Captain Hugo Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Gunners Backline – The FPL Team of the Week

The quantity of Liverpool selections might you fit inside your squad for this round?

Jurgen Klopp's side have notched a pair of triumphs and boast a sizzling striker in Hugo Ekitike going into a encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers currently on course for one of the worst Premier League seasons ever.

For managers who held onto some of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers and have the cash to upgrade following the injury to the injured Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool options must be the primary focus.

The ideal squad is assembled based on current Fantasy Premier League prices to fit within a £100m spending limit, simulating you were playing a Free Hit.

How Did Last Week's Squad?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (a huge score) , alongside the in-form pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman guided the squad to a respectable total – supplemented by a double-digit cameo from Antonee Robinson off the bench.

Our FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Keeper and Defenders

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

The North London side's defence had a brief dip following the absence of Gabriel, however, they've secured two shutouts recently , with nine already with not even the campaign's midpoint gone.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in just a handful of matches at home this season. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a late header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

We're opting for a three-pronged on the Arsenal backline.

As well as being the strongest defensive unit statistically, recording shutouts in more than half of their fixtures, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have failed to score in their past two outings.

The South Coast club have only managed 9 strikes from eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender remains a steady pick each gameweek and has greater offensive potential operating as the full-back role.

The Ecuadorian has registered defensive contribution points in four consecutive starts, which included a pair of shutouts.

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

Managers would love six Anfield assets this week if possible.

Wolves drew another blank for the 10th time so far during Saturday's two-nil home loss to Brentford.

The Midlands side have a paltry nine strikes this campaign, with only a couple on the road. This is as safe a shutout opportunity available.

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

Even with Leeds United's improved offensive form – including the performances of their striker – the pick is a Stadium of Light clean sheet at home.

That would mark their third in a row and the Paraguayan defender becoming a prime budget defender option. Managers can select him confidently across many fixtures, due to his consistent defensive contribution returns.

Midfielders

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

Mount should play a significant part for Old Trafford in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

In their last three matches, United registered the highest xG statistically by over three goals – 8.78 against second-best Leeds' 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle United side who have struggled away from home – with just one win in their last seven.

The former Chelsea man may inherit many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, particularly from dead-ball situations, and could feature behind the striker.

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

The German playmaker is on the verge of a big haul and a home match versus the struggling Wolves presenting an ideal scenario for that to happen.

He has registered attacking returns in three out of four recent games – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' display.

In that period he's made 10 chances, the highest among all his teammates, while his xG is 0.88.

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

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

He is Villa's key attacker, who can producing a goal with half a yard of room inside the area.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a difficult proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground on two occasions in the past three seasons.

Strikers

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

Given his fixture, having no rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with notched five goals over three matches, the French striker gets the double-points role this week.

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

It is unthinkable to dropping the Norwegian goal machine, however because he has a more difficult away game in this round, I'm willing to bet against him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Charles Allen
Charles Allen

A tech journalist and digital strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and their impact on business.