Skipper Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Arsenal Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Squad for the Round
How many Liverpool selections might you accommodate in your team this week?
Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off a pair of triumphs , featuring a red-hot attacker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are on course for one of the worst Premier League campaigns in history.
Should you have held onto a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , with the cash to upgrade following the injury to the injured Manchester United's playmaker, in that case Liverpool players must be your top priority.
This ideal squad is constructed according to current FPL costs to fit within a 100 million pound budget, simulating using a one-week wildcard.
A Look Back at Last Week's Squad?
Skipper Erling Haaland (a huge score) , alongside the productive pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike guided the selection to a handsome 82 points – with a bonus a 10-point cameo from Antonee Robinson off the bench.
This Week's Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Matchday 18
Keeper and Defence
David Raya, the Gunners, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
The North London side's backline had a minor wobble following the absence of Gabriel, yet they've kept two clean sheets over their last four matches , boasting 9 already before the campaign's midpoint played.
Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in only three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a late header from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs Brighton (H).
We're opting for a three-pronged from the Gunners' defence.
As well as being the top defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they host a Brighton team that has not found the net in their past two games.
The South Coast club have only managed nine strikes across eight away games.
The Dutch defender remains a solid option each gameweek , with increased offensive potential since returning to right-back.
The Ecuadorian has earned 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, which included two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
One could select six Anfield players this week if possible.
Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the 10th time so far during a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to Brentford.
The Midlands side have only managed 9 goals all season, with only two on the road. It represents as safe a shutout opportunity possible.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Even with the Yorkshire club's better offensive form – and the form of their striker – the pick is a Sunderland clean sheet on home soil.
It would be a third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender becoming an outstanding value defensive pick. Managers can start him regularly across many fixtures, given his potential for defensive contribution points.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
Mount is expected to take on a significant role for Manchester United in the next few games, following Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.
Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team boast the highest expected goals (xG) statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds United's 5.68.
Their opponents are a Newcastle side who have been poor in away matches – managing one win in seven.
The former Chelsea man could well inherit a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, potentially play as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Wirtz is poised for a big haul , with a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves representing a perfect opportunity for it.
He has posted points in three out of his last four games – a pair of assists and one 'defcon' performance.
During that spell he's made 10 chances, a team-high among all his teammates, while his xG totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's current form demands attention.
He's Villa's main goal threat, with an ability to producing a goal from minimal room in the box.
A fixture to Stamford Bridge may appear a difficult proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground on two occasions in the past three seasons.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Given his fixture, having no competition for his place, coupled with bagged a five-goal haul in three games, the French striker receives the double-points role for this round.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
There's no benching the Norwegian goal machine, however with him having a more difficult away game this week, we are opting to bet against him for the armband.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m