Skipper Hugo Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Arsenal Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round
The quantity of Liverpool players are you able to squeeze inside your lineup for this round?
Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off two consecutive victories , featuring a sizzling forward in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers that are heading towards a historically poor Premier League seasons ever.
For managers who retained a few of your AFCON free transfers and have the funds to upgrade after losing the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool players should be the primary focus.
This weekly selection is chosen according to current Fantasy Premier League valuations to fit within a £100m spending limit, mirroring you were playing a Free Hit chip.
How Did The Previous Team?
Skipper Erling Haaland (a huge score) and the hot pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike led the selection to a solid score – enhanced by a double-digit performance from Fulham's defender off the bench.
The FPL Ideal Squad for Matchday 18
Keeper and Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
The North London side's backline suffered a slight stumble after an injury to their Brazilian defender, however, they've kept two clean sheets over their last four matches , with nine so far with less than the campaign's midpoint played.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in all but three fixtures at the Emirates this season. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular strike from Richarlison , plus a late goal from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs Brighton (H).
It's a triple selection from the Gunners' backline.
They are the top defence statistically, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they take on a Brighton team that has drawn a blank in their last two games.
Brighton have scored just 9 goals from eight matches on the road.
The Dutch defender continues to be a steady pick every week , possessing greater goal threat operating as the full-back role.
The Ecuadorian has registered 'defcon' points in his past four starts, including 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 drew another blank for the tenth occasion this season in a recent two-nil home loss to Brentford.
They have scored just nine strikes in total, with only a couple on the road. It represents one of the safest clean sheet prospect possible.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Regardless of Leeds United's recent goalscoring upturn – and the form of their striker – the pick is a Sunderland clean sheet at home.
This would secure their third in a row and Alderete establishing himself as the best value defensive pick. Managers can start him with assurance in most games, thanks to his regular 'defcon' returns.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
Mount should play a key role at Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, following Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.
Recently, Erik ten Hag's team registered the greatest xG in the league by over three goals – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds United's 5.68.
They face a Newcastle team that has struggled in away matches – with just a single victory in seven.
The former Chelsea man is likely to inherit a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, especially on set-pieces, potentially operate in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
The German playmaker is on the verge of a big haul , with a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves representing the prime scenario for it.
He has posted points in three out of his past four games – two assists plus a 'defcon' display.
Over that time he's made 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, and his xG is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
With 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's hot streak demands attention.
He is Villa's key attacker, capable of creating a strike from minimal space in the box.
An away trip at Stamford Bridge might seem a tough assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground in two of 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 scored five goals over three matches, the French striker earns the captain's armband for this round.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
One cannot consider benching Haaland, although because he has a tricky fixture on the road this week, I'm willing to pass over him for the armband.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m