Fantasy Football Tips for Gameweek 18 in the Premier League

While the rest of Europe has taken the winter off there is no let up in England. The Boxing Day fixtures are fast approaching and the WhoScored tipster has scoured the fixtures and come up with the fantasy football tips needed to enjoy the festive period.

MICHAEL KEANE (BURNLEY)

Burnley manager Sean Dyche will be relieved his side return to home soil on Boxing Day after enduring a difficult festive period to date. The Clarets have won 16 of their 17 league points at Turf Moor but their recent progress has been undermined by unfavourable scheduling that has seen them play four of their last six on the road. Unsurprisingly, the only win during that time came in a home match against Bournemouth.

Dyche’s men certainly seem better equipped to beat the drop than their last stint in England’s top-flight but much will depend on whether they can continue to make Turf Moor a fortress as they have done already this season. They should be confident of doing so when they welcome fellow promoted side Middlesbrough on Boxing Day. Aitor Karanka’s have failed to win any of their last seven league games away from home and that should fill Burnley with huge confidence.

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Only two teams have scored fewer goals than Middlesbrough this season (16) and, as Alvaro Negredo has scored nearly a third of those goals (5), keeping the former Manchester City striker at bay will be crucial to Burnley’s chances of securing maximum points. They should be well equipped to stopping the Spaniard, with Michael Keane and Ben Mee more than capable of negating his threat from the air. In fact, only Steve Cook (118) has made more headed clearances than Keane (103) in the Premier League this season, while his defensive teammate, Mee, ranks fourth on the list. Keane is also no slouch in front of goal either. Only four centre-backs have had more shots in the Premier League this season than the 23-year-old (12), meaning he is more than handy to add to his one league goal this season.

DANIEL STURRIDGE (LIVERPOOL)

Much has been written about Daniel Sturridge’s time at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp but there is no denying the natural talent he possesses. His injury record is frustrating but he is still one of England’s best strikers, if not the best. Liverpool were the beneficiaries of his skill in Monday’s Merseyside Derby when he came off the bench and produced the moment that won them the game.

Now back at full fitness, Sturridge is expected to replace Divock Origi in the starting XI for the reception of Stoke on Tuesday as Liverpool look to keep pace with their title rivals. The Reds have won five of their seven home league games this season and should be confident of overcoming a Stoke side that has not beaten Liverpool at Anfield in the league since 1959.

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Sturridge hasn’t started a league game for Liverpool since their 0-0 draw with Manchester United back in October, but the 27-year-old rarely seems affected by long-term absences. In fact, of players to have scored at least 15 goals in the last five Premier League campaigns, only a handful of players have required fewer minutes per goal than the Liverpool frontman (1 every 140.4 mins). With the confidence taken from Monday’s win over rivals Everton, Sturridge should be primed to score his first league goal since April (vs Newcastle) on Tuesday.

PHIL JONES (MANCHESTER UNITED)

For a long time it seemed Phil Jones’ Manchester United career was coming to an end when Jose Mourinho replaced Louis van Gaal in the summer. Sweeping changes were expected and Jones, who had only managed to start six league games last season, was one of many Mourinho was expected to usher out the door.

However, the 24-year-old has finally managed to shake off all of his injury woes and has started in each of United’s last seven league games. Jose Mourinho’s side are unbeaten during that time and, more importantly, now playing their best football of the season. With Victor Lindelof’s arrival thought to be imminent, Jones still has a long way to go to prove his long-term worth to Mourinho, but he has been immense since coming into the team and has certainly given the United manager food for thought.

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With Jones in the starting XI, United are conceding fewer goals per league game (0.71) and they should be confident of keeping their third clean sheet in four games when they welcome Sunderland on Boxing Day. They have managed the feat on the last two occasions Sunderland have visited Old Trafford, while the Black Cats have failed to score in five of their last six matches on the road in the Premier League. If you are looking for an affordable centre-back ahead of the remaining festive fixtures, there will not be many better than Jones.

MICHY BATSHUAYI (CHELSEA)

The Belgium international was one of the most sought after strikers during the summer before Chelsea ultimately won the £33m race to sign the youngster from Marseille. While Chelsea have steamrolled their way to the top of the Premier League under new manager Antonio Conte, it’s been a frustrating season for Michy Batshuayi, who has been forced to watch most of it from the bench.

However, with Diego Costa suspended for the reception of Bournemouth on Boxing Day, Batshuayi will be handed his first Premier League start of the season having made 10 separate appearances in the league from the bench. West Ham have already been turned down in their approach to take the 23-year-old on loan for the rest of the season in January and now he has the opportunity to showcase why he should deserve more game time at Chelsea.

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In just 78 minutes of league action this season Batshuayi has already scored once and registered an assist. The Belgian striker scored 17 times for Marseille last season and is now tasked with the responsibility of leading Chelsea towards their 12th straight victory in the league against a Bournemouth side that have only taken five of a possible 24 points on the road. With Cesc Fabregas also set to feature in midfield, Batshuayi can expect regular service from a player that has registered the most assists in the Premier League in the last three seasons (27).