Fantasy Premier League tips: FPL transfers, deadline, captains, free hit and wildcard options for gameweek 18

The next round of Fantasy Premier League kicks off this weekend with managers grappling with a changing Covid-19 situation across the division.

Five Premier League games have been wiped out, including matches for Manchester United, Leicester and West Ham. That produces a tough task in FPL with more games vulnerable to going post-deadline.

Players have until 1.30pm on Saturday to switch up their squad, with some surely feeling that a free hit or wildcard is the way to go. Those who still have a wildcard left may want to use it now with another wildcard landing in January.

But others will be ploughing on regardless, with a make-do-and-mend attitude while enacting only one or two transfers in this very tricky scenario.

Here, we deliver our tips for GW18...

Bukayo Saka - Arsenal - £6.2m

A trip to Leeds on Saturday gives Arsenal the perfect chance to build on their momentum, off the back of consecutive wins. An assist in both of those matches makes Saka the Gunners forward to go for this weekend, with Alexandre Lacazette missing from the spot on Wednesday and Mikel Arteta yet to decide between Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe on the other wing.

Aaron Ramsdale - Arsenal - £5.1m

Let’s do things team by team this week and cement the case for Arsenal, who face a subpar Leeds side with their goalkeeper in the form of his life. Six bonus points and five clean sheets have come his way in the last eight matches.

Harry Kane - Tottenham - £12.1m

It may seem crazy to bet against Liverpool but the sheer facts are that Tottenham are much better rested than the Reds, with Kane inevitably going to burst into a scoring run at some point. With six goals in 12 Premier League meetings with Liverpool, now might be the time to introduce him - especially if you still have Cristiano Ronaldo or Romelu Lukaku floating about.

Mason Mount - Chelsea - £7.6m

Recommended last gameweek and back again because there simply is only one option if you want a Chelsea attacker. Nobody had the threat Mount showed against Everton in midweek and no midfielder playing this weekend has scored more points while costing less money.

Reece James - Chelsea - £6.3m

The partnership between James and Mount was a joy to behold on Thursday night and led to several chances, including the opener as he notched his fifth assist of the campaign.

Joao Cancelo - Man City - £6.8m

Fresh from a midweek ban, the Portuguese full-back will be ready and raring to go against a Newcastle team managed by Eddie Howe - who has lost all 10 of his Premier League meetings with City, the worst record of any manager against one team in the league’s history.

Kevin De Bruyne - Man City - £11.8m

Only 2.5 per cent of players own the Belgian and it could be time to start using Covid or the upcoming AFCON to shuffle him into your pack. A dominating performance against Leeds showed he is capable of some mega points hauls, even if he isn’t actually up to full speed yet.

Ashley Young - Aston Villa - £4.7m

Although down as a defender, the veteran has played in midfield since Steven Gerrard’s arrival and should start at home to Burnley on Saturday afternoon. The potential for a clean sheet, plus an increased chance of an assist or goal, is therefore high against a team with a total of zero goals in their last three league games.