Teams to target: Aston Villa & Newcastle United
Aston Villa vs. Sheffield United
No side have collected more points than Aston Villa over the last 10 games and they’ve got the plumb fixture of the blank GW18 at home to Sheffield United.
Aston Villa have won an incredible 15 consecutive home league matches, most recently beating last season’s top two in the form of Manchester City and Arsenal.
They host a Sheffield United side who are the only side in the league yet to record an away victory and a triple up on a free hit would be the way to go here.
Ollie Watkins is an absolute must this week and is perhaps the best captaincy pick as well.
Alongside him I’d want a defensive option and with Matty Cash a rotation risk, Ezri Konsa appears the safest bet here.
Leon Bailey edges out Moussa Diaby for the final spot in a free hit side, with the Jamaican international in good form having scored and assisted in recent home wins!
Luton Town vs. Newcastle United
Newcastle United’s away form this season hasn’t been great, with only Luton Town and Sheffield United collecting fewer points on the road.
However their underlying stats have been good and they face a Luton side who have struggled for results all season long.
Despite numerous injuries, Newcastle top the league for xG this season and are fourth for xGA.
Luton have conceded the second most xGA and only Burnley have fewer points in front of their own supporters.
Kieran Trippier is back from suspension, provided he overcomes a minor injury and he’s the best defensive pick in GW18.
Callum Wilson and Alexandre Isak are probably not worth the risk given their rotation and injury records this season, meaning Antony Gordon is the best attacking option.
Opposition to target: Burnley & Nottingham Forest
Fulham vs. Burnley
Fulham have won their last three home matches, scoring 13 goals in the process. In GW18 they host a Burnley side who continue to struggle at a higher level.
Burnley are second bottom for xG created and have scored just six goals in eight league away matches.
Bernd Leno is having another good campaign for Fulham and is the surprise top points scorers for goalkeepers, with 18 points and two clean sheets in his last three games.
For me he’s the stand out goalkeeper selection this week and a third consecutive home clean sheet is probable.
I would have had a relatively in-form Raul Jimenez in a free hit side this week as well; however the Mexican striker was sent-off in GW17 and will miss the home fixture with Burnley.
Nottingham Forest vs. Bournemouth
Nottingham Forest look set to part ways with manager Steve Cooper following a poor run of form which has seen them claim just four points from their last 10 matches.
They are without a win in six and their incredible home form has deserted them of late, losing their last three in front of their own fans to the likes of Brighton, Everton and Tottenham.
In contrast, Bournemouth are in superb form, having won five of their last seven matches, including their last three on the road.
I’m somewhere between one and two Bournemouth assets this week, with Dominic Solanke the stand out selection.
Marcos Senesi would be my defensive pick were I to select one, with the Argentine defender scoring twice in this run, keeping three clean sheets in the process and only Trent Alexander-Arnold has more points among defenders in the last five games.
Other options
Tottenham vs. Everton
Tottenham have won consecutive matches and appear to have turned a corner following a poor run of form. They host an Everton side in incredible form, with seven wins in their last 10.
Despite their respective form, I’d want a couple of Spurs assets here. Pedro Porro is perhaps the best defensive asset in FPL right now and is a must in a free hit side.
It’s hard to ignore the attacking options in the Tottenham side and Son Heung-Min would be my vice captain this week.
Liverpool vs. Arsenal
The Premier League top two go head to head on Saturday evening and I wouldn’t be against going with no options from this fixture in a free hit side.
However with Manchester City not having a fixture, there is a decent amount of free budget and Mohamed Salah would probably find his way into my team.
Salah blanked in the 0-0 draw with Manchester United; but he has an incredible record against the Gunners with 13 goal contributions in 13 league matches.
Wolves vs. Chelsea
The form and price of Cole Palmer means he’s the final selection in a free hit side for me.
Wolves away isn’t the best of games and Chelsea have been far from impressive this season; however Palmer has shown and is quickly becoming the budget midfield pick.
He already has six goals this season and on three occasions has he produced a double digit return.
GW18 Dream Team: Leno; Trippier, Konsa, Porro; Son, Palmer, Gordon, Salah, Bailey; Watkins, Solanke
