Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Arsenal Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week
How many Liverpool selections might you fit inside your squad for this round?
Jurgen Klopp's side have secured a pair of triumphs , with a red-hot attacker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a clash with a struggling Wolves side who are on course for a historically poor top-flight campaigns ever.
Should you have held onto a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards and have the budget to upgrade following the injury to the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, then Liverpool picks ought to be the main consideration.
The weekly selection is constructed using present FPL prices to stay under a £100m spending limit, as if using a Free Hit chip.
How Did The Previous Squad?
Captain Erling Haaland (a huge score) , alongside the hot pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman led the selection to a respectable score – with a bonus a double-digit performance from Antonee Robinson off the bench.
The Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18
Goalkeeper and Defenders
David Raya, the Gunners, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
The North London side's backline experienced a minor wobble in the wake of the absence of their Brazilian defender, yet they've secured two shutouts over their last four matches , with 9 to their name with less than half the season played.
Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in just a handful of matches at home campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range strike from Richarlison and a late goal from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).
It's a triple selection on the Arsenal backline.
Not only are they the best defensive unit in the game, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their fixtures, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have not found the net in two consecutive outings.
Brighton have a mere 9 goals in eight fixtures away from home.
Timber remains a solid choice every week , possessing more goal threat now he is right-back.
Hincapie has registered 'defcon' points in four consecutive appearances, including two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Managers would love six Liverpool assets for this fixture if allowed.
Wolves failed to score for the tenth occasion so far in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to Brentford.
They have only managed 9 goals all season, with only a couple on the road. It represents as safe a shutout bet available.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Even with Leeds United's improved goalscoring upturn – including the performances of their striker – we're selecting a Sunderland shutout on home soil.
This would secure a third consecutive , with the Paraguayan defender becoming the best low-cost defensive pick. Managers can start him regularly across many fixtures, due to his consistent defensive contribution returns.
Midfield
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
The English midfielder is expected to take on a bigger role at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, following Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.
Recently, United have generated the best xG statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds United's 5.68.
Their opponents are a Newcastle United side who have not excelled on the road – managing a single victory in seven.
Mount could well take over a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, and might feature as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
The German playmaker is due a significant score , with a home match versus the struggling Wolves representing an ideal opportunity for that to happen.
Wirtz has posted points across four recent games – a pair of assists and one 'defcon' display.
Over that time he has created 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, and his expected goals totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
With 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's current form demands attention.
He's Villa's key attacker, with an ability to creating a strike with half a yard of space in the box.
A fixture at Chelsea could be viewed as a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground twice during the last three campaigns.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for his place, and having scored five goals over three matches, Ekitike receives the double-points role for this round.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
It is unthinkable to omitting the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a tricky away game this week, the choice is to bet against him with the captain's role.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m