Skipper Hugo Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Gunners Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week

The quantity of Liverpool selections might you squeeze into your team this week?

The Merseyside club have notched two consecutive victories , featuring a in-form attacker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a encounter with a struggling Wolves side that are on course for one of the worst Premier League seasons in history.

Should you have kept a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , and possess the cash to spend following the injury to the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, then assets from Anfield players must be the main consideration.

The ideal squad is assembled using present FPL valuations to stay under a £100m cap, as if activating a one-week wildcard.

What Was the Performance of The Previous Squad?

Captain Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , alongside the productive duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman led the squad to a solid 82 points – with a bonus a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender as a substitute.

Our FPL Team of the Week for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper & Defenders

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

Arsenal's defence had a minor wobble after an injury to their Brazilian defender, but they have recorded two clean sheets recently , with nine so far with not even half the season completed.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in only three fixtures at the Emirates this season. The strikes they conceded came from a Manchester City superstar, a long-range effort from Richarlison and a unexpected header from Wolves' attacker.

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

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

As well as being the top defence statistically, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their matches, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have drawn a blank in two consecutive games.

The South Coast club have scored just nine goals across eight matches on the road.

Timber remains a solid pick every week , with more goal threat since returning to right-back.

The Ecuadorian has registered defensive contribution points over his last four appearances, featuring a pair of shutouts.

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

One could select six Anfield assets for this fixture if the rules permitted.

Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank for the tenth occasion so far during Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

They have only managed nine strikes this campaign, with only two on the road. This is one of the safest clean sheet prospect possible.

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

Regardless of Leeds United's recent offensive form – highlighted by their striker – we're selecting a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

This would secure a third consecutive and Alderete is cementing himself as the best value defensive pick. Managers can field him with assurance across many fixtures, due to his consistent defensive contribution points.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder is expected to take on a significant part at Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, following Bruno Fernandes out injured.

Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the greatest expected goals (xG) statistically by over three goals – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds' 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle side who have not excelled away from home – with just one win in their last seven.

The former Chelsea man may inherit many of the injured star's creative responsibilities, particularly on set-pieces, and might feature as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is on the verge of a major point return and a home match against Wolves being an ideal scenario for that to happen.

Wirtz has registered attacking returns in three out of his past four games – two assists plus a defensive contribution performance.

During that spell he has created 10 chances, the most of any Liverpool, and his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

With 30 points in two games, the midfielder's current form demands attention.

He's Villa's key attacker, with an ability to producing a goal with half a yard of space inside the area.

A fixture to Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a tough assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground twice during the last three campaigns.

Strikers

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, coupled with scored five goals over three matches, Ekitike earns the captain's armband for this round.

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

It is unthinkable to omitting the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a tricky fixture on the road this week, I'm willing to look elsewhere for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m