Skipper Hugo Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Gunners Defence – The FPL Team of the Week

What number of Liverpool players are you able to fit inside your lineup for this round?

The Merseyside club are coming off a pair of triumphs , with a in-form forward in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers currently heading towards an abysmal Premier League campaigns ever.

If you've held onto a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , and possess the funds to upgrade following the injury to the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, then assets from Anfield options should be the main consideration.

The weekly selection is chosen according to current Fantasy Premier League valuations to stay under a 100 million pound budget, as if using a Free Hit.

What Was the Performance of Our Recent Selection?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (a huge score) , alongside the productive pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike propelled the squad to a handsome score – enhanced by a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender from the replacements.

Our FPL Team of the Week for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper & Defence

David Raya, Arsenal, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).

The North London side's backline experienced a brief dip following the absence of their Brazilian defender, however, they've recorded two clean sheets over their last four matches , with 9 to their name with less than the campaign's midpoint played.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in just a handful of home games campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a wondrous effort from Richarlison and a unexpected goal from Wolves' attacker.

Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).

We're opting for a triple-up on the Arsenal defence.

Not only are they the top defence in FPL, with a clean sheet in the majority of their fixtures, they face a Brighton team who have failed to score in two consecutive outings.

The South Coast club have a mere 9 strikes in eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender is a reliable choice each gameweek , possessing increased attacking upside now he is the full-back role.

Hincapie has earned defensive contribution points in his past four appearances, including a pair of shutouts.

Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).

One could select half a dozen Liverpool players for this fixture if allowed.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the 10th time this season during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

The Midlands side have scored just 9 strikes this campaign, including two away from home. This is one of the safest shutout prospect imaginable.

Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).

Even with the Yorkshire club's recent offensive form – including the performances of their striker – we're selecting a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.

That would mark their third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as a prime budget defender option. You can select him with assurance in most games, thanks to his potential for defensive contribution returns.

Midfield

Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).

Mount should play a significant role for Old Trafford in the next few games, due to their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.

In their last three matches, United boast the highest xG in the league by over three goals – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds' 5.68.

They face a Newcastle team who have struggled away from home – managing one win from seven attempts.

The former Chelsea man is likely to assume many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, particularly from dead-ball situations, and might play in the number 10 role.

Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).

Wirtz is poised for a major point return , with a home match versus Wolves presenting a perfect scenario for it.

Wirtz has delivered returns across four recent games – a pair of assists plus a defensive contribution performance.

During that spell he has created 10 chances, the most of any Liverpool, while his xG stands at 0.88.

Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).

After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's current form demands attention.

He's Aston Villa's main goal threat, capable of scoring a strike with half a yard of space in the box.

A fixture to Chelsea might seem a difficult assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious there twice during the past three seasons.

Forwards

Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for a starting spot, and having notched five goals in three games, the French striker receives the captaincy for this round.

Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).

One cannot consider benching the Norwegian goal machine, although because he has a tricky away game this week, I'm willing to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Jonathan Rowe
Jonathan Rowe

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