Skipper Ekitike and a Triple Gunners Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week
How many The Reds players are you able to accommodate inside your team this week?
The Merseyside club are coming off two consecutive victories , with a in-form attacker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a encounter with a struggling Wolves side who are on course for one of the worst Premier League campaigns in history.
Should you have retained a few of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers , with the funds to spend after losing the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, consequently assets from Anfield players must be your top priority.
This team of the week is chosen based on present FPL prices to stay under a £100m budget, mirroring activating a Free Hit.
How Did The Previous Team?
Skipper Manchester City's striker (32 points) , alongside the in-form duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman propelled the squad to a respectable 82 points – enhanced by a double-digit cameo from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.
This Week's FPL Team of the Week for Matchday 18
Goalkeeper & Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
The North London side's backline experienced a minor wobble after an injury to their Brazilian defender, however, they've recorded two shutouts in their past four , with 9 so far with less than the campaign's midpoint completed.
Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in all but three fixtures at the Emirates this season. The strikes they conceded came from a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular effort from Richarlison and a surprise header from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs the Seagulls (H).
This week features a triple-up on the Gunners' backline.
They are the top defence statistically, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have failed to score in two consecutive matches.
Brighton have a mere nine goals from eight fixtures away from home.
Timber remains a reliable pick each gameweek , with greater attacking upside now he is right-back.
The Ecuadorian has collected 'defcon' points in his past four starts, which included a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
One could select half a dozen Anfield players this week if the rules permitted.
Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank for the 10th time this season in Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.
The Midlands side have scored just nine goals in total, including a couple on the road. This is one of the safest clean sheet prospect available.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Even with Leeds United's recent goalscoring upturn – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.
It would be their third in a row and the Paraguayan defender becoming a prime low-cost defensive pick. You can select him regularly across many fixtures, given his regular defensive contribution points.
Midfield
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
The English midfielder is expected to take on a bigger responsibility at Old Trafford in the next few games, due to their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.
Recently, United boast the greatest xG in the league by over three goals – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds United's 5.68.
They face a Newcastle United team who have not excelled on the road – with just one win in seven.
The former Chelsea man may inherit a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, and could play in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Wirtz is due a significant score and a home match against the struggling Wolves being the prime scenario for it.
Wirtz has posted points in three of four recent fixtures – a pair of assists plus a defensive contribution display.
Over that time he has created 10 chances, the most among all Liverpool, while his expected goals is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
With 30 points in two games, Rogers' hot streak cannot be overlooked.
He is Aston Villa's key attacker, with an ability to creating a strike with minimal room inside the area.
A fixture to Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a difficult assignment, the Birmingham club have won there twice during the last three campaigns.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for a starting spot, coupled with bagged five goals over three matches, Ekitike earns the captain's armband for this round.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
It is unthinkable to benching the Norwegian goal machine, however because he has a tricky away game in this round, we are opting to bet against him with the captain's role.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m