Captain Hugo Ekitike along with a Triple Gunners Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round
What number of The Reds players can you fit into your lineup this week?
Jurgen Klopp's side have notched a pair of triumphs , with a red-hot attacker in Hugo Ekitike going into a fixture with Wolves currently on course for an abysmal top-flight campaigns in history.
If you've retained a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers and have the cash to upgrade by replacing the injured Bruno Fernandes, in that case Liverpool options must be your top priority.
This ideal squad is constructed according to present FPL prices to stay under a 100 million pound cap, mirroring activating a Free Hit.
What Was the Performance of Our Recent Squad?
Skipper Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) and the in-form pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman propelled the team to a solid total – with a bonus a 10-point cameo from Antonee Robinson off the bench.
This Week's Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Matchday 18
Goalkeeper & Defenders
David Raya, the Gunners, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
Arsenal's defence had a slight stumble following an injury to Gabriel, but they have kept two shutouts over their last four matches , with 9 already with less than the campaign's midpoint played.
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 spectacular effort from Tottenham's forward and a surprise header from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).
This week features a triple-up on the Gunners' backline.
As well as being the best defence in the game, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their matches, they host a Brighton side that has failed to score in their last two games.
The South Coast club have only managed nine strikes across eight matches on the road.
Timber is a reliable choice each gameweek , with increased offensive potential now he is right-back.
Hincapie has registered 'defcon' points over his last four appearances, including a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
I'd pick six Anfield players this week if allowed.
Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank for the 10th time this season during a recent 2-0 home loss to Brentford.
They have a paltry nine goals all season, including a couple on the road. This is one of the safest clean sheet bet available.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Regardless of Leeds United's better goalscoring upturn – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Sunderland clean sheet on home soil.
That would mark their third consecutive and Alderete is cementing himself as the best value defensive pick. Managers can field him regularly across many fixtures, thanks to his consistent 'defcon' returns.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
Mount is expected to take on a bigger part at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, following their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.
In their last three matches, United registered the highest xG statistically by over three goals – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds United's 5.68.
They welcome a Newcastle United team who have been poor in away matches – managing one win in their last seven.
Mount could well inherit many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, notably on set-pieces, and might feature behind the striker.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
Wirtz is poised for a major point return , with a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves being an ideal opportunity for that to happen.
He has registered attacking returns in three of four recent fixtures – a pair of assists and one defensive contribution display.
During that spell he's made 10 chances, a team-high among all his teammates, while his expected goals is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
With 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's hot streak demands attention.
He is Villa's talisman, with an ability to scoring a goal from half a yard of space inside the area.
A fixture at Chelsea could be viewed as a tough assignment, the Birmingham club have won at that ground in two of the last three campaigns.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for his place, and having scored a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike receives the double-points role this week.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
One cannot consider dropping the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a tricky away game in this round, I'm willing to look elsewhere for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m