Skipper Hugo Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Gunners Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week
How many Liverpool selections are you able to fit into your lineup for this round?
The Merseyside club are coming off two consecutive victories , with a red-hot striker in their French frontman preparing for a fixture with a struggling Wolves side that are tracking for a historically poor top-flight campaigns in history.
If you've retained a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers , and possess the funds to upgrade after losing the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool players should be the main consideration.
This ideal squad is constructed using current FPL prices to fit within a £100m cap, mirroring you were playing a Free Hit.
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Skipper Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , alongside the in-form duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike led the selection to a handsome total – with a bonus a double-digit contribution from Fulham's defender off the bench.
The FPL Team of the Week for Gameweek 18
Goalkeeper and Defence
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
Arsenal's defence suffered a brief dip following the absence of Gabriel, however, they've secured two clean sheets in their past four and have 9 already before the campaign's midpoint played.
Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in just a handful of fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward and a surprise header from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs the Seagulls (H).
We're opting for a three-pronged from the Gunners' backline.
They are the strongest defence in FPL, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has failed to score in their last two outings.
The South Coast club have a mere 9 strikes across eight fixtures away from home.
Timber is a steady option every week , possessing more offensive potential operating as right-back.
The Ecuadorian has earned 'defcon' points in his past four appearances, which included two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
I'd pick six Anfield players this week if possible.
Gary O'Neil's team failed to score once again in 17 games during a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.
The Midlands side have scored just nine strikes all season, with only two on the road. This is as safe a clean sheet prospect possible.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Even with Leeds United's recent goalscoring upturn – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.
This would secure a third consecutive and Alderete becoming an outstanding budget defensive pick. You can start him confidently across many fixtures, due to his consistent 'defcon' returns.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
Mount is expected to take on a key responsibility at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, due to their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.
Over the past three games, United registered the highest xG statistically by over three goals – 8.78 against second-best Leeds' 5.68.
Their opponents are a Newcastle United side that has been poor on the road – managing a single victory from seven attempts.
The former Chelsea man may inherit many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, particularly on set-pieces, potentially operate in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
The German playmaker is poised for a significant score and a home match against the struggling Wolves representing an ideal time for that to happen.
He has posted points across four recent games – a pair of assists and one 'defcon' display.
During that spell he's made 10 chances, the most of any Liverpool, and his expected goals is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
With 30 points in two games, the midfielder's hot streak cannot be overlooked.
He is Villa's key attacker, capable of creating a strike from the smallest space inside the area.
An away trip at Chelsea might seem a tough proposition, the Birmingham club have won there in two of the last three campaigns.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for his place, and having notched five goals in three games, the French striker receives the captain's armband for this round.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
There's no benching the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a more difficult away game in this round, I'm willing to pass over him for the armband.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m