Skipper Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Gunners Backline – The FPL Squad for the Round

How many The Reds players are you able to fit inside your squad for this round?

Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off back-to-back wins , featuring a sizzling attacker in their French frontman preparing for a encounter with a struggling Wolves side currently heading towards a historically poor top-flight seasons ever.

If you've held onto some of your AFCON transfers and have the budget to spend by replacing the injured Manchester United's playmaker, then assets from Anfield players must be your top priority.

The ideal squad is chosen according to current FPL valuations to fit within a £100m spending limit, simulating activating a Free Hit chip.

What Was the Performance of Last Week's Team?

Captain Erling Haaland (a huge score) and the productive duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike propelled the team to a solid 82 points – with a bonus a double-digit performance from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.

The FPL Ideal Squad for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper and Defenders

David Raya, Arsenal, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).

Arsenal's defence experienced a brief dip after the absence of Gabriel, however, they've secured two clean sheets in their past four , with 9 already with less than half the season completed.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in just a handful of matches at home campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a spectacular effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a late header from Wolves' attacker.

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

We're opting for a triple-up from the Arsenal backline.

Not only are they the top defence in the game, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have not found the net in their last two games.

Brighton have only managed nine goals from eight away games.

Timber continues to be a reliable choice each gameweek , with increased attacking upside since returning to right-back.

Hincapie has registered defensive contribution points over his last four appearances, which included two clean sheets.

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

One could select half a dozen Anfield assets for this fixture if the rules permitted.

Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank for the tenth occasion in 17 games in Saturday's two-nil home loss to the Bees.

They have a paltry nine strikes in total, with only two on the road. It represents as safe a shutout bet imaginable.

Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds (H).

Regardless of the Yorkshire club's improved offensive form – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Sunderland shutout at home.

This would secure their third in a row and the Paraguayan defender is cementing himself as the best budget defensive pick. You can field him regularly across many fixtures, thanks to his consistent defensive contribution returns.

Midfield

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

Mount should play a significant responsibility at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, with Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the highest expected goals (xG) in the league by over three goals – 8.78 against the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

They face a Newcastle side that has struggled away from home – with just a single victory in seven.

Mount could well assume many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, notably from dead-ball situations, potentially play as an attacking midfielder.

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

The German playmaker is due a big haul and a home match against Wolves being the prime opportunity for it.

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

During that spell he's made 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, and his xG stands at 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points over two matches, Rogers' current form cannot be overlooked.

He's Villa's key attacker, who can creating a goal with half a yard of space inside the area.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge may appear a challenging assignment, but Villa have won at that ground in two of recent years.

Forwards

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

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for his place, and having scored a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike receives the double-points role this week.

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

It is unthinkable to omitting the Norwegian goal machine, but because he has a more difficult fixture on the road this week, we are opting to bet against him for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m

Kristina Larson
Kristina Larson

A passionate storyteller and digital content creator, Elara crafts engaging narratives that captivate readers worldwide.