As we approach Fantasy Football Matchweek 18 of the Premier League, scheduled from Friday, December 26, to Sunday, December 28, it’s essential for FPL managers to strategise effectively to maximise their points.
Here are some FPL tips to assist you in making informed decisions for your squad.
Fantasy Football Matchweek 18 Fixtures
The Fantasy Football deadline for Gameweek 18 is Friday, December 26, 18:30 GMT.
Friday, December 26
- Manchester United vs Newcastle (20:00 GMT)
Saturday, December 27
- Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City (12:30 GMT)
- Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion (15:00 GMT)
- Brentford vs Bournemouth (15:00 GMT)
- Burnley vs Everton (15:00 GMT)
- Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (15:00 GMT)
- West Ham United vs Fulham (15:00 GMT)
- Chelsea vs Aston Villa (18:30 GMT)
Monday, December 22
- Sunderland vs Leeds United (14:00 GMT)
- Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur (16:30 GMT)
Injuries and Suspension Updates to Note
Bruno Fernandes has gotten a rare injury. The Manchester United midfielder sustained a hamstring injury in their recent loss to Aston Villa, and will be out for a few weeks.
Another big-name player who got injured in the previous gameweek was Liverpool’s Alexander Isak. After scoring against Tottenham last time out, he will be out with an ankle injury for the foreseeable future. His teammate Cody Gakpo is out with a muscle injury, and is unlikely to feature against Wolves. Liverpool will miss another player, with Dominik Szoboszlai suspended for one game after being shown his fifth yellow card of the season.
Also from the same game, Tottenham’s Xavi Simons was shown a red card, making him unavailable for picking until the Bournemouth fixture.
Chelsea on the other hand have some positive news, with the return of Liam Delap (shoulder injury) and Estevao (muscle injury) ahead of a crucial clash against Aston Villa.
Must-Have FPL Picks
Arne Slot’s Liverpool are having an up-and-down season, and facing bottom-of-the-table Wolves in Gameweek 18 might be a well-needed boost ahead of the new year. Hugo Ekitike (£8.9m) and Virgil van Dijk (£5.9m) stand as solid options for FPL this gameweek.
Man City play a struggling Nottingham Forest, leaving players like Phil Foden (£9.0m), Erling Haaland (£15.1m) and Josko Gvardiol (£6.0m) as favourable choices.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa will be a tough game to call, and for Fantasy Football Matchweek 18, FPL managers will need to be careful with who they pick from this fixture. The most in-form No.10 in England, Morgan Rogers (£7.3m) of Aston Villa, is a favourite. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer (£10.4m) is another good pick.
Despite his club’s form, Antoine Semenyo (£7.7m) is a valuable option from Bournemouth. Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi (£5.3m), Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Bukayo Saka (£10.3m), Brentford’s Igor Thiago (£7.1m), Leeds’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.8m) and Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon (£7.3m) are other players to consider for Gameweek 18.
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FPL Captaincy Picks
- Erling Haaland or Phil Foden (Nottingham Forest vs Man City)
- Morgan Rogers (Chelsea vs Aston Villa)
- Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool vs Wolves)
Strategic Considerations
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 Premier League Gameweek 18 and boost your FPL performance.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Every Second Media
Recording Date: 20.12.2025
