Captain Hugo Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Arsenal Backline – The FPL Team of the Week

How many Liverpool players might you accommodate in your squad for this round?

Jurgen Klopp's side have notched a pair of triumphs , with a red-hot striker in their French frontman ahead of a encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers that are on course for an abysmal top-flight seasons ever.

Should you have kept a portion of your AFCON free transfers , with the cash to upgrade after losing the injured Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool picks should be your top priority.

The ideal squad is assembled based on present FPL prices to fit within a £100m spending limit, simulating using a Free Hit.

How Did Our Recent Team?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , combined with the hot pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike guided the team to a solid 82 points – supplemented by a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender off the bench.

This Week's Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper and Defence

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

The North London side's backline experienced a slight stumble after an injury to Gabriel, however, they've secured two shutouts recently , boasting 9 to their name with less than the campaign's midpoint played.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in just a handful of home games this season. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a spectacular effort from Tottenham's forward and a surprise header from Wolves' attacker.

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

It's a triple selection from the Gunners' defence.

They are the best defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has failed to score in their past two outings.

The South Coast club have scored just 9 strikes from eight matches on the road.

Timber is a reliable pick every week , possessing more attacking upside since returning to the full-back role.

The Ecuadorian has registered defensive contribution points in his past four starts, featuring a pair of shutouts.

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

One could select six Liverpool assets for this fixture if allowed.

Wolves were shut out for the tenth occasion in 17 games in a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

They have a paltry nine goals in total, with only a couple on the road. It represents a very secure shutout opportunity imaginable.

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

Despite Leeds United's recent offensive form – and the form of their striker – the pick is a Stadium of Light clean sheet at home.

This would secure a third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender becoming the best value defender option. You can start him regularly in most games, due to his consistent 'defcon' points.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a significant part for Manchester United in the next few games, due to Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

Over the past three games, United have generated the highest expected goals (xG) in the league by a comfortable distance – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle side who have not excelled away from home – managing a single victory in their last seven.

Mount is likely to take over a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, notably from dead-ball situations, and could play behind the striker.

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

Wirtz is on the verge of a major point return and a fixture at Anfield against the struggling Wolves being a perfect opportunity for it.

He has delivered returns in three out of his last four fixtures – two assists and one 'defcon' display.

Over that time he's made 10 chances, the highest among all his teammates, and his xG is 0.88.

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

With 30 points over two matches, Rogers' hot streak cannot be overlooked.

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

A fixture to Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a tough assignment, but Villa have won at that ground on two occasions in the past three seasons.

Forwards

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

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for a starting spot, coupled with bagged a five-goal haul over three matches, the French striker receives the captain's armband for this round.

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

There's no benching Haaland, although because he has a more difficult away game in this round, I'm willing to bet against him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m