🔗 Share this article Skipper Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Arsenal Defence – The FPL Team of the Week How many The Reds assets might you accommodate in your team for this round? The Merseyside club have notched a pair of triumphs and boast a sizzling forward in their French frontman going into a fixture with Wolves currently on course for a historically poor Premier League seasons on record. Should you have kept some of your AFCON wildcards , with the funds to upgrade after losing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, in that case Liverpool players must be the main consideration. The ideal squad is chosen based on present Fantasy Premier League prices to fit within a £100m cap, mirroring you were playing a Free Hit chip. How Did The Previous Selection? Captain Erling Haaland (32 points) and the hot pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike propelled the selection to a handsome total – enhanced by a 10-point performance from Fulham's defender off the bench. Our FPL Selection for Matchday 18 Goalkeeper and Defence David Raya, the Gunners, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H). Arsenal's defence experienced a brief dip in the wake of the absence of their Brazilian defender, however, they've secured two shutouts recently and have nine to their name with less than half the season played. The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in only three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a spectacular effort from Tottenham's forward and a unexpected header from Wolves' attacker. Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H). It's a triple-up from the Gunners' defence. As well as being the top defence in the game, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they take on a Brighton team who have drawn a blank in their past two games. Brighton have a mere 9 goals across eight fixtures away from home. The Dutch defender is a steady pick every week , possessing increased attacking upside operating as right-back. The Ecuadorian has collected defensive contribution points in his past four starts, featuring two clean sheets. Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H). Managers would love half a dozen Anfield assets this week if allowed. Wolves were shut out for the tenth occasion in 17 games in a recent 2-0 home loss to the Bees. They have a paltry nine goals all season, including two on the road. It represents a very secure clean sheet opportunity possible. Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds (H). Regardless of Leeds United's recent offensive form – including the performances of their striker – the pick is a Sunderland clean sheet at home. That would mark a third in a row , with Alderete is cementing himself as the best budget defensive pick. Managers can select him with assurance in most games, due to his potential for defensive contribution returns. Midfielders Mason Mount, Manchester United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H). Mount will likely assume a bigger part for Old Trafford in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury. Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the best xG statistically by a comfortable distance – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds' 5.68. They welcome a Newcastle United side that has been poor on the road – with just one win in their last seven. Mount is likely to assume a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, particularly on set-pieces, and could operate in the number 10 role. Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H). The German playmaker is on the verge of a big haul and a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves representing an ideal opportunity for that to happen. Wirtz has posted points across his last four games – a pair of assists and one 'defcon' display. In that period he's made 10 chances, the most among all his teammates, and his expected goals stands at 0.88. Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A). After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's current form cannot be overlooked. He's Villa's key attacker, who can creating a goal with half a yard of room in the box. An away trip to Chelsea might seem a tough assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground twice during the last three campaigns. Forwards Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H). Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no rivalry for a starting spot, and having scored a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike earns the captaincy for this round. Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A). One cannot consider benching the Norwegian goal machine, but with him having a more difficult away game this week, we are opting to bet against him for the armband. Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m