Fantasy Premier League: Key Considerations for Boxing Day and Gameweek 18
The festive midweek fixtures present an important opportunity for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers to adjust their teams, with the next deadline falling on Boxing Day, marking Gameweek 18. Teams must be set before 11 a.m. GMT, and it’s crucial to note that the second wildcard becomes available after Gameweek 19. Therefore, Gameweek 18 serves as one of the last chances to use the first wildcard before it expires, giving managers an added incentive to make thoughtful changes.
Manchester City’s Upcoming Fixtures and FPL Implications
Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola, is set to face a relatively easy run of fixtures on paper, with matches against Everton at home, Leicester City away, and West Ham United at home, all receiving a Fixture Difficulty Rating of just 2 out of 5. However, these fixtures might not be as straightforward as they seem. Everton, despite their struggles this season, has kept clean sheets in recent matches against high-profile teams such as Arsenal and Chelsea. This defensive resilience, especially since Jarrad Branthwaite’s return to the starting lineup, could pose challenges for City on Boxing Day. Everton has kept five clean sheets in the last six games, suggesting that the match could be more competitive than anticipated.
Still, for FPL managers, Manchester City’s upcoming fixtures represent a prime opportunity for their star players to bounce back. With players like Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, known for their ability to score and create in any match, a strong performance from either of them could spark a much-needed resurgence for City. The right combination of players firing on the pitch could lead to big points for FPL teams. Managers will need to carefully assess their lineups and potentially make bold choices in the lead-up to this important set of fixtures.
