2025–26 FPL: Best Players to Pick for Gameweek 18

Boxing Day FPL GW18 preview: back Manchester City for a clean sheet and Erling Haaland as an anytime scorer — both sensible betting angles for punters. Consider backing Bernd Leno for a home shutout at Craven Cottage and a goal-involvement bet on Anthony Gordon. Differential punts like Morgan Rogers or Hugo Ekitike could pay off. Remember the GW18 deadline: 18:30 GMT on Dec. 26 — set teams early to avoid market shifts.

Boxing Day FPL GW18: Team News, Picks and Betting Angles

Overview and Deadline

FPL managers face a compact GW18 schedule with most fixtures across Saturday and Sunday and a Friday kick-off at Old Trafford. The gameweek deadline is 18:30 GMT (1:30 p.m. ET) on Friday, Dec. 26. Set your teams ahead of the deadline to avoid last-minute disruption and market-driven ownership shifts.

Goalkeepers to Consider

Alisson Becker (£5.4m) remains an attractive pick despite Liverpool’s mixed clean-sheet record; Wolves’ limited goal return makes a shutout likelier than recent form suggests. Caoimhín Kelleher (£4.5m) can be a differential option if he starts and faces Bournemouth. Bernd Leno (£4.9m) is a prime candidate for a home clean-sheet bet when Fulham host West Ham — a London derby on favorable home form.

Betting angle — Keep an eye on clean-sheet markets for Alisson and Leno

Defenders: Clean Sheets and attacking upside

Josko Gvardiol (£6.0m) looks set to continue benefiting from Manchester City’s defensive solidity and attacking returns, making him valuable for both defensive and attacking FPL points. James Tarkowski (£5.5m) offers strong value given Burnley’s struggles in front of goal; Everton’s matchup projects as one of the easier clean-sheet opportunities. Piero Hincapié (£5.5m) has stepped up amid squad injuries and is collecting consistent points while other starters recover.

Betting angle — consider clean-sheet and attacking-return markets for Gvardiol and Tarkowski

Midfielders: Form picks and budget options

Morgan Rogers (£7.2m) remains under-owned but is in good form and represents a potential differential pick for managers chasing rank movement. With Bruno Fernandes unavailable through injury for the Friday fixture, Mason Mount (£5.9m) could attract creative responsibility and occasional returns at a manageable price. Anthony Gordon (£7.3m) is a direct threat for Newcastle and a smart bet for goal-involvement markets after recent double-digit hauls.

Betting angle — back Gordon for goal involvement and target low-ownership mids for differential value

Forwards: Premiums and budget strikers

Erling Haaland (£15.1m) is expensive but remains the clearest route to big returns; backing him as an anytime scorer is a low-risk move given his form and ownership levels. Hugo Ekitiké (£8.9m) has found rich scoring form recently and could be a strong differential if injuries to teammates increase his minutes and centrality. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.8m) is the reliable budget option, having delivered 22 points across the last two gameweeks and offering upside against a vulnerable Sunderland.

Betting angle — Haaland anytime scorer and Calvert-Lewin as a budget goal bet

Final tips for managers and punters

Prioritise heavy-ownership assets where you need to minimize rank bleeding (Haaland, popular premium midfielders). Use differential picks like Morgan Rogers and Hugo Ekitiké to chase rank if you need a boost. For bettors, the clearest markets are Man City clean sheet, Haaland anytime scorer, and specific goal-involvement bets for Anthony Gordon and Bernd Leno’s clean sheet at home. Lock teams before 18:30 GMT on Dec. 26 to avoid last-minute surprises.

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2025–26 FPL: Best Players to Pick for Gameweek 18

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