Skipper Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Gunners Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round

How many Liverpool assets can you squeeze inside your lineup this week?

Jurgen Klopp's side have secured two consecutive victories and boast a in-form striker in their French frontman going into a encounter with a struggling Wolves side who are tracking for an abysmal top-flight seasons in history.

If you've retained a portion of your AFCON wildcards and have the budget to upgrade following the injury to the injured Manchester United's playmaker, then Liverpool options ought to be your top priority.

This ideal squad is constructed using current FPL costs to stay under a 100 million pound spending limit, as if activating a Free Hit chip.

What Was the Performance of Last Week's Squad?

Skipper Erling Haaland (32 points) , alongside the productive pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman propelled the squad to a respectable total – enhanced by a double-digit cameo from Antonee Robinson off the bench.

Our Fantasy Premier League Selection for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper & Defenders

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

Arsenal's backline had a minor wobble in the wake of the absence of their Brazilian defender, yet they've secured two shutouts in their past four and have 9 already with less than the campaign's midpoint played.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in just a handful of matches at home this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular effort from Richarlison and a unexpected header from Wolves' attacker.

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

It's a three-pronged from the Arsenal backline.

As well as being the strongest defensive unit in the game, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has drawn a blank in their last two outings.

Brighton have only managed nine strikes in eight fixtures away from home.

Timber remains a reliable choice every week , with increased attacking upside since returning to the full-back role.

Hincapie has collected defensive contribution points over his last four starts, including a pair of shutouts.

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

Managers would love six Anfield players this week if the rules permitted.

Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the tenth occasion this season in a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

They have only managed 9 goals in total, with only two away from home. That makes this as safe a shutout prospect possible.

Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).

Despite Leeds United's better goalscoring upturn – highlighted by their striker – we're selecting a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.

That would mark a third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender is cementing himself as the best value defensive pick. Managers can field him regularly in most games, due to his potential for 'defcon' points.

Midfield

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

Mount is expected to take on a key part at Old Trafford in the next few games, following Bruno Fernandes out injured.

In their last three matches, United registered the best expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a significant margin – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle side who have struggled on the road – with just one win in their last seven.

The former Chelsea man may assume a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, particularly on set-pieces, potentially operate behind the striker.

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

The German playmaker is on the verge of a significant score and a home match against the struggling Wolves presenting the prime scenario for it.

Wirtz has delivered returns in three of his past four games – two assists and one 'defcon' performance.

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

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

After recording 30 points in two games, Rogers' form cannot be overlooked.

He is Aston Villa's main goal threat, who can scoring a strike with half a yard of space inside the area.

An away trip to Chelsea could be viewed as a difficult proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious there on two occasions in the past three seasons.

Strikers

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

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with bagged a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike gets the double-points role this week.

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

It is unthinkable to benching Haaland, although because he has a tougher away game in this round, the choice is to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m