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What number of The Reds players are you able to accommodate inside your team for this round?

The Merseyside club have notched two consecutive victories and boast a in-form attacker in their French frontman going into a fixture with Wolves that are tracking for a historically poor top-flight seasons on record.

If you've retained a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , with the funds to upgrade after losing the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, consequently Liverpool picks ought to be the primary focus.

This team of the week is chosen using latest FPL prices to stay under a 100 million pound budget, as if using a one-week wildcard.

How Did Last Week's Selection?

Captain Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) and the productive duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike led the squad to a respectable score – supplemented by a double-digit contribution from Fulham's defender as a substitute.

This Week's Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Keeper & Defence

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

Arsenal's backline suffered a minor wobble following the absence of their Brazilian defender, yet they've recorded two clean sheets in their past four , boasting 9 so far with not even half the season completed.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in only three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a long-range effort from Richarlison and a late 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 on the Arsenal backline.

As well as being the strongest defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have drawn a blank in their past two matches.

The South Coast club have a mere nine goals in eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender continues to be a steady pick every week and has more offensive potential since returning to right-back.

The Ecuadorian has earned 'defcon' points in his past four starts, featuring a pair of shutouts.

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

I'd pick half a dozen Liverpool players for this fixture if the rules permitted.

Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the 10th time so far during a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

They have scored just nine strikes this campaign, including two away from home. That makes this a very secure shutout prospect available.

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

Even with Leeds United's better goalscoring upturn – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Sunderland clean sheet at home.

This would secure a third consecutive and Alderete is cementing himself as an outstanding value defensive pick. Managers can select him confidently in most games, given his potential for 'defcon' returns.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder is expected to take on a significant part at Old Trafford in the next few games, following their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.

In their last three matches, United boast the highest expected goals (xG) statistically by over three goals – 8.78 against the next best Leeds' 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle team who have not excelled away from home – with just a single victory from seven attempts.

The former Chelsea man may inherit a large share of the injured star's playmaking duties, especially on set-pieces, potentially play as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is poised for a major point return and a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves being a perfect scenario for it.

Wirtz has posted points in three out of four recent fixtures – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' performance.

Over that time he's made 10 chances, the highest of any Liverpool, and his xG is 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points in two games, Rogers' form cannot be overlooked.

He is Aston Villa's main goal threat, who can scoring a goal from half a yard of space inside the area.

A fixture to Stamford Bridge may appear a tough proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground in two of the past three seasons.

Forwards

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

Given his fixture, a lack of competition for a starting spot, and having bagged five goals in three games, the French striker earns the double-points role for this round.

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

One cannot consider dropping Haaland, although with him having a tougher away game in this round, the choice is to look elsewhere with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m