Skipper Ekitike along with a Triple Gunners Backline – The FPL Team of the Week

What number of The Reds selections are you able to fit inside your squad in the upcoming gameweek?

The Merseyside club have notched back-to-back wins and boast a red-hot striker in Hugo Ekitike going into a fixture with Wolves who are on course for one of the worst Premier League campaigns in history.

Should you have kept a few of your AFCON transfers and have the budget to spend by replacing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, consequently assets from Anfield options must be the main consideration.

This team of the week is assembled according to current Fantasy Premier League costs to fit within a 100 million pound budget, mirroring using a Free Hit.

A Look Back at Last Week's Team?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , combined with the hot pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman propelled the squad to a solid score – enhanced by a 10-point performance from Antonee Robinson off the bench.

Our Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Keeper & Defenders

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

Arsenal's backline suffered a slight stumble following an injury to their Brazilian defender, yet they've secured two clean sheets in their past four , boasting nine to their name before the campaign's midpoint played.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in just a handful of home games campaign. Those goals came from a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a late goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

This week features a three-pronged on the Arsenal backline.

They are the best defence in FPL, recording shutouts in over 50% of their fixtures, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has failed to score in two consecutive matches.

The South Coast club have a mere 9 strikes in eight away games.

The Dutch defender continues to be a solid pick every week and has increased goal threat now he is the full-back role.

Hincapie has earned 'defcon' points in four consecutive appearances, which included two clean sheets.

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

Managers would love six Liverpool assets for this fixture if allowed.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the 10th time in 17 games in a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

The Midlands side have only managed nine goals all season, with only a couple away from home. It represents as safe a shutout bet imaginable.

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

Despite the Yorkshire club's improved offensive form – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.

This would secure their third in a row , with Alderete becoming a prime value defensive pick. You can field him with assurance across many fixtures, due to his consistent defensive contribution points.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a bigger responsibility for Old Trafford in the next few games, due to Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.

In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team registered the greatest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by over three goals – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds' 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle team who have struggled on the road – with just one win from seven attempts.

The former Chelsea man may take over many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, especially on set-pieces, and might feature as an attacking midfielder.

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

The German playmaker is on the verge of a big haul , with a home match versus the struggling Wolves representing the prime opportunity for that to happen.

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

Over that time he has created 10 chances, the most among all his teammates, and his expected goals is 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's current form cannot be overlooked.

He is Villa's key attacker, capable of scoring a goal from half a yard of room in the box.

A fixture to Stamford Bridge might seem a difficult assignment, but Villa have won at that ground twice during the past three seasons.

Forwards

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

Given his fixture, a lack of competition for a starting spot, and having scored five goals in three games, the French striker earns the captaincy this week.

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

One cannot consider benching Haaland, however because he has a tougher fixture on the road this week, we are opting to bet against him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Rebecca Myers
Rebecca Myers

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