Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Gunners Backline – The FPL Team of the Week

How many Liverpool players are you able to fit in your squad for this round?

Jurgen Klopp's side have notched two consecutive victories , featuring a sizzling attacker in Hugo Ekitike going into a clash with a struggling Wolves side that are heading towards one of the worst Premier League seasons in history.

Should you have retained a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , with the cash to spend after losing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, in that case Liverpool picks should be your top priority.

This weekly selection is chosen based on latest FPL valuations to fit within a 100 million pound cap, as if using a Free Hit.

What Was the Performance of The Previous Squad?

Captain Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) and the productive duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman led the squad to a solid total – enhanced by a double-digit performance from Antonee Robinson off the bench.

Our Fantasy Premier League Selection for Matchday 18

Keeper & Defence

David Raya, the Gunners, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).

The North London side's backline had a slight stumble in the wake of the absence of their Brazilian defender, but they have recorded two shutouts in their past four and have nine so far with not even half the season played.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in just a handful of fixtures at the Emirates campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous effort from Tottenham's forward and a surprise header from Tolu Arokodare.

Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).

We're opting for a three-pronged on the Arsenal defence.

They are the strongest defensive unit in the game, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has drawn a blank in two consecutive matches.

Brighton have a mere 9 strikes across eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender is a reliable choice every week , with increased attacking upside now he is the full-back role.

Hincapie has collected 'defcon' points in his past four appearances, which included a pair of shutouts.

Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).

I'd pick half a dozen Liverpool assets for this fixture if allowed.

Wolves drew another blank for the tenth occasion so far in a recent 2-0 home loss to the Bees.

The Midlands side have scored just 9 strikes all season, with only a couple away from home. That makes this a very secure clean sheet opportunity imaginable.

Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).

Regardless of Leeds United's better goalscoring upturn – highlighted by their striker – the pick is a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.

This would secure their third in a row , with Alderete establishing himself as an outstanding value defender option. You can start him regularly in most games, due to his consistent defensive contribution returns.

Midfielders

Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).

The English midfielder will likely assume a bigger part for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, due to Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team boast the highest expected goals (xG) statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

They face a Newcastle side who have struggled in away matches – with just one win in seven.

The former Chelsea man is likely to assume many of the injured star's creative responsibilities, especially on set-pieces, and could play behind the striker.

Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).

Wirtz is poised for a big haul , with a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves representing a perfect time for it.

Wirtz has delivered returns across his past four games – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' display.

In that period he's made 10 chances, the highest of any his teammates, and his expected goals stands at 0.88.

Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).

Boasting 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' hot streak cannot be overlooked.

He is Villa's talisman, capable of creating a goal from the smallest room inside the area.

An away trip at Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have won at that ground twice during recent years.

Forwards

Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).

Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for his place, and having scored five goals over three matches, Ekitike earns the captaincy this week.

Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).

It is unthinkable to omitting the Norwegian goal machine, but with him having a more difficult fixture on the road in this round, I'm willing to pass over him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m

Adam Ross
Adam Ross

A passionate gamer and tech writer sharing in-depth analysis on game updates and strategies.