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

What number of The Reds assets can you fit inside your team this week?

The Merseyside club have notched a pair of triumphs , featuring a in-form forward in their French frontman preparing for a clash with a struggling Wolves side that are on course for an abysmal top-flight campaigns ever.

Should you have retained some of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers , with the budget to upgrade after losing the injured Bruno Fernandes, consequently Liverpool options must be the primary focus.

The weekly selection is constructed using latest Fantasy Premier League prices to stay under a 100 million pound spending limit, as if activating a one-week wildcard.

What Was the Performance of Last Week's Selection?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , alongside the in-form pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike propelled the selection to a respectable 82 points – supplemented by a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender as a substitute.

This Week's Fantasy Premier League Selection for Gameweek 18

Keeper & Defence

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

Arsenal's backline experienced a minor wobble following the absence of their Brazilian defender, but they have recorded two shutouts over their last four matches and have nine already with not even half the season completed.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in just a handful of matches at home this season. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a long-range strike from Richarlison and a unexpected header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

It's a triple-up on the Gunners' backline.

As well as being the top defensive unit in the game, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their matches, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has not found the net in their last two outings.

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

The Dutch defender is a steady option every week , possessing greater attacking upside since returning to right-back.

Hincapie has collected 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, including a pair of shutouts.

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

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

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out once again this season during a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

They have scored just nine goals in total, with only a couple on the road. This is as safe a shutout bet imaginable.

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

Despite the Yorkshire club's improved goalscoring upturn – including the performances of their striker – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

This would secure a third consecutive , with Alderete is cementing himself as a prime budget defender option. Managers can field him confidently across many fixtures, thanks to his potential for defensive contribution points.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a bigger role for Manchester United in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team boast the best xG in the league by a comfortable distance – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle side who have been poor in away matches – with just one win from seven attempts.

Mount is likely to assume a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, notably from dead-ball situations, and might operate as an attacking midfielder.

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

The German playmaker is due a major point return , with a fixture at Anfield against Wolves representing the prime opportunity for it.

Wirtz has delivered returns across four recent fixtures – two assists and one defensive contribution display.

Over that time his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the highest among all Liverpool, and his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' form demands attention.

He's Aston Villa's main goal threat, who can creating a goal from minimal space in the box.

An away trip at Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground on two occasions in the last three campaigns.

Forwards

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

Given his fixture, a lack of rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with bagged a five-goal haul over three matches, the French striker gets the double-points role this week.

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

One cannot consider omitting Haaland, however with him having a tougher fixture on the road this week, I'm willing to pass over him for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m