Skipper Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Gunners Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round
What number of The Reds selections might you squeeze in your lineup for this round?
The Merseyside club are coming off two consecutive victories and boast a in-form attacker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a clash with Wolves who are tracking for a historically poor top-flight campaigns on record.
If you've retained a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , with the funds to upgrade following the injury to the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool options should be the primary focus.
This weekly selection is assembled using present Fantasy Premier League prices to stay under a 100 million pound spending limit, mirroring using a one-week wildcard.
What Was the Performance of The Previous Selection?
Skipper Manchester City's striker (32 points) and the productive pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike guided the squad to a respectable score – with a bonus a 10-point cameo from Fulham's defender from the replacements.
The FPL Team of the Week for Matchday 18
Goalkeeper & Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
The North London side's backline had a minor wobble in the wake of an injury to Gabriel, yet they've secured two shutouts over their last four matches and have 9 to their name with not even half the season completed.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in all but three matches at home campaign. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a unexpected header from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs Brighton (H).
This week features a triple-up on the Arsenal backline.
They are the best defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has drawn a blank in their last two games.
The South Coast club have a mere nine goals across eight away games.
Timber continues to be a solid option every week , possessing increased offensive potential now he is right-back.
Hincapie has collected 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, which included two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
One could select six Anfield assets this week if the rules permitted.
Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the 10th time so far during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.
The Midlands side have scored just 9 goals all season, with only two away from home. That makes this as safe a shutout bet available.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Regardless of the Yorkshire club's better offensive form – and the form of their striker – we're selecting a Sunderland shutout at home.
This would secure a third consecutive and Alderete becoming a prime budget defensive pick. You can start him regularly in most games, given his regular 'defcon' returns.
Midfield
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
The English midfielder is expected to take on a significant role at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, following Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.
In their last three matches, United boast the highest expected goals (xG) statistically by over three goals – 8.78 against second-best Leeds United's 5.68.
They face a Newcastle side that has been poor on the road – with just a single victory from seven attempts.
The former Chelsea man may inherit a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, especially from dead-ball situations, and could feature in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
Wirtz is due a major point return and a home match against Wolves presenting the prime time for it.
He has registered attacking returns in three of four recent games – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' performance.
During that spell he's made 10 chances, the most among all his teammates, while his xG totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
After recording 30 points over two matches, Rogers' hot streak cannot be overlooked.
He is Aston Villa's key attacker, who can producing a goal from half a yard of space in the box.
An away trip at Stamford Bridge might seem a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground in two of the past three seasons.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Because of his fixture, having no rivalry for a starting spot, and having bagged a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike earns the captain's armband for this round.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
One cannot consider benching Haaland, although because he has a more difficult fixture on the road in this round, the choice is to look elsewhere for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m