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

The quantity of The Reds assets are you able to accommodate in your team for this round?

The Merseyside club have secured a pair of triumphs , with a sizzling attacker in Hugo Ekitike going into a fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers currently on course for one of the worst top-flight campaigns in history.

For managers who held onto a portion of your AFCON transfers , and possess the funds to upgrade by replacing the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, in that case Liverpool options ought to be the main consideration.

The team of the week is chosen according to present FPL prices to stay under a 100 million pound budget, as if activating a Free Hit.

What Was the Performance of Last Week's Team?

Captain Manchester City's striker (32 points) and the hot pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike guided the selection to a handsome 82 points – with a bonus a 10-point contribution from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.

This Week's FPL Selection for Gameweek 18

Keeper and Defenders

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

Arsenal's defence experienced a slight stumble in the wake of an injury to Gabriel, yet they've recorded two shutouts recently and have 9 already before half the season completed.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in all but three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular effort from Tottenham's forward and a surprise goal from Wolves' attacker.

Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).

We're opting for a three-pronged from the Gunners' backline.

As well as being the best defence in FPL, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they face a Brighton side who have not found the net in their past two matches.

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

Timber remains a solid pick every week , possessing increased attacking upside now he is the full-back role.

The Ecuadorian has earned defensive contribution points in four consecutive starts, which included a pair of shutouts.

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

One could select six Liverpool players this week if possible.

Wolves drew another blank once again so far during a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

They have scored just 9 strikes all season, including a couple on the road. This is as safe a clean sheet prospect available.

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

Even with Leeds United's better goalscoring upturn – and the form of their striker – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

This would secure a third consecutive , with Alderete is cementing himself as an outstanding budget defender option. Managers can start him with assurance in most games, thanks to his potential for defensive contribution returns.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder should play a bigger part for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, due to their Portuguese maestro out injured.

In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team boast the greatest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a significant margin – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds' 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle United side that has not excelled away from home – managing a single victory in seven.

Mount could well take over a large share of the injured star's playmaking duties, particularly from dead-ball situations, and could operate in the number 10 role.

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

The German playmaker is poised for a significant score and a fixture at Anfield against the struggling Wolves being an ideal opportunity for that to happen.

He has registered attacking returns across his last four fixtures – two assists and one 'defcon' performance.

In that period his chance creation stands at 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, while his xG stands at 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' current form is impossible to ignore.

He's Villa's main goal threat, with an ability to creating a goal from minimal room inside the area.

A fixture at Chelsea might seem a difficult assignment, the Birmingham club have won at that ground on two occasions in recent years.

Strikers

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

Given his fixture, a lack of competition for a starting spot, and having notched a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike gets the captain's armband for this round.

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

One cannot consider benching the Norwegian goal machine, however with him having a tricky away game this week, I'm willing to bet against him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m