Skipper Hugo Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Gunners Defence – The FPL Team of the Week
The quantity of Liverpool assets can you fit in your squad for this round?
The Merseyside club are coming off two consecutive victories and boast a in-form forward in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are tracking for an abysmal top-flight seasons ever.
Should you have kept some of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , with the cash to reinvest by replacing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, then Liverpool picks ought to be your top priority.
The weekly selection is assembled according to present Fantasy Premier League prices to comply with a £100m budget, as if using a Free Hit.
How Did The Previous Selection?
Captain Erling Haaland (a massive haul) and the in-form duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike led the team to a handsome total – supplemented by a 10-point contribution from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.
The FPL Team of the Week for Gameweek 18
Goalkeeper & Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
Arsenal's backline suffered a minor wobble following an injury to Gabriel, however, they've secured two clean sheets recently and have 9 so far before half the season played.
Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in just a handful of matches at home this season. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Richarlison , plus a late goal from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).
We're opting for a triple-up from the Arsenal defence.
As well as being the best defensive unit in the game, with a clean sheet in the majority of their matches, they host a Brighton team that has not found the net in their last two matches.
Brighton have only managed nine strikes from eight away games.
The Dutch defender remains a steady choice every week , with more goal threat operating as right-back.
The Ecuadorian has registered 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, which included two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
I'd pick six Anfield players for this fixture if allowed.
Wolves were shut out for the 10th time in 17 games in Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.
They have only managed nine goals this campaign, including a couple away from home. This is a very secure clean sheet bet possible.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Despite the Yorkshire club's recent goalscoring upturn – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.
This would secure their third consecutive and Alderete establishing himself as a prime budget defender option. You can start him confidently in most games, given his potential for 'defcon' points.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
Mount will likely assume a bigger part for Old Trafford in the next few games, due to their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.
Recently, Erik ten Hag's team boast the greatest expected goals (xG) statistically by a comfortable distance – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds United's 5.68.
Their opponents are a Newcastle side who have been poor on the road – managing a single victory in seven.
Mount could well assume many of the injured star's creative responsibilities, especially on set-pieces, and could play behind the striker.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
The German playmaker is poised for a major point return and a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves being an ideal opportunity for that to happen.
Wirtz has delivered returns in three out of his past four games – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' display.
In that period he has created 10 chances, the most of any his teammates, while his xG totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
After recording 30 points over two matches, Rogers' hot streak demands attention.
He is Villa's key attacker, who can producing a goal with half a yard of space in the box.
An away trip to Chelsea could be viewed as a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have won there on two occasions in recent years.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for a starting spot, and having notched five goals over three matches, the French striker receives the captaincy for this round.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
One cannot consider benching the Norwegian goal machine, but because he has a tricky fixture on the road in this round, I'm willing to look elsewhere for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m