Skipper Ekitike and a Triple Gunners Backline – The FPL Squad for the Round
How many The Reds players can you squeeze into your lineup this week?
The Merseyside club are coming off two consecutive victories and boast a in-form striker in their French frontman ahead of a fixture with a struggling Wolves side who are on course for a historically poor Premier League seasons ever.
For managers who held onto a few of your AFCON wildcards , with the budget to reinvest following the injury to the injured Manchester United's playmaker, in that case Liverpool players ought to be your top priority.
The weekly selection is assembled using latest Fantasy Premier League prices to fit within a 100 million pound cap, simulating you were playing a one-week wildcard.
How Did Last Week's Team?
Captain Manchester City's striker (32 points) , combined with the hot duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman led the selection to a handsome 82 points – with a bonus a double-digit cameo from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.
This Week's Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Matchday 18
Keeper and Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
Arsenal's defence experienced a slight stumble following the absence of their Brazilian defender, but they have secured two shutouts in their past four and have 9 so far with not even half the season gone.
Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in only three home games this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a wondrous strike from Richarlison and a unexpected goal from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).
We're opting for a triple selection from the Gunners' defence.
They are the top defence statistically, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they take on a Brighton team who have failed to score in their last two games.
The South Coast club have only managed 9 goals from eight fixtures away from home.
The Dutch defender remains a reliable pick each gameweek , possessing greater attacking upside now he is right-back.
The Ecuadorian has collected 'defcon' points over his last four appearances, which included a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Managers would love half a dozen Anfield assets for this fixture if possible.
Wolves failed to score for the 10th time this season during Saturday's two-nil home loss to the Bees.
They have a paltry nine strikes all season, with only a couple away from home. That makes this a very secure clean sheet opportunity possible.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Despite the Yorkshire club's recent offensive form – and the form of their striker – the pick is a Sunderland shutout on home soil.
That would mark their third in a row and the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as an outstanding low-cost defensive pick. Managers can start him with assurance across many fixtures, thanks to his regular defensive contribution points.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
Mount is expected to take on a bigger responsibility at Manchester United in the next few games, following their Portuguese maestro out injured.
Over the past three games, United boast the greatest xG across the Premier League by a significant margin – 8.78 against the next best Leeds United's 5.68.
They face a Newcastle United side that has struggled away from home – with just one win in seven.
Mount could well take over many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, especially from dead-ball situations, and might feature in the number 10 role.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
The German playmaker is due a big haul , with a home match against the struggling Wolves representing a perfect scenario for it.
Wirtz has registered attacking returns across his past four games – two assists plus a 'defcon' performance.
During that spell he has created 10 chances, the highest of any his teammates, while his expected goals is 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
After recording 30 points in two games, the midfielder's current form is impossible to ignore.
He's Aston Villa's main goal threat, capable of creating a strike with half a yard of space inside the area.
A fixture to Stamford Bridge may appear a tough assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground in two of the last three campaigns.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Given his fixture, having no rivalry for his place, coupled with bagged five goals in three games, the French striker earns the double-points role for this round.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
There's no dropping the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a more difficult fixture on the road in this round, the choice is to bet against him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m