Ahead of each Premier League gameweek, we identify Fantrax and Sleeper waiver wire pickups rostered in under 50 percent of leagues whose roles, form, or fixtures have recently improved. These are players worth targeting in season-long formats, particularly during congested fixture periods.
Fantrax & Sleeper Waiver Wire Pickups for Premier League GW18
Gameweek 18 delivers another busy stretch of Premier League action, and fantasy managers on Fantrax and Sleeper have several high-upside waiver wire pickups to exploit. The holiday fixture congestion is set to begin and with injuries piling up, this is a key moment to strengthen your squad.
Below are the top Fantrax and Sleeper waiver wire pickups for Gameweek 18, highlighted for form, role security and short-term fixtures.
For more help setting your lineup, check out our Fantrax and Sleeper GW18 rankings, GW18 cheat sheets, and GW18 predicted lineups before the weekend matches.
Goalkeeper Waiver Wire Pickups – Fantrax & Sleeper GW18
Bernd Leno, Fulham (43% Fantrax, 42% Sleeper)
Leno is near the roster cutoff for this article, but he has one of the better matchups of Gameweek 18 against relegation-threatened West Ham. Even away from home, it shouldn't impact things much given West Ham's form. Leno is a steady hand in goal who could post five or six points due to saves without a clean sheet.
Defender Waiver Wire Picks - Fantrax & Sleeper GW18
Alex Jimenez, Bournemouth (16% Fantrax, 22% Sleeper)
Jimenez has started four straight league matches and hasn't scored below six points in any of them. Six points may seem uninspiring, but it's a solid floor for a full-back. Despite returning to right-back last match, his numbers didn't change and he's totaled four shots, two chances created and 14 crosses in those four starts. Jimenez has the capability to add goal involvements with that sort of attacking threat and the Cherries don't have a restrictive match against Brentford in Gameweek 18.
Use our Fixture Difficulty Ranker to spot easy or tough schedules for the rest of the season
Rico Henry, Brentford (4% Fantrax, 1% Sleeper)
Aaron Hickey (1% Fantrax, 1% Sleeper) is also readily available, but it was Henry who started at the weekend while scoring 12.75 points in the clean sheet victory over Wolves. The Brentford full-backs don't lack upside since both can cross and get forward when needed. The matchup is right for both sides in the Gameweek 18 clash against Bournemouth with both back lines looking nervy at times. The question over the holiday period is who will start the most matches at left-back for Brentford.
Midfielder Waiver Wire Picks - Fantrax & Sleeper GW18
Keane Lewis-Potter, Brentford (13% Fantrax, 6% Sleeper)
While he may have just hit his ceiling game with 30 points and a brace against Wolves, Lewis-Potter is worth a pickup for teams needing midfield help. He's started each of the last two matches and is finding himself in a more attacking role higher up the pitch rather than the left-back role he was in most of last season.
Without Dango Ouattara available because of AFCON, Lewis-Potter should remain the XI for at least the next few matches.
Brajan Gruda, Fulham (20% Fantrax, 16% Sleeper)
Gruda has started two straight matches in attacking midfield for Brighton and scored 12.5 points at the weekend against Sunderland without a goal involvement from two shots and four chances created. Diego Gomez will return from a one-match suspension and Kaoru Mitoma is ramping up his minutes, so competition in the starting XI will be a problem going forward. The matchup in Gameweek 18 is also an issue as Brighton take on Arsenal.
Forward Waiver Wire Picks - Fantrax & Sleeper GW18
Brennan Johnson, Tottenham (46% Fantrax, 25% Sleeper)
One of Johnson or Wilson Odobert (4% Fantrax, 6% Sleeper) should be the beneficiary of Xavi Simons' suspension by taking up a role on the wings over the next few matches. I lean that it will be Johnson, but that won't be known until XI's come out.
Johnson had a nice 2024/25 season, netting 11 goals, but has struggled for playing time under new boss Thomas Frank. Spurs take on Crystal Palace, Brentford and Sunderland over their next three matches, all of which Simons will miss. At a minimum, someone figures to benefit from the absence of Simons.
Federico Chiesa, Liverpool (11% Fantrax, 2% Sleeper)
Liverpool lost Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Conor Bradley to injuries during their 2-1 win over Spurs on Saturday. Throw in the suspension to Dominik Szoboszlai and Liverpool's starting XI could look a bit different next match.
That could open the door for Chiesa to play in the front three, though like others on this list, nothing is guaranteed unless you're friends with Arne Slot and know what the XI will be. If Chiesa starts, he would be an excellent streaming target in a home match against Wolves, the best matchup in the league.
Chiesa has yet to start a match this season as he's been a peripheral figure for Liverpool since joining the club.
Final Thoughts: Fantrax & Sleeper Waiver Wire Picks for GW18
With fixture congestion increasing and rotation becoming more common, identifying waiver wire value is critical in Fantrax and Sleeper leagues. Targeting players with improving roles, secure minutes, and favourable short-term matchups can provide a key edge during Gameweek 18 and beyond.
