Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Backline – The FPL Squad for the Round

The quantity of The Reds selections might you fit inside your squad in the upcoming gameweek?

The Merseyside club are coming off two consecutive victories , featuring a red-hot striker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a encounter with a struggling Wolves side who are on course for one of the worst top-flight campaigns on record.

For managers who held onto a few of your AFCON free transfers , with the funds to reinvest by replacing the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, in that case Liverpool picks must be the primary focus.

This team of the week is constructed according to latest FPL valuations to comply with a £100m cap, as if activating a Free Hit.

What Was the Performance of Last Week's Squad?

Captain Erling Haaland (a huge score) , combined with the productive pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman led the squad to a respectable score – supplemented by a double-digit contribution from Antonee Robinson off the bench.

The FPL Team of the Week for Matchday 18

Keeper and Defence

David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).

Arsenal's backline suffered a slight stumble in the wake of the absence of Gabriel, however, they've secured two clean sheets in their past four , with nine to their name before the campaign's midpoint gone.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in only three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a spectacular strike from Richarlison , plus a unexpected header from Wolves' attacker.

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

This week features a three-pronged on the Gunners' backline.

Not only are they the best defensive unit in FPL, with a clean sheet in the majority of their fixtures, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have not found the net in their past two outings.

Brighton have scored just 9 goals across eight fixtures away from home.

The Dutch defender remains a solid option each gameweek and has greater attacking upside operating as right-back.

The Ecuadorian has earned 'defcon' points in four consecutive appearances, which included two clean sheets.

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

One could select half a dozen Anfield players for this fixture if the rules permitted.

Wolves drew another blank for the 10th time so far in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

They have scored just 9 strikes this campaign, including a couple away from home. That makes this as safe a shutout bet imaginable.

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

Even with Leeds United's improved goalscoring upturn – highlighted by their striker – we're selecting a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

That would mark a third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender is cementing himself as a prime budget defensive pick. Managers can select him regularly across many fixtures, thanks to his potential for defensive contribution points.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder should play a key role at Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, following Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.

Over the past three games, United have generated the best xG across the Premier League by a significant margin – 8.78 against the next best Leeds' 5.68.

They face a Newcastle United side that has struggled on the road – with just one win in seven.

The former Chelsea man is likely to inherit many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, especially on set-pieces, and could feature in the number 10 role.

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

Wirtz is on the verge of a big haul , with a home match against Wolves representing an ideal scenario for that to happen.

Wirtz has delivered returns in three out of his past four fixtures – two assists and one defensive contribution display.

In that period he has created 10 chances, a team-high among all Liverpool, and his xG is 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points in two games, the midfielder's current form demands attention.

He is Aston Villa's key attacker, capable of scoring a goal with the smallest room inside the area.

An away trip at Chelsea could be viewed as a challenging proposition, the Birmingham club have won there in two of recent years.

Forwards

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

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for a starting spot, and having bagged five goals over three matches, Ekitike receives the double-points role this week.

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

It is unthinkable to dropping Haaland, although with him having a tricky fixture on the road this week, we are opting to pass over him for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m

Sarah Taylor
Sarah Taylor

A seasoned gaming journalist with a passion for exploring indie titles and sharing insights on the latest industry trends.