Skipper Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week
What number of The Reds selections might you accommodate inside your squad this week?
Jurgen Klopp's side have notched a pair of triumphs , with a sizzling forward in Hugo Ekitike going into a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers that are on course for one of the worst Premier League seasons on record.
For managers who retained some of your AFCON wildcards and have the funds to upgrade by replacing the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, then assets from Anfield players must be the primary focus.
This weekly selection is assembled using present Fantasy Premier League costs to fit within a 100 million pound budget, mirroring you were playing a Free Hit.
How Did Our Recent Team?
Captain Erling Haaland (32 points) and the in-form pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman guided the team to a handsome 82 points – enhanced by a double-digit cameo from Fulham's defender off the bench.
This Week's Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 18
Goalkeeper and Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
Arsenal's defence had a slight stumble in the wake of an injury to their Brazilian defender, but they have recorded two shutouts recently , boasting nine so far with less than half the season gone.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in only three matches at home campaign. Those goals were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range strike from Richarlison and a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs Brighton (H).
This week features a three-pronged from the Gunners' defence.
Not only are they the best defensive unit in the game, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they face a Brighton team who have not found the net in their last two games.
The South Coast club have scored just nine goals across eight away games.
Timber continues to be a steady choice every week and has more goal threat since returning to the full-back role.
Hincapie has earned defensive contribution points in his past four appearances, which included a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
I'd pick six Anfield assets for this fixture if possible.
Wolves were shut out for the 10th time in 17 games during Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Brentford.
The Midlands side have only managed 9 goals this campaign, including two on the road. This is a very secure shutout prospect available.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Regardless of the Yorkshire club's recent goalscoring upturn – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – we're selecting a Sunderland clean sheet at home.
That would mark a third in a row , with Alderete establishing himself as the best low-cost defender option. Managers can field him with assurance across many fixtures, thanks to his consistent 'defcon' returns.
Midfield
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
The English midfielder will likely assume a key responsibility at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, with their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.
Recently, Erik ten Hag's team boast the highest expected goals (xG) statistically by a comfortable distance – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds' 5.68.
Their opponents are a Newcastle side who have been poor away from home – with just one win in seven.
The former Chelsea man may take over a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, notably from dead-ball situations, and could play in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
Wirtz is poised for a significant score and a fixture at Anfield against Wolves representing an ideal scenario for that to happen.
Wirtz has delivered returns in three of his past four games – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' display.
In that period he has created 10 chances, a team-high among all his teammates, and his xG totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
With 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's current form cannot be overlooked.
He's Villa's key attacker, who can scoring a strike with half a yard of space inside the area.
A fixture to Chelsea might seem a difficult proposition, but Villa have won there in two of recent years.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for his place, coupled with notched five goals in three games, Ekitike earns the double-points role for this round.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
One cannot consider dropping the Norwegian goal machine, although because he has a tricky fixture on the road in this round, I'm willing to bet against him with the captain's role.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m