🔗 Share this article

How many The Reds assets can you squeeze into your lineup this week?

The Merseyside club have secured a pair of triumphs , with a sizzling striker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers that are on course for an abysmal top-flight campaigns on record.

For managers who held onto a few of your AFCON free transfers , and possess the cash to upgrade by replacing the injured Bruno Fernandes, in that case assets from Anfield options must be your top priority.

This weekly selection is constructed based on latest FPL prices to comply with a £100m budget, mirroring you were playing a Free Hit chip.

How Did Our Recent Squad?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (32 points) , alongside the hot duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike guided the squad to a solid 82 points – supplemented by a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender off the bench.

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

Goalkeeper & Defenders

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

Arsenal's defence had a slight stumble following an injury to Gabriel, yet they've recorded two shutouts in their past four , with 9 already with less than half the season gone.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in only three home games this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward and a unexpected goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

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

Not only are they the top defence in FPL, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they host a Brighton side that has not found the net in two consecutive outings.

Brighton have a mere nine goals from eight away games.

Timber remains a solid option each gameweek , with more attacking upside since returning to the full-back role.

Hincapie has collected 'defcon' points in his past four appearances, which included a pair of shutouts.

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

I'd pick half a dozen Liverpool players for this fixture if allowed.

Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank once again this season in a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

They have a paltry 9 goals this campaign, including two on the road. That makes this as safe a shutout bet possible.

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

Even with Leeds United's better offensive form – highlighted by their striker – we're selecting a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.

This would secure a third in a row and Alderete is cementing himself as an outstanding value defender option. You can select him with assurance in most games, thanks to his regular defensive contribution points.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a significant part at Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, due to their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.

Recently, United have generated the best expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a comfortable distance – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds' 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle United side who have not excelled in away matches – with just one win in their last seven.

The former Chelsea man could well assume many of the injured star's playmaking duties, notably on set-pieces, potentially operate behind the striker.

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

The German playmaker is due a significant score and a home match versus the struggling Wolves representing a perfect scenario for it.

Wirtz has posted points across his past four games – two assists and one defensive contribution performance.

During that spell he has created 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, and his xG is 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's form demands attention.

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

An away trip at Stamford Bridge may appear a tough proposition, but Villa have won at that ground twice during recent years.

Forwards

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

Given his fixture, a lack of rivalry for his place, coupled with notched a five-goal haul over three matches, the French striker gets the captain's armband this week.

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

One cannot consider dropping Haaland, however because he has a tougher fixture on the road in this round, I'm willing to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m