Skipper Ekitike along with a Triple Gunners Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week

The quantity of The Reds assets can you squeeze in your lineup for this round?

Jurgen Klopp's side have notched back-to-back wins and boast a in-form attacker in Hugo Ekitike going into a clash with Wolves currently tracking for one of the worst top-flight campaigns in history.

Should you have retained a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers and have the funds to upgrade following the injury to the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, consequently assets from Anfield picks ought to be the main consideration.

The team of the week is constructed according to latest FPL prices to fit within a £100m budget, simulating using a one-week wildcard.

A Look Back at Our Recent Selection?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , combined with the productive pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman propelled the team to a handsome score – enhanced by a 10-point cameo from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.

Our FPL Team of the Week for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper and Defence

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

Arsenal's defence had a minor wobble following an injury to their Brazilian defender, but they have recorded two clean sheets in their past four and have nine already with less than the campaign's midpoint gone.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in just a handful of fixtures at the Emirates campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a unexpected header from Wolves' attacker.

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

This week features a triple-up on the Arsenal defence.

Not only are they the best defensive unit in the game, recording shutouts in more than half of their fixtures, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have drawn a blank in two consecutive outings.

The South Coast club have only managed 9 goals across eight away games.

Timber is a solid pick every week , with greater attacking upside operating as the full-back role.

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

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

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

Wolves were shut out for the tenth occasion in 17 games during Saturday's 2-0 home loss to the Bees.

The Midlands side have only managed nine goals all season, with only a couple on the road. This is as safe a shutout prospect available.

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

Regardless of the Yorkshire club's better goalscoring upturn – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Sunderland clean sheet on home soil.

It would be a third in a row and Alderete is cementing himself as an outstanding low-cost defender option. You can field him with assurance in most games, due to his potential for defensive contribution returns.

Midfield

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

Mount is expected to take on a key responsibility for Old Trafford in the next few games, due to their Portuguese maestro out injured.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team registered the highest xG across the Premier League by over three goals – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

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

The former Chelsea man is likely to take over a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, and might operate behind the striker.

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

Wirtz is poised for a major point return and a fixture at Anfield versus Wolves presenting an ideal opportunity for that to happen.

Wirtz has delivered returns in three out of four recent fixtures – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' performance.

During that spell his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the highest among all his teammates, and his xG stands at 0.88.

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

With 30 points over two matches, Rogers' form demands attention.

He's Villa's main goal threat, who can creating a strike from half a yard of room inside the area.

A fixture at Chelsea might seem a challenging assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious there in two of the past three seasons.

Strikers

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

Given his fixture, having no competition for a starting spot, and having notched a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike receives the captain's armband this week.

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

It is unthinkable to omitting the Norwegian goal machine, but because he has a tougher away game in this round, I'm willing to bet against him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Catherine Key
Catherine Key

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casinos, specializing in slot mechanics and player psychology.