Captain Hugo Ekitike along with a Triple Arsenal Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week
The quantity of The Reds assets might you accommodate inside your team for this round?
The Merseyside club are coming off two consecutive victories , with a in-form attacker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a encounter with Wolves currently on course for one of the worst top-flight seasons on record.
For managers who kept a few of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers , and possess the cash to reinvest by replacing the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool options should be the primary focus.
This ideal squad is constructed according to latest Fantasy Premier League prices to comply with a £100m budget, mirroring activating a Free Hit.
A Look Back at Last Week's Selection?
Captain Manchester City's striker (32 points) , combined with the in-form pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike led the selection to a solid total – with a bonus a double-digit cameo from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.
Our Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18
Goalkeeper and Defence
David Raya, Arsenal, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
Arsenal's defence had a minor wobble in the wake of an injury to their Brazilian defender, but they have recorded two shutouts recently , boasting nine already with less than the campaign's midpoint completed.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in all but three matches at home this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward and a surprise header from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs the Seagulls (H).
This week features a triple-up on the Gunners' backline.
As well as being the top defence statistically, recording shutouts in over 50% of their fixtures, they take on a Brighton side who have drawn a blank in their past two outings.
The South Coast club have only managed nine goals across eight fixtures away from home.
The Dutch defender is a reliable option every week and has more attacking upside operating as right-back.
The Ecuadorian has earned 'defcon' points over his last four starts, featuring two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Managers would love half a dozen Anfield players this week if possible.
Wolves were shut out for the tenth occasion so far during a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.
The Midlands side have only managed nine goals this campaign, including two away from home. That makes this as safe a clean sheet opportunity imaginable.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Even with Leeds United's better goalscoring upturn – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – we're selecting a Sunderland shutout on home soil.
This would secure their third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as an outstanding value defender option. Managers can select him regularly in most games, thanks to his regular defensive contribution returns.
Midfield
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
Mount will likely assume a key role for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, with Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.
Recently, United have generated the highest xG across the Premier League by a comfortable distance – 8.78 against the next best Leeds United's 5.68.
Their opponents are a Newcastle side who have struggled on the road – with just a single victory in their last seven.
The former Chelsea man may assume a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, notably from dead-ball situations, and might operate in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
Wirtz is poised for a big haul , with a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves representing the prime time for that to happen.
He has registered attacking returns in three out of his last four games – two assists and one defensive contribution display.
Over that time he's made 10 chances, the highest of any his teammates, and his xG totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
With 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's form cannot be overlooked.
He is Aston Villa's main goal threat, capable of creating a goal with the smallest room inside the area.
A fixture at Stamford Bridge may appear a tough assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious there on two occasions in recent years.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Due to his fixture, a lack of competition for a starting spot, and having notched five goals in three games, the French striker gets the double-points role this week.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
One cannot consider benching the Norwegian goal machine, but with him having a tougher away game this week, the choice is to bet against him for the armband.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m