The Differential Article had a decent week, where 3 of our 6 picks returned with FPL Points. This week, we will be aiming to continue with some strong scores this Gameweek.
- Rayan Cherki – 1 Bonus – 4 Points
- Adrien Truffert – 2 Defcon, 1 Bonus – 5 Points
- Matheus Nunes – 1 Clean Sheet, 2 Bonus – 8 Points
That makes it 41/102 picks who have returned FPL Points from our picks this Season.
In this FPL GW18 Differential Picks article, we will be highlighting 5 players who are less than 10% Owned and 1 Ultra Differential pick(less than 1% Owned) for all of you as of Wednesday, 24th December, 2025. There are many more whom you guys can consider if you decide not go with the 6 players mentioned below.
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!
Top FPL GW18 Differential Picks
Matheus Cunha – Man United – 8.0 Midfielder – 6.5 % TSB –
- 22 FPL Points, 2 Goals, 1 Assist, and 3 Bonus Points. That’s what Cunha has got in the last 3 Gameweeks. It’s not just the FPL Points that he has been racking up in the last 3 Gameweeks. His stats are impressive. He has had 25 Shots in that time, which is 9 more than any other player over that time. He has had 8 Shots on Target, 15 Shots in the Box, and 4 Big Chances. His expected Goal Involvement over this period is 3.18.
- United face a brilliant run of fixtures over the next 4 Games. They face a Newcastle team that has only won one away game all season. They then face bottom-of-the-table Wolves at home and relegation candidates Leeds and Burnley away from home.
- Most people would be buying Cunha with Fernandes injured. Cunha should be a 90-minute man over the Festive period as United are without Mbeumo and Amad (due to AFCON). Plus its highly likely Cunha takes penalties in the absence of Bruno. Previously, Cunha scored 2 penalties when playing for Wolves. We have also seen that Cunha loves being the Big Dog, and that is what he will be for the next few Gameweeks. A penalty-taking talisman with that run of fixtures. Yes please!!
Further Read: FPL GW18 Predicted Lineups, Injuries, & Press Conference Updates
Michael Keane – Everton – 4.7 Defender – 4.4 % TSB –
- Everton begin a great run of fixtures where they play Burnley, Wolves, Leeds, Forest, and Brentford in 5 of the next 6 Gameweeks. Keane has had an impressive season in the absence of Branthwaite. He has scored twice already, picked up 6 Bonus Points, and earned Defcon points in 9 Games. Add that to the Clean Sheet potential, and he could be a cheat code in FPL.
- Burnley are in the Bottom 3 for non-penalty xG and xG so far this season. They are ranked as the Bottom Team for Shots and Shots in the Box. They are ranked in the Bottom 5 for Shots on Target and Big Chances. Burnley also tend to struggle at their home turf as they have scored only 7 Goals at home, all season.
- Keane averages 10.18 Defcon per 90. He has had 3 Shots on Target and 10 Shots in the Box, which means more attacking returns could be on the way. Keane is also nowhere close to a 1 match ban, which his compatriots Tarkowski & Mykolenko are. With his cheaper price tag, he may be the best FPL Defensive Option at the moment from Everton.
Moyes on Branthwaite: Jarrad is getting closer to the grass now and getting closer, so we’re hoping we can maybe get him by the end of the month – but it might be a bit longer than that. We’ll need to see.” Branthwaite is not expected back for a few more weeks, so Keane should continue to start along with Tarkowski.
Further Read: Top FPL Gameweek 18 Captain Picks Based on Analysis & Metrics
Jarrod Bowen – West Ham – 7.6 Forward – 7.1 % TSB –
- We all love players who are rotation-proof during the busy festive period. Our next pick is just that. Bowen is the only forward who has played every minute so far this season. Bowen also is in form as he has scored twice and got an assist in 3 of the last 4 Gameweeks. He is also the only forward to earn Defcon points this season.
- Even in a horrible season so far, Bowen has scored 5 times and got 2 Assists. His stats are good with 17 Shots on Target, 32 Shots in the Box. Bowen infact ranks 3rd among Forwards for both Shots and Chances created so far. Bowen is also very good for Bonus Points when he gets an attacking return, and has earned 14 Bonus Points so far this season.
- West Ham begin a great run of fixtures from this Gameweek and do not face any of last season’s Top 4 teams until Gameweek 28. If West Ham are to survive, they will be looking to earn a good amount of Points during this period. Who else to get them these wins that “Mr. West Ham” himself!!
Further Read: FPL GW18 Scout Picks Based on Stats, Analysis and Matchups
Florian Wirtz – Liverpool – 8.1 Midfielder – 8.7 % TSB –
- Slowly but surely, Wirtz has been adjusting to the intensity of the Premier League. He has got 2 Assists over the last 4 Gameweeks and has earned 20 FPL Points and 2 Bonus Points over the last 4 Gameweeks. Over this period, Wirtz is Liverpool’s Top Chance creator. He has created 10 chances, which can only be bettered by 4 other midfielders over this period.
- Like Ekitike, Wirtz is also nailed to play a lot of minutes in the Festive period, due to injuries to Isak, Gakpo, and the absence of Salah due to AFCON. Liverpool have a brilliant run of 4 Games in the next 5 games with games against Wolves, Leeds, and Burnley at home and an away game against Fulham. He could be a solid FPL pick coming into form at the right moment for Liverpool’s great run.
- Burnley are at the bottom for most of defensive metrics this season. Leeds really struggle away from home, and Wolves have conceded the most goals in the League so far (37). They have not won a single match this season and are ranked in the Bottom 4 for all Key Defensive Metrics.
Further Read: FPL Gameweek 18 Transfer Tips: Two Players to Buy, Hold, & Sell
Jeremie Frimpong – Liverpool – 5.7 Defender – 4.7 % TSB –
- Frimpong has returned to the Liverpool team at a time when Liverpool have a brilliant run of 4 Games in the next 5 Games with games against Wolves, Leeds, and Burnley at home and an away game against Fulham. Burnley and Wolves are ranked in the Bottom 3 for pretty much all attacking metrics this season, while Leeds tend to struggle away from home.
- However, the main reason for going with Frimpong is that, in the absence of Salah, he has the potential to play OOP on the Right wing. When Bradley was taken off at half-time in Gameweek 17, it was Szoboszlai who went to Right Back despite Frimpong being on the pitch. Frimpong played Right wing and even earned an Assist. Against weaker teams, Frimpong will bomb forward even if he plays at Right Back. With his huge potential for Explosive hauls, this could be the perfect time to get Frimpong into your FPL Teams.
Further Read: Best Bruno Fernandes Replacements to Consider for FPL GW18
Ultra Differential Pick for FPL GW18 (Under 1 % Ownership)
Thierno Barry – Everton – 5.7 Forward – 0.4 % TSB –
- Barry has now started in the last 10 Gameweeks for Everton. Although he never plays 90 minutes, Everton now embark on a great run of fixtures where they play Burnley, Wolves, Leeds, Forest, and Brentford in 5 of the next 6 Gameweeks.
- Burnley are at the bottom for most of the Defensive Metrics this season. Leeds really struggle away from home, and Wolves have conceded the most Goals in the League so far (37). They have not won a single match this season and are ranked in the Bottom 4 for all Key Defensive Metrics.
- Barry has got off the mark this season with a Goal against Forest. He has underperformed badly this season with an xG of 2.78, but that could all change, when he plays these weak defenses in the next few Gameweeks.
That’s it for Gameweek 18. We will be back with six more differentials next gameweek, where we will be hoping to get some positive returns from our current selected differentials for FPL Gameweek 19.
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?
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