FPL GW-18 Free Hit Team

Story byElvisWed, December 24, 2025 at 2:51 PM UTC·5 min readGameweek 18 arrives at a crucial point in the 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League season, with fixture swings, AFCON absences, injuries, and rotation all influencing squad planning. For managers activating the Free Hit chip, the objective is simple: maximize short-term upside by targeting form players with strong fixtures, guaranteed minutes, and multiple routes to points. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGoalkeeper – Jordan Pickford (Everton) – £5.5mJordan Pickford earns the nod between the posts thanks to Everton’s excellent defensive form and a favorable away fixture at Burnley. Pickford has been outstanding on the road recently, amassing 19 points across his last three away matches against Manchester United, Bournemouth, and Chelsea. Those returns include two clean sheets, save points, and bonus points. Burnley have struggled badly in attack, scoring just seven home goals all season, making this an ideal fixture for another clean sheet. With Everton entering a long run of favorable fixtures, Pickford is the safest goalkeeper option for a Free Hit in GW-18. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDefender – Michael Keane (Everton) – £4.7mMichael Keane is the standout Everton defender for Gameweek 18. Everton face Burnley in a fixture that strongly favors defensive returns, and Keane combines clean-sheet potential with attacking threat. He already has two goals this season and remains a major set-piece presence. Importantly, Keane is the most secure route into the Everton backline. While James Tarkowski and Vitalii Mykolenko are one booking away from suspension, Keane has not been cautioned once this season. With strong defensive contribution numbers and minimal risk of rotation or suspension, he is an ideal Free Hit pick. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDefender – William Saliba (Arsenal) – £5.9mWilliam Saliba’s return from injury has significantly strengthened Arsenal’s defense, making him a top pick for GW-18. Arsenal host Brighton at the Emirates, where they have conceded just three goals all season—at least half the total of any other Premier League side. Saliba’s presence improves Arsenal’s clean-sheet odds considerably, and his calm distribution and defensive dominance often earn him bonus points. With Arsenal heavily backed for a home shutout, Saliba is one of the most reliable defensive selections this week. Defender – Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – £5.5mTrevoh Chalobah offers multiple routes to points in Chelsea’s home fixture against Aston Villa. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHis recent record at Stamford Bridge is excellent, having collected 24 points across his last three home matches. Those returns include two clean sheets, a goal, defensive contribution points, and bonus points. Chelsea’s home form, combined with Chalobah’s attacking threat from set pieces, makes him an excellent Free Hit defender with both safety and upside. Defender – Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford) – £4.8mKeane Lewis-Potter is the standout enabler and one of the most explosive picks of Gameweek 18. Listed as a defender in FPL, he is currently playing as part of Brentford’s front three due to Dango Ouattara’s departure to AFCON. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLewis-Potter comes into GW-18 after producing a sensational 21-point haul against Wolves, scoring twice and keeping a clean sheet. Brentford host Bournemouth this week, and if he continues in an advanced role, his attacking potential far outweighs his price.