Skipper Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Arsenal Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week

What number of Liverpool selections are you able to fit in your squad this week?

The Merseyside club are coming off back-to-back wins and boast a sizzling forward in Hugo Ekitike going into a fixture with Wolves currently tracking for a historically poor top-flight seasons ever.

For managers who retained some of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards and have the cash to spend after losing the injured Manchester United's playmaker, in that case Liverpool picks should be the primary focus.

This team of the week is assembled using latest FPL prices to comply with a £100m spending limit, simulating using a one-week wildcard.

A Look Back at The Previous Squad?

Captain Manchester City's striker (a huge score) , alongside the in-form pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike propelled the team to a handsome score – with a bonus a double-digit contribution from Fulham's defender off the bench.

This Week's FPL Selection for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper & Defenders

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

Arsenal's backline suffered a slight stumble after the absence of their Brazilian defender, yet they've secured two shutouts in their past four , with nine already with not even half the season completed.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in only three home games campaign. The strikes they conceded came from a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular effort from Richarlison and a unexpected header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

We're opting for a three-pronged on the Gunners' backline.

As well as being the strongest defensive unit in the game, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they face a Brighton team that has drawn a blank in their past two outings.

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

The Dutch defender is a reliable choice every week and has more offensive potential since returning to the full-back role.

Hincapie has registered 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, including a pair of shutouts.

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

I'd pick half a dozen Liverpool players this week if the rules permitted.

Gary O'Neil's team failed to score once again so far during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

The Midlands side have a paltry 9 goals all season, including a couple on the road. This is one of the safest shutout opportunity imaginable.

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

Regardless of the Yorkshire club's improved offensive form – including the performances of their striker – the pick is a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.

This would secure a third consecutive , with the Paraguayan defender is cementing himself as a prime low-cost defensive pick. Managers can start him with assurance across many fixtures, given his potential for 'defcon' points.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder is expected to take on a significant part at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, following Bruno Fernandes out injured.

Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team boast the greatest xG statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle United side that has struggled in away matches – with just one win in seven.

Mount could well take over many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, particularly from dead-ball situations, and could feature behind the striker.

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

Wirtz is poised for a significant score , with a home match versus Wolves presenting the prime scenario for that to happen.

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

During that spell he has created 10 chances, the highest of any Liverpool, while his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points in two games, the midfielder's form cannot be overlooked.

He's Villa's talisman, who can creating a strike from minimal space inside the area.

A fixture at Chelsea could be viewed as a challenging proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground twice during the last three campaigns.

Strikers

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

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with notched a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike gets the captaincy for this round.

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

One cannot consider dropping the Norwegian goal machine, but with him having a tougher away game in this round, I'm willing to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Kaitlin Warren
Kaitlin Warren

Tech enthusiast and business strategist with over a decade of experience in digital transformation and startup consulting.