🔗 Share this article Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Gunners Backline – The FPL Team of the Week What number of The Reds assets can you accommodate in your lineup this week? The Merseyside club are coming off a pair of triumphs and boast a in-form attacker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a fixture with Wolves currently heading towards a historically poor Premier League seasons on record. For managers who held onto a few of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , and possess the funds to upgrade following the injury to the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool picks should be the primary focus. The weekly selection is chosen using latest FPL costs to stay under a £100m spending limit, as if you were playing a Free Hit. How Did Our Recent Squad? Skipper Erling Haaland (32 points) and the in-form pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman led the squad to a solid score – supplemented by a double-digit contribution from Antonee Robinson from the replacements. The Fantasy Premier League Selection for Matchday 18 Keeper and Defence David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H). The North London side's defence suffered a minor wobble in the wake of an injury to their Brazilian defender, yet they've recorded two shutouts over their last four matches , with 9 to their name with less than the campaign's midpoint played. Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in all but three home games campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Richarlison , plus a late header from Wolves' attacker. Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs the Seagulls (H). This week features a triple selection from the Arsenal backline. As well as being the strongest defence statistically, with a clean sheet in the majority of their fixtures, they take on a Brighton side that has not found the net in their last two games. Brighton have a mere nine strikes from eight fixtures away from home. The Dutch defender remains a steady option each gameweek , possessing increased attacking upside since returning to the full-back role. Hincapie has registered defensive contribution points over his last four starts, featuring a pair of shutouts. Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H). One could select half a dozen Liverpool players for this fixture if allowed. Wolves drew another blank for the 10th time in 17 games during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to Brentford. They have scored just nine goals in total, including two away from home. It represents a very secure shutout prospect possible. Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds (H). Even with the Yorkshire club's recent offensive form – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Stadium of Light shutout at home. This would secure their third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender becoming an outstanding value defensive pick. Managers can field him confidently across many fixtures, thanks to his potential for defensive contribution points. Midfield Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H). The English midfielder is expected to take on a key part at Old Trafford in the next few games, following their Portuguese maestro out injured. In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the highest xG in the league by over three goals – 8.78 against second-best Leeds' 5.68. They welcome a Newcastle United side that has struggled in away matches – with just one win in seven. Mount is likely to take over many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, especially on set-pieces, and could operate behind the striker. Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H). Wirtz is on the verge of a significant score and a home match versus the struggling Wolves representing the prime opportunity for it. He has delivered returns in three out of his last four games – a pair of assists and one 'defcon' performance. During that spell he has created 10 chances, the highest among all Liverpool, and his xG is 0.88. Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A). After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' current form demands attention. He is Villa's key attacker, capable of scoring a goal from the smallest room in the box. An away trip to Chelsea might seem a tough proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground on two occasions in the last three campaigns. Forwards Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H). Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for a starting spot, and having scored five goals in three games, Ekitike gets the double-points role this week. Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A). It is unthinkable to dropping Haaland, however because he has a tricky fixture on the road in this round, I'm willing to look elsewhere for the armband. Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m