Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round

What number of The Reds assets can you accommodate in your team for this round?

The Merseyside club have secured back-to-back wins and boast a sizzling forward in Hugo Ekitike going into a fixture with a struggling Wolves side currently heading towards a historically poor top-flight seasons in history.

If you've retained a portion of your AFCON wildcards and have the cash to reinvest following the injury to the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, consequently Liverpool picks ought to be the main consideration.

This team of the week is constructed according to present Fantasy Premier League valuations to stay under a 100 million pound spending limit, simulating activating a Free Hit.

How Did Our Recent Selection?

Captain Manchester City's striker (32 points) , combined with the hot pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman led the team to a respectable 82 points – with a bonus a 10-point cameo from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.

Our FPL Team of the Week for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper and Defence

David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).

Arsenal's backline experienced a minor wobble following an injury to Gabriel, yet they've recorded two clean sheets recently , boasting 9 already before the campaign's midpoint completed.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in all but three home games this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Richarlison , plus a unexpected goal from Wolves' attacker.

Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs the Seagulls (H).

We're opting for a three-pronged from the Arsenal backline.

As well as being the top defence in the game, recording shutouts in more than half of their matches, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have not found the net in their past two games.

Brighton have a mere 9 strikes from eight away games.

Timber remains a solid option each gameweek , possessing increased attacking upside now he is the full-back role.

Hincapie has earned 'defcon' points in four consecutive appearances, which included a pair of shutouts.

Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).

I'd pick half a dozen Anfield assets this week if the rules permitted.

Wolves failed to score for the 10th time in 17 games in a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

The Midlands side have scored just 9 strikes all season, including two on the road. This is as safe a clean sheet bet imaginable.

Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).

Despite the Yorkshire club's recent offensive form – highlighted by their striker – we're selecting a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.

It would be a third consecutive and Alderete establishing himself as a prime budget defender option. Managers can field him with assurance in most games, thanks to his regular defensive contribution points.

Midfielders

Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).

Mount should play a key part for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, following their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team boast the highest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a comfortable distance – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle side that has not excelled on the road – managing a single victory from seven attempts.

The former Chelsea man could well assume many of the injured star's creative responsibilities, particularly from dead-ball situations, potentially play in the number 10 role.

Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).

The German playmaker is on the verge of a big haul , with a home match against Wolves being an ideal scenario for that to happen.

He has posted points across his last four fixtures – two assists plus a 'defcon' display.

During that spell he has created 10 chances, the highest of any his teammates, while his xG stands at 0.88.

Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).

With 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's hot streak is impossible to ignore.

He is Aston Villa's key attacker, with an ability to scoring a goal with half a yard of space in the box.

A fixture to Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a difficult proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground twice during the past three seasons.

Forwards

Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).

Because of his fixture, a lack of competition for a starting spot, and having notched a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike receives the double-points role this week.

Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).

One cannot consider omitting the Norwegian goal machine, but because he has a more difficult fixture on the road in this round, we are opting to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Deborah Hunt
Deborah Hunt

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in casino reviews and slot strategy development.