Captain Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Gunners Backline – The FPL Team of the Week
How many The Reds assets can you squeeze into your squad this week?
Jurgen Klopp's side have notched two consecutive victories and boast a sizzling striker in their French frontman preparing for a encounter with Wolves currently heading towards one of the worst top-flight campaigns ever.
Should you have retained a portion of your AFCON free transfers , with the budget to spend by replacing the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, in that case Liverpool picks should be the main consideration.
This team of the week is assembled according to present FPL prices to fit within a 100 million pound budget, simulating you were playing a one-week wildcard.
What Was the Performance of Last Week's Squad?
Skipper Erling Haaland (a huge score) and the hot duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman guided the squad to a handsome total – with a bonus a 10-point cameo from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.
Our FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18
Goalkeeper & Defenders
David Raya, the Gunners, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
Arsenal's defence experienced a brief dip following an injury to their Brazilian defender, yet they've recorded two shutouts in their past four , boasting nine to their name before half the season gone.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in just a handful of fixtures at the Emirates this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a spectacular strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a late header from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs the Seagulls (H).
It's a triple selection from the Arsenal backline.
As well as being the strongest defensive unit in the game, with a clean sheet in more than half of their matches, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has not found the net in two consecutive matches.
Brighton have a mere 9 goals from eight fixtures away from home.
The Dutch defender remains a reliable choice each gameweek and has greater goal threat operating as the full-back role.
Hincapie has earned 'defcon' points in his past four starts, including a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
I'd pick half a dozen Anfield players for this fixture if allowed.
Wolves drew another blank for the tenth occasion this season during a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.
They have scored just nine goals this campaign, including a couple on the road. It represents a very secure shutout opportunity imaginable.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Despite the Yorkshire club's improved offensive form – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Sunderland shutout at home.
This would secure a third consecutive , with the Paraguayan defender is cementing himself as a prime low-cost defensive pick. Managers can field him with assurance in most games, thanks to his consistent defensive contribution returns.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
The English midfielder is expected to take on a key role at Manchester United in the next few games, with their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.
In their last three matches, United registered the highest expected goals (xG) in the league by over three goals – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds' 5.68.
They face a Newcastle United side that has struggled in away matches – with just one win in their last seven.
Mount could well assume a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, especially from dead-ball situations, and could feature as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Wirtz is poised for a major point return and a home match versus Wolves presenting the prime time for that to happen.
He has registered attacking returns across four recent fixtures – a pair of assists and one 'defcon' performance.
Over that time he's made 10 chances, the highest of any Liverpool, and his expected goals totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
Boasting 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's form cannot be overlooked.
He is Aston Villa's main goal threat, capable of scoring a strike from the smallest room inside the area.
A fixture to Stamford Bridge may appear a difficult proposition, but Villa have won there on two occasions in the past three seasons.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for a starting spot, and having scored five goals over three matches, the French striker earns the double-points role for this round.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
It is unthinkable to omitting Haaland, although because he has a more difficult away game this week, we are opting to look elsewhere for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m