Captain Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Gunners Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week
The quantity of Liverpool players can you accommodate into your team for this round?
The Merseyside club have secured two consecutive victories , with a in-form forward in their French frontman ahead of a encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers currently on course for one of the worst top-flight campaigns in history.
For managers who retained some of your AFCON wildcards and have the funds to spend following the injury to the injured Bruno Fernandes, in that case assets from Anfield options should be the main consideration.
The weekly selection is chosen according to current Fantasy Premier League valuations to comply with a £100m cap, as if you were playing a one-week wildcard.
What Was the Performance of Last Week's Squad?
Captain Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , alongside the in-form duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman guided the selection to a respectable total – with a bonus a double-digit contribution from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.
The Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18
Goalkeeper and Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
Arsenal's backline experienced a brief dip following the absence of their Brazilian defender, however, they've secured two clean sheets in their past four and have 9 already with not even the campaign's midpoint played.
Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in only three matches at home this season. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous strike from Richarlison and a late header from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs the Seagulls (H).
We're opting for a triple selection from the Gunners' defence.
They are the strongest defence statistically, recording shutouts in more than half of their matches, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has drawn a blank in their past two matches.
The South Coast club have scored just nine goals in eight away games.
The Dutch defender is a solid pick every week and has increased goal threat now he is the full-back role.
Hincapie has registered defensive contribution points in four consecutive appearances, which included a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
I'd pick six Anfield players this week if allowed.
Wolves drew another blank once again so far in Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.
The Midlands side have only managed nine strikes this campaign, with only a couple on the road. This is one of the safest clean sheet opportunity possible.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Despite Leeds United's improved goalscoring upturn – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.
This would secure a third in a row and Alderete becoming a prime low-cost defensive pick. You can select him with assurance across many fixtures, due to his potential for defensive contribution points.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
The English midfielder is expected to take on a key role for Old Trafford in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes out injured.
Recently, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the greatest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by over three goals – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds' 5.68.
Their opponents are a Newcastle side who have struggled away from home – with just one win in their last seven.
Mount is likely to assume many of the injured star's playmaking duties, particularly from dead-ball situations, potentially feature in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Wirtz is due a big haul and a home match against Wolves being an ideal opportunity for it.
He has delivered returns across his past four fixtures – two assists and one defensive contribution performance.
During that spell he has created 10 chances, the highest among all Liverpool, while his xG totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
After recording 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's current form cannot be overlooked.
He's Villa's main goal threat, capable of creating a strike from the smallest room inside the area.
A fixture to Stamford Bridge might seem a challenging assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious there twice during recent years.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Because of his fixture, having no competition for his place, and having scored a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike gets the double-points role for this round.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
One cannot consider dropping Haaland, although with him having a tougher fixture on the road this week, I'm willing to pass over him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m