Skipper Hugo Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Arsenal Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Squad for the Round

The quantity of The Reds assets might you accommodate into your team this week?

Jurgen Klopp's side have notched back-to-back wins and boast a in-form forward in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a clash with a struggling Wolves side who are heading towards a historically poor top-flight seasons ever.

For managers who retained a few of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , with the cash to reinvest by replacing the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, consequently assets from Anfield players ought to be the main consideration.

The team of the week is constructed according to current FPL prices to comply with a £100m budget, simulating you were playing a one-week wildcard.

What Was the Performance of Our Recent Squad?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , alongside the productive duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman led the team to a solid 82 points – with a bonus a 10-point performance from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.

Our Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Matchday 18

Keeper & Defence

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

The North London side's backline experienced a brief dip in the wake of an injury to their Brazilian defender, however, they've kept two shutouts over their last four matches , with nine already with less than the campaign's midpoint played.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in just a handful of home games campaign. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous effort from Richarlison , plus a unexpected header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

We're opting for a three-pronged from the Arsenal backline.

Not only are they the strongest defence in the game, with a clean sheet in more than half of their matches, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have not found the net in their last two games.

Brighton have a mere nine strikes from eight away games.

Timber remains a steady option every week , possessing more attacking upside now he is the full-back role.

The Ecuadorian has registered 'defcon' points over his last four starts, which included two clean sheets.

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

I'd pick half a dozen Anfield assets this week if allowed.

Wolves failed to score for the 10th time this season in Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

The Midlands side have scored just nine goals all season, including two on the road. It represents a very secure clean sheet opportunity imaginable.

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

Despite Leeds United's improved goalscoring upturn – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – we're selecting a Sunderland clean sheet on home soil.

It would be a third consecutive and Alderete becoming the best budget defender option. You can field him confidently in most games, due to his consistent defensive contribution points.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a bigger part at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, with their Portuguese maestro out injured.

In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the highest expected goals (xG) statistically by over three goals – 8.78 against the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle team who have been poor in away matches – with just a single victory from seven attempts.

Mount is likely to inherit many of the injured star's playmaking duties, especially from dead-ball situations, and could feature in the number 10 role.

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

Wirtz is on the verge of a major point return and a fixture at Anfield against the struggling Wolves presenting the prime opportunity for that to happen.

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

In that period he has created 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, while his xG is 0.88.

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

With 30 points in two games, Rogers' current form cannot be overlooked.

He is Aston Villa's main goal threat, capable of creating a strike with the smallest room inside the area.

An away trip at Chelsea may appear a challenging proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious there on two occasions in recent years.

Forwards

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

Because of his fixture, having no rivalry for his place, coupled with notched a five-goal haul over three matches, the French striker receives the captaincy this week.

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

One cannot consider benching the Norwegian goal machine, but with him having a more difficult fixture on the road in this round, the choice is to bet against him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Christie Adams
Christie Adams

A former casino manager turned gambling analyst, specializing in slot machine mechanics and responsible gaming practices.