Captain Ekitike and a Triple Gunners Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week

The quantity of The Reds assets might you fit inside your squad for this round?

The Merseyside club have secured back-to-back wins , featuring a sizzling striker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a clash with Wolves currently on course for one of the worst Premier League campaigns ever.

If you've retained a few of your AFCON wildcards , with the cash to upgrade by replacing the injured Bruno Fernandes, then assets from Anfield options ought to be your top priority.

The ideal squad is constructed based on latest FPL costs to stay under a 100 million pound cap, mirroring using a Free Hit.

How Did Our Recent Squad?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (a huge score) , combined with the in-form pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman led the selection to a handsome 82 points – with a bonus a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender from the replacements.

The Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Keeper and Defenders

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

The North London side's backline suffered a minor wobble in the wake of an injury to Gabriel, yet they've kept two clean sheets in their past four , with 9 already with not even half the season completed.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in just a handful of home games campaign. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a long-range strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a surprise header from Wolves' attacker.

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

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

Not only are they the strongest defensive unit statistically, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have drawn a blank in their last two games.

Brighton have scored just nine strikes from eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender remains a solid pick every week , possessing more offensive potential since returning to right-back.

The Ecuadorian has collected defensive contribution points in four consecutive starts, which included two clean sheets.

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

One could select six Liverpool players for this fixture if possible.

Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank once again so far in a recent 2-0 home loss to Brentford.

The Midlands side have scored just nine strikes all season, with only a couple on the road. This is as safe a clean sheet opportunity available.

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

Regardless of Leeds United's improved goalscoring upturn – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Sunderland shutout at home.

This would secure their third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender becoming a prime budget defensive pick. Managers can select him confidently in most games, given his consistent defensive contribution returns.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a key responsibility for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, due to their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.

In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the best xG in the league by over three goals – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

They face a Newcastle United team that has been poor on the road – with just a single victory in their last seven.

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

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

Wirtz is poised for a big haul , with a home match versus Wolves presenting a perfect time for that to happen.

Wirtz has posted points in three of his last four games – two assists plus a 'defcon' performance.

During that spell he's made 10 chances, a team-high among all his teammates, while his expected goals totals 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 is Aston Villa's main goal threat, capable of scoring a goal with the smallest room in the box.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge may appear a tough assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground twice during the past three seasons.

Forwards

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

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for his place, coupled with scored five goals over three matches, Ekitike receives the captaincy this week.

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

It is unthinkable to benching Haaland, but with him having a tricky away game this week, we are opting to look elsewhere for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Tyler Smith
Tyler Smith

A gaming technology analyst with over a decade of experience in slot machine design and industry regulation, passionate about innovation.