Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Squad for the Round
What number of The Reds players are you able to squeeze inside your lineup for this round?
The Merseyside club have secured a pair of triumphs and boast a sizzling forward in their French frontman going into a clash with Wolves who are tracking for an abysmal Premier League campaigns in history.
Should you have retained a few of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers and have the cash to upgrade after losing the injured Manchester United's playmaker, in that case assets from Anfield options must be the primary focus.
The team of the week is chosen according to latest FPL valuations to comply with a 100 million pound cap, simulating using a one-week wildcard.
What Was the Performance of Last Week's Team?
Captain Manchester City's striker (a huge score) , alongside the hot duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman guided the team to a respectable total – enhanced by a 10-point performance from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.
Our FPL Team of the Week for Gameweek 18
Keeper & Defence
David Raya, Arsenal, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
Arsenal's defence suffered a minor wobble in the wake of the absence of Gabriel, but they have kept two shutouts in their past four , with nine so far before half the season gone.
Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in just a handful of home games this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a spectacular strike from Richarlison and a unexpected goal from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs Brighton (H).
This week features a triple selection on the Arsenal defence.
Not only are they the strongest defence in the game, recording shutouts in more than half of their fixtures, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have drawn a blank in two consecutive matches.
Brighton have scored just nine goals in eight fixtures away from home.
Timber continues to be a reliable pick every week and has more goal threat operating as the full-back role.
The Ecuadorian has registered defensive contribution points in his past four starts, which included a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
I'd pick half a dozen Anfield assets this week if the rules permitted.
Wolves failed to score for the 10th time this season during Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.
They have scored just nine strikes all season, including a couple away from home. This is as safe a shutout opportunity possible.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Regardless of the Yorkshire club's better offensive form – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Stadium of Light shutout at home.
That would mark a third consecutive , with the Paraguayan defender becoming an outstanding budget defender option. Managers can field him with assurance in most games, given his regular 'defcon' points.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
The English midfielder should play a key part for Old Trafford in the next few games, due to their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.
Recently, Erik ten Hag's team boast the highest xG in the league by a significant margin – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds' 5.68.
Their opponents are a Newcastle team that has struggled in away matches – managing one win from seven attempts.
Mount is likely to assume a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, especially on set-pieces, and might play in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
The German playmaker is due a significant score , with a home match against Wolves being a perfect opportunity for that to happen.
He has delivered returns across his last four fixtures – two assists plus a 'defcon' display.
Over that time he has created 10 chances, the most among all Liverpool, and his xG is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
After recording 30 points over two matches, Rogers' hot streak demands attention.
He's Aston Villa's key attacker, capable of creating a strike from minimal space inside the area.
An away trip at Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a difficult proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious there on two occasions in the past three seasons.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Because of his fixture, having no rivalry for his place, coupled with scored five goals in three games, the French striker gets the captaincy for this round.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
One cannot consider dropping Haaland, however with him having a tougher fixture on the road in this round, I'm willing to bet against him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m