Captain Hugo Ekitike along with a Triple Arsenal Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week

How many Liverpool assets are you able to squeeze in your squad in the upcoming gameweek?

The Merseyside club have secured two consecutive victories and boast a in-form striker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a fixture with a struggling Wolves side who are heading towards a historically poor Premier League campaigns on record.

For managers who kept a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers and have the cash to spend following the injury to the injured Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool players should be your top priority.

This ideal squad is assembled based on latest Fantasy Premier League prices to fit within a 100 million pound cap, mirroring using a one-week wildcard.

What Was the Performance of The Previous Team?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (a huge score) , alongside the hot pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman propelled the squad to a respectable total – enhanced by a double-digit cameo from Antonee Robinson off the bench.

The FPL Ideal Squad for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper and Defence

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

Arsenal's defence had a slight stumble following an injury to Gabriel, yet they've secured two clean sheets over their last four matches , with nine so far before half the season played.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in all but three matches at home campaign. Those goals were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range strike from Tottenham's forward and a late header from Wolves' attacker.

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

This week features a triple selection from the Arsenal backline.

They are the strongest defence in FPL, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has not found the net in two consecutive outings.

The South Coast club have only managed 9 strikes in eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender is a steady option each gameweek and has increased offensive potential operating as right-back.

Hincapie has registered defensive contribution points in four consecutive starts, featuring two clean sheets.

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

Managers would love six Anfield assets this week if the rules permitted.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the 10th time so far during a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

The Midlands side have only managed nine goals in total, including two away from home. That makes this one of the safest shutout opportunity available.

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

Regardless of the Yorkshire club's better offensive form – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Sunderland clean sheet on home soil.

This would secure their third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as the best value defensive pick. Managers can select him with assurance across many fixtures, due to his potential for defensive contribution points.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a significant part at Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, due to their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.

In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team registered the greatest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by over three goals – 8.78 against second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle United team who have struggled on the road – managing one win in their last seven.

Mount may inherit many of the injured star's playmaking duties, particularly from dead-ball situations, potentially play as an attacking midfielder.

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

The German playmaker is poised for a big haul , with a fixture at Anfield against the struggling Wolves presenting a perfect scenario for that to happen.

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

During that spell he has created 10 chances, the most of any his teammates, and his xG is 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points over two matches, Rogers' current form demands attention.

He's Villa's talisman, with an ability to producing a goal with half a yard of space inside the area.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a tough assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious there in two of the last three campaigns.

Forwards

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

Because of his fixture, having no competition for a starting spot, and having bagged five goals over three matches, the French striker earns the double-points role for this round.

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

There's no dropping the Norwegian goal machine, however because he has a tougher away game this week, I'm willing to pass over him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m

Michael Salazar
Michael Salazar

A tech journalist and digital strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and their impact on business and society.