Captain Hugo Ekitike along with a Triple Arsenal Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round

The quantity of The Reds assets can you fit in your squad for this round?

The Merseyside club have notched a pair of triumphs , with a sizzling striker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a clash with a struggling Wolves side who are tracking for an abysmal Premier League seasons ever.

For managers who held onto a few of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers and have the cash to reinvest following the injury to the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, consequently Liverpool options ought to be the primary focus.

The team of the week is constructed based on current FPL costs to fit within a £100m cap, as if you were playing a Free Hit chip.

A Look Back at Last Week's Squad?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a huge score) , alongside the hot pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman propelled the squad to a respectable total – supplemented by a 10-point cameo from Antonee Robinson off the bench.

The Fantasy Premier League Selection for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper and Defenders

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

Arsenal's defence had a minor wobble after the absence of Gabriel, yet they've secured two shutouts over their last four matches , boasting 9 to their name before the campaign's midpoint played.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in all but three fixtures at the Emirates this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Richarlison , plus a late header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

This week features a triple-up from the Arsenal backline.

As well as being the strongest defence statistically, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their matches, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have not found the net in two consecutive games.

The South Coast club have scored just 9 goals in eight away games.

The Dutch defender is a reliable pick every week and has more offensive potential now he is right-back.

The Ecuadorian has collected 'defcon' points in his past four starts, which included two clean sheets.

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

I'd pick half a dozen Anfield assets for this fixture if allowed.

Wolves were shut out once again this season during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

They have only managed 9 goals this campaign, with only a couple on the road. It represents a very secure clean sheet prospect possible.

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

Even with the Yorkshire club's better goalscoring upturn – highlighted by their striker – the pick is a Sunderland clean sheet at home.

That would mark a third in a row and Alderete establishing himself as a prime low-cost defensive pick. Managers can start him regularly in most games, given his regular defensive contribution returns.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a key role for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, following their Portuguese maestro out injured.

In their last three matches, United registered the best expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a significant margin – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle United side that has not excelled away from home – managing one win in seven.

Mount is likely to take over many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, particularly on set-pieces, and could play behind the striker.

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

Wirtz is poised for a major point return and a fixture at Anfield against Wolves presenting the prime opportunity for it.

Wirtz has registered attacking returns in three out of four recent fixtures – two assists plus a 'defcon' display.

In that period his chance creation stands at 10 chances, a team-high among all his teammates, while his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points over two matches, Rogers' hot streak demands attention.

He's Villa's talisman, who can producing a strike from half a yard of room inside the area.

An away trip at Chelsea could be viewed as a challenging assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious there twice during recent years.

Strikers

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

Given his fixture, having no competition for a starting spot, and having notched a five-goal haul over three matches, the French striker receives the captaincy for this round.

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

There's no omitting Haaland, but with him having a tougher fixture on the road in this round, I'm willing to bet against him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m

Brandon Anderson
Brandon Anderson

A professional poker strategist with over a decade of experience in analyzing odds and coaching players to success.