🔗 Share this article Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Gunners Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week The quantity of Liverpool players can you squeeze inside your team this week? The Merseyside club have notched a pair of triumphs , with a sizzling striker in their French frontman going into a fixture with Wolves who are on course for a historically poor Premier League campaigns on record. Should you have held onto some of your AFCON transfers , and possess the budget to spend following the injury to the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, consequently assets from Anfield players ought to be the main consideration. The weekly selection is chosen according to present Fantasy Premier League valuations to fit within a £100m budget, as if using a one-week wildcard. What Was the Performance of Our Recent Selection? Captain Erling Haaland (a huge score) , combined with the in-form duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike propelled the selection to a handsome score – supplemented by a 10-point cameo from Fulham's defender as a substitute. This Week's FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18 Keeper & Defenders David Raya, Arsenal, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H). The North London side's backline experienced a slight stumble after an injury to their Brazilian defender, but they have recorded two clean sheets in their past four , with 9 so far before the campaign's midpoint played. The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in only three home games this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a surprise header from Tolu Arokodare. Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H). We're opting for a triple selection from the Gunners' backline. They are the best defence statistically, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have failed to score in their past two outings. Brighton have only managed nine strikes across eight matches on the road. Timber is a reliable choice every week , possessing greater goal threat operating as the full-back role. Hincapie has registered defensive contribution points in four consecutive starts, featuring two clean sheets. Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H). One could select six Anfield players for this fixture if allowed. Wolves were shut out once again so far during Saturday's two-nil home loss to Brentford. They have scored just 9 strikes this campaign, with only a couple on the road. It represents as safe a clean sheet opportunity imaginable. Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds (H). Regardless of the Yorkshire club's recent goalscoring upturn – and the form of their striker – I'm backing a Stadium of Light shutout at home. That would mark their third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender is cementing himself as the best budget defender option. Managers can field him confidently across many fixtures, due to his regular 'defcon' points. Midfield Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H). Mount will likely assume a significant role at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, following Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury. Recently, Erik ten Hag's team registered the best xG in the league by a comfortable distance – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds' 5.68. They face a Newcastle United side that has struggled away from home – managing one win from seven attempts. Mount may take over a large share of the injured star's playmaking duties, notably on set-pieces, and might play behind the striker. Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H). The German playmaker is poised for a significant score and a home match versus the struggling Wolves representing a perfect scenario for that to happen. Wirtz has delivered returns in three of his last four games – a pair of assists and one defensive contribution performance. In that period his chance creation stands at 10 chances, a team-high among all his teammates, and his expected goals totals 0.88. Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A). After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' form demands attention. He's Aston Villa's key attacker, with an ability to producing a strike with the smallest room in the box. An away trip at Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a tough proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground on two occasions in the last three campaigns. Strikers Hugo Ekitike (Captain), the Reds, £8.9m – vs Wolves (H). Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for his place, and having scored a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike gets the captaincy this week. Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A). There's no omitting Haaland, although because he has a more difficult away game this week, we are opting to pass over him with the captain's role. Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m