Skipper Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Arsenal Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week
How many The Reds assets might you squeeze into your squad this week?
The Merseyside club have notched a pair of triumphs and boast a sizzling forward in their French frontman ahead of a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers that are heading towards an abysmal Premier League seasons on record.
For managers who held onto a portion of your AFCON free transfers , and possess the budget to upgrade after losing the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool picks must be the main consideration.
This team of the week is chosen using present Fantasy Premier League valuations to fit within a £100m budget, simulating you were playing a Free Hit.
How Did The Previous Squad?
Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , alongside the productive pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike guided the selection to a handsome total – supplemented by a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender off the bench.
The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 18
Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya, the Gunners, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
Arsenal's defence suffered a slight stumble in the wake of an injury to their Brazilian defender, yet they've secured two clean sheets in their past four and have 9 already with not even half the season completed.
Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in just a handful of matches at home campaign. Those goals came from a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular strike from Richarlison , plus a surprise header from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs the Seagulls (H).
It's a three-pronged from the Arsenal backline.
They are the strongest defensive unit statistically, with a clean sheet in more than half of their matches, they take on a Brighton side that has not found the net in their past two matches.
Brighton have a mere 9 goals in eight fixtures away from home.
Timber remains a steady pick every week , possessing greater offensive potential since returning to the full-back role.
Hincapie has earned 'defcon' points in his past four appearances, which included two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Managers would love six Anfield assets this week if possible.
Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank for the tenth occasion so far during Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Brentford.
The Midlands side have scored just 9 strikes in total, with only two on the road. This is a very secure clean sheet opportunity available.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Regardless of the Yorkshire club's recent goalscoring upturn – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Stadium of Light clean sheet at home.
That would mark a third consecutive , with the Paraguayan defender becoming the best budget defender option. Managers can field him with assurance across many fixtures, due to his regular 'defcon' points.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
The English midfielder should play a bigger responsibility for Manchester United in the next few games, due to Bruno Fernandes out injured.
Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the highest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a significant margin – 8.78 against second-best Leeds' 5.68.
Their opponents are a Newcastle side that has been poor away from home – with just a single victory in seven.
The former Chelsea man could well take over a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, especially on set-pieces, and could play in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
Wirtz is due a big haul , with a home match versus the struggling Wolves representing a perfect time for it.
He has registered attacking returns in three out of his past four games – a pair of assists and one defensive contribution performance.
Over that time he's made 10 chances, a team-high of any his teammates, while his expected goals is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
Boasting 30 points over two matches, Rogers' hot streak cannot be overlooked.
He's Villa's key attacker, with an ability to scoring a goal with the smallest room inside the area.
A fixture to Stamford Bridge may appear a difficult proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious there on two occasions in the past three seasons.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for his place, and having notched five goals over three matches, Ekitike earns the captain's armband for this round.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
One cannot consider dropping Haaland, however with him having a tougher away game in this round, we are opting to bet against him for the armband.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m