Captain Ekitike and a Triple Gunners Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Squad for the Round

How many The Reds assets are you able to squeeze inside your lineup for this round?

The Merseyside club have notched a pair of triumphs , featuring a red-hot attacker in their French frontman going into a fixture with a struggling Wolves side currently heading towards one of the worst top-flight campaigns in history.

For managers who kept a few of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers , with the funds to reinvest following the injury to the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, consequently Liverpool options should be the primary focus.

The ideal squad is assembled based on present FPL valuations to comply with a £100m spending limit, mirroring activating a one-week wildcard.

A Look Back at Last Week's Selection?

Captain Erling Haaland (a huge score) and the in-form duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman propelled the team to a handsome 82 points – with a bonus a double-digit performance from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.

This Week's Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper & Defenders

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

The North London side's defence suffered a minor wobble following an injury to Gabriel, yet they've recorded two clean sheets over their last four matches , with nine so far with not even half the season completed.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in only three home games campaign. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a unexpected goal from Wolves' attacker.

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

It's a triple selection from the Arsenal defence.

Not only are they the strongest defence in the game, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they take on a Brighton team that has not found the net in their past two matches.

Brighton have only managed 9 strikes from eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender continues to be a steady choice each gameweek , possessing greater attacking upside since returning to the full-back role.

The Ecuadorian has earned 'defcon' points in his past four starts, including a pair of shutouts.

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

Managers would love half a dozen Anfield assets for this fixture if possible.

Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the 10th time in 17 games in Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

The Midlands side have scored just nine strikes this campaign, including a couple away from home. It represents as safe a shutout prospect imaginable.

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

Despite the Yorkshire club's improved goalscoring upturn – highlighted by their striker – the pick is a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.

That would mark a third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as the best value defender option. Managers can select him confidently in most games, thanks to his potential for 'defcon' points.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder should play a key role at Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, following their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.

Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team boast the best xG in the league by over three goals – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle side who have been poor in away matches – managing a single victory in their last seven.

The former Chelsea man could well assume many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, especially from dead-ball situations, and might play as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is due a significant score , with a home match against Wolves representing the prime opportunity for that to happen.

Wirtz has posted points across his last four games – a pair of assists plus a defensive contribution performance.

In that period he has created 10 chances, a team-high among all Liverpool, and his xG stands at 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's hot streak demands attention.

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

A fixture to Chelsea may appear a tough assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious there on two occasions in recent years.

Forwards

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

Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no rivalry for his place, coupled with scored five goals over three matches, the French striker earns the captain's armband this week.

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

One cannot consider omitting the Norwegian goal machine, but because he has a tricky fixture on the road in this round, the choice is to look elsewhere for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Maureen Hess
Maureen Hess

A data scientist and AI researcher with a passion for making complex tech concepts accessible to everyone.