Gameweek 18 Waiver Wire: Draft EPL

We're here every week giving you our tips on the best Draft Premier League players to pick up ahead of Fantrax Waiver Wire processing! Acquisitions via waivers can make or break your Fantasy EPL season, so make sure you follow our Gameweek 18 recommendations to help dominate your Draft League.

Essential reading before your weekly waiver requests process!

Waiver Wire Gameweek 18

Here we outline our Fantasy EPL Waiver Wire Gameweek 18 targets that have 40% rostered or below on Fantrax. These players should perform well over the upcoming period!

Joe Gomez (Ros 31%)

Prospects: Gomez hasn't been great for fantasy since we all rushed to pick him up once Konaté was injured. He was dropped in most active leagues for the game against free-scoring Spurs, which turned out to be a good call as he ended up with 1.25 points and 3 goals conceded. Liverpool have conceded at least 2 goals in all of the last 3 games, which has been the main reason for Gomez's fantasy non-existence. He will continue to partner VVD in the heart of defense and the fixtures ease up somewhat in the holiday period. Leicester at home on Boxing Day followed by West Ham and Man United seems like a great opportunity for Liverpool to reclaim some defensive solidity.

Verdict: I would use a low-tier waiver pick or 0-1 FAB to get him.

Yasin Ayari (Ros 11%)

Prospects: Ayari was rested for the game last weekend and only came on for the last half hour in the disappointing loss with West Ham. After their early season run, Brighton have dropped off somewhat and they have difficulty scoring as well as keeping goals out lately. Ayari should walk back into the team to offer midfield solidity and transition. He managed 6 points in 33 minutes which is very much in line with his ghosting ability and we are projecting him to continue his ghosting ways with a projection of 7.1 ghosts this GW. He is unlikely to get you an attacking return, but he will bring close to 10 points any day of the week.

Verdict: I would use a low-tier waiver pick or 1-2 FAB to get him.

Joao Felix (Ros 29%)

Prospects: Chelsea have been starting with Sancho, Jackson and Palmer in all the games since the win against Southampton at the beginning of December, so we are expecting some rotation in the upcoming GW against Fulham. Madueke and Felix are the most likely candidates to join the starting XI. The Portuguese attacker is on the Waiver Wire in most leagues and could be picked up for cheap as even a potentially huge game won't get him closer to being a regular starter. This also means that you can drop him easily if he doesn't start. A one-game punt if I have ever seen one, but one that could pay off.

Verdict:  I would use a low-tier waiver pick or 1-2 FAB to get him.

Raheem Sterling (Ros 20%) -> Ethan Nwaneri

Prospects: If Felix is a punt, Sterling is nothing more than a hope. It is an understatement to say that the former England international has been a disappointment since his switch to the Gunners. Saka's injury opens an opportunity for him, but he is very far from being the first choice to replace Saka. Trossard came on for the young Englishman last weekend after his hamstring injury and based on substitutions even Nwaneri seems to be ahead of Sterling on the depth chart. However a rare opportunity, however slim, to pick up an Arsenal starting attacker against Ipswich should warrant a punt, even if it is ultimately in vain. Keep an eye out for the rpesser as he is rumoured to be injured. If so, punt on Nwaneri for similarly unlikely start but simiarly high upside.

Verdict: I would use a low-tier waiver pick or 0-1 FAB to get him.

Tariq Lamptey (Ros 16%)

Prospects: Here is another Brighton player who sat out the struggle against West Ham and could end up starting on the 27th at home to Brentford (whose away form has been the worst in the league). With Joel Veltman back in contention, Lamptey is currently not projected to start, but I am hoping for one anyway as he is a rare defender who could provide some upside other than blind hope in a clean sheet. Proceed with caution/plan to cover.

Verdict: I would use a low-tier waiver pick or 0-1 FAB to get him.

Paul Onuachu (Ros 0%)

Prospects: Once Ivan Juric was appointed head coach, we had a look at some of the Southampton assets to see if any of their prospective production would change. Juric's style relies heavily on crossing from fullback areas and while a defender still won't be viable on account of the Saints expected to continue to ship goals, a big target man could benefit from such a change in the system. If there was ever a game for a new manager bump, it's at home against West Ham, which is exactly why the big man rounds out our waiver recommendations.

Verdict: I would use a low-tier waiver pick or 0-1 FAB to get him.

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