Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Gunners Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week

What number of Liverpool players are you able to squeeze inside your squad for this round?

The Merseyside club have secured a pair of triumphs , featuring a sizzling forward in Hugo Ekitike going into a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are heading towards one of the worst Premier League seasons on record.

For managers who kept a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , and possess the cash to reinvest following the injury to the injured Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool picks should be the primary focus.

This ideal squad is constructed based on current Fantasy Premier League prices to stay under a £100m budget, simulating using a one-week wildcard.

How Did Our Recent Selection?

Captain Erling Haaland (a huge score) , alongside the productive duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman led the team to a solid score – supplemented by a 10-point cameo from Fulham's defender off the bench.

Our FPL Selection for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper & Defence

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

Arsenal's defence suffered a slight stumble after an injury to Gabriel, however, they've recorded two clean sheets over their last four matches , boasting nine to their name with less than half the season gone.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in just a handful of fixtures at the Emirates this season. The strikes they conceded came from a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous effort from Tottenham's forward and a late goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

This week features a three-pronged on the Arsenal backline.

Not only are they the strongest defensive unit statistically, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they take on a Brighton side who have failed to score in two consecutive matches.

Brighton have only managed nine goals in eight matches on the road.

Timber remains a reliable choice each gameweek , with greater attacking upside since returning to the full-back role.

Hincapie has collected defensive contribution points in his past four starts, which included a pair of shutouts.

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

I'd pick half a dozen Anfield players this week if possible.

Wolves failed to score for the 10th time in 17 games during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

They have a paltry 9 strikes in total, including two on the road. This is a very secure shutout prospect available.

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

Regardless of Leeds United's improved offensive form – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Stadium of Light clean sheet at home.

It would be a third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender becoming a prime low-cost defender option. Managers can select him with assurance in most games, due to his regular 'defcon' points.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a significant responsibility at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, following their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.

Recently, United registered the greatest xG statistically by a comfortable distance – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds' 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle United side that has not excelled away from home – managing a single victory in their last seven.

Mount is likely to take over a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, potentially play in the number 10 role.

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

The German playmaker is due a big haul and a home match versus Wolves representing the prime opportunity for that to happen.

Wirtz has posted points across his past four games – two assists and one defensive contribution performance.

During that spell he's made 10 chances, the most among all Liverpool, and his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

With 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' current form cannot be overlooked.

He's Villa's main goal threat, capable of scoring a strike from the smallest room inside the area.

An away trip at Stamford Bridge may appear a tough proposition, the Birmingham club have won at that ground on two occasions in the past three seasons.

Strikers

Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).

Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for his place, coupled with scored a five-goal haul over three matches, the French striker receives the captaincy this week.

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

It is unthinkable to dropping Haaland, but because he has a tricky fixture on the road this week, we are opting to look elsewhere with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m

Melinda Romero
Melinda Romero

A passionate life coach and writer dedicated to helping others unlock their potential through practical, science-backed methods.