Skipper Hugo Ekitike along with a Triple Gunners Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Squad for the Round
How many Liverpool assets might you squeeze inside your team for this round?
Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off back-to-back wins , with a red-hot striker in their French frontman going into a fixture with Wolves currently heading towards a historically poor Premier League seasons ever.
Should you have retained a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , and possess the funds to upgrade after losing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, consequently assets from Anfield picks should be the main consideration.
This team of the week is assembled based on present Fantasy Premier League valuations to comply with a £100m budget, as if using a Free Hit.
How Did Our Recent Team?
Captain Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , combined with the productive duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman led the squad to a handsome total – enhanced by a 10-point performance from Fulham's defender as a substitute.
Our FPL Ideal Squad for Matchday 18
Keeper & Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
The North London side's backline had a slight stumble in the wake of an injury to Gabriel, however, they've recorded two shutouts in their past four and have 9 already before half the season gone.
Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in just a handful of fixtures at the Emirates this season. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a late goal from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).
This week features a triple-up from the Arsenal defence.
As well as being the strongest defence statistically, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they host a Brighton side that has failed to score in their last two matches.
The South Coast club have only managed 9 goals from eight matches on the road.
The Dutch defender continues to be a solid choice every week , with more offensive potential now he is right-back.
Hincapie has registered 'defcon' points in his past four appearances, including a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
One could select half a dozen Anfield assets this week if allowed.
Wolves were shut out for the tenth occasion in 17 games in a recent two-nil home loss to the Bees.
They have scored just 9 goals this campaign, including two away from home. That makes this as safe a clean sheet opportunity available.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Even with the Yorkshire club's better offensive form – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Sunderland shutout at home.
It would be a third consecutive and Alderete is cementing himself as an outstanding low-cost defender option. You can select him with assurance across many fixtures, thanks to his consistent 'defcon' returns.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
Mount will likely assume a bigger responsibility for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, with their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.
Recently, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the best expected goals (xG) statistically by over three goals – 8.78 against the next best Leeds United's 5.68.
They welcome a Newcastle team that has struggled on the road – managing one win from seven attempts.
The former Chelsea man could well inherit many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, especially from dead-ball situations, potentially feature 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 against the struggling Wolves presenting an ideal time for that to happen.
Wirtz has delivered returns in three out of his past four fixtures – two assists plus a defensive contribution performance.
In that period he has created 10 chances, the most among all his teammates, and his expected goals is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
After recording 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's current form demands attention.
He's Villa's key attacker, who can creating a strike from half a yard of space inside the area.
A fixture to Chelsea may appear a difficult assignment, but Villa have won there in two of the last three campaigns.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Due to his fixture, having no rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with notched a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike receives the captaincy this week.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
One cannot consider dropping the Norwegian goal machine, although because he has a tricky away game this week, we are opting to look elsewhere with the captain's role.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m