Skipper Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Gunners Backline – The FPL Team of the Week

What number of Liverpool selections are you able to accommodate into your team in the upcoming gameweek?

The Merseyside club have notched back-to-back wins , featuring a in-form striker in Hugo Ekitike going into a fixture with Wolves who are heading towards an abysmal Premier League campaigns on record.

For managers who held onto some of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , with the cash to upgrade after losing the injured Bruno Fernandes, in that case assets from Anfield players should be the main consideration.

This team of the week is chosen using present FPL valuations to fit within a 100 million pound spending limit, simulating you were playing a Free Hit chip.

A Look Back at The Previous Squad?

Skipper Erling Haaland (32 points) , alongside the in-form duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman guided the squad to a respectable 82 points – enhanced by a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender from the replacements.

The Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Keeper and Defence

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

Arsenal's defence had a brief dip after the absence of Gabriel, but they have recorded two shutouts in their past four and have 9 to their name with less than half the season completed.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in just a handful of home games campaign. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a wondrous effort from Tottenham's forward and a unexpected goal from Wolves' attacker.

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

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

As well as being the strongest defence in FPL, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has not found the net in their last two matches.

Brighton have a mere nine strikes in eight fixtures away from home.

Timber is a solid choice every week , possessing more attacking upside operating as the full-back role.

Hincapie has registered 'defcon' points over his last four starts, which included a pair of shutouts.

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

I'd pick half a dozen Anfield assets this week if allowed.

Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the 10th time this season in a recent two-nil home loss to the Bees.

The Midlands side have a paltry 9 strikes this campaign, with only two on the road. That makes this as safe a shutout bet available.

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

Despite the Yorkshire club's recent goalscoring upturn – including the performances of their striker – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

It would be their third in a row , with Alderete becoming an outstanding budget defensive pick. You can start him regularly in most games, due to his potential for 'defcon' returns.

Midfielders

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

Mount is expected to take on a key role for Manchester United in the next few games, following Bruno Fernandes out injured.

Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the highest expected goals (xG) statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle team who have been poor away from home – with just one win from seven attempts.

The former Chelsea man could well inherit many of the injured star's creative responsibilities, especially on set-pieces, potentially operate as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is due a significant score , with a fixture at Anfield versus Wolves representing an ideal time for it.

He has registered attacking returns in three of four recent games – two assists and one 'defcon' performance.

During that spell his chance creation stands at 10 chances, a team-high among all his teammates, and his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points over two matches, Rogers' form is impossible to ignore.

He is Aston Villa's main goal threat, with an ability to producing a strike with minimal space in the box.

An away trip to Chelsea could be viewed as a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious there on two occasions in the last three campaigns.

Strikers

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

Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with scored five goals in three games, Ekitike earns the captain's armband this week.

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

One cannot consider dropping the Norwegian goal machine, however with him having a tougher fixture on the road this week, the choice is to bet against him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Ryan Reed
Ryan Reed

A seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in casino game strategy and industry trends.