Fantasy Premier League 2021/22 gameweek 18 will hopefully start this Saturday as Aston Villa take on Burnley. However, with several top-flight postponements already due to the current Covid situation in the UK, it could also fall short. Read on to find out more about this curtailed gameweek.
Fantasy Premier League 2021/22 Gameweek 18 Picks
Covid Decimates the Premier League
Five matches have already been postponed from this weekend’s fixtures. In fact, that was a good thing for travelling fans that the announcements have come a couple of days before the matches, unlike on previous occasions where no declarations were made even three hours before kickoff. The five matches scheduled to go ahead could also get postponed if there is a Covid breakout in any of the teams involved. So, FPL managers can only keep their fingers crossed. Overall, everyone likes to see the end of this pandemic which does not seem likely at this stage.
Fantasy Premier League 2021/22 Gameweek 18: Fixtures
Aston Villa v Burnley
Burnley could lift themselves out of the relegation zone with a win but it won’t be easy against in-form Aston Villa, who have won four from the last six. On the other hand, the Clarets have only lost two of their last ten in the league but have drawn seven times in that run. They have also had two matches postponed so their players should be fresh. Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa, Matthew Cash and Emiliano Martínez are decent options from Villa whereas Sean Dyche will hope key attacker Maxwel Cornet returns from injury. Chris Wood as always is a decent pick. Danny Ings will hope to see some action against his former club as well.
Leeds United v Arsenal
Leeds United are missing at least eight players this weekend. Dan James and Jamie Shackleton have joined the treatment table whereas Junior Firpo is suspended. It seems quite difficult for Marcelo Bielsa to field a decent lineup against an Arsenal side who were very impressive in their 2-0 victory over West Ham United. However, the Gunners have a poor away record and lost on both their last two away trips.
Emile Smith Rowe should return to the starting lineup at the expense of Gabriel Martinelli. The rest of the players will likely retain their spots. There are many picks to choose from with Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Martin Ødegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney and Gabriel all decent options. Maybe consider Alexandre Lacazette as well? From Leeds United, only Raphinha seems worth it at this stage.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea
This looks like a tough game for Chelsea. Wolves have the fourth-best defensive record in the league. The Blues have dropped a few points recently and struggled to beat Leeds United and Watford as well. Wolves could pick up a point here and they even won this fixture last season. Chelsea have a few players missing with Ben Chilwell, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku all testing positive for Covid. If things get worse, this fixture could be in danger of being postponed as well.
Newcastle United v Manchester City
This is the match to target for sure this weekend. Manchester City currently have almost a fully fit squad and are on top of the table. In addition, they are in ominous form and have won the last seven matches in a row in the Premier League. On the other hand, Newcastle United are leaking goals every game. Try to pick three players from City. João Cancelo will return from suspension and is a must-have. Bernardo Silva was taken off at halftime and could be a risk. Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish and Ilkay Gündogan are all great picks but predicting who will start is the main worry. De Bruyne has a decent record against Newcastle with three goals and five assists in nine games. However, will he be able to start after playing the full 90 minutes on Tuesday night?
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
Liverpool will miss Fabinho, Virgil van Dijk and Curtis Jones who all tested positive for Covid. Tottenham Hotspur have already had to postpone three Premier League games and could still be missing some players to the virus. In terms of FPL, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold remain great picks. However, there could be more players testing positive in the Liverpool camp.
Fantasy Premier League 2021/22 Gameweek 18: Free Hit Draft
Martinez, Ramsdale
Reece James, Ben White, Cancelo, Alexander-Arnold, Charlie Cresswell
Jacob Ramsey, Smith-Rowe, Salah, Jota, Sterling
Jesus, Watkins, Gelhardt
Captaincy Options
Pick a City player this week with the vice-captain from either Arsenal or Aston Villa.
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