Captain Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Gunners Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round
What number of Liverpool selections can you squeeze into your squad this week?
Jurgen Klopp's side have notched two consecutive victories , featuring a in-form attacker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are heading towards one of the worst Premier League seasons in history.
Should you have kept a few of your AFCON transfers , with the funds to upgrade by replacing the injured Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool options ought to be the primary focus.
The team of the week is assembled using latest FPL costs to stay under a £100m spending limit, simulating using a Free Hit chip.
How Did Last Week's Team?
Captain Erling Haaland (a huge score) , alongside the hot duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman propelled the squad to a solid total – with a bonus a 10-point cameo from Fulham's defender off the bench.
Our Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18
Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
Arsenal's defence experienced a slight stumble after an injury to Gabriel, however, they've secured two clean sheets in their past four , boasting 9 so far with not even the campaign's midpoint gone.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in all but three home games campaign. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous effort from Richarlison and a surprise goal from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs Brighton (H).
We're opting for a three-pronged from the Gunners' defence.
Not only are they the best defensive unit statistically, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their matches, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has not found the net in their last two matches.
Brighton have a mere nine strikes in eight fixtures away from home.
The Dutch defender remains a steady choice each gameweek , with increased goal threat since returning to right-back.
Hincapie has registered 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, including a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Managers would love six Anfield assets for this fixture if possible.
Wolves failed to score for the tenth occasion so far during a recent two-nil home loss to Brentford.
The Midlands side have only managed nine strikes all season, including a couple on the road. It represents one of the safest clean sheet bet available.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Regardless of Leeds United's improved goalscoring upturn – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.
This would secure a third in a row and the Paraguayan defender is cementing himself as the best budget defender option. Managers can field him regularly across many fixtures, thanks to his regular 'defcon' returns.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
Mount will likely assume a key role at Manchester United in the next few games, due to their Portuguese maestro out injured.
Over the past three games, United have generated the highest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a comfortable distance – 8.78 against second-best Leeds' 5.68.
They welcome a Newcastle United team that has struggled away from home – managing one win in seven.
The former Chelsea man could well assume many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, especially on set-pieces, potentially play in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
Wirtz is poised for a big haul and a fixture at Anfield against the struggling Wolves representing an ideal opportunity for it.
Wirtz has delivered returns in three of his last four games – two assists plus a 'defcon' display.
During that spell his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the highest of any Liverpool, and his xG stands at 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
With 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's hot streak is impossible to ignore.
He's Aston Villa's key attacker, capable of scoring a strike with minimal room inside the area.
A fixture to Chelsea may appear a tough proposition, but Villa have won there in two of the last three campaigns.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Because of his fixture, a lack of competition for his place, and having bagged a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike receives the captain's armband for this round.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
There's no dropping the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a more difficult fixture on the road this week, we are opting to bet against him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m