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

The quantity of The Reds assets might you accommodate inside your lineup for this round?

The Merseyside club have notched two consecutive victories , featuring a sizzling striker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a fixture with Wolves currently tracking for an abysmal top-flight campaigns ever.

Should you have retained a few of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers and have the funds to reinvest following the injury to the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool picks should be the main consideration.

This team of the week is constructed using present Fantasy Premier League valuations to fit within a £100m spending limit, simulating activating a Free Hit chip.

A Look Back at Our Recent Selection?

Captain Manchester City's striker (32 points) , alongside the productive duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike led the selection to a solid score – enhanced by a double-digit contribution from Fulham's defender off the bench.

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

Keeper and Defence

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

The North London side's backline suffered a brief dip following the absence of Gabriel, but they have secured two clean sheets in their past four , boasting 9 so far with less than the campaign's midpoint completed.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in all but three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward and a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

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

Not only are they the top defensive unit in the game, with a clean sheet in the majority of their matches, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have failed to score in two consecutive games.

Brighton have scored just nine goals across eight matches on the road.

Timber remains a steady pick each gameweek , with increased goal threat operating as right-back.

The Ecuadorian has earned defensive contribution points over his last four appearances, featuring two clean sheets.

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

Managers would love half a dozen Anfield players for this fixture if possible.

Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank for the tenth occasion in 17 games during Saturday's 2-0 home loss to the Bees.

The Midlands side have a paltry 9 strikes in total, with only a couple away from home. This is a very secure clean sheet prospect available.

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

Despite Leeds United's recent offensive form – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Stadium of Light shutout at home.

This would secure their third in a row and Alderete is cementing himself as an outstanding value defensive pick. You can field him confidently across many fixtures, thanks to his consistent defensive contribution points.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a significant role for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, due to their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team boast the greatest expected goals (xG) statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds' 5.68.

They face a Newcastle United side that has struggled on the road – managing a single victory in seven.

The former Chelsea man may inherit a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, and might play as an attacking midfielder.

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

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

He has registered attacking returns in three out of his last four fixtures – two assists plus a 'defcon' display.

In that period he's made 10 chances, the highest of any his teammates, while his xG is 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' hot streak demands attention.

He is Aston Villa's main goal threat, with an ability to scoring a strike with minimal room inside the area.

A fixture at Chelsea may appear a tough assignment, but Villa have won there on two occasions in the past three seasons.

Strikers

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

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with notched five goals in three games, Ekitike earns the double-points role for this round.

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

It is unthinkable to benching Haaland, although because he has a more difficult away game in this round, the choice is to bet against him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m