Skipper Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week
How many The Reds selections might you squeeze in your team for this round?
The Merseyside club are coming off two consecutive victories , featuring a red-hot forward in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a encounter with a struggling Wolves side currently tracking for one of the worst Premier League campaigns in history.
For managers who kept a few of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , with the cash to upgrade following the injury to the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, in that case assets from Anfield options should be your top priority.
The weekly selection is assembled based on latest Fantasy Premier League prices to fit within a £100m spending limit, simulating activating a one-week wildcard.
What Was the Performance of Our Recent Squad?
Captain Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , combined with the hot duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike guided the selection to a handsome total – with a bonus a double-digit cameo from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.
The FPL Selection for the Upcoming Round
Keeper and Defence
David Raya, the Gunners, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
The North London side's defence experienced a brief dip in the wake of the absence of Gabriel, yet they've secured two shutouts over their last four matches , boasting nine already before the campaign's midpoint completed.
Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in all but three home games this season. Those goals were scored by Erling Haaland, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a surprise header from Tolu Arokodare.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs Brighton (H).
It's a triple selection from the Gunners' backline.
As well as being the top defensive unit in the game, recording shutouts in more than half of their matches, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have not found the net in their past two games.
The South Coast club have scored just nine goals in eight matches on the road.
Timber is a steady pick every week , with increased attacking upside since returning to right-back.
Hincapie has collected defensive contribution points over his last four starts, which included a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H).
I'd pick six Anfield assets this week if allowed.
Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank once again in 17 games in a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.
They have scored just 9 strikes this campaign, including two away from home. This is one of the safest shutout bet available.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Regardless of Leeds United's improved goalscoring upturn – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – we're selecting a Sunderland shutout on home soil.
This would secure their third in a row , with Alderete establishing himself as a prime low-cost defensive pick. You can select him regularly in most games, thanks to his regular defensive contribution points.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).
Mount will likely assume a significant part for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, following their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.
Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the best expected goals (xG) statistically 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 from seven attempts.
The former Chelsea man is likely to take over many of the injured star's playmaking duties, notably from dead-ball situations, and might feature behind the striker.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Wirtz is due a big haul , with a fixture at Anfield against Wolves being an ideal opportunity for it.
He has registered attacking returns across his last four games – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' display.
In that period his chance creation stands at 10 chances, a team-high among all his teammates, and his expected goals totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
Boasting 30 points over two matches, Rogers' hot streak demands attention.
He is Aston Villa's key attacker, with an ability to scoring a strike with the smallest room inside the area.
An away trip at Stamford Bridge may appear a challenging proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious there in two of the last three campaigns.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no rivalry for a starting spot, and having scored a five-goal haul over three matches, the French striker earns the double-points role this week.
Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
There's no dropping the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a tricky away game in this round, I'm willing to pass over him for captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m