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

The quantity of The Reds selections might you fit into your team this week?

Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off two consecutive victories and boast a sizzling striker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are tracking for one of the worst Premier League campaigns ever.

For managers who kept a portion of your AFCON free transfers and have the cash to spend following the injury to the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, consequently assets from Anfield options ought to be the primary focus.

This team of the week is chosen according to current FPL valuations to fit within a £100m cap, as if you were playing a Free Hit.

A Look Back at Last Week's Selection?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (a huge score) and the in-form pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike guided the squad to a handsome 82 points – supplemented by a 10-point performance from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.

This Week's FPL Ideal Squad for Matchday 18

Keeper & Defence

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

The North London side's backline had a slight stumble after an injury to Gabriel, but they have recorded two clean sheets over their last four matches and have 9 so far with less than half the season played.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in only three fixtures at the Emirates this season. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a spectacular strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a unexpected goal from Wolves' attacker.

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

This week features a triple-up on the Arsenal backline.

They are the best defence in the game, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their matches, they host a Brighton team that has failed to score in their last two matches.

Brighton have a mere 9 goals from eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender is a reliable option every week , with greater goal threat since returning to right-back.

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

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

Managers would love six Liverpool assets this week if allowed.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the tenth occasion in 17 games during a recent two-nil home loss to Brentford.

They have a paltry 9 strikes all season, including a couple away from home. This is as safe a clean sheet prospect possible.

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

Regardless of Leeds United's recent offensive form – including the performances of their striker – we're selecting a Sunderland clean sheet on home soil.

That would mark a third in a row and Alderete becoming the best low-cost defender option. Managers can field him with assurance in most games, given his consistent 'defcon' points.

Midfielders

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

Mount should play a significant role at Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, with their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.

Recently, United registered the greatest xG statistically by a comfortable distance – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

They face a Newcastle United team that has been poor on the road – managing a single victory in seven.

Mount is likely to inherit a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, notably on set-pieces, and might operate as an attacking midfielder.

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

The German playmaker is on the verge of a major point return and a home match against the struggling Wolves representing the prime opportunity for that to happen.

Wirtz has delivered returns in three of four recent fixtures – a pair of assists plus a defensive contribution performance.

Over that time he's made 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, and his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's form demands attention.

He's Aston Villa's key attacker, capable of creating a strike with minimal space inside the area.

A fixture to Stamford Bridge might seem a tough proposition, the Birmingham club have won there on two occasions in the last three campaigns.

Forwards

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

Given his fixture, having no competition for his place, and having scored a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike gets the double-points role for this round.

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

It is unthinkable to dropping Haaland, however with him having a tougher away game this week, the choice is to bet against him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Amber Carpenter
Amber Carpenter

A seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in online casino reviews and strategy development.