GW 18 Togga Player Picks

If you’ve ever ridden the New York City subway, you know that stations in Brooklyn can be really far apart, but when you get to Manhattan they come at you rapid-fire. The festive period is the non-stop Manhattan station portion of our FPL journey.

Hard to believe, but in the span of just one week we’ve gone from discussing what happened in GW 15 to now preparing for GW 18!

With preparation time so limited, naming a competitive Togga Perfect XI 4-4-2 lineup is a challenge. I went very conservative over GW 16-17 but will be a bit more intrepid for GW 18.

Let us go then, you and I, to look at my Togga PXI GW 18 lineup!

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Goalkeeper

Nick Pope (@ Brighton & Hove)

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, when in doubt look to the divinity of the Young Pope of Burnley for the answer. Away at the Seagulls is far from scary. If you’ve been riding the Young Pope for too long and are looking for a change, give David De Gea the nod (and what is up with that ridiculous pony tail?)

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Defenders

James Tarkowski, Sead Kolasinac (NEW); Jonjoe Kenny (SWA); Antonio Valencia (@WBA)

Yes, I’m doubling up on Sean Dyche’s armada. Tarkowski has been an elite Togga defender this year (and plenty good enough in Official as well). I’m also rolling with Kolasinac who will be facing a Newcastle squad that is the walking definition of “meh”. An Everton defender playing Swansea is a must, as is a Manchester United defender at toothless West Brom. For the first game week in forever I’m staying away from Chelsea defenders, but I would be fine starting Cesar Azpilicueta or Marcos Alonso versus Southampton.

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Midfielders

Gylfi Sigurdsson (SWA); Riyad Mahrez (CP); Manuel Lanzini (@STK); Johann Berg Gudmunsson (@BRI)

I’m gettin’ Siggy wit it in his revenge match with Swansea! I also fancy Mahrez to continue his fine form under Claude Puel versus Crystal Palace. Then there’s Manuel Lanzini at Stoke, whose already poor defense is now injury ravaged.

Finally, I’m making an Icelandic double with Gudmunsson (“Icelandic Double” sounds like the hot new $16 overpriced cocktail of the season!), banking on him to continue his hot streak at a Brighton team that has goalkeeping issues of late.

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Forwards

Mohamed Salah (@BOU); Alexis Sanchez (NEW)

With reports of Salah possibly dealing with a funny hammy, feel free to sub in Roberto Firmino. Alexis Sanchez is listed as a forward in the Togga format and is a must start against a Newcastle team that looks determined to replace the ascending Crystal Palace Eagles in the relegation zone.

Good luck and see you at NMA’s private league in Togga PXI!

Are you a little tired of playing it safe during the festive period? Are you now jumping onto the Burnley bandwagon? What are your plans for GW18? Did I overlook an obvious candidate, or did I nominate an obvious dud? Let us know in the comments below!