FPL Challenge Gameweek 1 Tips and Team Reveal

In this article we take a look at FPL Challenge Gameweek 1. As well as picking out some of the best players for the round ahead specific to the Challenge structure we also bring in @FPLReaction to share his team and thoughts ahead of the new round.

After a long wait FPL Challenge Gameweek 1 is finally here. With exciting new badges to earn and prizes to win FPL Challenge have made some massive changes. With that in mind our tips and team reveal could be exactly what you need to have success.

What is the Challenge this week?

As we can see the Challenge for Gameweek is ‘Debut’.

Fantasy managers can pick any five players they like, without club or budget restrictions. This is as long as those five players fit into a 1-1-2, 1-2-1, 2-1-1 or a 2-2-0 formation.

Fixtures

There are plenty of good teams with great fixtures this week. Liverpool are amongst them as they clash with the newly promoted Ipswich away from home. Arsenal who finished second place last season could be another hunting ground for potential investors as they meet with Wolves.

Newcastle proved more efficient at home last season which is where they play this week. The Magpies come up against newly promoted Southampton in Gameweek 1 which could be a good opportunity for their assets.

Spurs also face a newly promoted side. Leicester finished top of the Championship last season but a free flowing Tottenham frontline could prove a step too far for them.

Top Picks

As highlighted above Liverpool have a fantastic fixture to start their new campaign. The Reds managed more expected goals and shots in the box than any other side last season so buying into their frontline in the form of Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) could be rewarding. The Egyptian could be the standout attacker after producing 28 goal contributions but fellow midfielder Diogo Jota (£7.5m) has also caught the eye during pre-season.

The unlimited budget could ease managers towards Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7m). Trent created more big chances than any other defender last campaign and showed that same creativity upon his return to club football recently with an assist.

The Newcastle backline isn’t as convincing this week but their attackers could be some of the best across the board in terms of potential. Alexander Isak (£8.5m) leads the frontline after a successful 23/24 campaign which saw him score 21 goals. Joining him in attack is Anthony Gordon (£7.5m) who managed 11 goals and 10 assists last season.

Heading over to London both Arsenal and Tottenham have favourable fixtures. New signing Dominic Solanke (£7.5m) could catch the eye after the striker bagged 19 goals for Bournemouth last season. When picking Tottenham players it also could be difficult to leave out penalty taker and midfielder Son Heung-Min (£10m).

If your opting for an Arsenal attacker against Wolves then Bukayo Saka (£10m) could remain the standout as penalty taker. Striker Kai Havertz (£8m) will lead the frontline after an impressive debut season and two goals and two assists in his three pre-season matches.

Arsenal also managed more clean sheets than any other side so it could be a case of take your pick with options like William Saliba (£6m), Gabriel (£6m) and Ben White (£6.5m). All three could be popular picks this week.

@FPLReaction Team Reveal

Notes

Wow, firstly I have to say I really like the changes FPL Challenge have made this season. More so than the others I love the fact that we can earn badges now, I think it makes things much more interesting.
You’ll probably see I have gone pretty ‘safe’ or ‘boring’ with my picks this week. But, it’s pretty hard not to target the promoted sides and I feel that’s where we could see the big points.
I chose David Raya because I like the Arsenal defence but I’m less keen on their defenders. I also don’t really like any other goalkeepers.
My only defender is Trent Alexander-Arnold because I fancy goals this week. I expect Trent to come away with more than just a clean sheet.
There are plenty of midfield options to pick from this week and I’m still on the fence with Son Heung-Min, he could well become Anthony Gordon if I want to be more aggressive.
Mohamed Salah is the best captaincy pick in my opinion. As well as being one of the most consistent assets in the game he also faces Ipswich.
Alexander Isak is my only striker this week. I’m still not hugely keen on the forward options but that could change in the weeks to come.
Good luck guys!