Skipper Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Gunners Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week

How many The Reds players can you fit into your team for this round?

The Merseyside club have notched two consecutive victories , with a red-hot attacker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a clash with Wolves currently heading towards an abysmal top-flight seasons in history.

For managers who retained some of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards and have the budget to upgrade following the injury to the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, consequently Liverpool options should be the main consideration.

This team of the week is chosen using latest FPL valuations to comply with a 100 million pound budget, as if using a Free Hit chip.

A Look Back at Our Recent Selection?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (32 points) , combined with the hot pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman led the selection to a respectable total – with a bonus a double-digit contribution from Antonee Robinson off the bench.

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

Goalkeeper and Defenders

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

Arsenal's backline experienced a slight stumble following an injury to their Brazilian defender, however, they've kept two clean sheets over their last four matches , boasting 9 already with not even half the season gone.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in only three matches at home this season. Those goals were scored by Erling Haaland, a wondrous effort from Richarlison , plus a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare.

Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).

We're opting for a three-pronged on the Arsenal defence.

As well as being the top defensive unit in FPL, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their fixtures, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have not found the net in two consecutive matches.

Brighton have a mere nine strikes across eight fixtures away from home.

The Dutch defender remains a solid choice each gameweek , with greater attacking upside since returning to right-back.

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

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

Managers would love half a dozen Anfield players this week if allowed.

Wolves were shut out for the 10th time this season during a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

They have a paltry nine goals all season, with only two on the road. It represents one of the safest clean sheet opportunity available.

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

Regardless of the Yorkshire club's better offensive form – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – we're selecting a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

It would be their third consecutive and Alderete establishing himself as a prime value defensive pick. You can field him regularly in most games, due to his regular defensive contribution returns.

Midfielders

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

Mount will likely assume a significant responsibility for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, due to Bruno Fernandes out injured.

Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the highest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a significant margin – 8.78 against the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle side who have not excelled away from home – with just a single victory in seven.

The former Chelsea man could well take over many of the injured star's creative responsibilities, notably from dead-ball situations, potentially operate behind the striker.

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

The German playmaker is due a big haul , with a fixture at Anfield against Wolves being a perfect scenario for it.

Wirtz has delivered returns across his last four fixtures – two assists and one 'defcon' display.

During that spell he has created 10 chances, the most among all his teammates, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points in two games, the midfielder's hot streak is impossible to ignore.

He is Aston Villa's key attacker, with an ability to scoring a goal from minimal room inside the area.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge may appear a challenging assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground on two occasions in recent years.

Strikers

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

Given his fixture, having no competition for a starting spot, and having scored a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike receives the captain's armband for this round.

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

One cannot consider omitting the Norwegian goal machine, although because he has a tricky fixture on the road this week, I'm willing to bet against him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m

Natalie Crane
Natalie Crane

A seasoned casino analyst with over a decade of experience in game reviews and strategy development for online gambling platforms.