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What number of The Reds assets might you squeeze in your team for this round?

The Merseyside club have notched two consecutive victories , featuring a sizzling attacker in their French frontman ahead of a clash with a struggling Wolves side that are on course for one of the worst top-flight campaigns on record.

For managers who retained a few of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , and possess the funds to upgrade after losing the injured Bruno Fernandes, then assets from Anfield players should be the main consideration.

This team of the week is chosen according to latest FPL prices to comply with a £100m spending limit, mirroring you were playing a Free Hit.

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Captain Erling Haaland (32 points) , combined with the in-form pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike propelled the squad to a respectable total – supplemented by a double-digit performance from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.

Our Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Matchday 18

Keeper and Defence

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

Arsenal's defence experienced a slight stumble after an injury to their Brazilian defender, however, they've kept two shutouts over their last four matches and have nine to their name with not even half the season played.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in just a handful of matches at home this season. The strikes they conceded came from a Manchester City superstar, a long-range strike from Tottenham's forward and a late goal from Wolves' attacker.

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

We're opting for a three-pronged from the Gunners' backline.

As well as being the strongest defence in the game, recording shutouts in over 50% of their fixtures, they host a Brighton side who have not found the net in their last two outings.

The South Coast club have scored just nine strikes across eight fixtures away from home.

The Dutch defender continues to be a solid pick every week , possessing greater goal threat now he is right-back.

Hincapie has earned defensive contribution points in his past four starts, which included a pair of shutouts.

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

Managers would love six Anfield players this week if possible.

Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the tenth occasion so far in Saturday's two-nil home loss to the Bees.

The Midlands side have scored just nine strikes in total, including a couple away from home. That makes this a very secure clean sheet opportunity available.

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

Regardless of Leeds United's improved goalscoring upturn – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

It would be a third consecutive , with the Paraguayan defender becoming the best budget defender option. Managers can select him with assurance in most games, given his consistent defensive contribution points.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder should play a significant role at Old Trafford in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team registered the greatest xG in the league by a significant margin – 8.78 against the next best Leeds' 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle team who have been poor on the road – managing one win in their last seven.

Mount could well assume many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, particularly on set-pieces, potentially play in the number 10 role.

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

The German playmaker is on the verge of a big haul and a home match versus the struggling Wolves being a perfect opportunity for it.

Wirtz has posted points across his past four games – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' display.

Over that time he's made 10 chances, the most among all his teammates, and his xG is 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points in two games, the midfielder's form demands attention.

He's Aston Villa's key attacker, with an ability to creating a goal from minimal space inside the area.

A fixture to Chelsea may appear a challenging proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious there twice during the last three campaigns.

Forwards

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

Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for his place, and having scored five goals over three matches, the French striker earns the captain's armband for this round.

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

It is unthinkable to benching Haaland, although with him having a tricky away game in this round, the choice is to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m