Captain Ekitike along with a Triple Arsenal Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round
What number of Liverpool selections might you accommodate in your squad in the upcoming gameweek?
The Merseyside club have secured a pair of triumphs , featuring a sizzling forward in their French frontman ahead of a fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are on course for an abysmal top-flight seasons ever.
For managers who retained some of your AFCON transfers , with the budget to reinvest after losing the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, consequently assets from Anfield picks ought to be the primary focus.
This ideal squad is constructed based on latest Fantasy Premier League valuations to fit within a 100 million pound cap, mirroring you were playing a Free Hit.
How Did Last Week's Team?
Captain Manchester City's striker (32 points) , combined with the hot duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike led the team to a respectable score – with a bonus a double-digit cameo from Fulham's defender as a substitute.
Our FPL Ideal Squad for Matchday 18
Keeper and Defence
David Raya, Arsenal, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
Arsenal's defence had a minor wobble in the wake of an injury to their Brazilian defender, but they have recorded two shutouts in their past four , boasting nine to their name with less than the campaign's midpoint completed.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in only three matches at home this season. Those goals came from a Manchester City superstar, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a unexpected header from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs the Seagulls (H).
We're opting for a three-pronged from the Gunners' defence.
As well as being the strongest defence statistically, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their fixtures, they take on a Brighton team who have not found the net in their past two games.
Brighton have only managed nine goals across eight matches on the road.
Timber remains a reliable choice every week , possessing more offensive potential now he is right-back.
The Ecuadorian has collected 'defcon' points in his past four starts, which included a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Managers would love half a dozen Anfield assets this week if allowed.
Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the 10th time in 17 games during a recent two-nil home loss to the Bees.
The Midlands side have scored just 9 strikes this campaign, with only a couple on the road. It represents as safe a shutout bet imaginable.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Despite Leeds United's better goalscoring upturn – including the performances of their striker – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout on home soil.
This would secure their third consecutive and Alderete becoming a prime budget defender option. Managers can select him with assurance across many fixtures, thanks to his potential for defensive contribution points.
Midfield
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
Mount is expected to take on a key part for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, with Bruno Fernandes out injured.
Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team boast the greatest expected goals (xG) statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds' 5.68.
Their opponents are a Newcastle team that has not excelled away from home – managing one win in seven.
Mount may take over a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, particularly from dead-ball situations, and might play as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
Wirtz is on the verge of a significant score , with a fixture at Anfield against the struggling Wolves representing an ideal opportunity for it.
Wirtz has posted points in three of his last four games – two assists plus a 'defcon' display.
During that spell he has created 10 chances, the most among all his teammates, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
With 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's current form demands attention.
He's Aston Villa's main goal threat, capable of producing a strike from the smallest space in the box.
An away trip to Chelsea could be viewed as a tough proposition, but Villa have won at that ground in two of the last three campaigns.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Due to his fixture, a lack of rivalry for his place, coupled with scored five goals over three matches, the French striker earns the captaincy this week.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
There's no dropping Haaland, however with him having a tricky away game in this round, I'm willing to look elsewhere for the armband.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m