Captain Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week

The quantity of Liverpool players can you fit inside your squad for this round?

The Merseyside club are coming off a pair of triumphs and boast a sizzling attacker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers that are tracking for an abysmal Premier League campaigns on record.

Should you have retained a few of your AFCON free transfers , with the cash to upgrade by replacing the injured Bruno Fernandes, then assets from Anfield options should be the main consideration.

The weekly selection is constructed using current Fantasy Premier League valuations to comply with a £100m cap, simulating activating a Free Hit chip.

What Was the Performance of Last Week's Squad?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a huge score) , combined with the hot duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman propelled the selection to a solid 82 points – with a bonus a 10-point performance from Fulham's defender off the bench.

This Week's Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Matchday 18

Keeper and Defenders

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

Arsenal's defence suffered a slight stumble in the wake of an injury to Gabriel, however, they've secured two shutouts over their last four matches and have nine already with not even half the season completed.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in all but three matches at home this season. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward and a unexpected header from Wolves' attacker.

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

We're opting for a triple-up from the Arsenal backline.

Not only are they the strongest defensive unit in FPL, with a clean sheet in the majority of their matches, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has failed to score in two consecutive games.

The South Coast club have scored just nine strikes from eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender continues to be a reliable option each gameweek and has greater offensive potential since returning to right-back.

The Ecuadorian has registered 'defcon' points over his last four starts, including a pair of shutouts.

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

I'd pick six Anfield players this week if the rules permitted.

Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the 10th time so far during Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

The Midlands side have scored just nine goals in total, including two on the road. That makes this one of the safest clean sheet opportunity available.

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

Despite Leeds United's improved offensive form – highlighted by their striker – I'm backing a Sunderland clean sheet on home soil.

This would secure a third consecutive , with Alderete establishing himself as the best value defensive pick. Managers can field him confidently across many fixtures, given his regular 'defcon' points.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder should play a bigger part at Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, with their Portuguese maestro out injured.

Over the past three games, United have generated the greatest expected goals (xG) in the league by a comfortable distance – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds' 5.68.

They face a Newcastle United side who have not excelled in away matches – managing a single victory from seven attempts.

Mount could well assume many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, notably from dead-ball situations, and might play in the number 10 role.

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

The German playmaker is poised for a significant score , with a home match versus the struggling Wolves representing an ideal time for that to happen.

He has posted points in three out of his past four games – two assists plus a defensive contribution display.

Over that time he has created 10 chances, a team-high among all his teammates, while his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points in two games, Rogers' hot streak cannot be overlooked.

He's Villa's talisman, who can producing a goal with minimal space in the box.

An away trip at Stamford Bridge might seem a challenging proposition, but Villa have won there twice during the last three campaigns.

Strikers

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

Given his fixture, a lack of rivalry for his place, coupled with scored a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike gets the captain's armband this week.

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

There's no omitting Haaland, although because he has a tricky away game in this round, we are opting to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m

James Morgan
James Morgan

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