Captain Hugo Ekitike along with a Triple Gunners Backline – The FPL Team of the Week
What number of Liverpool assets might you fit in your lineup for this round?
Jurgen Klopp's side have secured a pair of triumphs , featuring a sizzling striker in their French frontman preparing for a fixture with a struggling Wolves side currently heading towards a historically poor top-flight campaigns ever.
For managers who kept a portion of your AFCON transfers and have the funds to upgrade after losing the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, then Liverpool options must be your top priority.
This team of the week is constructed according to present Fantasy Premier League prices to fit within a 100 million pound cap, simulating you were playing a one-week wildcard.
How Did Last Week's Selection?
Captain Erling Haaland (32 points) and the productive pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman guided the squad to a solid score – with a bonus a double-digit contribution from Fulham's defender off the bench.
Our FPL Selection for Matchday 18
Keeper and Defenders
David Raya, the Gunners, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
Arsenal's defence suffered a minor wobble in the wake of the absence of their Brazilian defender, but they have kept two shutouts over their last four matches , with 9 already before the campaign's midpoint played.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in all but three home games this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous effort from Richarlison , plus a late header from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs Brighton (H).
It's a triple-up from the Arsenal backline.
They are the strongest defence statistically, with a clean sheet in the majority of their matches, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has drawn a blank in their past two outings.
Brighton have only managed nine goals across eight matches on the road.
Timber is a reliable pick every week and has more attacking upside operating as the full-back role.
Hincapie has collected defensive contribution points in four consecutive appearances, featuring two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
One could select half a dozen Liverpool players this week if possible.
Wolves were shut out once again in 17 games during a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.
They have only managed nine strikes all season, with only two away from home. This is as safe a shutout opportunity available.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Regardless of Leeds United's better offensive form – and the form of their striker – we're selecting a Sunderland clean sheet on home soil.
That would mark a third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender is cementing himself as a prime low-cost defensive pick. Managers can start him with assurance across many fixtures, given his regular 'defcon' returns.
Midfield
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
Mount will likely assume a significant responsibility for Old Trafford in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes out injured.
Recently, United boast the greatest expected goals (xG) in the league by a comfortable distance – 8.78 against the next best Leeds United's 5.68.
They welcome a Newcastle United side who have been poor away from home – managing a single victory in seven.
The former Chelsea man may assume a large share of the injured star's playmaking duties, particularly from dead-ball situations, and might play as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
The German playmaker is poised for a significant score and a home match against Wolves being the prime time for it.
He has registered attacking returns in three of his last four fixtures – two assists plus a 'defcon' performance.
Over that time he's made 10 chances, the highest among all his teammates, and his expected goals is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
After recording 30 points in two games, Rogers' current form is impossible to ignore.
He's Villa's key attacker, capable of scoring a goal from half a yard of room inside the area.
An away trip at Stamford Bridge may appear a challenging assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground twice during recent years.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Given his fixture, having no competition for his place, and having notched five goals over three matches, the French striker receives the double-points role this week.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
One cannot consider benching Haaland, although because he has a tougher away game this week, we are opting to look elsewhere with the captain's role.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m