Skipper Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Backline – The FPL Squad for the Round
What number of Liverpool players might you squeeze into your lineup this week?
Jurgen Klopp's side have notched a pair of triumphs and boast a red-hot striker in their French frontman ahead of a encounter with a struggling Wolves side that are tracking for a historically poor Premier League seasons ever.
If you've retained a portion of your AFCON free transfers , and possess the budget to upgrade after losing the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, in that case assets from Anfield players ought to be the main consideration.
The ideal squad is assembled based on current FPL costs to fit within a £100m cap, simulating activating a one-week wildcard.
What Was the Performance of Our Recent Team?
Captain Erling Haaland (a huge score) , combined with the in-form duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman propelled the team to a handsome total – supplemented by a 10-point performance from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.
Our Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18
Keeper & Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
Arsenal's defence experienced a slight stumble in the wake of the absence of Gabriel, however, they've kept two clean sheets recently , boasting 9 already before the campaign's midpoint gone.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in all but three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a spectacular strike from Richarlison , plus a unexpected goal from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).
We're opting for a triple-up on the Arsenal backline.
As well as being the strongest defence in the game, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they host a Brighton team that has failed to score in their past two outings.
Brighton have a mere nine strikes in eight matches on the road.
Timber is a solid option each gameweek , possessing more goal threat operating as right-back.
Hincapie has earned 'defcon' points in his past four starts, which included a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Managers would love six Anfield players this week if possible.
Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the tenth occasion this season in a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to Brentford.
The Midlands side have a paltry 9 goals all season, with only a couple away from home. This is one of the safest shutout prospect imaginable.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Regardless of Leeds United's improved offensive form – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Sunderland clean sheet at home.
It would be their third consecutive , with Alderete is cementing himself as a prime low-cost defender option. Managers can field him with assurance in most games, given his potential for defensive contribution returns.
Midfield
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
Mount will likely assume a significant part for Manchester United in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes out injured.
Recently, Erik ten Hag's team boast the greatest expected goals (xG) in the league by over three goals – 8.78 against the next best Leeds United's 5.68.
They welcome a Newcastle United side who have struggled away from home – managing a single victory in their last seven.
The former Chelsea man may inherit many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, particularly on set-pieces, and might operate as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Wirtz is on the verge of a big haul and a fixture at Anfield against Wolves representing an ideal opportunity for that to happen.
Wirtz has delivered returns in three out of four recent fixtures – two assists plus a 'defcon' display.
Over that time he's made 10 chances, the most among all Liverpool, while his xG stands at 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
Boasting 30 points in two games, Rogers' current form cannot be overlooked.
He is Villa's key attacker, capable of scoring a goal with minimal space in the box.
A fixture at Chelsea may appear a difficult assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious there on two occasions in the last three campaigns.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Given his fixture, a lack of rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with bagged five goals over three matches, Ekitike gets the captain's armband for this round.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
It is unthinkable to benching Haaland, although with him having a more difficult fixture on the road in this round, we are opting to bet against him with the captain's role.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m