Captain Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Arsenal Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Squad for the Round
The quantity of The Reds assets might you squeeze in your lineup for this round?
Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off two consecutive victories , featuring a sizzling forward in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a fixture with a struggling Wolves side who are tracking for one of the worst Premier League campaigns ever.
If you've kept a few of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , with the budget to reinvest by replacing the injured Manchester United's playmaker, in that case assets from Anfield players must be the primary focus.
This team of the week is assembled according to present FPL valuations to fit within a 100 million pound spending limit, as if you were playing a one-week wildcard.
A Look Back at Last Week's Selection?
Captain Erling Haaland (a huge score) , combined with the in-form pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike guided the selection to a solid total – supplemented by a double-digit performance from Fulham's defender off the bench.
This Week's Fantasy Premier League Selection for Gameweek 18
Goalkeeper and Defence
David Raya, the Gunners, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
The North London side's defence experienced a minor wobble in the wake of an injury to their Brazilian defender, however, they've secured two clean sheets recently and have nine to their name before the campaign's midpoint gone.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in all but three matches at home campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a wondrous strike from Richarlison , plus a unexpected goal from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs the Seagulls (H).
We're opting for a triple-up on the Arsenal backline.
They are the strongest defence statistically, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their matches, they face a Brighton side who have drawn a blank in two consecutive games.
The South Coast club have a mere 9 goals across eight fixtures away from home.
The Dutch defender remains a solid choice each gameweek , possessing more goal threat now he is right-back.
Hincapie has collected 'defcon' points over his last four appearances, including two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
I'd pick six Liverpool players for this fixture if the rules permitted.
Wolves were shut out for the tenth occasion so far in Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.
They have only managed 9 goals in total, with only two away from home. It represents one of the safest clean sheet prospect imaginable.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Despite Leeds United's better goalscoring upturn – 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 a prime value defensive pick. Managers can select him with assurance across many fixtures, given his regular defensive contribution returns.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
The English midfielder is expected to take on a bigger role for Manchester United in the next few games, with their Portuguese maestro out injured.
Recently, United boast the highest xG in the league by a comfortable distance – 8.78 against the next best Leeds' 5.68.
They face a Newcastle United team that has not excelled on the road – with just one win in their last seven.
The former Chelsea man could well inherit a large share of the injured star's playmaking duties, particularly on set-pieces, and might feature behind the striker.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
The German playmaker is on the verge of a major point return and a fixture at Anfield against the struggling Wolves being the prime time for it.
Wirtz has posted points across four recent games – two assists and one 'defcon' performance.
Over that time his chance creation stands at 10 chances, a team-high among all 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 hot streak is impossible to ignore.
He is Aston Villa's main goal threat, who can creating a goal from minimal space inside the area.
An away trip to Stamford Bridge may appear a tough proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious there on two occasions in recent years.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with scored a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike receives the captain's armband for this round.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
One cannot consider dropping the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a more difficult away game this week, I'm willing to bet against him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m