The Hard Tackle lists the five best options to consider for the captain’s armband heading into FPL Gameweek 18 of the 2025/26 season.
FPL managers heading into Gameweek 18 have rarely had it this good. There is a genuine buffet of strong captaincy options, with heavy-hitters and differentials alike all boasting form, fixtures, or both. In a festive period where rotation and fatigue usually muddy the waters, a few names are cutting through the noise and making themselves almost impossible to ignore.
At the top of that list, Erling Haaland continues to behave like a glitch in the game rather than a normal player. His numbers for Manchester City this season remain outrageous, and a home clash against a struggling Nottingham Forest defence only adds more fuel to the argument that the armband should rarely leave him.
Yet, for those willing to take a calculated risk, there are real alternatives who can tilt mini-leagues in a single weekend. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s resurgence at Leeds United, Bukayo Saka’s reliability even in a misfiring Arsenal attack, Harry Wilson’s growing influence at Fulham and Hugo Ekitike’s explosive form for Liverpool all offer credible paths away from the “perma-captain” comfort zone.
Context matters as much as raw numbers. Forest and Wolves are among the leakiest defences in the division, Sunderland and West Ham have soft spots lurking beneath promising results, and Brighton’s high-risk, high-line approach continues to leave space in behind. In contrast, the attackers under discussion are either in frightening form, racking up goals and FPL points at pace, or quietly churning out returns that make them dream assets when a plum fixture lands in their path.
So, if the captaincy conversation for Gameweek 18 feels like a choice between sticking with the safest option in the game or pushing for a higher ceiling with an in-form differential, this shortlist covers every kind of manager. From Haaland’s relentless dominance to Ekitike’s emerging hot streak, via Saka’s steady stream of points and Wilson’s under-the-radar purple patch, these are the names that define the armband debate this week.
Erling Haaland: the FPL captaincy default, and for good reason
When in doubt, captaining Erling Haaland feels less like a tactic and more like basic FPL hygiene. Manchester City’s Norwegian goal machine has already scored 19 goals in just 17 Premier League matches this season, working out at an astonishing 1.17 goals per 90 minutes. This is why most captaincy discussions begin with one question: “Are you brave enough not to give Haaland the armband?”
The fixture only strengthens his case. Nottingham Forest have conceded 26 goals in the league, sit in the bottom half of the table for goals against, and have managed just three clean sheets all season. They rank poorly for shots conceded and expected goals against, which suggests that this is not just bad luck but structural weakness in their defensive setup.
Against a Manchester City side that leads the division for shots in the box and sits near the top for expected goals, Haaland’s combination of volume and quality of chances makes him the standout captain once again.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin: the resurgent number nine
If Haaland is the safe, sensible pick, Dominic Calvert-Lewin represents the classic form-based alternative. Now leading the line for Leeds United, he has scored 7 goals in 15 Premier League matches this season, returning 0.61 goals per 90 minutes and re-establishing himself as one of the most reliable central strikers in the division.
His recent run includes regular starts, a steady shot volume and a series of attacking returns that firmly put him in the “set-and-forget” forward category for many managers. The appeal in Gameweek 18 comes from the mix of his confidence and Sunderland’s underlying fragility. The Wearside outfit’s results this season have often looked impressive on the surface.
However, their defensive metrics tell a different story, with chances conceded and pressure absorbed pointing towards a side that could be exposed by a striker strong in the air and direct in his movement.
Calvert-Lewin thrives against backlines that struggle with crosses and second balls, and Leeds United have increasingly tailored their attack to exploit his strengths with early deliveries and quick support around him. For managers tired of backing the template, putting the armband on such an in-form spearhead is a bold but logical play.
Bukayo Saka: steady returns despite a blunt attack
Arsenal have not always looked like the free-flowing attacking force of previous seasons. Their chance creation has dipped in some games, and there have been spells where the build-up feels laboured and short on spark. Yet, Bukayo Saka has quietly continued to deliver, reminding FPL managers that consistency often matters more than chaos.
Across 16 Gameweeks he has amassed 78 FPL points, with 4 goals and 4 assists, plus a healthy sprinkling of bonus points boosting his output. His recent returns include double-digit hauls such as a 12-point performance away at Sunderland and an 11-point return against Wolves, underlining his explosive potential when Arsenal do click.
