Skipper Hugo Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Arsenal Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week
The quantity of Liverpool players are you able to accommodate into your team for this round?
Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off two consecutive victories , with a sizzling striker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers that are on course for a historically poor Premier League campaigns on record.
If you've held onto a few of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards and have the funds to spend after losing the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, consequently assets from Anfield picks ought to be the main consideration.
The team of the week is constructed using current Fantasy Premier League prices to fit within a £100m spending limit, simulating activating a Free Hit chip.
How Did Last Week's Selection?
Skipper Manchester City's striker (a huge score) and the hot duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike led the selection to a solid score – supplemented by a 10-point performance from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.
The FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18
Keeper & Defence
David Raya, Arsenal, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
Arsenal's backline suffered a brief dip after the absence of their Brazilian defender, yet they've recorded two clean sheets over their last four matches , boasting 9 to their name with not even the campaign's midpoint gone.
Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in all but three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals came from a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular effort from Richarlison , plus a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).
This week features a triple selection from the Arsenal defence.
Not only are they the strongest defence statistically, with a clean sheet in more than half of their matches, they take on a Brighton side that has not found the net in their last two outings.
Brighton have a mere 9 strikes across eight fixtures away from home.
Timber is a steady option each gameweek , possessing increased goal threat since returning to the full-back role.
Hincapie has registered defensive contribution points over his last four starts, featuring two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
One could select six Liverpool assets this week if possible.
Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank for the tenth occasion this season in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.
They have a paltry nine goals this campaign, with only a couple away from home. That makes this a very secure shutout prospect available.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Even with Leeds United's recent offensive form – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Sunderland clean sheet at home.
This would secure their third in a row , with Alderete is cementing himself as the best value defender option. Managers can field him regularly across many fixtures, due to his consistent 'defcon' returns.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
The English midfielder is expected to take on a significant part for Old Trafford in the next few games, following their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.
Recently, Erik ten Hag's team registered the greatest expected goals (xG) in the league by a comfortable distance – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds United's 5.68.
They face a Newcastle United team that has not excelled in away matches – with just a single victory in their last seven.
Mount could well assume many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, notably on set-pieces, and could operate as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
Wirtz is due a big haul , with a home match versus the struggling Wolves being the prime opportunity for it.
Wirtz has registered attacking returns in three of his past four fixtures – two assists plus a defensive contribution display.
During that spell he has created 10 chances, the highest among all Liverpool, while his xG is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
After recording 30 points over two matches, Rogers' form demands attention.
He is Aston Villa's talisman, who can scoring a strike with minimal space in the box.
A fixture at Stamford Bridge may appear a difficult proposition, but Villa have won there twice during the past three seasons.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Given his fixture, a lack of competition for a starting spot, coupled with bagged five goals over three matches, the French striker gets the captaincy this week.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
It is unthinkable to omitting Haaland, although because he has a tricky away game in this round, we are opting to pass over him for the armband.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m