FPL 2025/26 GW18: Calvert-Lewin and crocked Fernandes top list of must-sells this week

There comes a point in every FPL season where loyalty starts costing you points, and Gameweek 18 feels exactly like that moment, writes Fantasy Premier League expert Blake Hurst. Injuries, suspensions and stuttering form are piling up for some big name assets, while sharp differentials are emerging all over the place. This is the week to be ruthless. Moving early on Bruno Fernandes and Igor Thiago does not just tidy up your team, it unlocks money and slots for the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Matheus Cunha and Florian Wirtz to come in and actually move your rank.

Bruno Fernandes (9.4m)

Fernandes has been the definition of reliable for years, so it always feels uncomfortable suggesting a sell. But that injury against Aston Villa was a genuine momentum killer, and suddenly he no longer feels like a ‘don’t think twice’ hold. With a few exciting midfield differentials emerging, this is a natural point to jump off. Cunha, Wirtz and even someone like Jack Grealish or Elliot Anderson all give you a fresh route into points, and importantly, they are not carrying the same fitness question marks. If you have value tied up in the Manchester United captain, this is the best time you will get to redirect it before the template shifts and his price drops. 

Igor Thiago (7.1m)

This one will feel a bit uncomfortable because the fixtures are not awful, but the form is hard to ignore. Thiago’s recent underlying numbers are really poor: barely any shots, minimal xGI and long stretches of games where he just does not look like scoring. Yes, he is still on penalties and still getting 90 minutes, so a return is always possible, but at some point you have to back what you are seeing. With forwards like Ekitike flying and Jarred Bowen offering a more reliable route to points in midfield, there is a clear opportunity cost to sitting on a flat Brentford number nine. If you need a move that can actually change your season, this sale makes a lot of sense.

Dominik Szoboszlai (6.7m)

Liverpool utility man Szoboszlai is a frustrating one, because the role is good and the fixtures are about to turn nicely. The issue is timing. That suspension for his fifth yellow card means he misses the standout home match against Wolves, which is exactly the fixture you wanted him for. Carrying him through a blank in a key week feels suboptimal when there are live midfield options around the same price who actually play. If your bench is strong and you are rolling a transfer, you can probably get away with holding. But if you are chasing upside and trying to attack GW18 aggressively, moving him on for someone like Wirtz or another explosive mid is a very reasonable play.

Maxence Lacroix (5.2m)

There is nothing wrong with Lacroix as a player or with the Crystal Palace defence in general. They remain well drilled, sit high in fourth in the defensive rankings and will continue to keep a fair number of clean sheets. This is more about timing and opportunity than any dramatic drop off. When an Everton defender in a similar price bracket has better fixtures and comparable underlying numbers, it becomes a classic sideways move that can quietly improve your squad. If you are sitting on a spare transfer and looking for a small but meaningful tweak, hopping off Lacroix now and into that Everton backline feels like one of those smart, low drama FPL decisions.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (5.8m)

If there is a player who sums up the phrase ‘FPL troll’, it is Calvert-Lewin. Long time managers have been burned enough times to know the pattern: you ignore him while he ticks along, buy him the moment he looks essential, and then watch the goals dry up.  A run of five returns in a row for Leeds is impressive, but it is also exactly when you start asking whether you are arriving late to the party. The upcoming fixtures – Sunderland, Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle – look tough and not ideal for a forward you do not fully trust. If you have avoided him so far, this is not the moment to give in. Hard avoid.