🔗 Share this article

The quantity of The Reds assets are you able to squeeze inside your team for this round?

The Merseyside club are coming off a pair of triumphs , with a in-form attacker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a fixture with a struggling Wolves side who are tracking for one of the worst top-flight campaigns ever.

For managers who retained a portion of your AFCON free transfers , and possess the funds to spend by replacing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, consequently Liverpool picks must be the main consideration.

This team of the week is assembled using latest Fantasy Premier League valuations to stay under a £100m cap, simulating using a one-week wildcard.

What Was the Performance of Last Week's Selection?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (a huge score) , alongside the productive duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman led the team to a respectable score – enhanced by a double-digit contribution from Antonee Robinson off the bench.

Our Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 18

Keeper and Defence

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

Arsenal's defence experienced a minor wobble in the wake of the absence of Gabriel, yet they've recorded two clean sheets in their past four , with nine so far with less than half the season completed.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in only three matches at home campaign. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a spectacular strike from Tottenham's forward and a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

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

They are the top defence statistically, with a clean sheet in the majority of their matches, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have failed to score in their past two outings.

The South Coast club have scored just 9 goals across eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender is a reliable option each gameweek , with more goal threat since returning to the full-back role.

Hincapie has collected 'defcon' points over his last four starts, featuring two clean sheets.

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

I'd pick six Liverpool players this week if allowed.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out once again in 17 games in a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

The Midlands side have scored just 9 strikes this campaign, with only two on the road. That makes this a very secure clean sheet prospect available.

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

Despite the Yorkshire club's improved goalscoring upturn – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – we're selecting a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.

It would be their third consecutive , with the Paraguayan defender becoming the best value defensive pick. Managers can start him regularly across many fixtures, thanks to his potential for defensive contribution points.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder should play a bigger role for Manchester United in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes out injured.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team boast the best expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a comfortable distance – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

They face a Newcastle United side who have struggled away from home – with just one win from seven attempts.

Mount could well inherit many of the injured star's playmaking duties, especially from dead-ball situations, and could feature as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is poised for a big haul , with a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves representing an ideal opportunity for it.

He has registered attacking returns in three out of his past four fixtures – two assists plus a 'defcon' display.

During that spell his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the most among all his teammates, and his xG is 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' form demands attention.

He is Villa's key attacker, capable of scoring a strike with the smallest room in the box.

A fixture at Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a tough assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious there twice during recent years.

Forwards

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

Due to his fixture, having no rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with bagged a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike gets the captain's armband for this round.

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

There's no dropping Haaland, but with him having a more difficult away game in this round, we are opting to bet against him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m