Skipper Ekitike along with a Triple Gunners Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Squad for the Round

How many Liverpool assets can you squeeze inside your team for this round?

Jurgen Klopp's side have secured two consecutive victories , featuring a red-hot striker in Hugo Ekitike going into a encounter with Wolves currently on course for an abysmal top-flight seasons on record.

Should you have held onto a few of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , with the budget to spend by replacing the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, then Liverpool players must be the main consideration.

This ideal squad is constructed according to latest FPL valuations to comply with a 100 million pound budget, as if you were playing a one-week wildcard.

A Look Back at Last Week's Selection?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (32 points) , combined with the hot pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman guided the team to a handsome score – with a bonus a double-digit performance from Fulham's defender off the bench.

Our FPL Team of the Week for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya, the Gunners, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).

Arsenal's defence suffered a slight stumble after the absence of Gabriel, but they have kept two shutouts in their past four , boasting nine so far before half the season completed.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in only three home games campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward and a late header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

It's a three-pronged from the Arsenal backline.

They are the strongest defence statistically, with a clean sheet in the majority of their matches, they face a Brighton side who have not found the net in their past two outings.

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

Timber is a solid pick every week , with increased offensive potential since returning to right-back.

The Ecuadorian has registered 'defcon' points in his past four starts, featuring two clean sheets.

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

Managers would love six Anfield assets this week if allowed.

Wolves drew another blank for the tenth occasion so far in a recent 2-0 home loss to the Bees.

The Midlands side have only managed 9 goals all season, including a couple away from home. This is one of the safest clean sheet opportunity imaginable.

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

Despite the Yorkshire club's improved goalscoring upturn – including the performances of their striker – I'm backing a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.

It would be a third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender becoming the best low-cost defender option. Managers can start him with assurance across many fixtures, given his potential for defensive contribution points.

Midfielders

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

Mount will likely assume a bigger part for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, due to their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.

Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the highest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a comfortable distance – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds' 5.68.

They face a Newcastle United team who have been poor on the road – with just one win from seven attempts.

Mount is likely to assume many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, and might play behind the striker.

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

The German playmaker is on the verge of a big haul and a home match versus Wolves representing the prime scenario for it.

Wirtz has delivered returns in three of his past four games – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' display.

Over that time he has created 10 chances, the most of any Liverpool, while his xG is 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's current form cannot be overlooked.

He is Villa's main goal threat, who can scoring a strike from minimal space inside the area.

A fixture at Stamford Bridge may appear a difficult proposition, the Birmingham club have won there twice during the past three seasons.

Strikers

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

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for his place, and having bagged five goals over three matches, the French striker earns the double-points role for this round.

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

One cannot consider dropping the Norwegian goal machine, however with him having a more difficult away game in this round, I'm willing to look elsewhere for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m

Bruce Hernandez PhD
Bruce Hernandez PhD

A passionate writer and tech enthusiast sharing insights on digital trends and creative living.