Captain Hugo Ekitike along with a Triple Arsenal Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Squad for the Round

How many The Reds players are you able to accommodate into your squad in the upcoming gameweek?

The Merseyside club have notched two consecutive victories , featuring a red-hot attacker in Hugo Ekitike going into a encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers that are heading towards one of the worst top-flight campaigns on record.

If you've retained a few of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers and have the cash to spend after losing the injured Manchester United's playmaker, in that case Liverpool options must be your top priority.

The team of the week is chosen based on latest Fantasy Premier League prices to fit within a £100m budget, simulating using a Free Hit.

How Did Last Week's Selection?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a huge score) and the in-form pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman led the selection to a handsome 82 points – supplemented by a double-digit performance from Fulham's defender off the bench.

This Week's Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper & Defence

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

The North London side's defence experienced a minor wobble following the absence of Gabriel, but they have secured two shutouts recently and have 9 to their name before the campaign's midpoint gone.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in just a handful of matches at home campaign. Those goals were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a late header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

It's a triple-up from the Gunners' backline.

They are the best defence statistically, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has failed to score in their last two matches.

The South Coast club have a mere nine goals across eight away games.

Timber continues to be a solid pick each gameweek , possessing more goal threat now he is right-back.

The Ecuadorian has earned defensive contribution points over his last four starts, including two clean sheets.

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

I'd pick half a dozen Anfield assets this week if possible.

Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the 10th time so far during Saturday's two-nil home loss to Brentford.

They have only managed nine goals this campaign, with only a couple away from home. That makes this one of the safest clean sheet bet possible.

Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).

Even with the Yorkshire club's improved goalscoring upturn – highlighted by their striker – we're selecting a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

It would be a third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as the best budget defensive pick. You can select him confidently across many fixtures, thanks to his regular defensive contribution points.

Midfield

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

Mount will likely assume a significant part for Manchester United in the next few games, following Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.

Over the past three games, United registered the best xG across the Premier League by over three goals – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

They face a Newcastle team who have not excelled on the road – managing a single victory in their last seven.

Mount is likely to take over many of the injured star's creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, potentially operate behind the striker.

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

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

Wirtz has delivered returns across his past four games – a pair of assists and one defensive contribution performance.

In that period he has created 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, while his xG totals 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's form cannot be overlooked.

He's Villa's main goal threat, capable of producing a strike with the smallest space inside the area.

A fixture at Stamford Bridge may appear a challenging proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground in two of the past three seasons.

Forwards

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

Given his fixture, a lack of rivalry for his place, and having notched a five-goal haul over three matches, the French striker earns the captaincy for this round.

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

It is unthinkable to benching the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a tougher fixture on the road in this round, the choice is to bet against him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Danielle Davis
Danielle Davis

A seasoned casino enthusiast and gaming strategist with over a decade of experience in analyzing slot machines and casino trends.