Skipper Ekitike along with a Triple Arsenal Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round
How many Liverpool assets can you squeeze into your team for this round?
Jurgen Klopp's side have secured back-to-back wins , with a sizzling attacker in their French frontman preparing for a fixture with Wolves who are tracking for one of the worst top-flight seasons on record.
For managers who retained a few of your AFCON wildcards and have the budget to reinvest following the injury to the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, consequently assets from Anfield picks must be the main consideration.
The team of the week is chosen based on current Fantasy Premier League costs to comply with a £100m budget, as if you were playing a Free Hit chip.
How Did Our Recent Selection?
Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , combined with the in-form pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman guided the squad to a respectable 82 points – with a bonus a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender as a substitute.
Our FPL Selection for Matchday 18
Goalkeeper & Defenders
David Raya, the Gunners, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
Arsenal's defence experienced a slight stumble in the wake of the absence of their Brazilian defender, however, they've recorded two clean sheets in their past four and have nine already with less than the campaign's midpoint completed.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in only three home games this season. Those goals came from a Manchester City superstar, a long-range effort from Richarlison , plus a unexpected header from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs the Seagulls (H).
We're opting for a three-pronged from the Arsenal backline.
Not only are they the strongest defensive unit in the game, with a clean sheet in more than half of their matches, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has drawn a blank in their past two games.
The South Coast club have only managed 9 strikes across eight matches on the road.
The Dutch defender remains a solid pick every week , possessing increased offensive potential since returning to right-back.
Hincapie has collected defensive contribution points over his last four starts, which included a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Managers would love half a dozen Anfield assets this week if the rules permitted.
Wolves failed to score for the 10th time this season during Saturday's two-nil home loss to Brentford.
The Midlands side have a paltry nine strikes this campaign, with only a couple on the road. This is a very secure shutout bet imaginable.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Even with the Yorkshire club's improved goalscoring upturn – highlighted by their striker – we're selecting a Stadium of Light shutout at home.
That would mark their third consecutive , with Alderete is cementing himself as an outstanding budget defensive pick. Managers can select him regularly in most games, due to his regular 'defcon' returns.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
Mount should play a key role at Manchester United in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes out injured.
Over the past three games, United registered the greatest xG in the league by over three goals – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds United's 5.68.
Their opponents are a Newcastle side that has been poor in away matches – managing a single victory from seven attempts.
Mount is likely to take over a large share of the injured star's playmaking duties, notably from dead-ball situations, potentially feature behind the striker.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
Wirtz is on the verge of a significant score , with a home match against the struggling Wolves representing a perfect opportunity for that to happen.
Wirtz has registered attacking returns in three of his past four games – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' performance.
In that period he has created 10 chances, the highest of any his teammates, and his xG is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
Boasting 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's hot streak demands attention.
He's Aston Villa's talisman, who can scoring a strike with the smallest space in the box.
An away trip at Chelsea may appear a challenging assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground on two occasions in the past three seasons.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H).
Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for his place, and having scored five goals over three matches, Ekitike receives the captaincy this week.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
There's no dropping Haaland, however with him having a tricky fixture on the road in this round, we are opting to look elsewhere for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m