Who are the best FPL players for Gameweek 18?

Four-time top 1k and 5-time top 5k finisher Abdul Rehman uses the Hub's OPTA, Prediction, Comparison and Fixture tools to identify the best Fantasy Premier League budget and premium defenders, midfielders and forwards for our Gameweek 18 FPL teams.

You can catch all our other brilliant FPL Gameweek 18 tips right here.

Who are the Best FPL Defenders For Gameweek 18?

Reece James (£6.3m) – Chelsea

Fixture: Wolves (a)

In 10 starts Reece James has four goals and five assists with 11 Shots in the Box and an xG of 2.19 (2^nd amongst defenders) and has created 34 Chances with an xA of 3.33 (2^nd among defenders).

Chelsea come up against Wolves in Gameweek 18 who have been struggling in the final third this season. They have scored only 13 goals (19^th) with an xG of 20.0 (14^th). They just haven't been able to finish off their chances and have been quite wasteful.

The Blues have conceded 12 goals (2^nd), 97 Shots in the Box (2^nd) and an xGC of 19.7 (3^rd). They haven't kept a clean sheet in the last five games but their defence is still one of the best in the league and they should start racking up the clean sheets soon enough.

And with Reece James he always has his attacking returns to fall back on. He already has 9 attacking returns and this is sure to increase as the season goes on.

The bookmakers have Chelsea as the second favourites to keep a clean sheet for Gameweek 18 at 50% and they are also second favourites to score 2.5+ goals (35%).

Our Points Prediction Tool ranks him as the fourth highest predicted scoring defender (4.8) for Gameweek 18 and he is also at 53% for anytime returns.

Reece James Stats

Trent Alexander Arnold (£8.2m) – Liverpool

Fixture: Spurs (a)

Alexander-Arnold is an essential player for FPL managers this season. He now has two goals, seven assists and 9 clean sheets and is comfortably the highest scoring defender in the game. He has 7 Shots in the Box with an xG of 1.49 and has created 56 Chances (1^st) with an xA of 5.46 (2^nd).

Liverpool play Spurs away from home this week which looks like a tough fixture on paper. However, over the season Spurs have only managed 16 goals (17^th) with an xG of 18.5 (17^th) and they face a really good defence.

The Reds have only conceded 13 goals (3^rd) with an xGC of 16.0 (2^nd). Despite Tottenham’s recent run of good results, I feel they may struggle with players possibly missing through Covid and also the fact they haven't played many games in recent weeks which will surely disrupt their rhythm.

With Trent, he has already shown this season that he doesn’t need clean sheets to thrive and he will get plenty of attacking returns throughout the season.

According to our Points Prediction Tool he is the second highest predicted scoring defender (5.4) for Gameweek 18 and he is also at 62% for anytime returns.

Trent Alexander-Arnold Stats

Joao Cancelo (£6.4m) – Manchester City

Fixture: Newcastle United (a)

Joao Cancelo has five assists and with him missing out last Gameweek due to suspension will most definitely come back in the starting line up here. He has 8 Shots in the Box with highest xG (2.94) amongst defenders in the league. He has also created 23 Chances witrh an xA of 2.94 (2^nd amongst defenders).

Manchester City face Newcastle United (a) in Gameweek 18 and this should be another walk in the park for Pep Guardiola’s men. The Toon have scored 18 goals (15^th) with an xG of 17.2 (18th) and look in real trouble as they sit bottom of the league.

The Citizens have only conceded 9 goals (1^st) with 70 Shots in the Box (1^st) and an xGC of 11.1 (1^st). They have now kept 10 clean sheets and their underlying numbers show they are by far the best defensive team in the league.

The bookmakers again rank City as the favourites to keep a clean sheet (58%) in Gameweek 18 and also to score 2.5+ goals (54%).

I can’t see anything other than a comfortable win here for Pep's team and I wouldn’t be surprised with another high scoreline win.

There is every chance Joao Cancelo comes away with attacking returns here also. Our Points Prediction Tool has him as the second highest scoring player overall (6.0 points) and also at 69% for anytime returns (2^nd).

Joao Cancelo Stats

Matty Cash (£5.0m) – Aston Villa

Fixture: Burnley (H)

Aston Villa have seen a big improvement in their results since the arrival of Steven Gerrard. They have won three of the last five with the only losses coming to Manchester City and Liverpool. They have also kept two clean sheets in that time.

