🚨 Friday Deadline Alert: Bruno's Injury Crisis & Essential GW18 Transfers

Welcome back to Who Got The Points! Thanks for being part of our FPL community. Gameweek 18 brings Boxing Day football with a twist - the deadline hits Friday evening at 6:30 PM, giving you less time than usual to finalize your squad. Here's your comprehensive breakdown of everything you need to know.

Bruno Fernandes Injury Crisis: The Manchester United midfielder suffered a hamstring injury against Aston Villa, coming off at half-time. With an unknown return date and United facing Newcastle on Boxing Day, over 1 million managers have already shipped him out. At £9.3M with 99 total points and a 9.4 form rating before injury, he was in electric form - but you can't keep that much money on the bench with no return timeline.

Harry Wilson Knock: David Moyes confirmed Wilson picked up a knock against Nottingham Forest but is 75% likely to play against West Ham. He played 83 minutes in GW17, so it's not serious, but monitor the team news closely.

Matheus Cunha's Dream Debut: Made an immediate impact for Manchester United with a goal on his debut, scoring 9 points with 2 bonus while playing the full 90 minutes. At £8.0M with just 6.9% ownership, he's flying under the radar for that Newcastle fixture on Boxing Day.

Ownership: Jumped from 17% to 20% after his two-goal haul at Old Trafford

Next fixture: Chelsea away (Saturday evening)

Verdict: GOOD - He's become template material now with that ownership surge, but be aware that Chelsea's defence has tightened up recently. Rogers is in electric form, but the fixture isn't straightforward. Consider him essential for Villa coverage, but temper captaincy expectations for this gameweek.

Ownership: Soared to 30.9% - approaching essential territory

Next fixture: Wolves at home (Saturday) - Wolves leaked 4 goals in their last fixture

Verdict: ESSENTIAL - If you don't own him, you're taking a massive risk. Ekitiké is Liverpool's main goal threat with that home fixture against a leaky Wolves defence. At nearly 31% ownership, he's become near-template, and the 7.9 expected points make him the standout captaincy option this gameweek.

Ownership: Hit 7.9% after his brace performance

Next fixture: Sunderland away (Sunday)

Verdict: GOOD - At under £6M, DCL is fantastic value. He's bang in form with 7 goals this season and that 8.8 form rating. Leeds' fixtures turn favorable after Christmas, making him a genuine budget striker option who can free up funds elsewhere. Perfect enabler for premium midfielders.

Transfer out count: Over 1 million managers ditching him

Verdict: SELL - This isn't about form - Bruno was flying before the injury. But with no return timeline and £9.3M tied up on your bench, you need to act. Free up those funds and reinvest. The mass exodus is justified here. Consider moving to Ekitiké or banking the funds for flexibility.

Transfer out count: 81,000 managers moving him on

Verdict: HOLD - Unless you desperately need the transfer for other moves, wait for team news confirmation. Wilson played 83 minutes recently, so the knock isn't major. West Ham away is a decent fixture where he can deliver. Don't knee-jerk here - 75% likelihood means he's probably fine.

Ownership: Just 3.5% (not a mass transfer out)

Verdict: KEEP - Liverpool's defence looked shaky at Spurs, but Wolves at Anfield is a completely different proposition. Defensive returns are highly likely, Liverpool's fixtures remain strong, and rotation risk is minimal. One poor gameweek doesn't justify a transfer with that fixture coming up.

The Manchester City defender offers genuine attacking threat with those 4 assists while maintaining defensive solidity. Forest are tough at home, but City's defence is finding form. At £5.4M, he's an attacking defender who can rotate well in your squad.

At under £5M, Ballard is incredible value for a starting centre-back in excellent form. Sunderland kept a clean sheet against Brighton, and facing Leeds at home offers strong clean sheet potential. Perfect budget defender to enable premium attackers.

Cunha announced himself with that goal on debut and looks central to United's attack. At £8.0M with under 7% ownership, he's flying under the radar. His immediate impact suggests he could outperform those expected points against Newcastle.

Hugo Ekitiké is the standout captain for Gameweek 18. Here's why this decision is straightforward:

This is the safest captaincy option this gameweek. Everything aligns - fixture, form, expected points, and consistency. Unless you're chasing in mini-leagues and need a differential captain, Ekitiké is your man.

CRITICAL TIMING ALERT: Gameweek 18 starts Friday evening at 8:00 PM with Manchester United vs Newcastle. This means your deadline is Friday at 6:30 PM - NOT the usual Saturday morning slot.

If you're planning transfers involving players from Manchester United or Newcastle (Bruno, Cunha, Gordon, etc.), you need them completed by Friday at 6:30 PM. Don't get caught out by the early deadline!

That's your comprehensive Gameweek 18 briefing. Boxing Day football with an early deadline means quick decisions are crucial. Make those transfers today, captain Ekitiké, and don't forget that Friday 6:30 PM deadline!

Good luck with your transfers, and may your captain haul big this Boxing Day! 🎄⚽