Welcome to this week’s Transfer Targets and Watchlist, where we look at a few players to target ahead of GW18 and also a few players to target and keep an eye on for the upcoming Gameweeks. The list has three players, one forward, defender, and midfielder each, who are expected to perform well this week, given both form and opposition, these will be “FPL GW18 Transfer Targets”. The list also contains one forward, defender, and midfielder each who should be on your watchlist for the upcoming Gameweeks, again, a combination of form and fixtures.
Link to all our FPL GW18 blogs including scout picks, players to target, buy, hold, sell analysis, differentials, captaincy metrics, best forwards, and more. Completely free to access as well!
FPL GW18 Transfer Targets
James Tarkowski – £5.5m – 7.9%
To start off the list of FPL GW18 transfer targets, we have Everton’s James Tarkowski. Like many expected, Tarkowski has been one of the top defenders this season when it comes to Defcon. He has a 176 Defcons this season already, the 4th highest in the league, making him an absolute unit at the back.
Top Defenders for DEFCON this season:
However, his defcons are not the only impressive thing about him. Everton travel away to Burnley this week and given Everton’s set-piece routine and Burnley’s shortcomings towards set-pieces this season, Tarkowski’s aerial prowess could certainly make him one to watch out for.
Everton’s good run of fixtures continue after this week too as they play NFO(A), BRE(H), WOL(H) and AVL(A). At 5.5, Tarkowski could be a good addition to your team going forward.
Further Read: Top FPL GW18 Differential Picks to Target Ahead of Deadline
Matheus Cunha – £8.0m – 6.8%
After a unusual slow start to the season, Cunha has finally picked up his form. With Mbuemo going away for AFCON, Bruno Fernandes injured and Sesko’s injury concerns still in the air, Cunha becomes the focal point of Manchester United’s attack.
3 G/A in the last three games, Cunha is back in goal scoring form just before Manchester United’s run of good fixtures. In the next five, they play Newcastle(H), Wolves(H), Leeds(A), Burnley(A) and Manchester City(H).
In the last three Gameweeks, Cunha has averaged a mammoth 7.33 shots per 90 (reinstating my point about him being the central focus of United’s attack), has had 1.33 Big Chances per 90, and has played 2.33 Key passes per 90. Through out the season, only Haaland has taken more shots than Cunha’s 47.
Further Read: FPL GW18 Scout Picks Based on Stats, Analysis and Matchups
Hugo Ekitiké – £8.9m – 30.8%
Defending Champions Liverpool have struggled this season, however even in one of the worst title defenses of the recent past, Liverpool have had one shining light. Their new signing Hugo Ekitike has been impressive and has come into form in the last 4 Gameweeks having scored 5 goals in 266 minutes.
With Alexander Isak injured, Ekitike is bound to continue his form in the next few games. He has an impressive run of fixtures coming up starting this week with Wolves(H), Leeds(H), Fulham(A), Arsenal(A) and Burnley(H).
Ekitike has slowly become one of the must have players in your team and if you don’t bring him in now, you might regret it when he performs in his next Gameweeks.
Further Read: FPL GW18 Predicted Lineups, Injuries, & Press Conference Updates
FPL GW18 Watchlist
Malick Thiaw – £5.0m – 2.6%
First player on the watchlist for GW18 and beyond is Newcastle United’s Malick Thiaw. Newcastle United’s fixtures in the coming Gameweeks change for the better as they play Manchester United(A), Burnley(A), Crystal Palace(H), Leeds United(H) and Wolves(A).
Malick Thiaw can be a great player to have in this time. He has averaged 10.41 DEFCONs and 0.77 shots per 90 making him a defensive threat and also an attacking threat during set-pieces.
With favorable fixtures and odds of a clean sheet high in almost all of their next few games, Thiaw can be a major differential going forward.
Further Read: Top FPL Gameweek 18 Captain Picks Based on Analysis & Metrics
Morgan Rogers – £7.3m – 19.9%
Second player on the list is Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, who scored a brace of beautiful goals against Manchester United last Gameweek.
He is coming into fine form after a slow start to the season and has contributed with 7 goal contributions in the last 6 Gameweeks. In this same time frame, he has averaged 3.17 shots, got 0.33 big chances, 0.26xG and 1.17 key passes per 90.
Aston Villa have a run of good fixtures coming in from Gameweek 20 onwards and Rogers could be a player to watch during that time frame. He plays Nottingham Forest (H), Crystal Palace(A), Everton(H), Newcastle(A) and Brentford(H). Keep an eye out for him as he can become invaluable soon.
Further Read: Best Bruno Fernandes Replacements to Consider for FPL GW18
Jarrod Bowen – £7.6m – 7.2%
Last player on the list is West Ham’s ever reliable man, Jarrod Bowen. A man in form, Bowen has 3 goal contribution in the last 5 Gameweeks. In this timeframe, Bowen has averaged 3 shots, has got 0.6 big chances and 0.2 key passes per 90 even as West Ham have failed to win any of their last 5 games.
Their fixture run, however, is looking really good for the upcoming Gameweeks. From Gameweek 18 onwards, they play Fulham(H), Brighton(H), Wolves(A), Nottingham Forest(H) and Tottenham(A).
Bowen also takes penalties when Paqueta is not on the pitch. With a total of 7 goal contributions this season with 3 of them coming in the last five, Bowen has hit fine form right when the fixture run gets better.
If Ekitike is someone you are unable to currently afford, Bowen is your next best choice!
Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of FPL GW18
Premier League Players who will miss PL due to AFCON 2025
FPL GW18 Transfer Targets & Watchlist Based on Stats & Eye Test
Top FPL GW18 Differential Picks to Target Ahead of Deadline
FPL GW18 Scout Picks Based on Stats, Analysis and Matchups
FPL GW18 Predicted Lineups, Injuries, & Press Conference Updates
Best Bruno Fernandes Replacements to Consider for FPL GW18
AK’s FPL GW18 Team Reveal & Transfer Plans | 3x Top 5K Finishes
FPL Gameweek 18 Transfer Tips: Two Players to Buy, Hold, & Sell
FPL GW18 Ultimate Guide: Tips, Differentials, Captaincy & More
Link to all our FPL GW18 blogs, including buy, hold, sell analysis, differentials, captaincy metrics, transfer targets, and more. Completely free to access as well!
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What’s next from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL Gameweek 18 of the 2025/26 FPL Season?
We’ll be covering differential picks, transfer targets, Buy, Hold, Sell analysis, Scout picks, Gameweek preview, Captaincy metrics, FPL GW18 tips, and more. Keep checking allaboutfpl.com for all our blogs. We’ll also be posting regularly about the same on our social media accounts, so follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook and keep our notification ON.
