Skipper Hugo Ekitike along with a Triple Arsenal Backline – The FPL Squad for the Round
How many Liverpool assets can you fit in your squad for this round?
The Merseyside club have notched a pair of triumphs , with a red-hot attacker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a fixture with Wolves that are tracking for one of the worst Premier League seasons ever.
For managers who retained some of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , with the funds to upgrade following the injury to the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool picks ought to be your top priority.
The team of the week is assembled using present Fantasy Premier League prices to comply with a £100m spending limit, mirroring you were playing a Free Hit chip.
A Look Back at Our Recent Selection?
Skipper Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , alongside the in-form duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike guided the squad to a handsome total – enhanced by a double-digit contribution from Fulham's defender as a substitute.
This Week's FPL Selection for Gameweek 18
Keeper and Defenders
David Raya, the Gunners, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
The North London side's backline experienced a slight stumble after the absence of their Brazilian defender, but they have kept two clean sheets over their last four matches and have nine to their name with not even the campaign's midpoint completed.
Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in only three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a long-range strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a surprise goal from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs the Seagulls (H).
We're opting for a triple-up on the Arsenal backline.
They are the top defensive unit statistically, with a clean sheet in more than half of their matches, they face a Brighton team who have drawn a blank in their past two matches.
Brighton have a mere nine goals from eight fixtures away from home.
Timber is a reliable option each gameweek and has increased attacking upside now he is the full-back role.
The Ecuadorian has collected 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, featuring a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
One could select half a dozen Anfield assets this week if the rules permitted.
Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the tenth occasion in 17 games during Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.
The Midlands side have scored just nine goals all season, including two on the road. It represents a very secure clean sheet prospect possible.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Regardless of Leeds United's recent offensive form – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.
That would mark a third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender becoming an outstanding budget defender option. Managers can select him with assurance across many fixtures, thanks to his consistent defensive contribution points.
Midfield
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
Mount should play a bigger part for Old Trafford in the next few games, due to their Portuguese maestro out injured.
In their last three matches, United have generated the best xG in the league by a comfortable distance – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds' 5.68.
They face a Newcastle United side who have not excelled in away matches – managing a single victory in their last seven.
The former Chelsea man could well take over many of the injured star's playmaking duties, notably on set-pieces, and might feature in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
The German playmaker is poised for a major point return and a home match against Wolves representing a perfect opportunity for it.
Wirtz has posted points in three of his past four games – two assists plus a defensive contribution display.
During that spell he's made 10 chances, a team-high among all his teammates, and his expected goals totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
Boasting 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' form cannot be overlooked.
He's Aston Villa's talisman, with an ability to creating a goal with minimal space in the box.
An away trip to Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a tough assignment, but Villa have won at that ground in two of the past three seasons.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for his place, and having notched a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike earns the double-points role this week.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
There's no benching Haaland, however because he has a tricky away game in this round, the choice is to pass over him for the armband.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m