Skipper Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Gunners Backline – The FPL Team of the Week
What number of Liverpool players are you able to squeeze inside your team for this round?
Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off back-to-back wins and boast a sizzling attacker in their French frontman ahead of a clash with Wolves who are on course for one of the worst Premier League seasons on record.
Should you have kept some of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , with the funds to upgrade after losing the injured Bruno Fernandes, in that case assets from Anfield options must be the primary focus.
The weekly selection is chosen according to latest FPL costs to stay under a £100m spending limit, as if using a Free Hit.
How Did Our Recent Team?
Captain Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , combined with the productive pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike led the squad to a solid score – enhanced by a 10-point cameo from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.
The Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18
Keeper & Defenders
David Raya, the Gunners, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
Arsenal's defence experienced a minor wobble after an injury to their Brazilian defender, but they have secured two shutouts in their past four , with 9 already with less than the campaign's midpoint gone.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in just a handful of home games this season. Those goals were scored by Erling Haaland, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a unexpected header from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs the Seagulls (H).
This week features a triple-up on the Arsenal backline.
Not only are they the strongest defensive unit statistically, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they face a Brighton side that has failed to score in two consecutive games.
The South Coast club have scored just nine goals across eight matches on the road.
Timber remains a solid pick each gameweek , with more goal threat operating as the full-back role.
Hincapie has collected defensive contribution points over his last four starts, including two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Managers would love six Anfield players for this fixture if possible.
Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the 10th time so far during a recent 2-0 home loss to the Bees.
They have scored just 9 strikes in total, with only two away from home. This is as safe a shutout opportunity imaginable.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Despite Leeds United's recent goalscoring upturn – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Sunderland clean sheet on home soil.
It would be a third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender becoming an outstanding value defender option. Managers can start him with assurance in most games, due to his regular defensive contribution returns.
Midfield
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
Mount is expected to take on a bigger part for Manchester United in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.
Recently, Erik ten Hag's team registered the best xG across the Premier League by over three goals – 8.78 against second-best Leeds' 5.68.
They welcome a Newcastle team that has been poor on the road – with just a single victory in their last seven.
The former Chelsea man is likely to take over a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, especially on set-pieces, and could play in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
The German playmaker is due a major point return , with a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves representing the prime scenario for that to happen.
Wirtz has delivered returns in three of his past four games – two assists plus a 'defcon' performance.
In that period he's made 10 chances, the highest among all Liverpool, and his expected goals totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
After recording 30 points over two matches, Rogers' current form demands attention.
He's Villa's talisman, with an ability to scoring a goal from half a yard of space in the box.
A fixture to Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a difficult proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground on two occasions in the past three seasons.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no rivalry for his place, coupled with notched five goals in three games, the French striker receives the captaincy this week.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
There's no benching the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a tougher away game this week, we are opting to look elsewhere with the captain's role.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m