Skipper Hugo Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Arsenal Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week

What number of The Reds assets are you able to fit into your lineup for this round?

The Merseyside club are coming off a pair of triumphs , featuring a red-hot striker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a clash with a struggling Wolves side currently heading towards one of the worst top-flight campaigns in history.

If you've held onto some of your AFCON transfers , with the budget to reinvest by replacing the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, in that case Liverpool options must be the primary focus.

This ideal squad is constructed based on present FPL prices to comply with a £100m spending limit, simulating using a Free Hit.

How Did The Previous Selection?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (32 points) , combined with the productive pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman propelled the team to a solid score – supplemented by a 10-point performance from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.

The FPL Team of the Week for Gameweek 18

Keeper and Defenders

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

Arsenal's defence had a minor wobble following an injury to Gabriel, however, they've secured two clean sheets over their last four matches , boasting 9 to their name with less than the campaign's midpoint played.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in only three home games this season. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward and a unexpected header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

This week features a triple-up on the Gunners' defence.

Not only are they the top defensive unit statistically, recording shutouts in more than half of their fixtures, they face a Brighton team who have not found the net in their past two outings.

The South Coast club have scored just nine goals across eight matches on the road.

Timber is a steady option each gameweek , possessing greater offensive potential now he is the full-back role.

Hincapie has registered 'defcon' points in his past four starts, featuring two clean sheets.

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

Managers would love six Liverpool players this week if possible.

Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank once again in 17 games during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

The Midlands side have scored just 9 strikes all season, including a couple on the road. This is one of the safest shutout bet imaginable.

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

Regardless of the Yorkshire club's recent goalscoring upturn – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – we're selecting a Stadium of Light shutout at home.

It would be their third consecutive , with Alderete becoming an outstanding budget defensive pick. You can start 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 key part at Old Trafford in the next few games, following their Portuguese maestro out injured.

In their last three matches, United registered the best expected goals (xG) statistically by a comfortable distance – 8.78 against second-best Leeds' 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle side who have been poor away from home – with just a single victory in seven.

The former Chelsea man may inherit a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, particularly on set-pieces, and might play in the number 10 role.

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

The German playmaker is due a major point return , with a home match against the struggling Wolves being an ideal opportunity for that to happen.

He has delivered returns in three of his past four games – a pair of assists and one defensive contribution display.

In that period his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the highest among all his teammates, and his xG totals 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points in two games, Rogers' current form cannot be overlooked.

He is Villa's key attacker, with an ability to scoring a goal with the smallest space inside the area.

A fixture to Stamford Bridge may appear a difficult assignment, but Villa have won there twice during the past three seasons.

Strikers

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

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for a starting spot, and having scored five goals in three games, the French striker gets the captaincy for this round.

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

It is unthinkable to dropping the Norwegian goal machine, but with him having a tricky fixture on the road this week, the choice is to bet against him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m