The Eliteserien Fantasy season continues with Gameweek 18, and our contributors are here to share their thoughts ahead of the upcoming deadline.

In this article, they reveal their teams, along with their captaincy choices, potential chip strategies, and the players they believe can make the biggest impact this week.

• READ MORE: FPL promoted teams: Who are the best Ipswich midfielders + forwards?
• READ MORE: Who is new £5.0m Chelsea defender Pep Chavarria?

@FPL_Geir

NOTES

• I’ve activated the Wildcard, just one week after saying I hoped to hold it until Gameweek 20.
• My team actually felt weaker than it did a week ago, and unless injuries or major transfers shake things up before the window closes, I think Wildcarding now leaves me in a much stronger position. It also allows me to bank my two free transfers rather than using both this week.
• There is some risk, with a two-week gap between Gameweeks 18 and 19 and European qualifiers and cup matches taking place, so this could still come back to bite me. Bodø/Glimt blank this week, but I’ve still found room for two of their players. That means a 4-4-2 for Gameweek 18 before likely switching to a 4-5-1 most weeks.
• I’ve deliberately spent less up front, as Peter Christiansen is currently the only forward I really want.
• Leander Øy starts in goal after establishing himself as Sarpsborg 08’s first choice following Mamour Ndiaye’s departure. He has impressed so far and offers excellent value. There is some risk after the arrival of Jacob Pryts, but I expect Øy to keep his place. Håvar Jenssen is my back-up and the cheapest goalkeeper in the game, although his recent run of starts for KFUM may end once Emil Ødegaard returns from injury.
• In defence, I’m keeping Fredrik Sjøvold despite Bodø/Glimt’s blank. He combines attacking threat with strong clean-sheet potential and, aside from Odin Bjørtuft, looks like one of their safest starters. Alexander Warneryd has produced more attacking returns than any other defender and is an easy inclusion. I’m less certain about Isak Dahlqvist, but he has already shown his upside since joining Tromsø, including a hat-trick in Conference League qualifying. His place could come under threat when Leo Cornic returns, so this may only be a short-term punt. Bjørtuft could eventually replace him, while Adrian Pereira becomes another option from Gameweek 20. Henrik Heggheim carries significant goal threat and should eventually return to his usual right-back role once Henrik Falchener is available again. Anders Hiim is mainly bench cover but gets a favourable home fixture against Sandefjord this week. If I wanted a Sarpsborg 08 defender to start regularly, I’d find the extra money for Claus Niyukuri.
• Midfield is where the options really open up. Ole Didrik Blomberg has started every match he has been available for and has recently taken over penalty duties, so I’m happy to carry him through Bodø/Glimt’s blank. I could instead take a one-week punt on Sondre Sørli before moving to Blomberg in Gameweek 19. Zlatko Tripić continues to deliver attacking returns, takes Viking’s penalties and comfortably leads the way for bonus points. He is now in 99% of top-1k teams, and it’s easy to see why. Niklas Castro is fully fit again after missing the first half of the season and remains a key part of Brann’s attack, as well as being on penalties. Amin Chiakha is particularly interesting because he plays up front for Rosenborg despite being classified as a midfielder, while he also takes penalties. Heine Åsen Larsen is enjoying a breakthrough campaign for Tromsø and looks excellent value. There may even be a chance of penalty duties following Jens Hjertø-Dahl’s departure.
• The forward pool is much less convincing, hence the plan to play 4-5-1 most weeks. With Kasper Høgh sold, Christiansen is the only forward who has consistently delivered. He may be expensive, but there simply aren’t many alternatives I want. Marcus Haagensen Reed returned from injury last week and immediately went back into the starting XI, which is encouraging. In fact, I probably wouldn’t have Wildcarded this week without Reed, as I need him in my XI. Alan Cole completes the forward line. I’m not expecting minutes from him, but his low price allows me to strengthen elsewhere while keeping enough money available to potentially add a third Bodø/Glimt player later. Captaincy is one area where going against Zlatko Tripić is tempting, with Rosenborg capable of making life difficult for Viking. Even so, Tripić remains the most reliable option, so I’m sticking with him.

@MichaelNormNorm

NOTES

• I’ve been forced into an earlier Wildcard than planned. Only five players in my previous squad looked secure for minutes, so the time felt right to make changes. In defence, I’ve gone premium with three of the five spots. Fredrik Sjøvold and Odin Bjørtuft give me a Bodø/Glimt double-up. Both are in good form and can come straight into the XI from next Gameweek. Alexander Warneryd completes the premium trio. He is another player in excellent form and even scored a hat-trick in his latest outing. Gjone and Høseth complete the defence as in-form enablers. Midfield is where I’ve loaded up on the more reliable points scorers. Zlatko Tripić, Amin Chiakha, Eirik Hestad, Niklas Castro and Potur all make the cut. Going without Chiakha has already done serious damage to my rank. With ground to make up, I think investing heavily in midfield gives me the best chance of climbing. Up front, Peter Christiansen is the only forward I’ve spent significant money on. He has shown some encouraging form, while there simply aren’t many nailed alternatives. The other two spots go to cheap enablers. One of those starts this week and helps me navigate the blank Gameweek.

@FPL_Jack15

NOTES

• I’ve activated the Wildcard ahead of Round 18. Injuries and players such as Andreas Helmersen falling out of favour left the previous squad looking too weak. A couple of red arrows have followed, although I’m still just inside the top 300.
• Håvar Jenssen and Arild Østbø are my goalkeepers. Both are cheap and give me coverage of defences I’m happy to back.
• I’m sticking with the Bodø/Glimt defensive double-up despite their blank. Their defensive strength makes them worth carrying for the weeks ahead. Alexander Warneryd also returns to my squad after another strong run of form. Håkon Høseth and Anders Hiim complete the defence and can rotate in and out of the XI depending on fixtures.
• Midfield largely picks itself. Amin Chiakha, Heine Åsen Larsen, Zlatko Tripić and Niklas Castro all make the cut. Ole Didrik Blomberg is another obvious target, but Bodø/Glimt’s blank means I’ll wait a week. Sondre Sørli takes that spot for now as a one-week punt.
• I’ve saved money up front. Marcus Haagensen Reed provides a budget starter, while Alan Cole occupies a cheap bench spot. Peter Christiansen completes the forward line and remains the standout option in that position.
• The plan is to line up in a 4-5-1 most weeks. I also have three free transfers available, giving me plenty of flexibility heading into the second half of the season.