Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Gunners Defence – The FPL Team of the Week
The quantity of Liverpool assets might you squeeze in your lineup this week?
Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off two consecutive victories and boast a red-hot forward in their French frontman preparing for a clash with Wolves who are tracking for an abysmal top-flight campaigns in history.
For managers who kept a few of your AFCON wildcards , with the budget to reinvest by replacing the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, then assets from Anfield players must be the primary focus.
The team of the week is assembled using present Fantasy Premier League valuations to fit within a 100 million pound spending limit, simulating using a Free Hit.
How Did The Previous Team?
Captain Manchester City's striker (32 points) , alongside the hot duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike guided the squad to a respectable score – enhanced by a 10-point performance from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.
This Week's Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18
Goalkeeper and Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
Arsenal's backline had a minor wobble in the wake of an injury to Gabriel, yet they've recorded two clean sheets in their past four and have 9 so far with less than half the season gone.
Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in only three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a wondrous effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs the Seagulls (H).
This week features a three-pronged on the Gunners' defence.
They are the strongest defensive unit in the game, with a clean sheet in more than half of their fixtures, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have failed to score in their past two matches.
Brighton have only managed 9 goals across eight away games.
The Dutch defender is a solid choice each gameweek and has greater offensive potential operating as the full-back role.
Hincapie has earned 'defcon' points over his last four appearances, including two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Managers would love six Liverpool players for this fixture if the rules permitted.
Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank for the 10th time so far during Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.
The Midlands side have scored just nine goals this campaign, including a couple on the road. It represents as safe a shutout bet possible.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Regardless of Leeds United's improved goalscoring upturn – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout at home.
That would mark a third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender becoming the best low-cost defender option. Managers can select him with assurance across many fixtures, due to his regular defensive contribution points.
Midfield
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
Mount is expected to take on a key part for Manchester United in the next few games, due to Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.
Over the past three games, United boast the best xG statistically by over three goals – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds' 5.68.
They face a Newcastle team who have not excelled in away matches – managing one win from seven attempts.
The former Chelsea man is likely to inherit a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, particularly on set-pieces, potentially operate as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Wirtz is due a big haul and a home match against Wolves presenting the prime opportunity for that to happen.
He has registered attacking returns across four recent fixtures – a pair of assists and one 'defcon' display.
In that period he has created 10 chances, the highest among all Liverpool, while his expected goals totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
Boasting 30 points over two matches, Rogers' current form cannot be overlooked.
He's Villa's talisman, capable of producing a strike with half a yard of room in the box.
A fixture at Stamford Bridge may appear a challenging assignment, but Villa have won there twice during the past three seasons.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for a starting spot, and having notched a five-goal haul over three matches, the French striker receives the double-points role for this round.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
There's no omitting the Norwegian goal machine, although because he has a tougher fixture on the road in this round, the choice is to pass over him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m