Skipper Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Gunners Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week
What number of The Reds selections might you accommodate in your squad for this round?
The Merseyside club have notched two consecutive victories , with a sizzling striker in their French frontman preparing for a clash with a struggling Wolves side currently tracking for one of the worst top-flight seasons ever.
For managers who held onto some of your AFCON wildcards and have the cash to reinvest after losing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, consequently Liverpool options should be the main consideration.
The team of the week is chosen according to latest FPL valuations to fit within a 100 million pound budget, as if using a one-week wildcard.
How Did Last Week's Selection?
Skipper Erling Haaland (a huge score) and the hot pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman guided the squad to a respectable total – with a bonus a double-digit performance from Fulham's defender from the replacements.
The Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18
Goalkeeper and Defence
David Raya, the Gunners, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
Arsenal's backline experienced a brief dip after the absence of their Brazilian defender, however, they've recorded two clean sheets in their past four and have 9 already with not even the campaign's midpoint played.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in just a handful of matches at home campaign. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a wondrous effort from Richarlison , plus a unexpected goal from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs Brighton (H).
It's a three-pronged on the Gunners' defence.
They are the best defensive unit in the game, with a clean sheet in more than half of their matches, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has failed to score in their past two matches.
The South Coast club have only managed nine goals from eight away games.
Timber continues to be a solid choice each gameweek , possessing increased attacking upside now he is the full-back role.
Hincapie has registered defensive contribution points in four consecutive starts, featuring a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
One could select half a dozen Liverpool assets this week if the rules permitted.
Wolves failed to score once again in 17 games during a recent 2-0 home loss to the Bees.
The Midlands side have only managed 9 strikes all season, with only a couple on the road. This is a very secure shutout opportunity imaginable.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Even with the Yorkshire club's improved offensive form – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Stadium of Light clean sheet at home.
It would be their third consecutive and Alderete becoming the best low-cost defender option. You can select him regularly in most games, due to his regular defensive contribution returns.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
Mount is expected to take on a key responsibility at Old Trafford in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes out injured.
Recently, Erik ten Hag's team registered the greatest xG across the Premier League by a comfortable distance – 8.78 against the next best Leeds' 5.68.
They face a Newcastle team who have struggled away from home – managing one win from seven attempts.
Mount may inherit many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, especially on set-pieces, and might feature in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Wirtz is due a major point return and a home match against the struggling Wolves presenting a perfect opportunity for it.
He has delivered returns across his past four games – a pair of assists and one 'defcon' display.
In that period his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the most among all his teammates, while his xG is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
Boasting 30 points over two matches, Rogers' current form demands attention.
He's Aston Villa's talisman, with an ability to scoring a goal from half a yard of space inside the area.
An away trip at Chelsea might seem a tough proposition, but Villa have won at that ground on two occasions in the last three campaigns.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for his place, coupled with notched five goals over three matches, the French striker earns the captain's armband for this round.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
One cannot consider dropping the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a tricky away game in this round, we are opting to pass over him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m