Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Backline – The FPL Team of the Week

What number of The Reds assets can you accommodate in your squad this week?

The Merseyside club are coming off a pair of triumphs and boast a red-hot attacker in their French frontman ahead of a fixture with Wolves currently on course for one of the worst top-flight seasons in history.

For managers who retained a few of your AFCON free transfers and have the funds to spend by replacing the injured Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool picks must be your top priority.

The weekly selection is constructed according to latest Fantasy Premier League prices to fit within a £100m cap, as if using a Free Hit.

A Look Back at The Previous Selection?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a huge score) and the in-form duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman led the squad to a solid 82 points – supplemented by a double-digit contribution from Fulham's defender off the bench.

The Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for the Upcoming Round

Goalkeeper and Defenders

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

The North London side's defence experienced a minor wobble following an injury to their Brazilian defender, yet they've recorded two shutouts in their past four , boasting nine to their name before half the season gone.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in just a handful of home games campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a late goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

We're opting for a triple selection from the Gunners' backline.

As well as being the best defensive unit statistically, with a clean sheet in the majority of their matches, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have not found the net in two consecutive matches.

The South Coast club have only managed 9 goals from eight fixtures away from home.

Timber continues to be a steady pick each gameweek and has increased offensive potential operating as the full-back role.

Hincapie has collected defensive contribution points in four consecutive appearances, including two clean sheets.

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

One could select half a dozen Anfield assets for this fixture if possible.

Wolves were shut out for the tenth occasion this season in Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

The Midlands side have a paltry 9 goals in total, including two away from home. That makes this a very secure shutout opportunity imaginable.

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

Even with the Yorkshire club's recent offensive form – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Sunderland shutout at home.

This would secure a third in a row and Alderete establishing himself as a prime value defensive pick. You can select him with assurance across many fixtures, given his consistent defensive contribution points.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder is expected to take on a bigger responsibility at Manchester United in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team boast the highest expected goals (xG) in the league by over three goals – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

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

Mount may inherit a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, especially from dead-ball situations, and could operate behind the striker.

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

Wirtz is on the verge of a major point return and a home match versus the struggling Wolves being the prime time for that to happen.

He has posted points across his last four games – two assists plus a defensive contribution display.

During that spell he has created 10 chances, the highest among all Liverpool, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points in two games, Rogers' current form is impossible to ignore.

He's Villa's main goal threat, capable of scoring a goal with the smallest room inside the area.

An away trip at Chelsea may appear a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have won there twice during recent years.

Strikers

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

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

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

It is unthinkable to benching Haaland, however with him having a tricky fixture on the road in this round, I'm willing to pass over him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m