Captain Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Gunners Defence – The FPL Team of the Week
The quantity of The Reds players can you squeeze inside your lineup for this round?
Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off two consecutive victories , featuring a in-form striker in Hugo Ekitike going into a clash with Wolves currently heading towards one of the worst top-flight campaigns ever.
For managers who held onto some of your AFCON transfers and have the funds to upgrade following the injury to the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, in that case assets from Anfield players must be your top priority.
This weekly selection is chosen using latest FPL prices to comply with a £100m budget, mirroring activating a Free Hit.
A Look Back at Last Week's Team?
Captain Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , combined with the in-form duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike propelled the selection to a respectable score – enhanced by a double-digit performance from Antonee Robinson off the bench.
Our Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Matchday 18
Goalkeeper and Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
The North London side's defence suffered a minor wobble following the absence of their Brazilian defender, however, they've kept two shutouts in their past four , with nine so far before the campaign's midpoint played.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in all but three matches at home this season. Those goals were scored by Erling Haaland, a spectacular strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a unexpected header from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs the Seagulls (H).
It's a triple-up from the Gunners' defence.
As well as being the top defence in FPL, with a clean sheet in the majority of their matches, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have drawn a blank in their past two games.
Brighton have only managed 9 strikes from eight matches on the road.
Timber remains a steady choice every week , possessing greater goal threat operating as right-back.
Hincapie has registered 'defcon' points over his last four starts, which included two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
One could select half a dozen Liverpool players this week if allowed.
Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank for the 10th time so far in a recent 2-0 home loss to Brentford.
The Midlands side have scored just 9 strikes all season, including a couple away from home. It represents as safe a shutout bet possible.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Even with the Yorkshire club's improved offensive form – including the performances of their striker – we're selecting a Sunderland shutout at home.
That would mark a third in a row , with Alderete establishing himself as an outstanding budget defender option. Managers can field him regularly in most games, due to his regular defensive contribution points.
Midfield
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
The English midfielder will likely assume a bigger role at Old Trafford in the next few games, following their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.
Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team registered the best expected goals (xG) in the league by a comfortable distance – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds' 5.68.
They welcome a Newcastle United team that has been poor in away matches – with just a single victory from seven attempts.
Mount may inherit many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, especially on set-pieces, and might play behind the striker.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
The German playmaker is due a significant score and a fixture at Anfield against the struggling Wolves presenting a perfect opportunity for that to happen.
Wirtz has posted points across his last four fixtures – a pair of assists and one 'defcon' display.
In that period he has created 10 chances, the most of any his teammates, and his xG totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
After recording 30 points in two games, the midfielder's form is impossible to ignore.
He's Aston Villa's key attacker, who can producing a goal from the smallest room inside the area.
An away trip to Chelsea might seem a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have won at that ground on two occasions in the past three seasons.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Given his fixture, a lack of rivalry for his place, coupled with bagged five goals in three games, Ekitike gets the double-points role this week.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
There's no dropping Haaland, however with him having a more difficult fixture on the road in this round, we are opting to bet against him with the captain's role.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m