Skipper Ekitike and a Triple Gunners Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Squad for the Round
What number of Liverpool selections can you squeeze in your team this week?
The Merseyside club have secured a pair of triumphs , featuring a in-form attacker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a fixture with Wolves who are tracking for one of the worst top-flight seasons ever.
For managers who held onto a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards and have the funds to upgrade following the injury to the injured Bruno Fernandes, consequently Liverpool picks ought to be the primary focus.
The team of the week is constructed using present FPL valuations to stay under a £100m cap, mirroring activating a one-week wildcard.
A Look Back at Last Week's Squad?
Captain Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , combined with the hot duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman guided the team to a handsome total – enhanced by a double-digit contribution from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.
Our FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18
Keeper and Defence
David Raya, Arsenal, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
Arsenal's backline experienced a minor wobble following an injury to Gabriel, yet they've secured two clean sheets in their past four and have 9 to their name with not even half the season gone.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in just a handful of home games this season. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a long-range strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a unexpected header from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).
This week features a triple-up from the Arsenal backline.
As well as being the top defence statistically, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has failed to score in their last two outings.
Brighton have scored just 9 goals in eight away games.
Timber remains a reliable choice each gameweek , possessing more attacking upside now he is right-back.
The Ecuadorian has registered 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, featuring a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Managers would love half a dozen Anfield players this week if the rules permitted.
Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank for the 10th time this season in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.
They have only managed nine strikes all season, with only a couple away from home. This is a very secure shutout opportunity imaginable.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Even with the Yorkshire club's improved offensive form – highlighted by their striker – we're selecting a Stadium of Light clean sheet at home.
It would be their third consecutive , with Alderete is cementing himself as an outstanding low-cost defensive pick. Managers can select him with assurance across many fixtures, due to his regular defensive contribution points.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
Mount should play a key role at Old Trafford in the next few games, following Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.
In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the highest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a significant margin – 8.78 against second-best Leeds United's 5.68.
They welcome a Newcastle United team who have not excelled away from home – with just a single victory in their last seven.
The former Chelsea man could well take over many of the injured star's creative responsibilities, especially on set-pieces, and could feature in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
Wirtz is due a significant score and a home match versus the struggling Wolves representing the prime scenario for that to happen.
Wirtz has posted points in three out of his past four games – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' display.
During that spell he's made 10 chances, the most of any Liverpool, while his xG stands at 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
Boasting 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' form is impossible to ignore.
He's Villa's main goal threat, who can producing a strike from minimal space inside the area.
A fixture to Chelsea might seem a challenging proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground twice during the last three campaigns.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for his place, coupled with scored a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike gets the double-points role this week.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
It is unthinkable to omitting the Norwegian goal machine, however with him having a tougher away game in this round, the choice is to bet against him for the armband.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m