Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Gunners Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week

What number of The Reds selections are you able to fit inside your lineup in the upcoming gameweek?

The Merseyside club have notched a pair of triumphs , with a sizzling forward in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a encounter with a struggling Wolves side currently heading towards an abysmal Premier League campaigns on record.

Should you have held onto some of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers and have the cash to reinvest by replacing the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, then assets from Anfield options should be your top priority.

This ideal squad is chosen using current Fantasy Premier League prices to comply with a £100m spending limit, mirroring activating a Free Hit chip.

How Did The Previous Squad?

Captain Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , combined with the hot duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman guided the team to a handsome score – supplemented by a 10-point contribution from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.

This Week's FPL Ideal Squad for Matchday 18

Keeper & Defence

David Raya, Arsenal, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).

Arsenal's backline suffered a minor wobble in the wake of the absence of Gabriel, however, they've secured two shutouts over their last four matches , boasting nine to their name with less than the campaign's midpoint played.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in all but three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a wondrous strike from Richarlison , plus a unexpected goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

It's a triple-up on the Arsenal defence.

Not only are they the strongest defensive unit in the game, recording shutouts in more than half of their matches, they face a Brighton team who have drawn a blank in two consecutive matches.

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

Timber remains a reliable choice every week , with greater goal threat since returning to the full-back role.

The Ecuadorian has collected 'defcon' points over his last four starts, including two clean sheets.

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

I'd pick six Anfield players this week if allowed.

Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the tenth occasion so far in Saturday's 2-0 home loss to the Bees.

The Midlands side have only managed 9 strikes this campaign, including two away from home. This is one of the safest shutout prospect available.

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

Even with the Yorkshire club's improved offensive form – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Sunderland shutout at home.

This would secure their third in a row , with Alderete becoming the best budget defender option. You can field him regularly across many fixtures, given his regular defensive contribution returns.

Midfield

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

Mount is expected to take on a key part at Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, with Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

Over the past three games, United boast the greatest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a significant margin – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds' 5.68.

They face a Newcastle team who have not excelled away from home – managing one win from seven attempts.

The former Chelsea man could well take over many of the injured star's creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, and could operate behind the striker.

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

Wirtz is poised for a significant score , with a fixture at Anfield versus Wolves representing a perfect opportunity for it.

Wirtz has delivered returns across four recent fixtures – a pair of assists and one defensive contribution performance.

Over that time he has created 10 chances, a team-high among all his teammates, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points over two matches, Rogers' form cannot be overlooked.

He is Villa's talisman, capable of creating a goal from half a yard of space in the box.

A fixture to Chelsea may appear a challenging assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground twice during recent years.

Strikers

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

Given his fixture, having no competition for a starting spot, and having scored five goals in three games, Ekitike earns the double-points role for this round.

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

One cannot consider dropping Haaland, however with him having a more difficult fixture on the road this week, I'm willing to bet against him for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m