Skipper Ekitike and a Triple Gunners Backline – The FPL Team of the Week
How many The Reds players might you accommodate inside your team this week?
The Merseyside club are coming off back-to-back wins and boast a in-form attacker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a fixture with Wolves that are heading towards an abysmal top-flight campaigns in history.
For managers who held onto some of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , with the funds to spend by replacing the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, then Liverpool options must be the primary focus.
This ideal squad is chosen according to current FPL valuations to stay under a £100m spending limit, simulating you were playing a Free Hit.
How Did Our Recent Team?
Skipper Erling Haaland (a huge score) and the productive pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman guided the team to a respectable score – enhanced by a double-digit contribution from Fulham's defender off the bench.
This Week's FPL Team of the Week for Matchday 18
Keeper & Defence
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
The North London side's defence suffered a minor wobble after an injury to their Brazilian defender, yet they've kept two clean sheets recently and have 9 to their name with less than the campaign's midpoint completed.
Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in just a handful of home games campaign. The strikes they conceded came from a Manchester City superstar, a long-range strike from Richarlison and a unexpected goal from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).
It's a triple selection on the Arsenal defence.
They are the strongest defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in more than half of their fixtures, they host a Brighton side that has not found the net in their past two games.
Brighton have a mere nine strikes from eight matches on the road.
Timber continues to be a solid option every week , with greater offensive potential operating as the full-back role.
The Ecuadorian has earned 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, including two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
One could select six Anfield players for this fixture if the rules permitted.
Wolves drew another blank for the 10th time in 17 games during a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.
The Midlands side have only managed 9 goals this campaign, including two away from home. That makes this a very secure clean sheet bet possible.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Despite Leeds United's better offensive form – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.
It would be their third in a row and Alderete is cementing himself as the best budget defensive pick. Managers can start him regularly in most games, given his potential for defensive contribution points.
Midfield
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
The English midfielder is expected to take on a bigger role at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, with their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.
Recently, United boast the best expected goals (xG) in the league by a comfortable distance – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds United's 5.68.
Their opponents are a Newcastle side who have been poor on the road – with just one win in their last seven.
The former Chelsea man is likely to take over a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, notably from dead-ball situations, and could play as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
Wirtz is due a major point return , with a home match against Wolves representing the prime scenario for that to happen.
He has delivered returns in three of his last four fixtures – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' performance.
Over that time he has created 10 chances, a team-high of any his teammates, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' hot streak cannot be overlooked.
He is Aston Villa's talisman, who can creating a strike with the smallest room inside the area.
An away trip at Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a difficult proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious there on two occasions in the past three seasons.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Because of his fixture, a lack of competition for a starting spot, and having bagged five goals over three matches, the French striker receives the captain's armband this week.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
It is unthinkable to dropping Haaland, however because he has a tougher away game in this round, we are opting to bet against him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m