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

What number of The Reds assets are you able to fit into your team this week?

The Merseyside club are coming off back-to-back wins , with a in-form forward in their French frontman preparing for a encounter with a struggling Wolves side currently tracking for an abysmal Premier League campaigns on record.

For managers who kept some of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , with the budget to upgrade after losing the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, then assets from Anfield picks should be the main consideration.

The weekly selection is constructed based on latest Fantasy Premier League prices to fit within a £100m budget, as if using a Free Hit.

A Look Back at Last Week's Selection?

Skipper Erling Haaland (32 points) , alongside the hot pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman guided the selection to a handsome total – enhanced by a 10-point cameo from Antonee Robinson off the bench.

The Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper and Defenders

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

The North London side's backline suffered a brief dip in the wake of the absence of Gabriel, but they have secured two clean sheets recently , with nine to their name before the campaign's midpoint gone.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in all but three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a late header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

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

They are the strongest defence in the game, with a clean sheet in the majority of their matches, they take on a Brighton team who have drawn a blank in their past two outings.

Brighton have scored just 9 strikes across eight away games.

The Dutch defender continues to be a steady option each gameweek and has greater attacking upside since returning to the full-back role.

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

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

One could select six Liverpool players for this fixture if allowed.

Wolves drew another blank for the 10th time this season during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

The Midlands side have a paltry 9 strikes in total, with only two away from home. That makes this as safe a shutout bet available.

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

Even with Leeds United's better goalscoring upturn – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Stadium of Light shutout at home.

This would secure a third consecutive and Alderete establishing himself as a prime low-cost defensive pick. You can select him regularly across many fixtures, thanks to his regular defensive contribution points.

Midfielders

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

Mount should play a key part for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, due to their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.

Over the past three games, United registered the highest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a comfortable distance – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds' 5.68.

They face a Newcastle United side that has struggled away from home – managing a single victory in their last seven.

Mount may take over a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, and might operate as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is due a big haul , with a home match against Wolves representing the prime opportunity for that to happen.

Wirtz has delivered returns across his last four games – a pair of assists plus a defensive contribution display.

Over that time his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the most of any his teammates, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

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

He is Aston Villa's main goal threat, with an ability to scoring a strike with the smallest space inside the area.

An away trip to Chelsea may appear a difficult proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious there in two of the last three campaigns.

Forwards

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

Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for his place, and having bagged a five-goal haul in three games, the French striker receives the captain's armband this week.

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

There's no dropping Haaland, although with him having a tougher away game in this round, I'm willing to look elsewhere for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Jaime Vaughn
Jaime Vaughn

A tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about exploring digital innovations and sharing practical insights.