Captain Hugo Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Arsenal Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round
The quantity of The Reds selections might you fit in your lineup this week?
Jurgen Klopp's side have secured two consecutive victories , featuring a red-hot forward in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are on course for a historically poor top-flight campaigns ever.
For managers who kept a few of your AFCON wildcards , with the budget to reinvest by replacing the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool picks should be the primary focus.
The ideal squad is constructed based on present FPL costs to fit within a £100m spending limit, mirroring you were playing a one-week wildcard.
What Was the Performance of Last Week's Selection?
Captain Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , combined with the in-form duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike guided the team to a respectable score – with a bonus a 10-point cameo from Fulham's defender from the replacements.
Our Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18
Keeper and Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
The North London side's defence suffered a brief dip after the absence of their Brazilian defender, however, they've secured two clean sheets over their last four matches , with 9 to their name with less than the campaign's midpoint played.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in just a handful of matches at home campaign. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a long-range strike from Tottenham's forward and a late header from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).
It's a three-pronged on the Gunners' backline.
They are the best defence in the game, recording shutouts in over 50% of their fixtures, they host a Brighton team who have failed to score in their past two matches.
The South Coast club have scored just 9 strikes from eight matches on the road.
Timber continues to be a reliable pick each gameweek , with increased offensive potential now he is right-back.
The Ecuadorian has registered 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, which included two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Managers would love six Anfield assets for this fixture if possible.
Wolves drew another blank once again so far during a recent 2-0 home loss to Brentford.
They have scored just 9 goals all season, with only two away from home. This is a very secure clean sheet bet possible.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Regardless of the Yorkshire club's recent goalscoring upturn – highlighted by their striker – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout on home soil.
It would be their third consecutive and Alderete becoming a prime budget defensive pick. Managers can field him with assurance across many fixtures, thanks to his potential for 'defcon' points.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
The English midfielder should play a significant responsibility at Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, following their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.
In their last three matches, United boast the highest xG across the Premier League by over three goals – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds' 5.68.
They face a Newcastle team that has not excelled in away matches – with just one win in their last seven.
Mount could well take over many of the injured star's playmaking duties, notably on set-pieces, and might play behind the striker.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
The German playmaker is due a major point return and a fixture at Anfield against Wolves presenting an ideal time for it.
He has posted points in three of his last four fixtures – two assists plus a defensive contribution display.
In that period he's made 10 chances, the highest of any Liverpool, while his xG totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
After recording 30 points in two games, the midfielder's current form demands attention.
He's Aston Villa's main goal threat, who can producing a strike from minimal space in the box.
An away trip to Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a tough proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious there in two of the past three seasons.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Because of his fixture, a lack of rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with bagged a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike receives the double-points role for this round.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
There's no omitting the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a tougher fixture on the road in this round, I'm willing to bet against him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m