Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Gunners Defence – The FPL Team of the Week

What number of The Reds selections are you able to fit in your team this week?

The Merseyside club have secured two consecutive victories , featuring a red-hot forward in Hugo Ekitike going into a encounter with a struggling Wolves side who are on course for an abysmal top-flight seasons on record.

Should you have held onto a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers , and possess the cash to reinvest by replacing the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, in that case assets from Anfield players must be your top priority.

This team of the week is assembled based on present FPL valuations to fit within a 100 million pound budget, simulating using a Free Hit.

A Look Back at Last Week's Team?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) and the hot pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman propelled the team to a handsome score – with a bonus a 10-point cameo from Fulham's defender off the bench.

Our FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper and Defenders

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

The North London side's backline had a brief dip after the absence of Gabriel, yet they've secured two clean sheets over their last four matches , with 9 already before half the season completed.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in only three matches at home campaign. Those goals came from a Manchester City superstar, a long-range strike from Richarlison and a surprise goal from Wolves' attacker.

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

This week features a triple-up on the Gunners' defence.

They are the top defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has failed to score in their last two outings.

Brighton have only managed 9 strikes in eight matches on the road.

Timber continues to be a solid option every week , possessing increased attacking upside operating as right-back.

Hincapie has earned 'defcon' points in his past four appearances, including two clean sheets.

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

I'd pick half a dozen Anfield players for this fixture if the rules permitted.

Wolves were shut out for the tenth occasion so far during a recent 2-0 home loss to Brentford.

The Midlands side have scored just nine strikes this campaign, with only a couple away from home. That makes this a very secure shutout bet possible.

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

Even with Leeds United's recent offensive form – including the performances of their striker – the pick is a Sunderland clean sheet on home soil.

It would be a third in a row and Alderete is cementing himself as the best budget defensive pick. Managers can select him confidently across many fixtures, due to his potential for defensive contribution points.

Midfielders

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

Mount is expected to take on a bigger role at Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, with Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.

In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team boast the best expected goals (xG) statistically by over three goals – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle side that has not excelled away from home – with just a single victory from seven attempts.

The former Chelsea man could well take over a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, particularly from dead-ball situations, and could feature in the number 10 role.

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

Wirtz is on the verge of a big haul , with a fixture at Anfield against the struggling Wolves representing the prime time for that to happen.

He has posted points across his last four games – two assists and one defensive contribution display.

In that period he has created 10 chances, the highest among all Liverpool, and his xG is 0.88.

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

With 30 points over two matches, Rogers' hot streak is impossible to ignore.

He is Villa's talisman, capable of producing a goal from the smallest space inside the area.

An away trip to Chelsea may appear a challenging assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious there twice during the last three campaigns.

Strikers

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

Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for a starting spot, and having scored five goals over three matches, Ekitike earns the double-points role for this round.

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

There's no benching Haaland, however with him having a tougher away game in this round, the choice is to bet against him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Steve Reed
Steve Reed

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