🔗 Share this article

What number of The Reds assets might you fit in your lineup this week?

The Merseyside club have secured a pair of triumphs , featuring a red-hot striker in their French frontman preparing for a encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers currently on course for one of the worst top-flight campaigns on record.

If you've retained some of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , with the budget to upgrade following the injury to the injured Bruno Fernandes, then assets from Anfield options ought to be the primary focus.

The weekly selection is chosen according to present Fantasy Premier League prices to comply with a 100 million pound budget, simulating using a Free Hit.

What Was the Performance of Last Week's Squad?

Captain Manchester City's striker (a huge score) , alongside the hot duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike led the squad to a handsome 82 points – enhanced by a 10-point performance from Antonee Robinson off the bench.

The Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper and Defenders

David Raya, the Gunners, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).

The North London side's backline had a slight stumble after the absence of their Brazilian defender, however, they've recorded two clean sheets recently , boasting nine already with less than the campaign's midpoint completed.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in only three matches at home this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a spectacular effort from Richarlison , plus a unexpected goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

It's a triple selection from the Arsenal backline.

Not only are they the top defensive unit in the game, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their fixtures, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has drawn a blank in two consecutive games.

The South Coast club have a mere 9 strikes across eight fixtures away from home.

Timber remains a solid option each gameweek , with more attacking upside operating as the full-back role.

Hincapie has earned defensive contribution points in his past four appearances, including two clean sheets.

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

I'd pick half a dozen Anfield players for this fixture if possible.

Wolves failed to score for the tenth occasion in 17 games in Saturday's 2-0 home loss to the Bees.

They have a paltry 9 strikes in total, including two on the road. This is a very secure shutout bet imaginable.

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

Regardless of the Yorkshire club's better goalscoring upturn – including the performances of their striker – I'm backing a Stadium of Light clean sheet at home.

That would mark a third in a row and the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as an outstanding value defender option. Managers can start him confidently across many fixtures, given his consistent defensive contribution returns.

Midfielders

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

Mount is expected to take on a bigger part at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, due to their Portuguese maestro out injured.

Recently, United boast the best xG in the league by a comfortable distance – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds' 5.68.

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

The former Chelsea man may inherit a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, especially on set-pieces, and could operate in the number 10 role.

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

Wirtz is due a major point return and a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves representing the prime scenario for that to happen.

Wirtz has posted points across his past four fixtures – a pair of assists and one 'defcon' display.

During that spell he's made 10 chances, the highest among all his teammates, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points in two games, Rogers' current form demands attention.

He is Aston Villa's key attacker, with an ability to scoring a strike with minimal space in the box.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge may appear a tough proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious there twice during the last three campaigns.

Strikers

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

Given his fixture, a lack of competition for his place, coupled with bagged a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike gets the double-points role for this round.

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

One cannot consider omitting the Norwegian goal machine, but because he has a tougher fixture on the road in this round, the choice is to look elsewhere with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m