Skipper Hugo Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Gunners Backline – The FPL Squad for the Round

How many Liverpool assets can you squeeze inside your squad for this round?

The Merseyside club have secured two consecutive victories , featuring a in-form striker in their French frontman preparing for a encounter with a struggling Wolves side who are heading towards a historically poor Premier League campaigns in history.

If you've kept a few of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , with the budget to reinvest by replacing the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, then assets from Anfield picks must be the primary focus.

This team of the week is constructed according to present FPL valuations to comply with a £100m spending limit, mirroring using a one-week wildcard.

What Was the Performance of Last Week's Selection?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (32 points) , combined with the productive duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman led the squad to a handsome total – supplemented by a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender off the bench.

The Fantasy Premier League Selection for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper and Defence

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

Arsenal's defence had a minor wobble in the wake of an injury to their Brazilian defender, but they have recorded two shutouts recently , boasting nine to their name with less than 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 strike from Tottenham's forward and a unexpected header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

We're opting for a three-pronged on the Gunners' defence.

Not only are they the best defence in the game, with a clean sheet in the majority of their matches, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has failed to score in their past two matches.

Brighton have scored just 9 goals from eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender remains a solid choice each gameweek , possessing increased offensive potential since returning to right-back.

Hincapie has registered 'defcon' points over his last four starts, featuring two clean sheets.

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

I'd pick half a dozen Anfield assets this week if the rules permitted.

Wolves were shut out for the 10th time so far during a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

The Midlands side have only managed nine strikes this campaign, including a couple on the road. This is a very secure clean sheet prospect available.

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

Even with Leeds United's better goalscoring upturn – and the form of their striker – the pick is a Stadium of Light shutout at home.

That would mark their third in a row and Alderete establishing himself as a prime budget defender option. You can start him confidently across many fixtures, due to his potential for defensive contribution returns.

Midfield

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

Mount will likely assume a key role for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, following their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.

Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team boast the highest expected goals (xG) statistically by a comfortable distance – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle United team that has struggled in away matches – managing a single victory from seven attempts.

The former Chelsea man could well inherit many of the injured star's playmaking duties, notably from dead-ball situations, and could play in the number 10 role.

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

Wirtz is poised for a big haul and a fixture at Anfield against the struggling Wolves representing an ideal opportunity for it.

Wirtz has registered attacking returns in three of four recent fixtures – a pair of assists plus a defensive contribution performance.

Over that time he has created 10 chances, the highest of any his teammates, while his xG is 0.88.

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

With 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' current form is impossible to ignore.

He is Villa's talisman, with an ability to creating a goal with minimal space inside the area.

An away trip to Chelsea could be viewed as a tough assignment, the Birmingham club have won at that ground on two occasions in the last three campaigns.

Strikers

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

Due to his fixture, having no competition for his place, and having scored five goals over three matches, Ekitike earns the captain's armband for this round.

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

One cannot consider benching the Norwegian goal machine, however because he has a tougher fixture on the road this week, I'm willing to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m

Ricky Daniels
Ricky Daniels

A tech enthusiast and lifestyle blogger with a passion for exploring innovative solutions and sharing practical advice for modern living.