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FPL gameweek 18 looks like one of those weeks where a few brave moves can completely reshape your season, writes Fantasy Premier League expert Blake Hurst. In-form players emerge, matches change and some big names start to squeak, opening the door to sharper, more exciting picks. This is the perfect time to attack on the upside rather than hiding behind the pattern. Whether you’re chasing your mini-leagues or trying to gain an edge, targeting the right buys now – players like Hugo Ekitike, Matheus Cunha and Florian Wirtz – can smoothly prepare you for the holidays and beyond.
Hugo Ekitike (8.8m)
Sometimes you don’t need to think too much about it, just buy the form Liverpool Before. Ekitike has been the one consistent bright spark in a mixed Liverpool attack, racking up goals and double-digit goals and looking full of confidence every time he plays. His movement in the box is lively, he is always on the shoulder and he passes the eye test as much as the numbers. He’s also set for an extended tenure with the team, with Alexander Isak reportedly out for several weeks, if not longer. With Wolves and Leeds both visiting Anfield over the next 10 days, there is a real chance this purple patch will continue. If you want to deviate from the Erling Haaland captaincy model and continue the upward trend, Ekitike is a real differential captaincy screamer this week.
Jarrod Bowen (7.6m)
Bowen is one of those picks that you almost feel foolish ignoring when he’s in good shape. Every time he scores, he tends to land in that classic nine-point range that keeps your game weeks going. West Ham may be a mess defensively, but they are rarely boring going forward and Bowen is the center of everything in the final third. You don’t buy him for clean sheets, you buy him because he finds space, attacks the box and has done it consistently over multiple seasons. Fulham at home looks like the kind of fixture where he can remind everyone what he does.
Mathéus Cunha (8.0m)
Bruno Fernandes’ injury exploded That of Manchester United the offense is wide open and someone needs to take control. This is where Cunha comes in. He has the profile that managers love in FPL: energetic, direct and always looking to shoot rather than hide in matches. United remain chaotic in defense, but they always create chances and put in a lot of effort on goal, especially at home. With no key attackers, Cunha is expected to see a lot of the ball and a lot of responsibility in central areas. If you like to jump on a player the moment he becomes “the guy” in a big club’s offense, this is your time. Don’t miss anything.
Michael Keane (4.7m)
If you’re looking for money but still want access to a solid defense, Keane is worth a second look. He’s not as nailed as James Tarkowski (5.5 million), but that price gap is huge when you’re trying to finance a big move in midfield or up front. Everton are exactly what you’d expect: organized, physical and difficult to break down, especially against bottom half teams. Keane poses a decent threat from set pieces, attacks the ball well in the air and his underlying defensive contribution approaches that of Tarkowski. Burnley away to launch a decent run is the sort of game where you can realistically hope for a clean sheet and perhaps a cheeky chance.
Florian Wirtz (8.0m)
Wirtz burned down many managers’ doors early on, which is exactly why he’s interesting again now. Quality has never been in doubt; it was just a matter of timing. At that 8.0 million price, it’s in a tricky range where people prefer to stick to safer mid-range models, but that’s where the opportunity lies. His stake among committed managers is significantly lower than the suggested 7.6% on FPL, so any acquisition really shakes things up for your rank. Recent performance looks sharper, with more end products and involvement in key attacks. With Wolves and Leeds up next, this looks like the kind of mini-run where he could easily remind everyone why he was labeled ‘essential’ in pre-season.
