FPL Challenge – a different twist on the traditional Fantasy Premier League game – returns for Gameweek 5.
Each week comes with its own rules, which can completely change the players we target every week.
Here, Louis runs through his top tips and best picks for the Gameweek 5 Challenge before revealing his own team.
While the FPL deadline has passed, you can still enter Challenge teams right up until kick-off!
WHAT IS THE CHALLENGE THIS WEEK?
GOALKEEPERS
Coventry City are yet to score a single Premier League goal, so backing the defence facing them makes plenty of sense. Nottingham Forest host the Sky Blues this week, immediately bringing Mats Sels into consideration.
With defensive contributions taking centre stage this week, Manchester City’s lack of reliable DefCon defenders could make Gianluigi Donnarumma an appealing alternative route into their backline.
There are plenty of other goalkeeper options, though. Newcastle United’s Lukáš Horníček, Everton’s Jordan Pickford and Arsenal’s David Raya all deserve consideration.
DEFENDERS
With the Challenge awarding an extra 10 points to players who hit the DefCon threshold this week, defensive contributions should be our main focus. However, clean sheets still provide valuable points, so finding players who offer both could be ideal.
Leeds United have once again impressed defensively after also performing well at the back last season. A home meeting with Crystal Palace could give them a good opportunity to keep a clean sheet.
Among the game’s leading defenders for DefCon success is Tarik Muharemović, who also offers some attacking threat.
While the attacking threat of Neco Williams may tempt many Challengers, Murillo arguably stands out more. The Brazilian has a 75% DefCon success rate, collecting points in three of his four matches this season. He also has clean-sheet potential against a Coventry City side yet to score.
Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall offers a bit of everything. The full-back has hit the DefCon threshold in half of his matches and recorded more than 0.30 expected assists (xA) in two of them. A home meeting with Hull City could give him opportunities at both ends of the pitch.
Several alternatives also appeal, including Everton’s James Tarkowski, Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães and Manchester City’s Joško Gvardiol.
MIDFIELDERS
Brentford could be somewhat of a gold mine for Challengers this week. A home match against a leaky Chelsea defence could give their midfielders opportunities to score, assist and collect DefCon points.
Naturally, many will look to Mamadou Sangaré, and understandably so after he collected DefCon points in three of his four outings. However, Vitaly Janelt shouldn’t go under the radar. As well as matching his teammate’s 75% DefCon success rate, Janelt has already scored and assisted this season. Picking between the pair could be difficult.
Leeds United host Crystal Palace after thrashing Newcastle 4-1 last time out. Although Anton Stach missed out on the attacking returns, he continues to show plenty of impetus going forward. He also ranks third overall for total DefCons, giving him multiple routes to points.
There are plenty of other midfield options to consider. Manchester City’s Iliman Ndiaye and Everton’s James Garner could appeal, while Bukayo Saka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Morgan Gibbs-White and Bruno Fernandes offer greater attacking threat.
FORWARDS
It is extremely rare for a forward to hit the DefCon threshold, so focusing solely on strikers with defensive contribution potential wouldn’t be beneficial.
However, Yoane Wissa offers some DefCon potential alongside plenty of attacking threat. He ranks joint-second among forwards for total DefCons and also faces Hull City at home this week.
Interestingly, Erling Haaland also ranks fairly highly for total DefCons among forwards. Regardless of that, the Norwegian has been in excellent form and a home clash with Sunderland could see that continue.
Everton’s Thierno Barry, Nottingham Forest’s Liam Delap and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are also viable options.
TEAM REVEAL
NOTES
- I don’t trust Newcastle enough to use one of my defender slots on them, so their goalkeeper makes the cut for now.
- I’ve prioritised DefCon options at the back and gone with a three-man defence, which I think is probably the formation to favour this week.
- Captaincy is tricky. Any one of my three defenders could genuinely take the armband, but Tarik Muharemović gets it for now.
- In midfield, I’ve opted for Janelt over Sangaré. I can see there being an annoying swing between the pair, so hopefully I’ve landed on the right one.
- Finally, Haaland gets the nod up front.
