Last week seemingly did go according to plan for a number of us FPL managers but with the busy Christmas period right around the corner, there is no time to bask in the glory. Gameweek 18 Preview here, analysing each and every fixture and cherry picking the man who is bound to be among points this gameweek.
So good luck and may your arrows be green!
Wolves vs Liverpool
An impressive 3-1 win over Manchester United at Anfield last weekend ensured Liverpool remained a point above champions Manchester City, sparking hopes of a first title since 1990. While Liverpool will be confident heading to Molineux on Friday night, Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves are going strong in seventh position and should provide the visitors with a real challenge.
STAR MAN: Roberto Firmino (9.2m)
He has been rather quiet in comparison to the other forwards and will be looking to stake his claim for a position in that attack.
PREDICTION: Wolves 1-3 Liverpool
Arsenal vs Burnley
Even though many people expected Arsenal to extend their 22-game unbeaten run in all competitions against Southampton, the Gunners suffered a shocking 3-2 loss to the Saints. Unai Emery’s troops dropped to fifth place in the standings, but a win over Burnley will see them remain hot on the heels of the leading pack. Arsenal are eyeing their third consecutive win at home, but the Clarets should not be written off just yet. Burnley were on the verge of sharing the spoils with Tottenham at Wembley Stadium, but Christian Eriksen’s late goal eventually helped the capital club pick up all three points from the match. Sean Dyche’s men are likely to adopt a defence-minded approach in Saturday’s game, but the Gunners are a real force to be reckoned with at home.
STAR MAN: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (11.5m)
The Gabonese hasn’t scored in his last couple of games and will be looking to break that streak and extend his goal tally.
PREDICTION: Arsenal 3-0 Burnley
Bournemouth vs Brighton
Bournemouth have been struggling to find their form of late. Following a heavy 4-0 loss to Liverpool at the Vitality, Bournemouth suffered a 2-0 defeat to Wolverhampton on the road last time out. The Cherries have suffered six losses in their previous seven league fixtures, but the game against Brighton could be the turning point for them. Eddie Howe’s men are likely to leave their hearts on the field and we predict that they are going to give fans some cheer. The Seagulls, on the other hand, head into the game following back-to-back losses to the likes of Burnley and Chelsea and considering that they are not regarded as good travellers, we believe we’re looking at a home win. The good news for Bournemouth fans is that Callum Wilson is likely to recover in time to face Brighton.
STAR MAN: Joshua King (6.3m)
He is influential for this Bournemouth side whenever they play well.
PREDICTION: Bournemouth 2-1 Brighton
Chelsea vs Leicester
Chelsea will be looking to build on a hard-fought for 2-1 win over Brighton when they host Leicester City at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are determined to stay in the race for the Premier League title and they have no other choice but to go all guns blazing against the Foxes. Eden Hazard proved his worth in the victory over Brighton and, no doubt, all eyes will be on him when Chelsea face Leicester City on match day 18. Maurizio Sarri’s men are a real force to be reckoned with at home and we predict that they are going to emerge triumphant in Saturday’s match. The Foxes, on the other hand, failed to score in back-to-back defeats to the likes of Spurs and Crystal Palace and we predict that they are going to return home empty-handed from the trip to London.
STAR MAN: Eden Hazard (11.0m)
He has been in top form and will again be in the thick of the action.
PREDICTION: Chelsea 2-0 Leicester
Huddersfield vs Southampton
Huddersfield Town will be aiming to put an end to their four-match losing run in the Premier League when they host Southampton at the John Smith’s Stadium. The Terriers sit in the relegation zone ahead of this weekend, but a win over the Saints could see them escape the bottom three. Huddersfield have failed to find the net in their previous two league fixtures, but seeing as Southampton have been struggling at the back of late, the hosts are likely to find the net in Saturday’s game. The Saints did well to beat Arsenal in front of home fans at the weekend, but they are not regarded as good travellers and therefore, we predict that they are going to play out a draw with the Terriers. In the previous two meetings between Huddersfield and Southampton, the two teams shared the spoils.
STAR MAN: Danny Ings (5.4m)
After returning from injury, he certainly seems to be an FPL prospect with goals in him.
PREDICTION: Huddersfield 1-1 Southampton
Manchester City vs Crystal Palace
The Citizens have been nothing but a formidable force this season and with the likes of Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne coming back to fitness, we really don’t know what more we can expect from Pep’s mini Barcelona.
STAR MAN: Leroy Sane (9.7m)
Having been rested for the midweek Carabao Cup clash, he could really have something to say this weekend.
PREDICTION: Manchester City 3-1 Crystal Palace
Newcastle United vs Fulham
The Toon come into this fixture on the back of scraping out an away win against an out of sorts Terriers side. With Rafa and his boys playing at home this gameweek, it could be the perfect opportunity to build some momentum against a 20th placed Fulham side.
STAR MAN: Salomon Rondon (5.8m)
He is indeed the man Rafa will look to for goals.
PREDICTION: Newcastle 1-0 Fulham
West Ham vs Watford
The Hammers have been on a roll of late with 4 wins on the trot. This week they come up against a side with just a single win in their last 7 games, and with the home crowd behind the Hammers, this might just be a cakewalk.
STAR MAN: Felipe Anderson (7.4m)
Having returned in 5 of the last 7 games, it might be fun to watch the Brazilian over the festive period.
PREDICTION: West Ham 2-0 Watford
Cardiff vs Manchester United
The Red Devils come into this fixture, with new manager Solskjaer in the dugout after Mourinho was kicked out of Old Trafford earlier in the week. After a completely awful display against arch rivals Liverpool, we really can’t expect United to go down any further. A positive result seems to be on cards for the Reds. As they say, change is always for good.
STAR MAN: Paul Pogba (7.8m)
Time to show Mourinho what he had been leaving on the bench..!?
PREDICTION: Cardiff 1-2 Manchester United
Everton vs Tottenham
Everton really haven’t had the results going their way coming into this fixture. Spurs on the contrary have been building steadily after the defeat in the North London Derby. With 2 attacking sides going head to head, all we can expect from this one is end to end stuff.
STAR MAN: Harry Kane (12.6m)
If fit, the English captain could have something to say in this one.
PREDICTION: Everton 1-2 Tottenham
Written by FPL Transfer Tips (@FPL_TransTips)
