Skipper Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round

How many Liverpool players are you able to accommodate in your lineup this week?

Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off two consecutive victories , featuring a red-hot striker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a clash with Wolves that are on course for an abysmal top-flight seasons on record.

Should you have held onto some of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , with the cash to reinvest following the injury to the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, consequently assets from Anfield picks must be the primary focus.

This team of the week is chosen according to current FPL prices to comply with a 100 million pound budget, as if using a Free Hit.

How Did Our Recent Team?

Captain Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , alongside the hot pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike guided the selection to a solid 82 points – with a bonus a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender off the bench.

Our FPL Ideal Squad for Matchday 18

Keeper and Defenders

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

Arsenal's defence experienced a minor wobble after the absence of Gabriel, but they have kept two shutouts over their last four matches and have 9 so far before half the season gone.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in only three home games this season. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward and a surprise header from Wolves' attacker.

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

This week features a triple-up on the Gunners' backline.

Not only are they the best defence statistically, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they face a Brighton side that has failed to score in their past two outings.

The South Coast club have scored just nine goals across eight matches on the road.

Timber remains a reliable pick every week , possessing greater goal threat operating as the full-back role.

The Ecuadorian has registered 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, which included a pair of shutouts.

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

One could select half a dozen Anfield players for this fixture if allowed.

Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the tenth occasion this season during a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

The Midlands side have a paltry 9 goals in total, including two away from home. This is one of the safest shutout opportunity possible.

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

Even with Leeds United's better goalscoring upturn – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – we're selecting a Sunderland shutout at home.

It would be their third consecutive , with the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as an outstanding budget defensive pick. Managers can start him with assurance across many fixtures, thanks to his potential for defensive contribution returns.

Midfielders

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

Mount should play a key part at Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, with their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.

Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the highest xG across the Premier League by over three goals – 8.78 against second-best Leeds' 5.68.

They face a Newcastle team who have not excelled on the road – managing a single victory from seven attempts.

The former Chelsea man could well assume a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, notably from dead-ball situations, and could operate as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is due a big haul and a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves representing an ideal time for that to happen.

He has registered attacking returns across four recent games – a pair of assists plus a defensive contribution performance.

In that period he's made 10 chances, the most of any Liverpool, and his expected goals is 0.88.

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

With 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's form demands attention.

He's Aston Villa's talisman, capable of scoring a goal from minimal space inside the area.

An away trip to Chelsea could be viewed as a challenging proposition, but Villa have won there on two occasions in recent years.

Strikers

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

Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no rivalry for his place, and having bagged a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike receives the captaincy for this round.

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

One cannot consider omitting the Norwegian goal machine, but because he has a more difficult away game this week, the choice is to look elsewhere for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m

Stephanie Perez
Stephanie Perez

A seasoned gaming journalist with over a decade of experience covering casino trends and strategies.