{"id":1420654,"date":"2025-12-22T16:56:35","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T16:56:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=gaming&p=1420654"},"modified":"2026-01-15T10:52:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T10:52:49","slug":"best-fpl-players-for-gameweeks-18-21-according-to-ai","status":"publish","type":"gaming","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/gaming\/best-fpl-players-for-gameweeks-18-21-according-to-ai\/","title":{"rendered":"Best FPL Players for Gameweeks 18-21, according to AI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FPL managers have four gameweeks in the space of two weeks to bring to an end 2025 and open 2026.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, who are the top 10 FPL picks by predicted points for FPL Gameweek 18 through to Gameweek 21?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Fantasy Football Hub is purpose-built to turn FPL managers into FPL winners. From their industry-leading AI to the experts who reveal their teams every gameweek, it’s no surprise tens of thousands of managers gain the edge with the Hub every season. <\/em><\/strong>Join as a Fantasy Football Hub member<\/em><\/strong><\/a> today and if you don\u2019t win your mini-league, you\u2019ll get your money back!<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

10. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GW18-21 Predicted points: <\/strong>19.5<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea\u2019s Cole Palmer has been in promising form since returning from injury, with goal involvements in consecutive games. He\u2019s not been back on set pieces, but has had four shots on goal and made four key passes. It\u2019s consecutive home games up next for Chelsea against Aston Villa and Bournemouth, before travelling to Manchester City and Fulham.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Ibrahim Konate (Liverpool)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GW18-21 Predicted points: <\/strong>19.7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Liverpool have one of the best fixture runs in this festive period, with Wolves and Leeds United at home the next two gameweeks being an excellent entry point. Ibrahim Konate is one of two defenders to make this Christmas top ten, with Liverpool keeping two clean sheets in five and the defender scooping the defensive contribution bonus three times.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Nico O’Reilly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GW18-21 Predicted points: <\/strong>20.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manchester City\u2019s Nico O\u2019Reilly remains their best value defender for the campaign, with his side keeping clean sheets in three consecutive games. Eight consecutive starts bodes well for this fixture congestion, with good clean sheet potential in all of the next four gameweeks where he faces Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Antoine Semenyo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GW18-21 Predicted points: <\/strong>20.9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bournemouth midfielder Antoine Semenyo ended a run of six consecutive blanks with goals in back to back games against Manchester United and Burnley. His underlying numbers suggested returns could be on the way, with 12 shots and eight key passes in the last four gameweeks. He\u2019s the highest scoring midfielder in the game once again.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

6. Hugo Ekitike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GW18-21 Predicted points: <\/strong>21.3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike is at the top of FPL managers Christmas lists, with over 500,000 transfers in already ahead of Gameweek 18. Form and fixtures have collided, with five goals in his last four games. Crucially, his minutes look to be secure over this congested schedule with Alexander Isak set for a spell on the sidelines through injury.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Declan Rice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GW18-21 Predicted points: <\/strong>22.9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gunners midfielder Declan Rice remains their highest scoring player in the game this season, with multiple routes to points. He\u2019s chalked up eight goal involvements, with the defensive contribution bonus in seven of his 16 starts and 15 bonus points. He\u2019s across most of their set pieces and has three home games in his next four.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Phil Foden<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GW18-21 Predicted points: <\/strong>23.0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manchester City\u2019s Phil Foden continues to be the man of the moment, despite a blank in Gameweek 17 bringing to an end a four game scoring streak, with six goals and one assist in this period. He sits top for shots on target with nine in this time, converting from five big chances on goal. Confidence is key and 14 consecutive starts is promising too.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Bukayo Saka<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GW18-21 Predicted points: <\/strong>24.0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viktor Gyokeres converting Arsenal\u2019s winning penalty against Everton last time out will have frustrated the 20%+ fantasy managers who own Bukayo Saka. While the spot-kick situation for the Gunners is now confused, Saka remains an excellent short-term pick, with eight goal involvements in this campaign, including four attacking returns in his last four.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

2. Matheus Cunha<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GW18-21 Predicted points: <\/strong>24.9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manchester United\u2019s Matheus Cunha is an interesting option with team-mate Bruno Fernandes a big injury doubt heading into this next four gameweek window. Cunha has three goal involvements in four since returning from injury and also sits top for shots (25) in this period. He could be on penalties in Fernandes\u2019 absence and is my favourite replacement.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Erling Haaland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GW18-21 Predicted points: <\/strong>33.9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Erling Haaland retains his place as the top AI option and the best captain pick in each of the next four gameweeks. As the highest scoring fantasy asset in the game by 52 points, it\u2019s easy to lock the armband on him into 2026, with an impressive 23 goal involvements from the opening 17 games. He\u2019s had 33 big chances on goal so far this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n