Captain Hugo Ekitike along with a Triple Gunners Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week
The quantity of The Reds selections are you able to fit inside your lineup in the upcoming gameweek?
Jurgen Klopp's side have notched a pair of triumphs and boast a sizzling attacker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a encounter with a struggling Wolves side that are on course for one of the worst Premier League seasons on record.
For managers who retained some of your AFCON wildcards and have the budget to upgrade following the injury to the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, consequently assets from Anfield players must be the main consideration.
This weekly selection is chosen using latest Fantasy Premier League costs to stay under a £100m budget, mirroring using a Free Hit chip.
A Look Back at Last Week's Selection?
Skipper Erling Haaland (a huge score) , alongside the hot duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike propelled the squad to a respectable total – with a bonus a 10-point performance from Fulham's defender off the bench.
Our Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18
Goalkeeper and Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
Arsenal's defence suffered a slight stumble following an injury to Gabriel, however, they've recorded two clean sheets in their past four and have nine to their name with not even half the season gone.
Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in all but three home games this season. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a wondrous effort from Richarlison and a late header from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs Brighton (H).
This week features a three-pronged on the Arsenal defence.
Not only are they the best defensive unit statistically, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their fixtures, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have drawn a blank in their last two games.
The South Coast club have a mere 9 strikes across eight matches on the road.
The Dutch defender continues to be a solid choice every week , with greater offensive potential since returning to the full-back role.
Hincapie has collected defensive contribution points in four consecutive appearances, featuring a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Managers would love six Anfield players for this fixture if allowed.
Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank once again this season during a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.
The Midlands side have a paltry 9 strikes all season, with only two on the road. That makes this one of the safest clean sheet bet available.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Despite the Yorkshire club's better offensive form – highlighted by their striker – the pick is a Stadium of Light clean sheet at home.
That would mark a third consecutive , with Alderete becoming a prime budget defensive pick. Managers can select him regularly across many fixtures, given his potential for defensive contribution points.
Midfield
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
The English midfielder should play a bigger role for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, with their Portuguese maestro out injured.
Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team boast the greatest expected goals (xG) in the league by over three goals – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds' 5.68.
They welcome a Newcastle side who have struggled in away matches – managing one win from seven attempts.
Mount could well inherit a large share of the injured star's playmaking duties, notably from dead-ball situations, and might feature as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
The German playmaker is on the verge of a major point return and a home match versus the struggling Wolves presenting an ideal scenario for that to happen.
Wirtz has delivered returns in three out of four recent games – two assists and one defensive contribution performance.
Over that time he has created 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, and his expected goals is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
After recording 30 points over two matches, Rogers' hot streak cannot be overlooked.
He is Aston Villa's key attacker, capable of producing a strike from half a yard of space in the box.
An away trip at Chelsea may appear a difficult proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground on two occasions in the past three seasons.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Due to his fixture, having no rivalry for his place, and having bagged five goals over three matches, the French striker earns the captaincy for this round.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
One cannot consider benching Haaland, although because he has a tougher fixture on the road this week, I'm willing to look elsewhere with the captain's role.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m