It’s time for the first version of our Scout Picks for Gameweek 18 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL).
We’ll wrap up our weekly selection closer to the deadline on Friday, also known as Boxing Day. The press conferences, not to mention the price increases (we have a limited budget!), will undoubtedly have something to say.
Before then, this ‘bus team’ offers insight into the players and teams that are eligible.
There are, as always, certain limitations for our team:
- A budget of £83.0 million for our starting XI
- A total selection cap of £100.0 million
- No more than three players per team
GAME WEEK 18 PROGRAM
Above: The Gameweek 18 matches sorted by difficulty, by our Fixture sticker.
THE PROBABLY BOYS
Liverpool’s home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers stands out as the standout on the slate. The Reds have built some recent momentum (even if not entirely convincing), going unbeaten while winning four of their last six games in all competitions.
Wolves, on the other hand, arrive in terrible shape. They have lost ten games in a row and are bottom of the league in terms of goals conceded and goals scored. That combination makes them an obvious target for our Scout picks this week.
Despite frustrating returns for many managers, Virgil van Dijk (£5.9m) still seems the standout defensive option. His appeal lies in reliability rather than explosiveness. He continues to amass defensive contributions and is one of the top four defensemen in the league in that regard.
Liverpool’s attacking picture has also changed. Mohammed Salah (£14.0m) remains absent due to AFCON, Dominik Szoboszlai (£6.7 million) is serving a suspension, and injuries Alexander Isaac (£10.3 million) and Cody Agat (£7.3m) further dilutes the options. These absences pave the way for improvement Florian Wirtz (£8.1 million) and the in-form Hugo Ekitike (£8.9m) to secure starts.
Manchester City also demands attention. Pep Guardiola’s side have won seven games in a row in all competitions and now travel to volatile Nottingham Forest. That’s pretty much stuck Erling Haaland (£15.1 million). The Norwegian already has 19 goals and four assists this season.
At the back, it’s safe to say there will be at least one representative of the Everton defense. The Toffees are among the top six sides with clean sheets and sit second in the table against Burnley. The promoted team continues to struggle offensively, registering fewer shots than any other team in the league.
When we take into account price, target threat and defensive contribution potential, Michael Keane (£4.7m) stands out as a strong value pick. The point difference between him and James Tarkowski (£5.5m) remains small, and the attacking and defensive data are closely aligned with that. That balance makes a switch difficult to justify at this stage.
IN CONTENT
Arsenal’s formidable home record will put their strengths to the test this week when they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners conceded less than half the goals at home compared to their away games, while scoring more than double that amount, underscoring the strength of this match.
With that in mind, Jurriën Hout (£6.5 million) or William Saliba (£5.9m) seems well placed to get the Scout cut. If Gabriel Magalhaes (£6.2m) is therefore still confirmed Piero Hincapie (£5.5m) is still under consideration.
Bukayo Saka (£10.3m) tested patience last time out after passing fines. Still, the underlying data remains encouraging. His non-penalty expected goal involvement continues to exceed that of most midfielders, reinforcing his long-term appeal despite recent frustration.
Minute protection, eight offensive returns and an average of 10-11 defensive contributions per 90 all strengthen Declan Rice‘s (£7.1m) appeal. That mix of output and involvement makes him a viable alternative and a cheaper route into the Arsenal attack this week.
As outlined above, Manchester City’s red-hot form brings both Nico O’Reilly (£5.3 million), Matheus Nunes (£5.4 million), Rayan Cherki (£6.6 million) and Phil Foden (£8.9m) firmly in the conversation. The two full-backs have combined for nine attacking goals in the 2025/26 season, while Foden has exploded with four double-figure scores in his last five appearances. Cherki, as discussed here, is the best midfielder in the league when it comes to the number of chances created.
A home game for Brentford against Bournemouth also looks promising for attacking investment. Neither side has managed to keep more than one clean sheet in their last eight matches in all competitions, creating an inviting platform for both Antoine Semenyo (£7.7 million) and the biggest selling advance of the week, Igor Thiago (£7.1 million).
Defensive problems persist at West Ham United, who are still without a clean sheet in their last ten games. This trend mainly increases the attractiveness of Fulham’s assets Harry Wilson (£5.8 million). The Welshman has recorded 44 points in his previous five appearances and continues to provide excellent value. He should recover from Monday’s blow, but that is one to keep an eye on.
Some managers may still be looking to West Ham themselves. Fulham have shown defensive inconsistency, which is holding up Jarrod Bowen (£7.6m) on the radar after posting over 0.50 xGI in each of his last two games.
Despite their strong home form, Newcastle United have struggled on the road, managing just one away win all season. Of Bruno Fernandes (£9.4 million) sidelined, Matheus Cunha (£8.0m) stands out as an intriguing alternative. He comes into the game having scored in each of his last two games, has a realistic penalty chance and has had an impressive 22 shots in the last three gameweeks – at least nine more than any other player.
And since the Red Devils only kept one clean sheet all season, Anthony Gordon (£7.3 million) and Nick Woltemade (£7.3m) – both lively on Saturday – are in the mix.
THE LONGER SHOTS
With six goals in five games, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.8m) is one of FPL’s best strikers. That return puts him among the top four strikers in the league in terms of total goals scored.
However, Sunderland are unbeaten on home soil and concede less than one goal per game on Wearside, so ‘DCL’ may remain a longer possibility this week.
Third-placed Aston Villa arrive in excellent form. After a difficult start under Unai Emery, they enter Gameweek 18 on a 10-match winning run in all competitions.
Morgan Rogers (£7.2m) could strike again with six of his seven league goals coming in just three games, underscoring his explosive potential.
A trip to Chelsea obviously presents a tougher test, and it could be enough to keep Rogers out of Scout Pick contention for the time being.
GAME WEEK 18 EARLY SCOUT PICKS
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