In the first of seven ‘Beat the Icon’ events, Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Challenge managers can pick a squad, go against Rio Ferdinand and have a chance of winning thousands of prizes.
As always, FPL Challenge allows participants to choose a one-week-only squad, based around a specific point-scoring quirk.
To go head-to-head with former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand, simply scan a QR entry code from relevant Coca-Cola and Coke Zero cans.
Managers from all around the world can pick a Challenge team, but those in the United Kingdom and Ireland (aged 18+) have a chance of winning over 20,000 prizes, such as Premier League match tickets, NOW TV passes, vintage Coca-Cola jerseys and more.
FPL CHALLENGE RULES
In ‘Beat the Icon’, managers select a six-a-side team that has no budgetary restrictions but can’t include more than three players per club.
As the final Gameweek deadline is unrelated to FPL’s standard one, unlimited changes can be made before and during the fixtures, though a player is locked in once their club’s match gets underway.
‘CLASSIC RIVALRY’
In this challenge, changes can be made right up until 16:30 BST on Sunday 14 September, as Rio has decided to base his around that afternoon’s Manchester derby.
Double points are coming for Man United and Man City players.
Here are a few appealing names from both Manchester sides.
Erling Haaland (£14.1m)
Starting with the most obvious one, an elite Norwegian forward who usually starts each season on fire.
His previous three Man City campaigns were packed with goals between Gameweeks 1 and 6, collecting a stunning 28 of them in 18 matches.
| GW1 | GW2 | GW3 | GW4 | GW5 | GW6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | 1 goal | 3 goals | 3 goals | 2 goals | 1 goal | 0 goals |
| 2023/24 | 2 goals | 0 goals | 1 goal | 3 goals | 1 goal | 1 goal |
| 2022/23 | 2 goals | 0 goals | 1 goal | 3 goals | 3 goals | 1 goal |
In fact, his previous Gameweek 4 outings have brought two hat-tricks and a brace.
Already on three goals from three, Haaland is the current league leader for attempts (14), big chances (six) and shots on target (five), while being far ahead for expected goal involvement (xGI, 4.16).
Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m)
After Haaland, the highest xGI belongs to Sunday’s opponent Fernandes (2.49).
Last season’s best for creating chances (91) is already in the lead for this time (12), all while racking up eight shots.
Yet what makes the Portuguese playmaker even more appealing to FPL managers is his tendency to accumulate the game’s brand-new defensive contribution points, doing so on two of three occasions.
On the verge of disappointing his owners and captainers in Gameweek 3, Fernandes’ successful stoppage-time penalty brought Ruben Amorim’s side a much-needed win over Burnley.
He boasts a good recent record versus Man City too: three goals and three assists during their last eight meetings, in all competitions.
Bryan Mbeumo (£8.1m)
A very popular FPL asset when at Brentford, Mbeumo was the game’s runner-up in 2024/25 when it came to points (236) and attacking returns (29).
Although his appeal has faded slightly since moving to Old Trafford, knowing he won’t be taking penalties, the Cameroon international is already off the mark with a goal against Burnley.
Using our Members Area stats, no teammate beats the 26-year-old’s shots (seven) or touches (19) inside the box, where the latter ranks third throughout the league, just like his nine chances created.
Only Haaland and fellow new signing Matheus Cunha (£8.1m) beat his four shots on target so, with Cunha a doubt after hurting his hamstring, Mbeumo feels like the second-best Red Devil for this FPL Challenge.
Omar Marmoush (£8.4m)
Back to Pep Guardiola’s lot, Marmoush has started two of three occasions and only once exceeded 60 minutes. Yet it’s been enough time to set up two big chances, assisting away at Brighton in Gameweek 3.
It’s a nice change from the Egyptian’s introductory half-season. After arriving from Frankfurt in January, the wide forward bagged an impressive seven league goals and one assist, though all were in home matches.
Rayan Ait-Nouri (£6.0m)
For a third Man City pick, check out flying full-back Ait-Nouri.
He racked up more attacking returns (11) than all other FPL defenders last season, earning a summer move from 16th-placed Wolves to a defence that’s fresh from keeping 13 clean sheets and conceding the fewest shots (355).
So far, his two full matches combine for an xGI of 0.52.
Matthijs de Ligt (£5.0m)
Finally, managers shouldn’t worry about Man United’s generally poor clean sheet record of recent years.
April’s derby ended 0-0 and centre-back de Ligt has secured a couple of defensive contribution points in two of this campaign’s matches.
Defenders receive these if they end a match with 10 or more clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles. Midfielders and attackers need to reach 12, but with recoveries included too.
Names from elsewhere
Of course, one or more of your six FPL Challenge spots could still go on non-Manchester players, though their points won’t get doubled.
What immediately stands out is Liverpool facing Burnley and Crystal Palace being at home to Sunderland.
With an unlimited budget, it’s hard to go against Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) in such a fixture, despite a quieter-than-usual start. None of his attacking returns have arrived until deep into stoppage time.
Perhaps the Turf Moor trip allows Florian Wirtz (£8.4m) to get off the mark, or Hugo Ekitike (£8.7m) to continue scoring.
As for Palace, they’ve seemingly been hampered by a late Eberechi Eze (£7.5m) sale and Ismaila Sarr’s (£6.5m) injury, but in-form Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.5m) netted at Aston Villa, following strikes in the Conference League and Community Shield.
In defence, they offer attacking wing-back Daniel Munoz (£5.5m), plus Maxence Lacroix (£5.0m) – one of only four in his position to have reached at least 10 defensive contribution actions in all three matches. Lacroix is fresh from securing 11 points at Villa Park and brings a strong goal threat.
