Captain Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Defence – The FPL Team of the Week

How many Liverpool players might you squeeze in your lineup for this round?

The Merseyside club have secured a pair of triumphs , featuring a in-form attacker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers that are on course for an abysmal top-flight campaigns ever.

Should you have retained a portion of your AFCON wildcards , and possess the cash to spend after losing the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, then assets from Anfield players should be the primary focus.

This weekly selection is chosen according to latest Fantasy Premier League prices to stay under a £100m budget, simulating you were playing a Free Hit chip.

What Was the Performance of The Previous Team?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , alongside the productive duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike propelled the selection to a handsome score – with a bonus a 10-point performance from Fulham's defender off the bench.

Our Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Keeper & Defenders

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

The North London side's defence had a brief dip in the wake of the absence of their Brazilian defender, however, they've kept two clean sheets in their past four , boasting nine to their name before the campaign's midpoint completed.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in just a handful of fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a unexpected goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

We're opting for a triple selection from the Gunners' defence.

Not only are they the strongest defensive unit statistically, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their matches, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has drawn a blank in two consecutive games.

Brighton have only managed 9 strikes across eight fixtures away from home.

Timber is a solid pick each gameweek and has increased offensive potential operating as the full-back role.

The Ecuadorian has earned defensive contribution points in his past four starts, which included two clean sheets.

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

Managers would love half a dozen Liverpool assets for this fixture if the rules permitted.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the 10th time in 17 games during Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Brentford.

The Midlands side have only managed 9 strikes this campaign, with only two on the road. This is a very secure clean sheet prospect available.

Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds (H).

Regardless of Leeds United's better offensive form – and the form of their striker – we're selecting a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.

It would be their third consecutive , with the Paraguayan defender is cementing himself as an outstanding low-cost defender option. Managers can field him confidently in most games, given his regular 'defcon' returns.

Midfielders

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

Mount should play a significant role at Old Trafford in the next few games, due to Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the greatest xG statistically by a comfortable distance – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds' 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle side who have not excelled away from home – with just a single victory from seven attempts.

Mount may assume many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, particularly from dead-ball situations, and might operate as an attacking midfielder.

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

The German playmaker is on the verge of a significant score , with a fixture at Anfield against the struggling Wolves presenting an ideal opportunity for that to happen.

He has delivered returns across his past four fixtures – two assists and one defensive contribution display.

Over that time his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the most among all his teammates, while his xG stands at 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points in two games, the midfielder's form cannot be overlooked.

He's Aston Villa's talisman, who can creating a goal from minimal room inside the area.

An away trip at Stamford Bridge may appear a tough assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious there twice during the past three seasons.

Strikers

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

Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for his place, coupled with bagged a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike receives the double-points role for this round.

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

It is unthinkable to dropping the Norwegian goal machine, but because he has a more difficult fixture on the road this week, the choice is to look elsewhere with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m

Katie Miles
Katie Miles

A passionate esports journalist and gamer, Lena shares in-depth analysis and tips to help players level up their skills.