Skipper Hugo Ekitike along with a Triple Gunners Backline – The FPL Squad for the Round
The quantity of Liverpool assets can you fit into your squad this week?
Jurgen Klopp's side have secured back-to-back wins and boast a red-hot striker in Hugo Ekitike going into a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are heading towards an abysmal top-flight campaigns on record.
For managers who held onto a few of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , and possess the funds to reinvest by replacing the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, consequently assets from Anfield picks ought to be the main consideration.
This weekly selection is constructed using current FPL valuations to stay under a £100m cap, as if activating a Free Hit.
A Look Back at Our Recent Squad?
Captain Erling Haaland (a huge score) and the productive duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman led the selection to a respectable 82 points – with a bonus a double-digit cameo from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.
The Fantasy Premier League Selection for Matchday 18
Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
Arsenal's backline experienced a minor wobble in the wake of an injury to their Brazilian defender, but they have recorded two clean sheets in their past four , with 9 so far before the campaign's midpoint gone.
Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in only three matches at home this season. Those goals came from a Manchester City superstar, a long-range strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a unexpected header from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs the Seagulls (H).
It's a triple selection on the Arsenal backline.
They are the top defence in the game, with a clean sheet in the majority of their fixtures, they face a Brighton team who have not found the net in two consecutive matches.
The South Coast club have scored just nine strikes from eight matches on the road.
The Dutch defender is a reliable pick every week , with increased goal threat operating as the full-back role.
The Ecuadorian has registered 'defcon' points in his past four starts, featuring two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
I'd pick half a dozen Liverpool assets for this fixture if allowed.
Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the 10th time in 17 games during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.
They have only managed nine strikes all season, including two on the road. That makes this a very secure shutout prospect imaginable.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Even with Leeds United's recent goalscoring upturn – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.
That would mark a third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as an outstanding budget defensive pick. Managers can start him confidently in most games, given his potential for defensive contribution returns.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
Mount should play a significant part at Old Trafford in the next few games, with their Portuguese maestro out injured.
Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team registered the greatest xG statistically by a comfortable distance – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds United's 5.68.
They face a Newcastle side that has struggled in away matches – with just a single victory in seven.
The former Chelsea man may assume a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, notably from dead-ball situations, potentially operate as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Wirtz is on the verge of a major point return , with a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves presenting the prime scenario for it.
He has delivered returns in three of his past four games – two assists and one 'defcon' performance.
In that period he's made 10 chances, the highest among all Liverpool, while his xG stands at 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
Boasting 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' form cannot be overlooked.
He is Villa's main goal threat, capable of scoring a goal from minimal room in the box.
An away trip to Chelsea could be viewed as a difficult assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground in two of the last three campaigns.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Because of his fixture, having no competition for a starting spot, coupled with scored a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike receives the double-points role for this round.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
One cannot consider dropping the Norwegian goal machine, however with him having a tougher away game this week, I'm willing to pass over him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m