Captain Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Arsenal Backline – The FPL Team of the Week
The quantity of The Reds players are you able to fit inside your lineup for this round?
The Merseyside club have secured back-to-back wins , with a sizzling striker in their French frontman ahead of a encounter with Wolves who are on course for a historically poor Premier League seasons ever.
For managers who kept a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , and possess the funds to spend by replacing the injured Manchester United's playmaker, then Liverpool players must be the main consideration.
This team of the week is chosen based on current Fantasy Premier League costs to stay under a £100m spending limit, simulating using a one-week wildcard.
How Did Last Week's Selection?
Captain Manchester City's striker (32 points) and the productive pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike guided the team to a handsome total – with a bonus a 10-point cameo from Fulham's defender from the replacements.
This Week's FPL Selection for Matchday 18
Keeper and Defence
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
Arsenal's defence suffered a slight stumble after the absence of their Brazilian defender, however, they've kept two shutouts recently , boasting 9 to their name before the campaign's midpoint played.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in all but three matches at home this season. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a spectacular strike from Tottenham's forward and a surprise header from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs Brighton (H).
We're opting for a three-pronged on the Gunners' backline.
They are the best defensive unit in FPL, with a clean sheet in more than half of their matches, they take on a Brighton team that has drawn a blank in two consecutive matches.
Brighton have only managed 9 goals from eight fixtures away from home.
The Dutch defender remains a solid choice each gameweek , possessing increased goal threat now he is right-back.
Hincapie has collected 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, which included two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
One could select six Liverpool assets for this fixture if possible.
Wolves drew another blank once again in 17 games during Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Brentford.
The Midlands side have a paltry nine strikes in total, with only a couple on the road. This is as safe a shutout bet available.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Regardless of the Yorkshire club's better goalscoring upturn – highlighted by their striker – I'm backing a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.
That would mark their third consecutive , with Alderete becoming the best budget defensive pick. Managers can start him with assurance across many fixtures, given his regular defensive contribution points.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
Mount should play a bigger role at Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, with Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.
In their last three matches, United boast the highest expected goals (xG) statistically by over three goals – 8.78 against the next best Leeds United's 5.68.
Their opponents are a Newcastle team that has been poor away from home – managing one win in their last seven.
The former Chelsea man may take over a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, particularly on set-pieces, and might play in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
The German playmaker is poised for a major point return , with a home match versus the struggling Wolves representing a perfect time for it.
He has posted points in three out of four recent games – a pair of assists and one defensive contribution display.
During that spell he's made 10 chances, the highest of any his teammates, and his xG is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
With 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's form cannot be overlooked.
He is Villa's main goal threat, with an ability to scoring a goal from minimal space in the box.
An away trip at Stamford Bridge might seem a tough assignment, but Villa have won there on two occasions in recent years.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Due to his fixture, having no competition for a starting spot, coupled with bagged five goals over three matches, Ekitike receives the captaincy this week.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
There's no dropping Haaland, although because he has a more difficult away game in this round, we are opting to look elsewhere for the armband.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m