Skipper Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Squad for the Round
The quantity of The Reds assets can you accommodate inside your squad this week?
The Merseyside club are coming off two consecutive victories , with a sizzling forward in their French frontman going into a clash with a struggling Wolves side that are heading towards one of the worst Premier League campaigns ever.
Should you have kept some of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , with the cash to reinvest after losing the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, in that case assets from Anfield picks ought to be your top priority.
This weekly selection is chosen using latest FPL prices to fit within a £100m budget, as if activating a Free Hit chip.
A Look Back at Last Week's Squad?
Captain Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , alongside the productive duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike propelled the selection to a solid score – with a bonus a 10-point cameo from Fulham's defender as a substitute.
This Week's Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Matchday 18
Goalkeeper and Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
Arsenal's defence had a brief dip following the absence of Gabriel, yet they've kept two clean sheets over their last four matches , boasting nine already before half the season gone.
Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in only three matches at home this season. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a spectacular effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a late header from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs Brighton (H).
This week features a three-pronged on the Gunners' backline.
As well as being the best defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in more than half of their fixtures, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have not found the net in their last two outings.
Brighton have only managed nine goals from eight fixtures away from home.
The Dutch defender is a steady option each gameweek , with increased goal threat now he is the full-back role.
The Ecuadorian has registered 'defcon' points in his past four starts, featuring a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £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 10th time so far during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to Brentford.
They have only managed nine strikes this campaign, including a couple on the road. This is one of the safest shutout opportunity possible.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Despite Leeds United's recent offensive form – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – we're selecting a Sunderland clean sheet at home.
This would secure a third in a row , with Alderete is cementing himself as a prime low-cost defender option. Managers can start him with assurance across many fixtures, due to his regular 'defcon' returns.
Midfield
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
Mount should play a key part at Old Trafford in the next few games, with their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.
Recently, United boast the highest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a significant margin – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds' 5.68.
They welcome a Newcastle side that has struggled on the road – managing a single victory from seven attempts.
The former Chelsea man may inherit many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, notably on set-pieces, and could play as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Wirtz is poised for a big haul , with a fixture at Anfield versus Wolves presenting an ideal scenario for it.
He has delivered returns in three of four recent games – two assists plus a 'defcon' display.
In that period he's made 10 chances, the highest among all his teammates, while his xG totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's hot streak demands attention.
He is Aston Villa's main goal threat, capable of scoring a strike from half a yard of space in the box.
An away trip to Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have won there twice during the last three campaigns.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for a starting spot, and having bagged a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike receives the double-points role this week.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
One cannot consider omitting the Norwegian goal machine, but with him having a tricky away game this week, I'm willing to look elsewhere for the armband.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m