🔗 Share this article Skipper Hugo Ekitike along with a Triple Gunners Backline – The FPL Squad for the Round What number of Liverpool players might you fit into your squad this week? Jurgen Klopp's side have notched a pair of triumphs , with a sizzling attacker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a clash with Wolves currently heading towards a historically poor Premier League campaigns in history. If you've held onto some of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers , with the budget to upgrade by replacing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, in that case Liverpool players must be your top priority. The ideal squad is chosen according to present Fantasy Premier League costs to fit within a 100 million pound budget, mirroring you were playing a Free Hit chip. A Look Back at Our Recent Selection? Captain Erling Haaland (a massive haul) and the productive duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman guided the selection to a respectable total – with a bonus a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender from the replacements. Our FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18 Keeper and Defence David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H). The North London side's backline experienced a slight stumble in the wake of the absence of Gabriel, but they have secured two clean sheets over their last four matches , boasting 9 to their name before half the season gone. Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in all but three fixtures at the Emirates this season. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a wondrous effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare. Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H). It's a triple-up from the Arsenal backline. They are the best defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in more than half of their fixtures, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has drawn a blank in their last two games. The South Coast club have scored just 9 strikes in eight matches on the road. The Dutch defender remains a steady pick each gameweek and has more offensive potential since returning to the full-back role. The Ecuadorian has registered defensive contribution points in four consecutive starts, which included two clean sheets. Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolves (H). I'd pick six Liverpool players this week if the rules permitted. Wolves were shut out for the tenth occasion in 17 games during a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to Brentford. The Midlands side have only managed nine goals in total, including a couple on the road. It represents as safe a shutout prospect possible. Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds (H). Despite the Yorkshire club's better offensive form – and the form of their striker – the pick is a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil. That would mark their third consecutive and Alderete is cementing himself as the best budget defender option. You can select him confidently in most games, due to his consistent 'defcon' returns. Midfielders Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H). Mount will likely assume a significant responsibility at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, following Bruno Fernandes being sidelined. Recently, Erik ten Hag's team boast the highest xG across the Premier League by a significant margin – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds' 5.68. They welcome a Newcastle team who have been poor in away matches – managing a single victory from seven attempts. The former Chelsea man is likely to inherit many of the injured star's playmaking duties, especially from dead-ball situations, and might operate in the number 10 role. Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H). Wirtz is on the verge of a significant score , with a home match against the struggling Wolves representing the prime scenario for that to happen. Wirtz has posted points in three of his past four games – a pair of assists plus a defensive contribution performance. In that period his chance creation stands at 10 chances, a team-high of any his teammates, and his xG stands at 0.88. Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A). Boasting 30 points in two games, the midfielder's hot streak is impossible to ignore. He's Villa's main goal threat, with an ability to scoring a strike with minimal space in the box. An away trip at Stamford Bridge might seem a tough proposition, the Birmingham club have won there in two of the past three seasons. Forwards Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H). Given his fixture, having no competition for a starting spot, coupled with notched a five-goal haul in three games, the French striker receives the captain's armband this week. Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A). One cannot consider dropping the Norwegian goal machine, however with him having a tricky away game this week, we are opting to bet against him with the captain's role. Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m