Matty Cash is the only Villa defender to have started every single game and is nailed as can be. He has 13 Shots in the Box with an xG of 0.99 and created 11 Chances with a an xA of 1.58. He does possess some attacking threat but I am more confident in his clean sheet chances going forward.

The Villains come up against Burnley (H) in Gameweek 18 who haven’t been prolific going forward. They have only scored 14 goals (18^th) with an xG of 16.1 (20^th).

They have really struggled for goals this season and with their talisman and top scorer Chris Wood not bringing in the goals this season it's not helping.

Aston Villa are also the third favorites to keep a clean sheet this week (42%) according to the bookmakers.

Matty Cash Stats

Who are the Best FPL Midfielders For Gameweek 18?

Phil Foden (£8.0m) – Manchester City

Fixture: Newcastle United (a)

Phil Foden registered a goal and an assist last Gameweek in the 7-0 demolition of Leeds United. In only eight starts he has four goals and four assists with 20 Shots in the Box and an xG of 3.70. He has also created 28 Chances with an xA of 4.15 (5^th).

Manchester City travel to St James Park in Gameweek 18 to take on Newcastle United. This looks like another fixture in which City could just run away with it. The Toon have conceded 37 goals (20^th) with an xGC of 33.5 (20^th).

The Citizens really turned it on last Gameweek and showed just how clinical and deadly they can be. And with them up against the worst defence in the league this week you have to fancy them to do similar here.

They have scored 40 goals (2^nd) with an xG of 39.5 (2^nd) and both these metrics are likely to increase a fair bit after this game you would bet.

The bookmakers also have Pep Guardiola’s team as the favourites to score 2.5+ goals (54%) for Gameweek 8 and Foden is also at a healthy 43% to score anytime.

Foden has proven himself to be one of Pep's most important players and although he won't start every game I think he will be amongst the attackers who play the most minutes.

Our Price Prediction Tool also has him as the second highest predicted points scorer (6.0) for Gameweek 18.

Phil Foden Stats

Mohamed Salah (£13.1m) – Liverpool

Fixture: Spurs (a)

Mohamed Salah now has 15 goals and 10 assists and has now registered attacking returns in 15 straight games. This means he has now matched the record for continuous attacking returns. The Egyptian has 56 Shots in the Box (1^st) with an xG of 12.71 (1^st) and has created 43 Chances with an xA of 7.29 (1^st).

Liverpool have a tricky fixture on paper in Gameweek 18 as they square up with Spurs (a). The North London side are slowly turning things around under Antonio Conte. They have won their last two games keeping clean sheets in both. However, Liverpool are the first top side they will face under the new manager's tenure.

They have been rampant this season scoring 48 goals (1^st) with an xG of 43.6 (1^st). They really have been unstoppable in the final third and Spurs will do very well to keep them at bay.

Salah is simply in the form of his life. His underlying numbers and output have just been head and shoulders above everyone else and despite the tricky fixture I still think he is the best captain choice for this week.

Mohamed Salah is also at 50% to score at anytime and our Points Prediction Tool also has him as the highest predicted points scorer with 6.5 points.

Mohamed Salah Stats

Emile Smith Rowe (£6.0m) – Arsenal

Fixture: Leeds United (a)

Emile Smith Rowe has been a great budget option. The English midfielder has six goals and two assists with 15 Shots in the Box, 14 Shots on Target with an xG of 2.91. He has also created 22 Chances with an xA of 2.37

Arsenal travel to Eland Road to take on Leeds United in Gameweek 18 who have conceded 32 goals (18th) with an xGC of 29.0 (17^th). They have really struggled this season and are also without a lot of first-team players.

The Gunners have scored 23 goals (8^th) with an xG of 25.2 (6^th) and are in a rich vein of form just now as they sit 4^th in the league.

Smith Rowe has had a great season so far and is one of the best budget midfield options. With the Gameweek dwindled down to only five matches their wont be many better options this Gameweek.

Emile Smith Rowe Stats

Diogo Jota (£8.0m) – Liverpool

Fixture: Spurs (a)

The Liverpool forward now has 9 goals and one assist with 41 Shots in the Box (3^rd), 18 Shots on Target (4^th) and an xG of 8.61 (3^rd). He has also created 27 Chances with an xA of 3.95.

