Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Gunners Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Squad for the Round
How many Liverpool assets might you fit inside your lineup this week?
The Merseyside club have secured a pair of triumphs and boast a in-form striker in their French frontman preparing for a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are heading towards a historically poor Premier League seasons on record.
If you've retained a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , and possess the funds to reinvest following the injury to the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool players should be the main consideration.
The ideal squad is assembled based on current Fantasy Premier League costs to fit within a £100m spending limit, simulating using a Free Hit chip.
A Look Back at The Previous Team?
Captain Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) and the hot pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike propelled the selection to a respectable 82 points – with a bonus a double-digit cameo from Fulham's defender off the bench.
Our Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Matchday 18
Keeper & Defence
David Raya, the Gunners, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
The North London side's backline experienced a minor wobble following the absence of Gabriel, but they have secured two clean sheets over their last four matches , boasting nine so far with less than half the season completed.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in only three matches at home campaign. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward and a surprise goal from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs Brighton (H).
This week features a triple-up from the Arsenal backline.
They are the top defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they take on a Brighton side who have drawn a blank in two consecutive matches.
The South Coast club have only managed nine strikes from eight fixtures away from home.
The Dutch defender continues to be a solid choice every week and has increased attacking upside since returning to right-back.
Hincapie has collected 'defcon' points in his past four starts, which included a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
One could select half a dozen Anfield players this week if allowed.
Wolves drew another blank once again in 17 games in Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.
They have a paltry nine strikes this campaign, with only two away from home. It represents a very secure shutout prospect imaginable.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Regardless of Leeds United's improved goalscoring upturn – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.
It would be a third consecutive and Alderete establishing himself as a prime budget defender option. Managers can select him confidently in most games, given his potential for defensive contribution returns.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
The English midfielder will likely assume a key role at Manchester United in the next few games, due to Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.
In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the best expected goals (xG) in the league by a comfortable distance – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds United's 5.68.
They welcome a Newcastle team that has struggled away from home – with just one win in their last seven.
The former Chelsea man may take over many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, particularly from dead-ball situations, potentially feature as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
The German playmaker is on the verge of a major point return , with a home match against the struggling Wolves being an ideal time for that to happen.
Wirtz has delivered returns in three of his past four fixtures – two assists plus a defensive contribution performance.
Over that time his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the highest of any Liverpool, while his xG stands at 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's form demands attention.
He's Aston Villa's talisman, capable of scoring a strike with minimal room in the box.
An away trip to Stamford Bridge may appear a tough proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious there in two of recent years.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Due to his fixture, a lack of rivalry for his place, coupled with notched a five-goal haul in three games, the French striker gets the captaincy this week.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
It is unthinkable to omitting Haaland, but with him having a tougher fixture on the road this week, the choice is to look elsewhere with the captain's role.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m