Skipper Ekitike along with a Triple Gunners Backline – The FPL Squad for the Round
What number of Liverpool assets might you fit into your squad for this round?
Jurgen Klopp's side have notched a pair of triumphs and boast a red-hot attacker in their French frontman ahead of a clash with Wolves who are heading towards a historically poor top-flight campaigns in history.
For managers who kept some of your AFCON wildcards and have the budget to reinvest by replacing the injured Bruno Fernandes, in that case Liverpool players ought to be the primary focus.
The ideal squad is chosen using present FPL costs to stay under a 100 million pound spending limit, as if you were playing a Free Hit.
A Look Back at Our Recent Squad?
Skipper Erling Haaland (32 points) and the hot pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman propelled the team to a handsome score – supplemented by a 10-point contribution from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.
The FPL Ideal Squad for Matchday 18
Goalkeeper and Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
Arsenal's backline had a minor wobble following the absence of their Brazilian defender, however, they've kept two clean sheets in their past four , with 9 so far with not even half the season played.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in all but three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward and a late header from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs the Seagulls (H).
We're opting for a three-pronged from the Arsenal defence.
As well as being the best defence in FPL, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they face a Brighton side that has failed to score in their past two games.
Brighton have a mere nine strikes from eight away games.
Timber is a reliable choice each gameweek , with greater offensive potential operating as the full-back role.
The Ecuadorian has collected defensive contribution points in his past four appearances, including two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
One could select half a dozen Anfield assets for this fixture if allowed.
Wolves failed to score for the 10th time in 17 games in Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Brentford.
The Midlands side have only managed nine strikes this campaign, including two away from home. This is a very secure shutout prospect available.
Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Even with the Yorkshire club's improved offensive form – including the performances of their striker – I'm backing a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.
This would secure their third consecutive , with the Paraguayan defender becoming the best budget defensive pick. Managers can field him regularly across many fixtures, thanks to his consistent defensive contribution returns.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
The English midfielder will likely assume a key role at Manchester United in the next few games, following their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.
Recently, United registered the greatest expected goals (xG) in the league by a significant margin – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds' 5.68.
They face a Newcastle United side who have been poor in away matches – with just one win 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 as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
Wirtz is poised for a major point return and a home match against the struggling Wolves presenting the prime scenario for that to happen.
Wirtz has registered attacking returns in three of his past four games – a pair of assists and one defensive contribution display.
In that period he's made 10 chances, the highest among all Liverpool, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's current form cannot be overlooked.
He's Aston Villa's talisman, with an ability to scoring a strike from half a yard of room inside the area.
A fixture to Chelsea could be viewed as a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have won there in two of recent years.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Because of his fixture, having no rivalry for his place, coupled with notched five goals over three matches, Ekitike gets the captain's armband for this round.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
There's no benching Haaland, but with him having a more difficult fixture on the road in this round, we are opting to look elsewhere for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m