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

How many The Reds assets can you fit inside your team for this round?

Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off back-to-back wins , featuring a sizzling forward in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a clash with Wolves currently on course for an abysmal Premier League campaigns ever.

For managers who held onto a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , with the budget to upgrade by replacing the injured Manchester United's playmaker, then assets from Anfield options ought to be the main consideration.

This weekly selection is assembled using current Fantasy Premier League valuations to fit within a 100 million pound cap, as if using a Free Hit.

A Look Back at Our Recent Selection?

Captain Manchester City's striker (32 points) and the productive duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike guided the squad to a solid score – enhanced by a double-digit contribution from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.

This Week's FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Keeper & Defence

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

The North London side's defence suffered a brief dip after an injury to their Brazilian defender, however, they've secured two clean sheets recently , boasting nine already with not even half the season played.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in only three matches at home campaign. Those goals were scored by Erling Haaland, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward and a unexpected goal from Wolves' attacker.

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

It's a triple selection on the Arsenal backline.

As well as being the strongest defence in the game, with a clean sheet in the majority of their matches, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have failed to score in two consecutive games.

The South Coast club have scored just 9 goals in eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender continues to be a steady option every week , with more attacking upside since returning to the full-back role.

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

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

Managers would love six Liverpool players for this fixture if possible.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the tenth occasion so far during Saturday's two-nil home loss to Brentford.

They have only managed nine strikes all season, with only two away from home. That makes this a very secure clean sheet bet imaginable.

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

Regardless of the Yorkshire club's improved goalscoring upturn – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – we're selecting a Sunderland clean sheet at home.

That would mark a third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as a prime budget defender option. You can start him regularly across many fixtures, due to his potential for 'defcon' points.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder is expected to take on a key responsibility at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, due to Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team registered the greatest expected goals (xG) statistically by over three goals – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds' 5.68.

They face a Newcastle team that has been poor on the road – managing one win in their last seven.

The former Chelsea man may assume many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, particularly on set-pieces, potentially feature as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is on the verge of a major point return , with a home match versus Wolves presenting a perfect time for it.

He has registered attacking returns in three of his past four fixtures – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' display.

Over that time he has created 10 chances, the most of any Liverpool, and his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' current form demands attention.

He's Aston Villa's main goal threat, who can producing a strike from half a yard of space in the box.

An away trip at Stamford Bridge might seem a difficult proposition, but Villa have won there in two of the past three seasons.

Strikers

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

Given his fixture, having no competition for his place, and having notched a five-goal haul in three games, the French striker earns the captaincy for this round.

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

There's no benching the Norwegian goal machine, although because he has a tricky fixture on the road in this round, we are opting to bet against him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m

Ann Brown
Ann Brown

Maya Chen is a tech journalist and innovation strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and digital transformation.