Gameweek 18 arrives at a crucial point in the 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League season, with fixture swings, AFCON absences, injuries, and rotation all influencing squad planning.
For managers activating the Free Hit chip, the objective is simple: maximize short-term upside by targeting form players with strong fixtures, guaranteed minutes, and multiple routes to points.
Goalkeeper – Jordan Pickford (Everton) – £5.5m
Jordan Pickford earns the nod between the posts thanks to Everton’s excellent defensive form and a favorable away fixture at Burnley.
Pickford has been outstanding on the road recently, amassing 19 points across his last three away matches against Manchester United, Bournemouth, and Chelsea.
Those returns include two clean sheets, save points, and bonus points.
Burnley have struggled badly in attack, scoring just seven home goals all season, making this an ideal fixture for another clean sheet.
With Everton entering a long run of favorable fixtures, Pickford is the safest goalkeeper option for a Free Hit in GW-18.
Defender – Michael Keane (Everton) – £4.7m
Michael Keane is the standout Everton defender for Gameweek 18. Everton face Burnley in a fixture that strongly favors defensive returns, and Keane combines clean-sheet potential with attacking threat.
He already has two goals this season and remains a major set-piece presence.
Importantly, Keane is the most secure route into the Everton backline. While James Tarkowski and Vitalii Mykolenko are one booking away from suspension, Keane has not been cautioned once this season.
With strong defensive contribution numbers and minimal risk of rotation or suspension, he is an ideal Free Hit pick.
Defender – William Saliba (Arsenal) – £5.9m
William Saliba’s return from injury has significantly strengthened Arsenal’s defense, making him a top pick for GW-18.
Arsenal host Brighton at the Emirates, where they have conceded just three goals all season—at least half the total of any other Premier League side.
Saliba’s presence improves Arsenal’s clean-sheet odds considerably, and his calm distribution and defensive dominance often earn him bonus points.
With Arsenal heavily backed for a home shutout, Saliba is one of the most reliable defensive selections this week.
Defender – Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – £5.5m
Trevoh Chalobah offers multiple routes to points in Chelsea’s home fixture against Aston Villa.
His recent record at Stamford Bridge is excellent, having collected 24 points across his last three home matches.
Those returns include two clean sheets, a goal, defensive contribution points, and bonus points.
Chelsea’s home form, combined with Chalobah’s attacking threat from set pieces, makes him an excellent Free Hit defender with both safety and upside.
Defender – Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford) – £4.8m
Keane Lewis-Potter is the standout enabler and one of the most explosive picks of Gameweek 18.
Listed as a defender in FPL, he is currently playing as part of Brentford’s front three due to Dango Ouattara’s departure to AFCON.
Lewis-Potter comes into GW-18 after producing a sensational 21-point haul against Wolves, scoring twice and keeping a clean sheet.
Brentford host Bournemouth this week, and if he continues in an advanced role, his attacking potential far outweighs his price. He is essential in a Free Hit setup.
Midfielder – Phil Foden (Manchester City) – £8.9m
Phil Foden has re-established himself as a premium midfield option, delivering four double-digit hauls in his last five Gameweeks.
Pep Guardiola’s decision to move him into a more advanced role has paid immediate dividends.
Manchester City travel to Nottingham Forest in the early kick-off, and Foden’s away form is exceptional.
He has scored three goals and collected 28 points in his last two away matches. With City heavily favored, Foden is one of the strongest midfield picks of GW-18.
Midfielder – Matheus Cunha (Manchester United) – £8.0m
Matheus Cunha is one of the standout differential picks for GW-18.
With Bruno Fernandes injured and both Bryan Mbeumo and Amad away at AFCON, Cunha’s role in the Manchester United attack is secure.
He has returned in each of the last three Gameweeks, producing two goals, an assist, and 22 points.
His underlying numbers are outstanding, with 22 shots in that period—more than any other Premier League player.
United host Newcastle, who have won just once away all season, making Cunha a high-upside Free Hit option.
Midfielder – Declan Rice (Arsenal) – £7.1m
Declan Rice continues to deliver exceptional value through his all-round contributions.
His 11-point haul against Everton last weekend took him to 97 points for the season, placing him just behind the top midfield scorers.
Rice combines defensive contributions, assists, bonus point potential, and set-piece involvement.
Against Brighton at home, he offers multiple routes to returns and remains one of the safest midfield picks for GW-18.
Forward – Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – £15.1m (Captain)
Erling Haaland is once again the standout captain choice for Gameweek 18. He extended his lead at the top of the FPL standings last time out, registering his eighth double-digit haul of the season.
Haaland has produced three goals, two assists, and 27 points in his last two away matches.
Manchester City’s trip to Nottingham Forest presents another prime opportunity for a massive return, making him the clear captain for this Free Hit team.
Forward – Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) – £8.9m (Vice-Captain)
Hugo Ekitike has emerged as one of the most in-form forwards in the league.
A regular starting role for Liverpool has seen him score five goals and collect 35 points across the last three Gameweeks.
Liverpool host Wolves at Anfield, and Wolves have conceded a league-high 37 goals so far this season. With form, fixture, and minutes all aligning, Ekitike is an elite Free Hit forward and a strong vice-captain option.
Forward – Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United) – £7.6m
Jarrod Bowen completes the Free Hit XI thanks to his reliability and improving form.
He is the only forward to have played every minute of the Premier League season so far, offering rare security during a busy period.
West Ham host Fulham in GW-18, and Bowen comes into the match with three returns in his last four GameWeeks.
Ranking highly for shots and chances created, he remains the focal point of West Ham’s attack and a dependable Free Hit selection.
