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

What number of The Reds selections might you fit in your lineup for this round?

Jurgen Klopp's side have notched back-to-back wins , featuring a in-form attacker in their French frontman ahead of a encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers that are tracking for an abysmal Premier League seasons on record.

Should you have kept some of your AFCON wildcards and have the budget to spend by replacing the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, then assets from Anfield options must be the primary focus.

This team of the week is constructed based on latest FPL valuations to stay under a 100 million pound budget, simulating you were playing a Free Hit.

A Look Back at Last Week's Selection?

Captain Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) and the productive pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike led the squad to a respectable 82 points – with a bonus a 10-point performance from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.

This Week's FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Keeper and Defence

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

The North London side's backline suffered a brief dip following an injury to their Brazilian defender, however, they've kept two shutouts over their last four matches , with nine already with not even half the season played.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in just a handful of fixtures at the Emirates this season. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular effort from Richarlison , plus a late header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

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

They are the strongest defensive unit statistically, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they face a Brighton team who have failed to score in their past two games.

The South Coast club have a mere nine goals across eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender remains a solid pick each gameweek and has increased offensive potential now he is right-back.

Hincapie has collected 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, featuring two clean sheets.

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

Managers would love six Liverpool assets this week if allowed.

Wolves drew another blank once again this season in a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

The Midlands side have scored just 9 strikes all season, with only two on the road. It represents one of the safest shutout bet available.

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

Despite the Yorkshire club's recent offensive form – including the performances of their striker – I'm backing a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.

That would mark a third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender becoming the best budget defensive pick. Managers can select him confidently across many fixtures, thanks to his consistent 'defcon' points.

Midfield

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

Mount will likely assume a bigger part for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, with Bruno Fernandes out injured.

In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the highest expected goals (xG) in the league by over three goals – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle United team that has not excelled away from home – managing a single victory in seven.

Mount is likely to assume a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, especially on set-pieces, and could play as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is poised for a major point return , with a fixture at Anfield against Wolves being a perfect opportunity for that to happen.

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

In that period his chance creation stands at 10 chances, a team-high of any his teammates, and his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's current form cannot be overlooked.

He's Villa's key attacker, who can scoring a strike with minimal room inside the area.

An away trip at Chelsea might seem a challenging proposition, but Villa have won at that ground in two of recent years.

Forwards

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

Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with notched five goals in three games, Ekitike gets the captaincy for this round.

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

It is unthinkable to dropping the Norwegian goal machine, but because he has a more difficult fixture on the road this week, I'm willing to pass over him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m