Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Backline – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week

What number of The Reds assets are you able to accommodate inside your squad in the upcoming gameweek?

Jurgen Klopp's side have secured a pair of triumphs , featuring a sizzling attacker in their French frontman going into a clash with Wolves who are heading towards one of the worst Premier League seasons on record.

For managers who retained a few of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers , and possess the funds to upgrade following the injury to the injured Manchester United's playmaker, consequently Liverpool options ought to be your top priority.

This team of the week is constructed using current FPL valuations to stay under a 100 million pound cap, mirroring using a Free Hit chip.

What Was the Performance of Last Week's Team?

Skipper Erling Haaland (32 points) and the in-form duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman guided the team to a respectable 82 points – supplemented by a 10-point cameo from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.

Our Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Matchday 18

Keeper and Defence

David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).

Arsenal's backline suffered a slight stumble following an injury to Gabriel, but they have secured two clean sheets in their past four and have nine so far with not even half the season played.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in only three matches at home campaign. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a late header from Wolves' attacker.

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

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

As well as being the top defence in FPL, recording shutouts in more than half of their fixtures, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have failed to score in their last two matches.

Brighton have only managed 9 strikes in eight away games.

The Dutch defender is a steady pick every week , possessing greater goal threat operating as the full-back role.

Hincapie has registered defensive contribution points over his last four starts, including a pair of shutouts.

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

Managers would love half a dozen Liverpool players this week if allowed.

Wolves drew another blank for the tenth occasion this season in Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Brentford.

The Midlands side have a paltry 9 strikes all season, including two away from home. It represents as safe a clean sheet prospect available.

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

Regardless of Leeds United's improved offensive form – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

It would be a third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender is cementing himself as a prime low-cost defender option. You can select him with assurance across many fixtures, given his consistent 'defcon' points.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder is expected to take on a key part for Old Trafford in the next few games, following Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.

Over the past three games, United boast the greatest xG statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds' 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle side who have been poor away from home – managing a single victory in seven.

The former Chelsea man is likely to take over a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, potentially play as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is due a big haul , with a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves representing a perfect opportunity for that to happen.

He has posted points in three of his last four fixtures – two assists plus a defensive contribution performance.

Over that time he's made 10 chances, the most among all Liverpool, while his xG totals 0.88.

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

With 30 points in two games, the midfielder's hot streak demands attention.

He is Villa's talisman, with an ability to creating a goal from half a yard of room inside the area.

An away trip at Chelsea might seem a tough assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious there in two of the past three seasons.

Forwards

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

Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for his place, and having scored five goals in three games, Ekitike earns the captaincy this week.

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

One cannot consider dropping Haaland, however because he has a more difficult fixture on the road in this round, the choice is to pass over him for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m