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How many Liverpool selections are you able to squeeze in your squad for this round?

The Merseyside club have notched back-to-back wins , with a sizzling forward in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are on course for an abysmal top-flight campaigns ever.

For managers who kept a few of your AFCON free transfers , with the funds to spend by replacing the injured Bruno Fernandes, in that case Liverpool picks should be the primary focus.

The team of the week is constructed according to present FPL costs to fit within a £100m cap, simulating you were playing a Free Hit.

What Was the Performance of Last Week's Squad?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , combined with the in-form duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike guided the team to a respectable total – with a bonus a 10-point performance from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.

Our FPL Selection for Matchday 18

Keeper and Defenders

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

Arsenal's defence had a slight stumble after an injury to Gabriel, however, they've recorded two clean sheets in their past four , with nine so far with less than half the season played.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in just a handful of home games campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward and a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

We're opting for a triple-up from the Gunners' backline.

They are the best defensive unit in the game, with a clean sheet in more than half of their matches, they host a Brighton team who have failed to score in two consecutive games.

Brighton have scored just nine goals from eight away games.

The Dutch defender is a steady option every week , with greater attacking upside since returning to the full-back role.

Hincapie has earned defensive contribution points over his last four appearances, including a pair of shutouts.

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

One could select six Liverpool assets for this fixture if the rules permitted.

Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the 10th time so far in Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Brentford.

The Midlands side have a paltry 9 strikes in total, including two on the road. That makes this a very secure clean sheet prospect available.

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

Regardless of the Yorkshire club's better offensive form – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout at home.

That would mark their third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender becoming an outstanding value defensive pick. Managers can select him confidently in most games, due to his regular 'defcon' returns.

Midfielders

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

Mount is expected to take on a significant responsibility for Manchester United in the next few games, due to their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.

In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the highest expected goals (xG) in the league by over three goals – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

They face a Newcastle side who have struggled away from home – managing a single victory from seven attempts.

The former Chelsea man is likely to take over a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, and could feature behind the striker.

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

The German playmaker is poised for a big haul and a home match versus Wolves representing an ideal opportunity for that to happen.

Wirtz has posted points in three of his past four games – a pair of assists plus a defensive contribution display.

During that spell his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the most among all Liverpool, and his expected goals is 0.88.

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

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

He's Aston Villa's main goal threat, capable of creating a goal from the smallest room inside the area.

A fixture to Chelsea may appear a challenging proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious there twice during recent years.

Forwards

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

Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for his place, and having notched a five-goal haul over three matches, the French striker earns the captain's armband this week.

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

It is unthinkable to benching Haaland, although because he has a tougher fixture on the road in this round, the choice is to look elsewhere for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m