FPL Challenge Gameweek 9 Tips and Team Reveal

In this article we take a look at FPL Challenge Gameweek 9 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.

FPL Challenge Gameweek 9 is 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?

The Challenge for Gameweek 9 is ‘Playmakers’.

Challengers will receive two points for each cross and each key pass.

Challengers can also do the above with an unlimited budget.

Top Picks – Goalkeepers

The standout option could well be Ederson this week. A poor start to the season has seen Southampton lose all but one of their matches so far which could mean big potential for the Manchester City assets this week. It’s worth noting that Ederson is one of two goalkeepers that have picked up an assist this season. So as well as clean sheet potential the Brazilian could in fact benefit from the Challenge via key passes.

There are several other goalkeepers with good fixtures this week. Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez faces a home match against Bournemouth, whilst Mark Flekken clashes with newly promoted Ipswich, both could offer both clean sheet and save point potential. Everton’s Jordan Pickford could also be another consideration after back-to-back clean sheets.

Defenders

In defence most Challengers should be heading into the new round considering Ipswich’s Leif Davis. Whilst the game against Brentford may not be ideal for a clean sheet Leif Davis ranks above every other defender in the game for both key passes (20) and total crosses (47), with both metrics awarding a point for each this week.

Another name many should be looking at this week is Pedro Porro. Crystal Palace lay ahead who have failed to scored in half of their matches so far, suggesting he may have clean sheet potential. Porro also sits above every other defender for total attempts on goal. But, his selling point this week is his distribution, as he sits third amongst defenders for total key passes (15) and second best for total crosses (44).

Trent Alexander-Arnold could be another player many look to. Although facing a tough match against Arsenal he sits second best in his position for key pay passes (16) and fourth for total crosses (35).

Based on distribution data and clean sheet potential, Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne (£4.6m) who faces Bournemouth and Fulham’s Antonee Robinson (£4.7m) who meets with Everton could be alternative options.

Midfielders

There are plenty of midfielder options to choose from this week. One player who is becoming increasingly convincing from an FPL perspective is Dwight McNeil. McNeil has the potential to take full advantage of the Challenge this week as he sits second best in his position for total crosses (55) and second best for total key passes (24). He faces a Fulham side who have shipped six goals in their last two games.

Interestingly, in the same match, Fulham’s Andreas Pereira could go under the radar. The Fulham midfielder may be short of attacking output but he maintains some of the best distribution data in the league – ranking above every other midfielder for total crosses (57) and joint second best for total key passes (24).

Another player with multiple routes to points this week is James Maddison. Tottenham continue to maintain one of the best attacks in the league and Maddison has manged two goals and three assists so far. He takes that form into a game against a poor Crystal Palace, but he also goes into the clash ranking amongst the top midfielders for both total key passes (18) and total crosses (52).

Based on fixtures alone, with no real focus on their distribution data, others may look to Manchester City’s Phil Foden who faces Southampton, Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo against Ipswich and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer (£10.8m). Although short when it comes to total crosses, the latter does sit joint second best for total key passes this season (24).

Forwards

When diving into the data, finding strikers who perform well for key passes and crosses is very difficult. One forward who does standout however is Wolves man Matheus Cunha. Cunha may not rank amongst the top 30 players for total key passes but he nearly triples the closest forward to him for total crosses (37).

Wolves have been awful this season from a results perspective but since their Gameweek 1 loss they have scored in every single one of their matches. Contributing to that is Cunha who has scored twice in his last four games. An away game against Brighton could be challenging but the Seagulls have shipped at least two goals in three of their last four league games.

Although short of form Erling Haaland will be amongst the popular forwards this week. The Norwegian clashes with a poor Southampton side next up which could be a perfect opportunity to get back amongst the goals for his side.

Ollie Watkins is another player who could be of value. Aston Villa have started the season well – winning five of their first eight matches. Leading the attack, Watkins has already accumulated five goals and two assists and taking into account Bournemouth’s form, it may be difficult to stop him.

Brentford’s Yoana Wissa, Fulham’s Raul Jimenez, Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood and Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke are four more options to consider.

@FPLReaction Team Reveal

I’m set on my goalkeeper this week. Not only do I think he can keep a clean sheet but he also has, and it feels weird saying this, distribution potential.
Currently, I’m in-between two in midfield and two in defence, but the latter appeals me more. Leif Davis is a key pass and cross machine so leaving him out seems wild. Joining him is Pedro Porro who could go big this week. As well as offering cross potential, he may even score or keep a clean sheet. This will be the second week in a row I captain him which seems bizarre. He evidently maintains fantastic underlying data in different categories.
Midfield consists of Dwight McNeil who dominates for both crosses and key passes.
Cunha is interesting but I would be foolish to back against Haaland v Southampton.

Gameweek 8 Challenge Review

Last week I ended on 36 points which meant a round rank of 44k. My overall season rank increased to 19k, which means it was a successful week.
I picked Ndiaye because he was top for defensive metrics, instead of doing overly well in that respect he scored, which was a bonus.
My other outfield assets failed to return but still managed a solid 5-6 points, including my captain, due to tackles and interceptions.
Overall I was happy with Gameweek 8’s Challenge.