Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week

How many Liverpool players can you fit into your team this week?

The Merseyside club have notched two consecutive victories , featuring a in-form forward in their French frontman ahead of a clash with Wolves that are tracking for one of the worst Premier League seasons in history.

If you've kept some of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , and possess the cash to spend after losing the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool options should be the primary focus.

This team of the week is assembled according to current FPL costs to fit within a £100m budget, mirroring you were playing a Free Hit.

A Look Back at Last Week's Team?

Captain Erling Haaland (32 points) , combined with the in-form pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman guided the team to a handsome score – enhanced by a 10-point cameo from Fulham's defender from the replacements.

The FPL Team of the Week for Gameweek 18

Keeper & Defenders

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

Arsenal's backline had a brief dip in the wake of an injury to Gabriel, but they have secured two shutouts over their last four matches and have nine already with not even half the season gone.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in just a handful of fixtures at the Emirates this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a spectacular effort from Tottenham's forward and a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

It's a triple selection from the Arsenal backline.

As well as being the strongest defensive unit in the game, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their fixtures, they host a Brighton team that has drawn a blank in their past two outings.

Brighton have a mere 9 goals in eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender is a steady option each gameweek , possessing greater offensive potential now he is right-back.

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

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

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

Wolves drew another blank for the 10th time this season during Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Brentford.

The Midlands side have only managed 9 goals this campaign, with only a couple away from home. It represents as safe a shutout opportunity possible.

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

Regardless of the Yorkshire club's better goalscoring upturn – including the performances of their striker – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout at home.

That would mark their third consecutive and Alderete becoming an outstanding budget defender option. Managers can select him confidently in most games, due to his potential for defensive contribution returns.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder is expected to take on a significant role for Old Trafford in the next few games, with their Portuguese maestro out injured.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team boast the best expected goals (xG) in the league by over three goals – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds' 5.68.

They face a Newcastle side that has not excelled on the road – with just a single victory from seven attempts.

Mount is likely to assume many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, especially on set-pieces, potentially play as an attacking midfielder.

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

The German playmaker is due a major point return , with a home match versus Wolves being an ideal opportunity for it.

Wirtz has registered attacking returns in three out of four recent fixtures – two assists plus a 'defcon' performance.

Over that time his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the most of any his teammates, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's hot streak demands attention.

He's Villa's key attacker, with an ability to creating a strike with minimal room in the box.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a difficult assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground twice during recent years.

Forwards

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

Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for his place, coupled with notched a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike earns the double-points role for this round.

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

It is unthinkable to dropping Haaland, although with him having a tougher fixture on the road in this round, I'm willing to pass over him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m