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

What number of Liverpool players might you fit into your team in the upcoming gameweek?

Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off two consecutive victories , featuring a red-hot striker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers currently on course for an abysmal Premier League seasons on record.

For managers who held onto a few of your AFCON transfers and have the funds to spend following the injury to the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool picks ought to be the primary focus.

The team of the week is assembled according to present FPL valuations to comply with a 100 million pound budget, as if activating a Free Hit.

How Did The Previous Squad?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) and the in-form pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman led the squad to a handsome 82 points – enhanced by a 10-point cameo from Fulham's defender as a substitute.

The FPL Team of the Week for Gameweek 18

Keeper & Defenders

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

Arsenal's backline had a slight stumble following the absence of Gabriel, however, they've recorded two clean sheets over their last four matches , boasting 9 already with not even half the season completed.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in just a handful of fixtures at the Emirates this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward and a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

It's a triple-up on the Arsenal defence.

As well as being the best defence statistically, with a clean sheet in the majority of their matches, they host a Brighton side who have not found the net in their past two outings.

The South Coast club have a mere nine goals across eight away games.

The Dutch defender is a steady pick every week and has more offensive potential operating as right-back.

The Ecuadorian has registered defensive contribution points in four consecutive starts, which included a pair of shutouts.

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

One could select six Anfield players this week if possible.

Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank once again this season in a recent 2-0 home loss to the Bees.

The Midlands side have a paltry 9 goals this campaign, including a couple on the road. This is a very secure shutout prospect possible.

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

Even with the Yorkshire club's better goalscoring upturn – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Stadium of Light shutout at home.

That would mark their third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as the best value defensive pick. You can field him confidently in most games, given his regular 'defcon' returns.

Midfielders

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

Mount will likely assume a key role for Manchester United in the next few games, due to their Portuguese maestro out injured.

Over the past three games, United registered the highest xG in the league by a comfortable distance – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

They face a Newcastle side who have struggled away from home – with just one win in their last seven.

Mount could well inherit many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, especially from dead-ball situations, 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 Wolves presenting an ideal opportunity for it.

Wirtz has posted points in three of his past four games – two assists and one 'defcon' performance.

During that spell he has created 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points over two matches, Rogers' current form demands attention.

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

An away trip to Stamford Bridge might seem a tough proposition, the Birmingham club have won at that ground in two of the past three seasons.

Strikers

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

Given his fixture, having no competition for a starting spot, and having notched five goals over three matches, Ekitike receives the captaincy this week.

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

There's no benching the Norwegian goal machine, however with him having a tricky away game this week, we are opting to bet against him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m

Destiny Rivera
Destiny Rivera

Elara is a seasoned gaming analyst with a passion for slot mechanics and player strategies.