Captain Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Gunners Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round
What number of Liverpool selections can you accommodate inside your lineup this week?
Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off back-to-back wins and boast a in-form striker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a fixture with Wolves that are heading towards a historically poor top-flight seasons ever.
Should you have held onto some of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers and have the budget to reinvest following the injury to the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, consequently assets from Anfield options should be the main consideration.
This team of the week is assembled using latest Fantasy Premier League costs to comply with a 100 million pound cap, simulating you were playing a Free Hit chip.
How Did The Previous Squad?
Captain Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , combined with the productive pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike led the selection to a solid total – with a bonus a double-digit cameo from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.
The FPL Team of the Week for Matchday 18
Keeper and Defence
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
The North London side's backline had a minor wobble after the absence of their Brazilian defender, but they have secured two shutouts in their past four , with 9 so far with less than the campaign's midpoint completed.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in all but three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).
It's a three-pronged from the Arsenal backline.
They are the best defence statistically, with a clean sheet in more than half of their fixtures, they take on a Brighton side that has failed to score in their last two outings.
Brighton have a mere 9 goals in eight matches on the road.
Timber is a solid choice every week , possessing more offensive potential now he is right-back.
Hincapie has collected 'defcon' points in his past four starts, featuring two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
I'd pick six Anfield players for this fixture if possible.
Wolves drew another blank for the 10th time so far in a recent two-nil home loss to Brentford.
The Midlands side have a paltry 9 strikes this campaign, including two away from home. It represents as safe a clean sheet bet imaginable.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Even with the Yorkshire club's recent goalscoring upturn – highlighted by their striker – the pick is a Sunderland shutout on home soil.
This would secure a third consecutive , with Alderete is cementing himself as an outstanding low-cost defensive pick. Managers can select him regularly in most games, due to his consistent defensive contribution returns.
Midfield
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
Mount should play a bigger role for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, due to Bruno Fernandes out injured.
In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team boast the highest expected goals (xG) statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds United's 5.68.
They welcome a Newcastle United team who have not excelled in away matches – with just one win from seven attempts.
The former Chelsea man could well take over a large share of the injured star's playmaking duties, especially on set-pieces, and could play as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
The German playmaker is on the verge of a significant score and a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves representing the prime opportunity for it.
Wirtz has delivered returns across his past four games – a pair of assists and one defensive contribution performance.
During that spell he has created 10 chances, the most of any his teammates, while his xG stands at 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
Boasting 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's hot streak is impossible to ignore.
He's Villa's key attacker, capable of creating a goal with half a yard of room inside the area.
An away trip at Stamford Bridge may appear a tough assignment, but Villa have won at that ground on two occasions in the last three campaigns.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Due to his fixture, having no competition for a starting spot, and having bagged a five-goal haul in three games, the French striker earns the captain's armband this week.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
It is unthinkable to omitting Haaland, although with him having a tricky fixture on the road this week, I'm willing to bet against him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m