 Fixtures

The Fantasy Football deadline for this weekend is Thursday, 26 December at 11:00 GMT

Thursday, 26 December

• Manchester City vs Everton (12:30 GMT)
• Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace (15:00 GMT)
• Chelsea vs Fulham (15:00 GMT)
• Newcastle United vs Aston Villa (15:00 GMT)
• Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham (15:00 GMT)
• Southampton vs West Ham United (15:00 GMT)
• Wolves vs Manchester United (17:30 GMT)
• Liverpool vs Leicester City (20:00 GMT)

Friday, 27 December

• Brighton & Hove Albion vs Brentford (19:30 GMT)
• Arsenal vs Ipswich Town (20:15 GMT)

Injury Updates to Note

• Arsenal: Bukayo Saka came off early in the Crystal Palace clash, picking up a hamstring injury. His return date is unknown. Loanee Raheem Sterling is also a new addition to Arsenal’s injury list with a knee injury. Defender Ben White (knee) still has an unknown return date.
• Chelsea: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has also confirmed that Romeo Lavia will be unavailable for the Fulham game.
• Manchester City: Ederson (leg injury) remains an unsure starting choice for Pep Guardiola as the goalkeeper.

Top Transfer Targets

• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United): In their fixture against Ipswich over the weekend, Alexander Isak (£9.0m) scored a hattrick, making him a promising selection as Newcastle are set to face Aston Villa.
• Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace): Sarr has four G/A in his previous Premier League fixtures and may continue his positive trend when Cyrstal Palace face Bournemouth.
  
• Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth): The midfielder has been in good form for The Cherries, with four goals in his last five fixtures.
• Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool): Although expensive (£7.1m), Trent Alexander-Arnold is a solid choice if you wish to beef up your defence. With Liverpool set to face Leicester City, the right-back may deliver a good haul of points.
• Luis Diaz (Liverpool) and James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur): Either of the two are ideal options as Saka replacements for a fantasy football team. Maddison (£7.7m) is more in form than Diaz (£7.4m), but is a more expensive option.

Players to Sell

• Mykhalio Mudryk (Chelsea): Mykhalio Mudryk is suspended, with an unknown return date.
• Lucas Paquetá (West Ham) and Ashley Young (Everton): The pair will serve a one-match ban for earning five bookings.

Captaincy Picks

• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): Liverpool are set to face 15th-place Leicester City, and yet again, Mohamed Salah is the most obvious pick for the captain role.
• Alexander Isa(Newcastle): Although Newcastle will play against Aston Villa, Isak’s form presents him as a great alternative to Salah.

Strategic Considerations

Fixture Congestion: The festive period brings a packed schedule, increasing the risk of rotation and injuries. Ensure your bench players are active and capable of stepping in if needed.

Monitor Press Conferences: Last-minute injury updates and team news can significantly impact your decisions. Stay informed to make timely transfers.

By staying updated on the latest news and being strategic with your fantasy football transfers and captaincy choices, you can navigate the challenges of Gameweek 18 and boost your FPL performance.