FPL 2025/26 GW18: Liverpool pair Ekitike and Wirtz gain significance after Isak blow

FPL gameweek 18 feels like one of those weeks where a couple of brave moves can completely reshape your season, writes Fantasy Premier League expert Blake Hurst. Form players are emerging, fixtures are swinging and some big names are starting to creak, which opens the door for sharper, more exciting picks. This is the perfect time to attack upside rather than hiding behind the template. Whether you are chasing in your mini leagues or trying to stretch out a lead, targeting the right buys now – players like Hugo Ekitike, Matheus Cunha and Florian Wirtz – can set you up nicely for the festive run and beyond.

Hugo Ekitike (8.8m)

Sometimes there’s no need to overthink it, just buy the in-form Liverpool forward. Ekitike has been the one constant bright spark in a mixed Liverpool attack, racking up goals and double-digit hauls and looking full of confidence every time he plays. His movement in the box is sharp, he is always on the shoulder, and he passes the eye test as much as the numbers. He is also set for an extended run in the team with Alexander Isak seemingly sidelined for several weeks and perhaps longer. With Wolves and Leeds both visiting Anfield over the next 10 days, there is a real chance this purple patch continues. If you want to swerve the Erling Haaland captaincy template and actually chase upside, Ekitike is a genuine differential captaincy shout this week.

Jarrod Bowen (7.6m)

Bowen is one of those picks you almost feel silly overlooking when he is fit. Whenever he scores, he tends to land in that classic nine-pointer range that keeps your gameweeks ticking. West Ham might be a mess defensively, but they are rarely dull going forward and Bowen is central to everything in the final third. You are not buying him for clean sheets, you are buying him because he finds space, attacks the box and has done it consistently over multiple seasons. Fulham at home feels like the sort of fixture where he can remind everyone what he is about.

Matheus Cunha (8.0m)

Bruno Fernandes’ injury has blown Manchester United’s attack wide open and someone has to take control of it. This is where Cunha comes in. He has the profile managers love in FPL: energetic, direct and always looking to get shots away rather than hiding in games. United remain chaotic at the back, but they still create chances and take plenty of efforts on goal, especially at home. With key attackers missing, Cunha should see a lot of the ball and plenty of responsibility in central areas. If you like jumping on a player just as they become ‘the guy’ in a big club’s attack, this is your moment. Don’t miss out. 

Michael Keane (4.7m)

If you are scraping around for cash but still want a route into a solid defence, Keane deserves a second look. He is not as nailed on as James Tarkowski (5.5m), but that price gap is huge when you are trying to fund a big move in midfield or up front. Everton are exactly what you expect: organised, physical and awkward to break down, especially against bottom-half sides. Keane carries a decent threat from set pieces, attacks the ball well in the air and his underlying defensive contribution stacks up closely to Tarkowski’s. Burnley away to kick off a decent run is the sort of fixture where you can realistically hope for a clean sheet and maybe a cheeky headed chance.

Florian Wirtz (8.0m)

Wirtz burned a lot of managers early doors, which is exactly why he is interesting again now. The quality has never been in doubt; it was just a timing issue. At that 8.0m price point, he sits in an awkward bracket where people would rather stick with safer, template mids, but that is where the opportunity lies. His ownership among engaged managers is significantly lower than the 7.6% suggested on FPL, so any haul really moves the needle for your rank. Recent performances have looked sharper, with more end product and involvement in key attacks. With Wolves and Leeds up next, this feels like the sort of mini-run where he could easily remind everyone why he was called ‘essential’ in pre-season.