Skipper Ekitike and a Triple Gunners Defence – The FPL Team of the Week

How many The Reds players are you able to fit inside your squad this week?

Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off a pair of triumphs , featuring a sizzling attacker in their French frontman preparing for a fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are on course for one of the worst top-flight campaigns on record.

If you've kept some of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers and have the cash to spend following the injury to the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool options ought to be the primary focus.

This team of the week is chosen according to present Fantasy Premier League valuations to fit within a £100m cap, simulating you were playing a Free Hit.

A Look Back at The Previous Squad?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a huge score) , alongside the productive pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman propelled the selection to a solid score – enhanced by a 10-point cameo from Antonee Robinson off the bench.

Our Fantasy Premier League Selection for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper and Defenders

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

The North London side's defence suffered a brief dip after the absence of Gabriel, however, they've kept two shutouts over their last four matches , boasting 9 so far with not even the campaign's midpoint played.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in only three matches at home this season. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a unexpected goal from Wolves' attacker.

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

This week features a triple-up on the Arsenal defence.

Not only are they the top defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in more than half of their matches, they host a Brighton side that has not found the net in their last two games.

The South Coast club have a mere 9 goals in eight fixtures away from home.

Timber remains a reliable choice every week and has more goal threat since returning to right-back.

Hincapie has registered defensive contribution points in his past four starts, which included a pair of shutouts.

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

One could select half a dozen Liverpool players for this fixture if possible.

Wolves were shut out for the tenth occasion so far in a recent 2-0 home loss to Brentford.

The Midlands side have scored just nine goals all season, with only a couple away from home. That makes this a very secure shutout prospect imaginable.

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

Despite Leeds United's improved goalscoring upturn – and the form of their striker – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout at home.

This would secure their third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender is cementing himself as the best budget defensive pick. You can field him confidently in most games, given his potential for defensive contribution returns.

Midfielders

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

Mount should play a significant part for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, following their Portuguese maestro out injured.

Over the past three games, United have generated the greatest expected goals (xG) in the league by over three goals – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

They face a Newcastle team that has struggled in away matches – with just a single victory in their last seven.

The former Chelsea man is likely to inherit a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, particularly on set-pieces, and might operate behind the striker.

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

Wirtz is on the verge of a major point return and a fixture at Anfield versus Wolves presenting a perfect opportunity for that to happen.

He has registered attacking returns in three of his last four games – a pair of assists and one 'defcon' display.

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

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

Boasting 30 points in two games, the midfielder's hot streak cannot be overlooked.

He's Aston Villa's main goal threat, who can creating a strike from the smallest space inside the area.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge might seem a challenging assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground in two of the past three seasons.

Forwards

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

Given his fixture, having no rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with bagged five goals over three matches, Ekitike earns the double-points role this week.

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

One cannot consider benching the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a tricky away game in this round, I'm willing to bet against him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Julie Frost
Julie Frost

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in reviewing online casinos and developing winning strategies for players worldwide.