Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Defence – The FPL Team of the Week
What number of Liverpool assets can you squeeze in your team for this round?
Jurgen Klopp's side have secured two consecutive victories , with a in-form forward in their French frontman ahead of a clash with a struggling Wolves side that are heading towards one of the worst top-flight seasons ever.
Should you have held onto some of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , and possess the funds to reinvest following the injury to the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, in that case Liverpool picks must be the primary focus.
The ideal squad is assembled according to current FPL costs to stay under a 100 million pound budget, as if you were playing a Free Hit chip.
A Look Back at Last Week's Team?
Captain Erling Haaland (a huge score) , alongside the hot duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman propelled the squad to a respectable total – supplemented by a double-digit performance from Fulham's defender off the bench.
This Week's FPL Selection for Gameweek 18
Goalkeeper & Defenders
David Raya, the Gunners, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
The North London side's defence experienced a minor wobble following an injury to their Brazilian defender, however, they've recorded two shutouts recently , with 9 already with not even half the season gone.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in all but three fixtures at the Emirates this season. Those goals came from a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular effort from Tottenham's forward and a late goal from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs the Seagulls (H).
We're opting for a three-pronged from the Arsenal backline.
They are the strongest defence in FPL, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has drawn a blank in two consecutive outings.
Brighton have a mere 9 goals across eight fixtures away from home.
The Dutch defender remains a steady pick every week , with greater attacking upside since returning to the full-back role.
Hincapie has registered 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, featuring two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Managers would love half a dozen Liverpool assets this week if the rules permitted.
Wolves drew another blank for the tenth occasion so far in Saturday's 2-0 home loss to the Bees.
The Midlands side have a paltry nine goals in total, with only two away from home. That makes this as safe a clean sheet opportunity possible.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Despite the Yorkshire club's recent goalscoring upturn – and the form of their striker – the pick is a Sunderland clean sheet at home.
That would mark their third in a row , with Alderete is cementing himself as a prime value defender option. Managers can start him regularly across many fixtures, given his regular defensive contribution returns.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
Mount will likely assume a significant responsibility for Manchester United in the next few games, following Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.
Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team boast the highest xG across the Premier League by a comfortable distance – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds United's 5.68.
Their opponents are a Newcastle United side who have not excelled on the road – with just a single victory from seven attempts.
The former Chelsea man could well inherit a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, potentially play as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
Wirtz is due a significant score , with a fixture at Anfield against Wolves representing the prime scenario for that to happen.
Wirtz has posted points across his past four fixtures – two assists and one 'defcon' performance.
Over that time he has created 10 chances, a team-high among all Liverpool, while his xG is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
Boasting 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's current form demands attention.
He is Aston Villa's main goal threat, who can scoring a goal from half a yard of room inside the area.
An away trip at Chelsea could be viewed as a difficult proposition, but Villa have won at that ground in two of recent years.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no rivalry for his place, coupled with bagged five goals over three matches, Ekitike gets the double-points role for this round.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
There's no omitting Haaland, although with him having a tricky fixture on the road in this round, I'm willing to bet against him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m