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

How many The Reds players can you accommodate in your lineup for this round?

The Merseyside club have notched back-to-back wins , featuring a in-form attacker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a clash with a struggling Wolves side currently on course for an abysmal Premier League campaigns on record.

If you've held onto a few of your AFCON transfers and have the budget to reinvest following the injury to the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, consequently assets from Anfield options should be the main consideration.

The ideal squad is constructed using latest Fantasy Premier League prices to comply with a 100 million pound spending limit, simulating activating a one-week wildcard.

A Look Back at Our Recent Squad?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (32 points) , combined with the in-form duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman propelled the team to a solid 82 points – enhanced by a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender from the replacements.

Our FPL Ideal Squad for Matchday 18

Keeper & Defenders

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

Arsenal's backline experienced a minor wobble after the absence of their Brazilian defender, yet they've secured two shutouts over their last four matches and have nine so far with not even half the season played.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in just a handful of fixtures at the Emirates this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward and a late header from Wolves' attacker.

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

This week features a three-pronged on the Gunners' backline.

As well as being the strongest defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they face a Brighton side that has not found the net in two consecutive outings.

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

The Dutch defender remains a steady option every week , possessing increased offensive potential operating as right-back.

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

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

I'd pick half a dozen Anfield players this week if the rules permitted.

Wolves were shut out once again so far in Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

The Midlands side have only managed 9 goals in total, with only two away from home. That makes this as safe a shutout bet imaginable.

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

Regardless of Leeds United's better offensive form – and the form of their striker – I'm backing a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.

It would be a third in a row and the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as the best value defensive pick. Managers can select him regularly in most games, due to his consistent 'defcon' returns.

Midfielders

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

Mount should play a significant part for Manchester United in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes out injured.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the best expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by over three goals – 8.78 against second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle United side that has been poor on the road – with just one win in seven.

Mount could well take over a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, particularly from dead-ball situations, potentially feature in the number 10 role.

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

Wirtz is poised for a big haul , with a home match versus Wolves being a perfect opportunity for that to happen.

Wirtz has delivered returns in three of his past four games – two assists plus a 'defcon' performance.

During that spell he has created 10 chances, the highest of any his teammates, and his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

With 30 points over two matches, Rogers' form cannot be overlooked.

He's Villa's talisman, capable of creating a strike from the smallest space inside the area.

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

Forwards

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

Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with bagged five goals over three matches, the French striker gets the captaincy this week.

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

It is unthinkable to benching Haaland, although with him having a tougher fixture on the road this week, the choice is to look elsewhere with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Lindsey Foster
Lindsey Foster

A tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for demystifying complex technologies and sharing practical insights.