FPL Gameweek 18 Preview – Fantasy Premier League Tips

The busy period of fixtures is about to get even busier and the festive period does offer hugely significant fixtures both at the top and bottom of the table. Rotation comes into play and injuries seem to be more likely, so it’s important to plan ahead and know how to cope with these issues.

Watford vs Crystal Palace

Both these teams are struggling over this busy period of fixtures and have won just one out of their last five games. Although you might say that Watford have the upper hand in this game considering their attacking threat and the Eagles’ frailties in defence, you just can’t predict as to what we can expect from the Eagles at home. Placed just a point above the drop zone, this is a crucial game for them.

STAR MAN: Christian Benteke (7.7m)

The big man has often been the man to bail them out in tough situations and has the ability to do so against an inconsistent Watford team.

PREDICTION: Crystal Palace 2-1 Watford

Arsenal vs West Brom

Arsenal have lost all their momentum after yet another mini collapse by losing two on the trot and slipping to fourth place, nine points behind the league leaders. What more incentive do the Gunners need to absolutely hammer the Albion defence and get the much needed three points at home to reinstate their claim in the race for the title?

STAR MAN: Mesut Ozil (9.6m)

The magician hasn’t been himself in the last two matches and has received considerable criticism. He will be looking to prove them wrong and show how important he is to the Gunners team.

PREDICTION: Arsenal 3-1 West Brom

Burnley vs Middlesbrough

Burnley have won just one in their last five games and are falling down the table towards the drop zone, whereas Boro came up with a crucial and convincing 3-0 victory over the Swans to pick themselves up to 14th place. It is a crucial game for both teams, one which neither can afford to lose.

STAR MAN: Alvaro Negredo (6.3m)

Returned back to goalscoring form with a brace against the Swans and will be looking to continue to provide his team with the goals up-front.

PREDICTION: Burnley 2-2 Middlesbrough

Chelsea vs Bournemouth

Chelsea with eleven wins in a row are already sitting clear on top of the pile and haven’t put a foot wrong in recent games. Bournemouth on the other hand have managed to win just one game away from home and haven’t been in any sort of convincing form to be able to beat such a strong Chelsea side who have lost just one game at home. We can see only one possible result from this fixture, a Chelsea win.

STAR MAN: Eden Hazard (10.4m)

In the absence of the frontman Costa, he will be looking to take matters into his own hands and kill the game for the Blues.

PREDICTION: Chelsea 2-0 Bournemouth

Leicester vs Everton

Leicester haven’t been themselves at all this season but have have managed to somewhat revive their season by moving three points clear from the bottom after an impressive comeback with 10 men against the Potters. They will make it hard for an Everton team whose form away from home is quite poor. Should be a very well fought contest with both teams getting their chances to clinch the three points.

STAR MAN: Riyad Mahrez (9.0m)

He will play a crucial role if Leicester are to get anything from this game in the absence of Vardy up front.

PREDICTION: Leicester 1-1 Everton

Manchester United vs Sunderland

The Red Devils seem to have found their feet in the Premier League this season with their star men starting to perform in crucial fixtures. Unbeaten in eight games, they have won three of their last five fixtures and have managed to narrow down the gap between them and the top four. Sunderland, currently sitting in the drop zone, have a very poor away record. Should be an easy three points for an in-form United side.

STAR MAN: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11.3m)

With five goals in as many games, he is certainly the man that the Sunderland defence will be worried about.

PREDICTION: Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland

Swansea vs West Ham

Swansea have made a horrific start to the season and must soon find their form otherwise they might find themselves in a very desperate position at the bottom of the table. West Ham’s recent set of results mean they are now five points clear of the drop zone and are starting to find their feet after being unbeaten in three games now. Swansea at home will look to get the much needed three points and get out of the drop zone.

STAR MAN: Gylfi Sigurdsson (7.5m)

The Icelander has been the only positive for the Swans this season and will play a key role in this fixture to get the much needed points.

PREDICTION: Swansea 2-1 West Ham

Hull vs Manchester City

The Tigers have just fallen off after the decent start they made to the season and seem to be going nowhere with their current squad. Manchester City on the other hand are on the back of an important home win against the Gunners and are in chase of the title. This City team might just prove to be too strong for the Tigers to handle and hence there seems to be only one possible result from this fixture.

STAR MAN: Kevin De Bruyne (10.7m)

Was crucial in the game against the Gunners after being trusted with the striker role and will be in the mood to hammer the poor Hull City Defence.

PREDICTION: Hull 1-3 Manchester City

Liverpool vs Stoke

Liverpool proved with a last minute winner against their bitter rivals Everton in the Merseyside Derby that they can’t be counted out of the title race just yet. Stoke City on the other hand have just started reviving their season and suffered a setback after a draw at the hands of a 10 man Leicester team. Should be a game where the Reds dominate and get their chances to score.

STAR MAN: Adam Lallana (7.4m)

The Englishman can be crucial with his intricate passing and quick play and will prove to be a constant threat to the Stoke defence.

PREDICTION: Liverpool 2-1 Stoke

Southampton vs Tottenham

Southampton have been on and off this season and haven’t really found any momentum so far. Spurs, after a great start, now find themselves in fifth place, a point behind their London rivals Arsenal in fourth place. This will give them an added incentive to go and win this game at St.Mary’s but as we have seen in past seasons, it has always been difficult to get a result against the Saints at their home ground. Pochettino and co. will have to be at their best to win away from home.

STAR MAN: Christian Eriksen (8.6m)

The Dane has been influential in recent fixtures after a poor start and will be looking to get on the scoresheet to help his team to the three points.

PREDICTION: Southampton 2-2 Tottenham

Written by FPL Transfer Tips (@FPL_TransTips)

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