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

The quantity of Liverpool players can you fit into your team for this round?

The Merseyside club are coming off a pair of triumphs , featuring a sizzling striker in their French frontman ahead of a clash with a struggling Wolves side that are tracking for a historically poor Premier League campaigns ever.

If you've held onto a portion of your AFCON wildcards and have the cash to upgrade after losing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, consequently assets from Anfield options must be the primary focus.

This team of the week is chosen according to latest Fantasy Premier League costs to comply with a £100m budget, mirroring using a one-week wildcard.

What Was the Performance of The Previous Selection?

Captain Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) and the in-form pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike propelled the selection to a respectable 82 points – enhanced by a 10-point cameo from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.

Our FPL Team of the Week for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper & Defence

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

The North London side's backline suffered a slight stumble after the absence of Gabriel, but they have recorded two shutouts over their last four matches and have nine to their name before half the season played.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in only three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular strike from Tottenham's forward and a late header from Wolves' attacker.

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

We're opting for a three-pronged from the Arsenal defence.

As well as being the top defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has drawn a blank in their last two outings.

The South Coast club have scored just 9 goals from eight fixtures away from home.

The Dutch defender remains a reliable option every week , with greater goal threat operating as the full-back role.

The Ecuadorian has earned 'defcon' points in his past four starts, featuring two clean sheets.

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

One could select half a dozen Anfield assets this week if allowed.

Wolves failed to score for the 10th time so far in a recent two-nil home loss to the Bees.

The Midlands side have scored just 9 goals all season, with only two on the road. This is a very secure shutout bet available.

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

Despite Leeds United's better goalscoring upturn – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.

That would mark a third in a row and Alderete becoming a prime budget defender option. Managers can field him with assurance across many fixtures, thanks to his consistent defensive contribution returns.

Midfield

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

Mount is expected to take on a significant role for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, due to Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.

Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team registered the greatest xG across the Premier League by a comfortable distance – 8.78 against the next best Leeds' 5.68.

They face a Newcastle United team that has struggled on the road – with just one win in seven.

The former Chelsea man could well assume a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, notably on set-pieces, and might feature behind the striker.

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

The German playmaker is poised for a major point return and a fixture at Anfield against the struggling Wolves being an ideal time for that to happen.

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

During that spell he has created 10 chances, the highest of any Liverpool, while his expected goals is 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's current form demands attention.

He is Villa's main goal threat, capable of scoring a goal with the smallest space in the box.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge may appear a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have won there on two occasions in the last three campaigns.

Forwards

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

Because of his fixture, having no competition for a starting spot, coupled with scored five goals in three games, the French striker gets the double-points role this week.

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

One cannot consider omitting the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a tougher fixture on the road in this round, I'm willing to look elsewhere for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m