Skipper Ekitike along with a Triple Gunners Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round
What number of Liverpool players can you squeeze inside your lineup for this round?
Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off a pair of triumphs , featuring a sizzling striker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a encounter with a struggling Wolves side that are on course for an abysmal Premier League campaigns in history.
Should you have kept some of your AFCON wildcards , with the funds to reinvest by replacing the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, in that case assets from Anfield options should be the main consideration.
This weekly selection is constructed using latest FPL prices to fit within a 100 million pound spending limit, mirroring you were playing a one-week wildcard.
What Was the Performance of The Previous Squad?
Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , alongside the in-form duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike guided the team to a solid total – enhanced by a double-digit contribution from Fulham's defender as a substitute.
The FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18
Keeper & Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
The North London side's backline suffered a minor wobble after the absence of Gabriel, yet they've recorded two shutouts in their past four , with nine so far before half the season played.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in all but three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a wondrous effort from Richarlison and a late goal from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).
It's a triple selection from the Arsenal defence.
Not only are they the best defence statistically, with a clean sheet in the majority of their fixtures, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has failed to score in their past two games.
The South Coast club have scored just 9 strikes across eight away games.
Timber is a reliable pick each gameweek , with more attacking upside operating as the full-back role.
The Ecuadorian has registered defensive contribution points in his past four starts, including a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
I'd pick half a dozen Liverpool assets for this fixture if possible.
Wolves drew another blank for the tenth occasion this season during Saturday's two-nil home loss to the Bees.
The Midlands side have only managed 9 strikes in total, with only a couple away from home. That makes this one of the safest shutout prospect imaginable.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Even with Leeds United's improved offensive form – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Stadium of Light shutout at home.
This would secure their third in a row and the Paraguayan defender becoming the best value defensive pick. You can field him with assurance in most games, due to his regular defensive contribution points.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
The English midfielder will likely assume a bigger responsibility for Old Trafford in the next few games, with their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.
Over the past three games, United have generated the greatest xG statistically by a comfortable distance – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds United's 5.68.
They welcome a Newcastle team that has struggled in away matches – managing one win in seven.
Mount may inherit a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, particularly on set-pieces, potentially operate behind the striker.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
The German playmaker is poised for a significant score , with a fixture at Anfield against Wolves presenting the prime scenario for that to happen.
He has delivered returns across four recent fixtures – two assists and one 'defcon' display.
During that spell his chance creation stands at 10 chances, a team-high among all Liverpool, and his expected goals is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
Boasting 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' hot streak demands attention.
He's Villa's main goal threat, who can producing a strike from the smallest room in the box.
An away trip to Chelsea might seem a challenging proposition, the Birmingham club have won there in two of recent years.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Because of his fixture, having no competition for a starting spot, and having scored a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike earns the captain's armband for this round.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
There's no dropping the Norwegian goal machine, however because he has a tricky away game in this round, I'm willing to pass over him with the captain's role.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m