Fantasy Premier League: Top Five Forwards Picks for FPL Gameweek 18

As the festive period approaches, the Premier League, and consequently Fantasy Premier League, gears up rather than winding down. With less than a week until Christmas Day and just a fortnight until the close of 2023, FPL managers find themselves navigating three separate deadlines, adding an extra layer to an already bustling time.

The current week is characterized by a hectic schedule of nine fixtures, crammed into the calendar with the finesse of last-minute present wrapping. However, it’s worth noting that this round is incomplete, with both Manchester City and Brentford sitting out due to City’s participation in the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Typical of this time of year, the fixtures are spread across several days, commencing on Thursday, December 21, and concluding on Christmas Eve, a scheduling arrangement that may not necessarily delight everyone.

FPL managers must remain vigilant for Gameweek 18, which begins earlier than usual due to the Thursday night clash between Crystal Palace and Brighton. Consequently, transfers and team adjustments must be locked in before 6:30 pm BST on that evening. To aid managers in this process, we have identified the top five forwards worth considering, factoring in their current form and upcoming fixture lists.

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa has reemerged as a popular choice among Fantasy Premier League managers, and despite being the fourth-most popular player, his recent performances warrant attention. Many managers are rushing to bring back Watkins after an earlier decision to replace him with Darwin Nunez did not pan out well due to a short-term “injury” for the Aston Villa striker.

Watkins earned a spot in FPL’s exclusive 100-points club in Gameweek 17 by scoring a late goal against his former club Brentford, securing a nine-point haul. With only Mo Salah (130), Son Heung-min (115), and Erling Haaland (112) outscoring him so far, Watkins has established himself as one of the top performers in FPL.

Given Erling Haaland’s absence in the upcoming weekend, Watkins has a prime opportunity to surpass him in the rankings as Villa hosts Sheffield United. Watkins boasts an impressive record as the fourth-highest-scoring player in FPL at home this season, making him a standout choice for captaincy against the league’s bottom team.

Also Read: Fantasy Premier League: Top Five Goalkeepers Picks for FPL Gameweek 18

Priced at £8.6 million with a total of 108 points, Watkins is set to face Sheffield United at home in Gameweek 17, making him an appealing prospect for Fantasy Premier League managers looking for a reliable and high-scoring forward.

Alexander Isak (Newcastle)

Alexander Isak is set to lead Newcastle’s attack against a struggling Luton side. Despite recent challenges in terms of output, Isak remains a pivotal figure in the team. Notably, Newcastle ranks second for expected goals and holds the top spot for the total number of big chances this season.

Despite his recent struggles, the Swedish international continues to sit seventh in the Fantasy Premier League points standings with 4.46. With Newcastle’s strong offensive metrics and a fixture against a struggling opponent like Luton, Isak presents a compelling option for FPL managers seeking a forward with the potential for impactful performances.

Priced at £7.6 million, Alexander Isakn is holding the seventh position among 98 players in his position. Currently maintaining a form rating of 2.8, he boasts an average of 4.8 points per match, placing him fourth overall. In Gameweek 17, Isak secured 0 points, contributing to his season total of 58 points.

Accumulating 8 bonus points and holding an ICT (Influence, Creativity, Threat) Index of 68.3, he ranks 13th among all forwards. Isak’s popularity is evident with a Team Selected By percentage of 17.0%, positioning him as the fifth most-selected forward. Despite recent challenges in output, Isak’s overall stats and the potential for impactful performances make him a noteworthy consideration for Fantasy Premier League managers.

Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)

Dominic Solanke playing for Bournemouth, has seen an uptick in performance since the return of his teammates. With nine goals to his name, he stands as the second-highest scorer among Premier League forwards this season.

Nottingham Forest have struggled to maintain clean sheets in recent games, creating a favorable opportunity for Solanke to display his goal-scoring prowess. As he aims to capitalize on this opportunity, Solanke emerges as a noteworthy option for Fantasy Premier League managers seeking an in-form forward.

Priced at £6.8 million, Dominic Solanke ranks 15th among 98 players in his position. With a current form rating of 4.6, he maintains an average of 4.6 points per match, placing him fifth overall.

In Gameweek 17, Solanke secured 6 points, contributing to his season total of 79 points. Accumulating 7 bonus points and holding an ICT (Influence, Creativity, Threat) Index of 114.7, he ranks fourth among all forwards.

Solanke’s popularity is evident with a Team Selected By percentage of 17.9%, positioning him as the fourth most-selected forward. With consistent performances and a strong ICT Index, Solanke emerges as a noteworthy and popular choice for Fantasy Premier League managers.

Matheus Cunha (Wolves)

Priced at £5.7 million, Matheus Santos Carneiro Da Cunha, commonly known as Matheus Cunha, represents Wolves as a forward. He currently ranks 26th among 98 players in his position. With a solid form rating of 5.6, he maintains an average of 3.9 points per match, placing him tenth overall.

In Gameweek 17, Cunha secured 2 points, contributing to his season total of 67 points. He has accumulated 6 bonus points and holds an ICT (Influence, Creativity, Threat) Index of 111.6, ranking fifth among all forwards.

Cunha’s popularity is reflected in a Team Selected By percentage of 6.1%, positioning him as the thirteenth most-selected forward. With consistent form and a noteworthy ICT Index, Matheus Cunha emerges as an intriguing and potentially valuable option for Fantasy Premier League managers.

Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)

Darwin Nunez, the Liverpool forward, has a price tag of £7.6 million for FPL Gameweek 18. Currently ranking eighth among 98 players in his position, Nunez Ribeiro has a form rating of 1.8, maintaining an average of 3.9 points per match, placing him eleventh overall. In Gameweek 17, he secured 1 point, contributing to his season total of 63 points.

Also Read: Fantasy Premier League: Top Five Midfielders Picks for FPL Gameweek 18

Accumulating 4 bonus points and holding an ICT (Influence, Creativity, Threat) Index of 96.5, he ranks eighth among all forwards. Núñez’s popularity is evident with a Team Selected By percentage of 16.0%, positioning him as the sixth most-selected forward. Despite his recent form dip, Fantasy Premier League managers continue to show confidence in Darwin Nunez as a forward option for their teams.