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How many The Reds selections might you squeeze inside your squad for this round?

The Merseyside club are coming off back-to-back wins , featuring a in-form striker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are tracking for a historically poor top-flight seasons in history.

Should you have retained a few of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers , with the cash to upgrade by replacing the injured Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool players ought to be the main consideration.

This team of the week is assembled according to latest Fantasy Premier League costs to fit within a £100m cap, mirroring activating a one-week wildcard.

What Was the Performance of Our Recent Selection?

Captain Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , alongside the in-form pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman propelled the squad to a handsome 82 points – with a bonus a double-digit performance from Fulham's defender as a substitute.

Our Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper & Defence

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

The North London side's backline had a slight stumble in the wake of an injury to Gabriel, yet they've secured two shutouts recently , boasting 9 already before half the season completed.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in just a handful of fixtures at the Emirates campaign. The strikes they conceded came from a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward and a unexpected header from Wolves' attacker.

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

This week features a triple-up from the Arsenal defence.

As well as being the strongest defence statistically, recording shutouts in more than half of their fixtures, they take on a Brighton side who have failed to score in their past two matches.

Brighton have scored just 9 strikes in eight fixtures away from home.

Timber is a reliable pick every week and has increased attacking upside operating as right-back.

Hincapie has registered defensive contribution points in his past four starts, which included two clean sheets.

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

One could select half a dozen Liverpool assets this week if allowed.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the tenth occasion this season in a recent 2-0 home loss to the Bees.

They have scored just nine strikes in total, with only a couple away from home. This is one of the safest clean sheet prospect available.

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

Despite the Yorkshire club's better offensive form – including the performances of their striker – I'm backing a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.

This would secure a third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender is cementing himself as an outstanding low-cost defender option. Managers can start him confidently in most games, given his consistent defensive contribution points.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder is expected to take on a bigger responsibility at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, with their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.

Over the past three games, United boast the best xG statistically by over three goals – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds' 5.68.

They face a Newcastle United side that has been poor on the road – managing one win from seven attempts.

The former Chelsea man may assume a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, especially from dead-ball situations, and could feature as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is on the verge of a big haul , with a home match against Wolves representing the prime opportunity for it.

He has registered attacking returns in three of his last four fixtures – a pair of assists and one defensive contribution display.

In that period he's made 10 chances, the most of any Liverpool, while his xG is 0.88.

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

With 30 points in two games, the midfielder's current form cannot be overlooked.

He's Aston Villa's talisman, with an ability to producing a goal with half a yard of room in the box.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge might seem a difficult proposition, but Villa have won there in two of the past three seasons.

Forwards

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

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for a starting spot, and having bagged a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike earns the captain's armband for this round.

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

One cannot consider dropping Haaland, however with him having a more difficult away game this week, I'm willing to pass over him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m