In this article, we have provided our Fantasy Premier League tips & predictions ahead of Gameweek 18 of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game.
Gameweek 18 features the traditional round of Boxing Day fixtures for the Premier League, in the first set of games to be played after Christmas Day. Here are our latest FPL tips that should hopefully help make all of those informed transfer, chip and captaincy decisions needed ahead of the deadline…
Our Fantasy Premier League tips
FPL gives out points based on player performances, which can be both positive and negative. It can range from a player scoring a goal (positions are given more points than others, for example a defender will gain six points for scoring a goal as opposed to four for a forward) or being shown a yellow card (-1pt), as well as many other metrics.
Who to have as FPL captain
In Gameweek 18, if you own him, Mohamed Salah seems like the obvious captain choice given his sparkling form for Liverpool, as he and his team welcome a struggling Leicester City to Anfield off the back of the Egypt international scoring a whopping 21 FPL points after the Reds' 6-3 thumping of Tottenham Hotspur in the previous gameweek.
For those who do not own Salah or want to pick a differential captain, Cole Palmer is another intriguing choice, as Chelsea host Fulham in a West London derby at Stamford Bridge, after the visitors were only held to a 0-0 draw at home by rock-bottom Southampton last time out.
| Selection | Market-best price |
|---|---|
| Cole Palmer to score anytime |
21/20 |
| Cole Palmer to score first |
4/1 |
| Cole Palmer to score 2+ |
11/2 |
| Cole Palmer to score hat-trick |
25/1 |
Should the triple-captain chip be used?
Assuming that Salah is the most viable captain choice in Gameweek 18, using the triple-captain chip on him could seem tempting given his recent form, and the fact that Liverpool are hosting a Leicester side shot of confidence after losing 3-0 at home to Wolves last time out.
However, we would advise, if it has not been used already, to use the chip in a double gameweek, where teams play more than one fixture and therefore give more of a chance of a big points haul for the captain.
Who is likely to get booked?
Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus is a popular player to be transferred in this week after netting no fewer than five goals over two separate games against Crystal Palace. However, the Brazilian forward is currently on four yellow cards, and just one more would see him serve a one-match suspension ahead of the Gunners' hosting Ipswich Town on Friday night.
Market-best odds on Gabriel Jesus to be booked: 4/1
Which defender is most likely to score?
Onto another Arsenal player as Gabriel Magalhaes has scored three goals already this season, and is the joint-second highest-scoring defender in the Premier League alongside Wolves' Algerian left wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri. Gabriel hit the crossbar from a header in Arsenal's 5-1 demolition of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last time out, and so he remains a major goal threat from set pieces.
Market-best odds on Gabriel Magalhaes to score anytime: 11/2
Our top three cheap in-form players
Dean Huijsen
Marcos Senesi is still sidelined with a long-term injury for AFC Bournemouth, but Huijsen has stepped up in fine style. The £4.3m-priced defender has scored two goals in his last four league games, including the Cherries' impressive 3-0 victory away at Manchester United last time out. With a favourable run of fixtures coming up on paper, he could turn out to be a real bargain.
Dominik Szoboszlai
For those FPL managers who cannot quite afford to have Mohamed Salah in their teams, Dominik Szoboszlai is a great alternative to still have a slice of the Liverpool attack. The Hungary international netted once and produced a further three assists in Liverpool's 6-3 win over Spurs, and Leicester at Anfield is a kind fixture on paper to bring him in ahead of.
Ismaila Sarr
Crystal Palace have a relatively nice set of fixtures coming up, and Ismaila Sarr is in good form. Indeed, he netted against Arsenal last time out, and with a total of three goals and one assist over his last two fixtures, £5.7m looks great value for money for the midfielder.
Summary of tips
| Tip | Player name (Team, FPL price) | Odds to score | Odds to be booked |
|---|---|---|---|
| To captain |
Cole Palmer (Chelsea, 11.2) |
21/20 |
5/1 |
| To be booked |
Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal, 6.8) |
21/20 |
4/1 |
| Defender to score |
Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal, 6.3) |
11/2 |
11/2 |
| Cheap option 1 |
Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth, 4.3) |
12/1 |
13/5 |
| Cheap option 2 |
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool, 6.3) |
13/5 |
7/1 |
| Cheap option 3 |
Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace, 5.7) |
9/2 |
13/2 |
