Captain Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Arsenal Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round

How many Liverpool players can you fit in your squad in the upcoming gameweek?

The Merseyside club are coming off two consecutive victories , with a sizzling striker in their French frontman ahead of a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers currently tracking for an abysmal top-flight campaigns ever.

For managers who kept a portion of your AFCON free transfers , and possess the budget to reinvest by replacing the injured Bruno Fernandes, then assets from Anfield options should be the primary focus.

This team of the week is constructed using current Fantasy Premier League valuations to comply with a £100m cap, simulating you were playing a one-week wildcard.

How Did Our Recent Selection?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , combined with the in-form duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike guided the selection to a solid score – supplemented by a 10-point performance from Fulham's defender as a substitute.

This Week's Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Matchday 18

Keeper & Defenders

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

Arsenal's defence had a brief dip following the absence of Gabriel, but they have kept two shutouts in their past four and have 9 so far with not even the campaign's midpoint gone.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in all but three fixtures at the Emirates this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a long-range strike from Richarlison and a surprise header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

We're opting for a triple-up from the Arsenal defence.

They are the top defensive unit in the game, recording shutouts in more than half of their matches, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have drawn a blank in two consecutive outings.

Brighton have only managed nine strikes in eight away games.

Timber is a reliable option each gameweek , possessing greater attacking upside operating as the full-back role.

The Ecuadorian has registered defensive contribution points in four consecutive appearances, which included two clean sheets.

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

Managers would love six Liverpool assets this week if allowed.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the tenth occasion so far in a recent 2-0 home loss to the Bees.

They have a paltry 9 goals this campaign, with only a couple on the road. That makes this a very secure clean sheet prospect available.

Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds (H).

Even with Leeds United's improved offensive form – 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 an outstanding low-cost defensive pick. Managers can start him confidently across many fixtures, due to his potential for defensive contribution returns.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder is expected to take on a significant role for Old Trafford in the next few games, due to Bruno Fernandes out injured.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team boast the greatest expected goals (xG) statistically by over three goals – 8.78 against the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle team that has not excelled in away matches – managing a single victory in seven.

Mount could well take over many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, particularly on set-pieces, and might operate behind the striker.

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

Wirtz is due a major point return , with a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves presenting a perfect time for that to happen.

Wirtz has registered attacking returns in three of four recent games – two assists plus a defensive contribution display.

During that spell his chance creation stands at 10 chances, a team-high of any his teammates, while his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points in two games, the midfielder's form is impossible to ignore.

He's Villa's key attacker, with an ability to scoring a strike with the smallest room inside the area.

An away trip at Stamford Bridge might seem a tough proposition, the Birmingham club have won there on two occasions in the past three seasons.

Strikers

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

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with bagged five goals over three matches, the French striker earns the captaincy this week.

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

It is unthinkable to dropping Haaland, however because he has a tricky away game this week, I'm willing to pass over him for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m