Brighton & Hove Albion, the opponents in Gameweek 18, offer exactly the kind of matchup Saka can exploit. The Seagulls’ high-risk style and aggressive positioning have left them vulnerable defensively this season, with their metrics showing a worrying volume of chances conceded and a defence that often sits too high and too wide.
Even when Arsenal stutter in open play, Saka’s role on set-pieces and his importance in transitions mean he remains at the heart of almost everything dangerous they produce. For managers seeking a captain who combines a decent ceiling with a very high floor, especially in tighter gameweeks, Saka is an appealing, balanced option.
Harry Wilson: the under-the-radar regular
Harry Wilson’s inclusion in captaincy discussions would have sounded ambitious a few months ago, but his recent performances for Fulham justify the attention. He has already registered 8 goal contributions in just 16 Premier League appearances this season, continuing the strong attacking output he showed last year and turning himself into a key figure in the Cottagers’ front line.
Underlying stats from his time at Fulham highlight his shot volume, creativity and set-piece threat, and this season’s goal return points to a player in a genuine purple patch rather than a lucky streak. West Ham United, Fulham’s opponents in Gameweek 18, are the kind of unpredictable side that can look solid one week and disorganised the next.
Their overall record this season has been mixed, with inconsistent defensive displays and matches where they allow significant chances in central and half-space areas, zones where Wilson likes to drift and shoot from range.
Across recent weeks, Wilson has been a fixture in FPL captaincy conversations and watchlists, featuring in multiple recommendation pieces for three straight weeks thanks to his combination of form, role and price. With Fulham increasingly channelling their attacks through him, a home or favourable matchup swings him from “nice differential” into genuine armband territory for anyone chasing upside.
Hugo Ekitike: the explosive FPL differential captain
Hugo Ekitike might be the most exciting high-upside captaincy candidate of the lot. Leading the line for Liverpool, he has already scored 8 Premier League goals this season, significantly outperforming his expected goals of around 4.05 and ranking among the top scorers in the competition.
Over the last three rounds alone, he has found the net five times and racked up 35 FPL points, more than any other player in that period. That run includes braces and key performances that show not just good finishing but confident, aggressive movement in the box, supported by a Liverpool side that continues to fire off shots at a frightening rate.
The fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers is the real kicker. Wolves have the worst defensive record in the division this season, conceding 37 goals and failing to keep a single clean sheet, while ranking near the bottom of the Premier League for expected goals conceded.
Liverpool, meanwhile, sit near the top for shots and xG, which means Ekitike is fed a steady diet of chances, especially at home where he averages around 4.9 FPL points per game. With key attackers like Szoboszlai suspended and others injured, his minutes look secure, and his status as a slightly less “obvious” pick than Haaland makes him a dream option for managers wanting to attack Gameweek 18.
Key FPL captaincy options at a glance
| Player | Club | Opponent (GW18) | Main appeal | Risk level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | Man City | Nottingham Forest (A) | Elite goal rate, best attack vs shaky defence | Low |
| Dominic Calvert-Lewin | Leeds | Sunderland (A) | In-form striker facing quietly vulnerable backline | Medium |
| Bukayo Saka | Arsenal | Brighton (H) | Reliable returns, penalties and set-pieces vs leaky defence | Medium |
| Harry Wilson | Fulham | West Ham (A) | Hot goal streak, main creative outlet vs inconsistent defence | Medium–High |
| Hugo Ekitike | Liverpool | Wolves (H) | Red-hot form, facing league’s worst defence | Medium |
Honourable mentions
Several other names deserve a nod for managers digging even deeper into the captaincy pool. Antoine Semenyo has been a lively, direct presence in attack, offering strong underlying numbers and the sense that a big haul is always just around the corner.
Jack Grealish and Phil Foden both benefit from being part of Manchester City’s chance-creating machine, and any given week could see either of them emerge with double-digit returns if they start and stay on the pitch long enough.
Morgan Rogers has impressed with his versatility and end product in the final third, while Matheus Cunha continues to be one of Wolves’ few attacking bright spots despite the club’s defensive struggles, making him a deeper differential for those truly willing to roll the dice.