🔗 Share this article

How many Liverpool players are you able to squeeze into your lineup for this round?

The Merseyside club have notched back-to-back wins , with a in-form attacker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are heading towards a historically poor top-flight seasons in history.

If you've retained some of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , and possess the budget to spend following the injury to the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, then assets from Anfield options must be your top priority.

The ideal squad is chosen using latest Fantasy Premier League valuations to stay under a £100m budget, as if activating a one-week wildcard.

How Did Last Week's Selection?

Skipper Erling Haaland (32 points) , combined with the in-form pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike led the team to a respectable total – supplemented by a double-digit contribution from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.

The FPL Ideal Squad for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper and Defenders

David Raya, the Gunners, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).

Arsenal's backline had a slight stumble in the wake of the absence of Gabriel, but they have secured two clean sheets in their past four , boasting 9 so far with less than the campaign's midpoint completed.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in only three home games campaign. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward and a late goal from Wolves' attacker.

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

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

Not only are they the strongest defence in FPL, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they host a Brighton team that has failed to score in two consecutive outings.

The South Coast club have only managed nine goals from eight fixtures away from home.

The Dutch defender remains a reliable option each gameweek and has increased offensive potential now he is right-back.

Hincapie has earned 'defcon' points in his past four starts, featuring a pair of shutouts.

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

Managers would love six Liverpool assets this week if the rules permitted.

Wolves were shut out once again so far in Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Brentford.

They have only managed 9 strikes all season, including two away from home. It represents as safe a shutout prospect imaginable.

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

Regardless of Leeds United's recent offensive form – highlighted by their striker – the pick is a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

It would be a third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as an outstanding low-cost defender option. You can field him regularly in most games, thanks to his regular defensive contribution returns.

Midfield

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

Mount should play a significant responsibility at Manchester United in the next few games, with their Portuguese maestro out injured.

Recently, United registered the greatest xG across the Premier League by over three goals – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds' 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle United side who have struggled in away matches – managing one win in their last seven.

The former Chelsea man is likely to take over a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, notably from dead-ball situations, and could feature as an attacking midfielder.

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

The German playmaker is poised for a major point return and a home match versus Wolves being the prime time for that to happen.

Wirtz has posted points in three of four recent games – a pair of assists plus a defensive contribution display.

During that spell he's made 10 chances, the most of any Liverpool, while his expected goals is 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's form cannot be overlooked.

He is Villa's talisman, capable of producing a goal from half a yard of room inside the area.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge may appear a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have won at that ground twice during the last three campaigns.

Strikers

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

Due to his fixture, a lack of competition for his place, coupled with bagged a five-goal haul in three games, the French striker earns the captaincy for this round.

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

There's no omitting Haaland, but because he has a tougher away game this week, the choice is to bet against him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m