Skipper Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Gunners Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round

What number of The Reds assets might you accommodate inside your lineup for this round?

The Merseyside club are coming off back-to-back wins and boast a sizzling striker in their French frontman ahead of a fixture with Wolves who are on course for one of the worst Premier League seasons ever.

Should you have retained a few of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers and have the budget to upgrade by replacing the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, in that case Liverpool players must be your top priority.

This weekly selection is constructed according to current Fantasy Premier League costs to fit within a 100 million pound cap, as if you were playing a one-week wildcard.

How Did The Previous Squad?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a huge score) and the productive duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman led the selection to a solid 82 points – supplemented by a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender off the bench.

This Week's Fantasy Premier League Selection for the Upcoming Round

Goalkeeper and Defence

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

The North London side's defence had a brief dip following an injury to Gabriel, however, they've recorded two clean sheets over their last four matches , with nine already before half the season completed.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in all but three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals came from a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular effort from Richarlison and a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

This week features a three-pronged from the Arsenal backline.

They are the strongest defence in the game, with a clean sheet in the majority of their fixtures, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have failed to score in their last two games.

Brighton have a mere nine strikes in eight matches on the road.

Timber continues to be a reliable pick each gameweek and has more offensive potential operating as right-back.

Hincapie has earned 'defcon' points in his past four appearances, featuring a pair of shutouts.

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

One could select half a dozen Liverpool players this week if allowed.

Wolves drew another blank once again this season in a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

The Midlands side have scored just 9 goals in total, with only a couple away from home. This is a very secure clean sheet bet available.

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

Regardless of Leeds United's improved offensive form – and the form of their striker – we're selecting a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.

This would secure their third in a row and Alderete establishing himself as an outstanding budget defensive pick. Managers can start him with assurance in most games, due to his consistent 'defcon' returns.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a significant role at Old Trafford in the next few games, following Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the best expected goals (xG) in the league by a comfortable distance – 8.78 against second-best Leeds' 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle United team that has struggled away from home – managing one win in seven.

Mount is likely to assume a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, particularly on set-pieces, and could operate behind the striker.

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

The German playmaker is on the verge of a significant score and a home match against the struggling Wolves representing an ideal opportunity for it.

He has posted points in three of four recent games – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' performance.

In that period he's made 10 chances, a team-high of any his teammates, and his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's form is impossible to ignore.

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

An away trip at Chelsea could be viewed as a difficult assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious there twice during the past three seasons.

Forwards

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

Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for a starting spot, and having bagged five goals in three games, Ekitike receives the captaincy this week.

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

It is unthinkable to benching Haaland, although because he has a more difficult away game this week, we are opting to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m