Captain Ekitike and a Triple Gunners Backline – The FPL Team of the Week

The quantity of Liverpool selections might you accommodate into your squad this week?

Jurgen Klopp's side have notched two consecutive victories , featuring a in-form striker in Hugo Ekitike going into a clash with Wolves that are on course for one of the worst Premier League seasons in history.

For managers who retained some of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards and have the cash to reinvest after losing the injured Bruno Fernandes, consequently Liverpool options should be your top priority.

The ideal squad is assembled using latest Fantasy Premier League valuations to fit within a £100m budget, mirroring activating a Free Hit.

What Was the Performance of The Previous Selection?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a huge score) , alongside the productive pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike guided the squad to a solid total – enhanced by a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender from the replacements.

Our FPL Team of the Week for Gameweek 18

Keeper and Defenders

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

Arsenal's defence experienced a brief dip following an injury to their Brazilian defender, but they have kept two shutouts recently , boasting nine so far before the campaign's midpoint completed.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in just a handful of fixtures at the Emirates campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular strike from Richarlison and a surprise header from Wolves' attacker.

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

This week features a triple-up from the Arsenal backline.

As well as being the best defensive unit statistically, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they face a Brighton team that has failed to score in two consecutive outings.

Brighton have scored just 9 strikes across eight fixtures away from home.

Timber remains a reliable option each gameweek , possessing greater attacking upside operating as right-back.

Hincapie has registered defensive contribution points in his past four appearances, which included a pair of shutouts.

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

One could select six Anfield players this week if possible.

Wolves drew another blank for the 10th time so far in a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

The Midlands side have scored just nine strikes this campaign, including two away from home. This is one of the safest clean sheet bet available.

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

Despite the Yorkshire club's improved offensive form – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.

It would be a third consecutive and Alderete establishing himself as an outstanding value defender option. You can select him confidently across many fixtures, given his consistent defensive contribution returns.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder should play a bigger responsibility for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, due to their Portuguese maestro out injured.

In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team registered the best expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a comfortable distance – 8.78 against the next best Leeds' 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle team that has been poor on the road – managing one win in their last seven.

Mount may assume a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, especially from dead-ball situations, and might play in the number 10 role.

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

Wirtz is due a big haul and a home match versus Wolves being an ideal scenario for that to happen.

Wirtz has posted points in three of four recent games – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' performance.

During that spell his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the most of any his teammates, while his expected goals is 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's hot streak demands attention.

He's Villa's key attacker, who can creating a strike with minimal space in the box.

A fixture to Chelsea might seem a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground on two occasions in recent years.

Forwards

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

Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for a starting spot, and having scored a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike earns the captain's armband this week.

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

One cannot consider dropping Haaland, although with him having a more difficult away game in this round, I'm willing to pass over him for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m