Skipper Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Gunners Backline – The FPL Team of the Week

What number of The Reds selections can you squeeze in your squad this week?

The Merseyside club are coming off a pair of triumphs , featuring a in-form forward in their French frontman ahead of a fixture with a struggling Wolves side who are on course for one of the worst Premier League campaigns in history.

If you've held onto a few of your AFCON wildcards , with the cash to reinvest by replacing the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, then assets from Anfield players ought to be the main consideration.

This team of the week is assembled according to latest FPL valuations to comply with a £100m budget, simulating activating a Free Hit chip.

What Was the Performance of Our Recent Squad?

Captain Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , alongside the in-form duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike guided the selection to a handsome total – enhanced by a double-digit performance from Antonee Robinson off the bench.

This Week's Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Keeper and Defenders

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

Arsenal's backline suffered a slight stumble in the wake of an injury to Gabriel, yet they've secured two shutouts over their last four matches and have 9 so far with not even the campaign's midpoint completed.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in all but three home games this season. The strikes they conceded came from a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward and a late header from Wolves' attacker.

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

We're opting for a triple-up on the Arsenal defence.

As well as being the best defence in the game, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they face a Brighton team who have failed to score in their past two outings.

The South Coast club have scored just 9 strikes in eight fixtures away from home.

Timber is a reliable pick every week and has increased attacking upside since returning to the full-back role.

The Ecuadorian has registered 'defcon' points over his last four starts, featuring a pair of shutouts.

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

Managers would love six Anfield assets this week if possible.

Wolves were shut out once again so far during Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

They have only managed nine strikes in total, including a couple on the road. It represents a very secure shutout bet available.

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

Even with Leeds United's recent offensive form – including the performances of their striker – we're selecting a Sunderland shutout at home.

It would be a third consecutive and Alderete becoming an outstanding budget defender option. You can start him with assurance in most games, given his potential for 'defcon' points.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a significant responsibility for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, with Bruno Fernandes out injured.

In their last three matches, United registered the highest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a significant margin – 8.78 against the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

They face a Newcastle United team that has been poor in away matches – with just one win in seven.

Mount may take over many of the injured star's playmaking duties, particularly from dead-ball situations, and might operate as an attacking midfielder.

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

The German playmaker is poised for a major point return and a home match against the struggling Wolves being a perfect time for it.

He has registered attacking returns across four recent fixtures – two assists and one defensive contribution performance.

In that period he has created 10 chances, the highest among all Liverpool, while his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's form cannot be overlooked.

He is Villa's key attacker, capable of scoring a strike from half a yard of room in the box.

A fixture at Chelsea could be viewed as a challenging assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground in two of the last three campaigns.

Forwards

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

Given his fixture, a lack of rivalry for his place, coupled with bagged five goals over three matches, the French striker earns the double-points role this week.

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

One cannot consider benching Haaland, but because he has a tougher fixture on the road this week, we are opting to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m