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

What number of Liverpool assets might you fit into your squad in the upcoming gameweek?

The Merseyside club have secured back-to-back wins , featuring a red-hot striker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers currently on course for an abysmal top-flight seasons ever.

For managers who kept a few of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers , with the budget to upgrade following the injury to the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, consequently assets from Anfield picks must be the primary focus.

The ideal squad is constructed according to current Fantasy Premier League valuations to comply with a 100 million pound budget, simulating using a Free Hit chip.

A Look Back at The Previous Team?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (32 points) , combined with the hot duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike propelled the squad to a respectable score – supplemented by a double-digit performance from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.

Our Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Matchday 18

Keeper and Defence

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

The North London side's backline experienced a slight stumble after the absence of Gabriel, however, they've kept two clean sheets over their last four matches , with 9 so far with less than half the season completed.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in just a handful of matches at home this season. The strikes they conceded came from a Manchester City superstar, a long-range effort from Richarlison , plus a unexpected goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

We're opting for a three-pronged on the Arsenal defence.

Not only are they the strongest defence in the game, recording shutouts in more than half of their matches, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have not found the net in two consecutive outings.

The South Coast club have scored just nine strikes in eight away games.

Timber is a solid choice every week , possessing more attacking upside now he is right-back.

The Ecuadorian has registered 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, featuring a pair of shutouts.

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

Managers would love six Liverpool assets this week if possible.

Wolves were shut out once again this season during a recent two-nil home loss to Brentford.

They have only managed 9 goals all season, with only a couple away from home. It represents as safe a clean sheet opportunity possible.

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

Despite Leeds United's better offensive form – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout at home.

That would mark a third in a row and Alderete becoming the best budget defender option. Managers can select him confidently across many fixtures, thanks to his potential for defensive contribution points.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder should play a significant responsibility at Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, following Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.

Over the past three games, United registered the highest expected goals (xG) in the league by a significant margin – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

They face a Newcastle team who have been poor away from home – with just a single victory in their last seven.

Mount is likely to take over a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, notably from dead-ball situations, and could operate behind the striker.

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

Wirtz is on the verge of a major point return and a home match versus the struggling Wolves representing a perfect time for it.

He has posted points in three out of four recent fixtures – two assists plus a 'defcon' performance.

Over that time he's made 10 chances, the highest among all his teammates, while his xG is 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points in two games, Rogers' current form cannot be overlooked.

He is Villa's main goal threat, with an ability to scoring a strike from half a yard of space in the box.

An away trip at Stamford Bridge might seem a tough assignment, but Villa have won at that ground on two occasions in recent years.

Forwards

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

Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for his place, coupled with notched a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike gets the captain's armband for this round.

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

There's no dropping the Norwegian goal machine, however because he has a more difficult away game this week, I'm willing to bet against him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m

Robin Collier
Robin Collier

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