Captain Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Arsenal Backline – The FPL Squad for the Round
What number of Liverpool players are you able to fit into your team in the upcoming gameweek?
The Merseyside club have notched two consecutive victories , featuring a in-form attacker in their French frontman ahead of a fixture with Wolves who are tracking for one of the worst top-flight campaigns ever.
For managers who kept some of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , with the budget to reinvest following the injury to the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, then assets from Anfield players ought to be the main consideration.
The team of the week is constructed based on present FPL valuations to comply with a £100m spending limit, simulating activating a Free Hit chip.
What Was the Performance of Last Week's Squad?
Captain Erling Haaland (a massive haul) and the productive pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman led the selection to a respectable total – enhanced by a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender from the replacements.
The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 18
Keeper & Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
The North London side's defence had a brief dip following an injury to their Brazilian defender, but they have recorded two shutouts recently and have nine already with less than the campaign's midpoint gone.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in all but three matches at home this season. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward and a surprise header from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs the Seagulls (H).
We're opting for a triple selection from the Arsenal backline.
They are the best defensive unit statistically, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their fixtures, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has failed to score in their past two games.
Brighton have only managed nine goals across eight matches on the road.
Timber remains a steady choice each gameweek , possessing increased offensive potential operating as the full-back role.
The Ecuadorian has collected 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, which included two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Managers would love six Liverpool players this week if possible.
Wolves drew another blank once again so far during a recent two-nil home loss to Brentford.
The Midlands side have scored just nine goals all season, with only two away from home. This is a very secure shutout opportunity possible.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Despite the Yorkshire club's better offensive form – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – we're selecting a Sunderland shutout at home.
That would mark a third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender is cementing himself as the best budget defensive pick. You can field him confidently in most games, given his regular 'defcon' points.
Midfield
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
Mount is expected to take on a significant role at Manchester United in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.
Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the best expected goals (xG) in the league by a comfortable distance – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds' 5.68.
They welcome a Newcastle side that has struggled in away matches – managing one win in seven.
The former Chelsea man may assume a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, notably from dead-ball situations, and might operate in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
The German playmaker is poised for a big haul and a fixture at Anfield against the struggling Wolves presenting a perfect opportunity for it.
He has registered attacking returns in three of four recent fixtures – a pair of assists and one 'defcon' display.
Over that time his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the most among all his teammates, and his xG totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
With 30 points over two matches, Rogers' form cannot be overlooked.
He's Aston Villa's main goal threat, with an ability to creating a strike with the smallest space inside the area.
An away trip to Stamford Bridge might seem a tough proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground in two of the past three seasons.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Because of his fixture, a lack of competition for his place, and having scored five goals over three matches, Ekitike receives the double-points role this week.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
It is unthinkable to benching the Norwegian goal machine, however because he has a tougher away game in this round, we are opting to pass over him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m