He continues to provide amazing value even at an increased price of £8.0m and will especially be essential for this Gameweek where we have only five matches.

Liverpool will still be strong favourites to win this game and Jota is going to be one of the best picks of Gameweek 18. He will surely start with the form he is in and with the number of goals Liverpool are scoring is sure to be involved again.

The bookmakers also have them as third favourites to score 2.5+ goals (25%) despite being away to Spurs and Diogo Jota is also priced at 40% to score anytime.

Our PointsPrediction Tool also has him at 50% for anytime returns also.

Diogo Jota Stats

Who are the Best FPL Forwards For Gameweek 18?

Alexandre Lacazette (£8.3m) – Arsenal

Fixture: Leeds United (a)

The Frenchman has a goal and assist in his last two games and has started the last three for Arsenal. With Pierre-Emmerick Aubameyang out of favour with Mikel Arteta, Lacazette is nailed to start and will be their main centre forward.

Arsenal come up against Leeds United in Gameweek 18. The Whites have conceded 32 goals (18th) with an xGC of 29.0 (17^th). They are clearly struggling in both defence and attack this season and the Gunners have been on a decent run winning six of their last nine games.

They have also scored 23 goals (8^th) with an xG of 25.2 (6^th) and play a Leeds United team this week who are depleted with injuries and who just conceded seven goals the previous Gameweek to Manchester City.

In only seven starts this season Alexandre has 8 Shots in the Box with an xG of 2.18 while also creating 11 Chances with an xA of 1.17. He will continue to score well if he starts up top for this team and at the moment it doesn’t look like Aubameyang will be back anytime soon.

Lacazette is also at 43% to score at anytime according to the bookies and our Points Prediction Tool has him as the second highest forward for predicted points (4.4) for Gameweek 18.

Alexandre Lacazette Stats

Ollie Watkins (£7.7m) – Aston Villa

Fixture: Burnley (H)

Ollie Watkins registered his first double-digit haul with a goal and assist last Gameweek which now takes him to five goals and two assists. He has 30 Shots in the Box with an xG of 5.26 while also creating 16 Chances with an xA of 1.61.

Aston Villa play Burnley (H) in Gameweek 18 which looks like another decent fixture for Steven Gerrard’s team. The Clarets have conceded 21 goals (8^th) with an xGC of 24.8 (11^th). Although they haven’t been the worst defensively I think Villa will have too much for them going forward.

The Villains have scored 23 goals (7^th) with an xG of 18.5 (17^th) over season but we have seen a big improvement since the arrival for Gerrard.

Ollie Watkins was Villa’s top scorer last season and will very likely be this season also. He will be involved in a lot of their goals. He had a Goal Involvement of 42% last season and has a 37% Involvement this season and I can only see this increasing over their good run of fixtures.

The forward has played 90 minutes in the last 14 Gameweek’s so is absolutely nailed and a vital part in Villa’s attack. As I have reiterated before this is a big advantage for FPL managers at this time of the season.

Our Points Prediction Tool also ranks him as the highest predicted scoring forward (5.5 points) for Gameweek 18.

Ollie Watkins Stats

Other Forwards for Gameweek 18

With the number of cancellations we have for Gameweek 18 it really has made player selections a tough task. And with the fixtures remaining the forwards options are really scarce.

Chris Wood (£6.7m) could be a good shout but an away game against Aston Villa is no easy feat. Burnley also do not score many goals and he only has three goals so far this season. He is however on penalties so will always have a chance.

Joe Gelhardt (£4.5m) should start for Leeds United with Dan James injured. The ex-Manchester United midfielder has been deployed as forward by Bielsa in recent games but with him missing through injury the 19-year-old Gelhardt is likely to be given a start. He has a goal and an assist in 179 minutes this season but Arsenal could prove a tricky fixture. However, with Leeds being at home, you never know.

Harry Kane (£12.2m) is probably the only other viable option but a game against Liverpool is as tough as they come. Plus he has only one goal and assist this season and really hasn't looked at his best. The England forward is a proven world-class forward though so can pull it out of the hat in any game and he is on penalties also.

Hub Power Rankings

I will now rank the best FPL Gameweek 18 players in accordance to our Power Rankings for Hub members!

Best FPL Players For Gameweek 18 | Fantasy Premier League Tips 2021/22

Best FPL Players For Gameweek 18 | Fantasy Premier League Tips 2021/22

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