Captain Hugo Ekitike along with a Triple Gunners Defence – The FPL Team of the Week
The quantity of The Reds players are you able to squeeze into your team this week?
Jurgen Klopp's side have secured two consecutive victories and boast a sizzling forward in their French frontman going into a clash with Wolves who are tracking for a historically poor Premier League campaigns on record.
If you've retained a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards and have the cash to upgrade following the injury to the injured Bruno Fernandes, consequently Liverpool picks should be the primary focus.
This ideal squad is chosen using current Fantasy Premier League valuations to fit within a £100m budget, simulating using a Free Hit chip.
What Was the Performance of Our Recent Selection?
Skipper Erling Haaland (a huge score) , alongside the in-form duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike propelled the squad to a handsome total – supplemented by a 10-point performance from Fulham's defender from the replacements.
This Week's FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18
Keeper & Defenders
David Raya, the Gunners, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
Arsenal's defence had a slight stumble following the absence of Gabriel, but they have secured two clean sheets recently , boasting 9 to their name with not even half the season completed.
Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in all but three matches at home this season. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a late header from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs the Seagulls (H).
We're opting for a three-pronged from the Gunners' defence.
As well as being the strongest defensive unit in the game, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have drawn a blank in two consecutive games.
Brighton have scored just 9 strikes across eight away games.
Timber continues to be a steady option every week , possessing increased attacking upside since returning to the full-back role.
Hincapie has collected defensive contribution points in his past four starts, featuring two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
I'd pick half a dozen Anfield players this week if possible.
Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank for the tenth occasion in 17 games during Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.
They have only managed nine goals this campaign, including two on the road. That makes this one of the safest shutout opportunity possible.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Regardless of Leeds United's improved offensive form – and the form of their striker – I'm backing a Stadium of Light shutout at home.
It would be their third in a row and the Paraguayan defender becoming a prime low-cost defensive pick. Managers can start him confidently in most games, due to his regular defensive contribution points.
Midfield
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
The English midfielder will likely assume a significant responsibility for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, due to Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.
In their last three matches, United boast the best expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a significant margin – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds United's 5.68.
They welcome a Newcastle United side that has struggled on the road – with just a single victory in seven.
Mount may take over many of the injured star's playmaking duties, notably from dead-ball situations, potentially feature behind the striker.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
The German playmaker is poised for a significant score , with a fixture at Anfield against the struggling Wolves presenting a perfect scenario for it.
Wirtz has posted points in three of his past four fixtures – a pair of assists and one defensive contribution display.
During that spell he has created 10 chances, a team-high of any his teammates, while his expected goals is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
After recording 30 points in two games, the midfielder's current form cannot be overlooked.
He is Villa's main goal threat, who can creating a strike with the smallest space in the box.
An away trip at Stamford Bridge might seem a challenging proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious there on two occasions in recent years.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for a starting spot, and having notched a five-goal haul over three matches, the French striker gets the captaincy this week.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
One cannot consider benching the Norwegian goal machine, but because he has a tougher away game this week, the choice is to pass over him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m