Captain Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Defence – The FPL Team of the Week

What number of The Reds players might you squeeze inside your team in the upcoming gameweek?

The Merseyside club are coming off a pair of triumphs , featuring a red-hot forward in their French frontman preparing for a clash with a struggling Wolves side currently on course for one of the worst top-flight seasons in history.

For managers who held onto a few of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers , with the budget to reinvest by replacing the injured Bruno Fernandes, consequently assets from Anfield picks must be the main consideration.

The team of the week is constructed according to current FPL valuations to fit within a 100 million pound spending limit, simulating using a Free Hit chip.

What Was the Performance of The Previous Selection?

Captain Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , combined with the in-form pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman led the selection to a respectable score – enhanced by a 10-point cameo from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.

Our FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper and Defence

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

Arsenal's defence experienced a slight stumble following the absence of Gabriel, however, they've recorded two clean sheets over their last four matches , boasting nine already with less than the campaign's midpoint completed.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in all but three matches at home this season. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a spectacular strike from Richarlison and a surprise header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

It's a three-pronged from the Gunners' backline.

As well as being the best defence in FPL, with a clean sheet in more than half of their matches, they face a Brighton side that has drawn a blank in two consecutive outings.

Brighton have scored just 9 goals in eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender remains a steady choice every week and has increased offensive potential now he is the full-back role.

Hincapie has collected defensive contribution points in his past four starts, featuring a pair of shutouts.

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

One could select half a dozen Liverpool players for this fixture if possible.

Wolves drew another blank for the 10th time so far during a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

They have only managed 9 strikes in total, including two on the road. That makes this as safe a shutout opportunity imaginable.

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

Despite the Yorkshire club's recent goalscoring upturn – including the performances of their striker – the pick is a Sunderland shutout at home.

That would mark their third in a row and the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as the best low-cost defender option. Managers can start him confidently across many fixtures, thanks to his consistent 'defcon' returns.

Midfield

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

Mount should play a significant part for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, due to Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

Recently, United registered the best expected goals (xG) statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 against second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

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

The former Chelsea man may inherit many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, particularly from dead-ball situations, potentially play as an attacking midfielder.

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

The German playmaker is due a significant score and a fixture at Anfield against Wolves presenting the prime opportunity for it.

He has delivered returns across his past four games – two assists and one 'defcon' display.

In that period his chance creation stands at 10 chances, a team-high among all Liverpool, and his xG totals 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points in two games, Rogers' form demands attention.

He is Aston Villa's main goal threat, capable of scoring a goal from half a yard of space inside the area.

An away trip at Chelsea might seem a difficult assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground twice during the past three seasons.

Forwards

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

Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for a starting spot, and having bagged a five-goal haul in three games, the French striker gets the captaincy this week.

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

One cannot consider dropping the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a tricky fixture on the road this week, we are opting to look elsewhere for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Nicole Flores
Nicole Flores

A passionate gamer and tech writer with over a decade of experience covering the gaming industry and its evolving trends.