Skipper Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Gunners Defence – The FPL Team of the Week
The quantity of Liverpool players are you able to squeeze in your squad in the upcoming gameweek?
Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off back-to-back wins , featuring a sizzling forward in Hugo Ekitike going into a fixture with a struggling Wolves side currently heading towards one of the worst top-flight seasons ever.
Should you have retained a few of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards and have the funds to reinvest after losing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, in that case Liverpool players ought to be the main consideration.
This team of the week is constructed using current Fantasy Premier League valuations to stay under a £100m budget, as if activating a Free Hit chip.
What Was the Performance of The Previous Squad?
Captain Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , alongside the productive pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike led the team to a solid total – with a bonus a double-digit cameo from Antonee Robinson off the bench.
The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 18
Goalkeeper and Defence
David Raya, Arsenal, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
The North London side's backline suffered a brief dip in the wake of an injury to Gabriel, but they have secured two clean sheets in their past four , boasting nine to their name with less than half the season played.
Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in only three matches at home campaign. The strikes they conceded came from a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous effort from Richarlison and a surprise header from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs Brighton (H).
It's a three-pronged from the Gunners' backline.
As well as being the top defensive unit in FPL, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their fixtures, they host a Brighton side who have drawn a blank in their past two matches.
Brighton have only managed 9 strikes across eight away games.
Timber remains a reliable option every week , possessing more offensive potential since returning to right-back.
Hincapie has registered 'defcon' points in his past four starts, which included two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Managers would love six Liverpool assets this week if possible.
Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the 10th time in 17 games during Saturday's 2-0 home loss to the Bees.
The Midlands side have a paltry 9 strikes all season, including two on the road. This is as safe a clean sheet prospect available.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Regardless of Leeds United's improved goalscoring upturn – and the form of their striker – the pick is a Stadium of Light shutout at home.
This would secure their third consecutive and Alderete establishing himself as the best budget defensive pick. Managers can start him regularly across many fixtures, due to his regular 'defcon' points.
Midfield
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
The English midfielder is expected to take on a key part at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, with Bruno Fernandes out injured.
In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the greatest xG statistically by over three goals – 8.78 against the next best Leeds United's 5.68.
They face a Newcastle United side who have been poor on the road – with just one win in seven.
The former Chelsea man may inherit a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, especially on set-pieces, and could operate as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
The German playmaker is on the verge of a big haul and a home match versus Wolves being an ideal time for it.
Wirtz has posted points in three out of his last four games – a pair of assists plus a defensive contribution display.
In that period he has created 10 chances, the highest of any Liverpool, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
With 30 points in two games, the midfielder's form is impossible to ignore.
He is Villa's talisman, capable of scoring a goal with half a yard of space inside the area.
A fixture at Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a tough proposition, the Birmingham club have won at that ground twice during the past three seasons.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for his place, coupled with scored a five-goal haul in three games, the French striker gets the double-points role for this round.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
One cannot consider benching Haaland, however with him having a tougher away game in this round, the choice is to pass over him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m