Captain Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Gunners Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week

How many Liverpool assets are you able to squeeze into your team for this round?

Jurgen Klopp's side have secured two consecutive victories , with a sizzling forward in their French frontman ahead of a clash with a struggling Wolves side that are heading towards one of the worst top-flight seasons ever.

For managers who retained a portion of your AFCON wildcards and have the budget to reinvest following the injury to the injured Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool players should be the main consideration.

The team of the week is chosen using current FPL prices to comply with a 100 million pound budget, mirroring you were playing a Free Hit chip.

A Look Back at Last Week's Selection?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , alongside the in-form pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike led the squad to a handsome 82 points – supplemented by a double-digit performance from Fulham's defender as a substitute.

This Week's FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Keeper & Defenders

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

The North London side's defence experienced a minor wobble following an injury to their Brazilian defender, however, they've recorded two clean sheets in their past four and have 9 so far with not even the campaign's midpoint played.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in only three matches at home this season. Those goals came from a Manchester City superstar, a long-range effort from Richarlison and a unexpected goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

It's a triple-up on the Gunners' defence.

Not only are they the top defensive unit statistically, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have not found the net in their last two games.

Brighton have a mere 9 goals in eight away games.

The Dutch defender continues to be a steady choice each gameweek and has greater goal threat operating as right-back.

Hincapie has registered defensive contribution points in four consecutive starts, featuring a pair of shutouts.

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

I'd pick six Anfield assets this week if the rules permitted.

Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank for the 10th time so far during a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

They have only managed 9 goals all season, including a couple on the road. This is as safe a clean sheet prospect possible.

Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).

Even with the Yorkshire club's recent goalscoring upturn – including the performances of their striker – the pick is a Sunderland clean sheet at home.

That would mark a third in a row , with Alderete is cementing himself as the best low-cost defender option. Managers can start him regularly across many fixtures, thanks to his consistent 'defcon' points.

Midfield

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

Mount should play a key part at Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, due to Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.

Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team boast the best expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by over three goals – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle side who have struggled in away matches – with just a single victory in their last seven.

Mount may assume many of the injured star's playmaking duties, especially on set-pieces, and could feature in the number 10 role.

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

The German playmaker is poised for a significant score and a fixture at Anfield versus Wolves representing the prime opportunity for it.

Wirtz has registered attacking returns in three of four recent games – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' display.

Over that time he has created 10 chances, a team-high among all his teammates, and his xG totals 0.88.

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

With 30 points in two games, the midfielder's form is impossible to ignore.

He's Villa's talisman, capable of scoring a goal from the smallest room in the box.

A fixture at Chelsea could be viewed as a tough assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground twice during recent years.

Forwards

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

Because of his fixture, a lack of competition for a starting spot, coupled with scored a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike earns the captain's armband this week.

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

One cannot consider benching the Norwegian goal machine, however because he has a tricky fixture on the road in this round, we are opting to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m