FPL Challenge Gameweek 33 Best Picks and Team Reveal
As Challengers around the world struggle to put together an entry for the round ahead, we share our FPL Challenge Gameweek 33 Best Picks and Team Reveal to give you an edge.
As well as highlighting the Challenge framework, and the best players in each position, we also bring in fantasy whiz @FPLReaction to reveal his own team and look back on his previous round.
What is the Challenge this Week?
As we can see, the Challenge is ‘West London Derby’.
Challengers can pick five players, with an unlimited budget.
Double Gameweek
Whilst the Challenge does make Chelsea and Fulham more appealing, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Manchester City all play twice, so their assets effectively have double points too!
Now, let’s take a look at some of the best players you can pick this week.
Goalkeepers
From all of the options who either receive double points or play twice this week, David Raya (£5.5m) could be the standout. The Spaniard faces a poor Ipswich attack and Crystal Palace next up, which could suggest two chances at a clean sheet.
Outside of Raya the options are rough. Chelsea’ Robert Sanchez (£4.5m) and Fulham’ Bernd Leno (£5m) have double points potential, but both sides have failed to convince defensively. Challengers would also have just one fixture from either player to bag a significant return.
Manchester City’ Ederson (£5.3m) is dealing with an injury so picking him or his back-up has it’s risks. Crystal Palace play twice against Bournemouth and Arsenal, so clean sheet potential seems limited for Dean Henderson (£4.6m). The only other goalkeeper who plays twice is Emiliano Martinez (£5m) of Aston Villa, but he clashes with Newcastle and Manchester City.
Of course any of the options above, could return well with double points or double Gameweek potential.
Defenders
Arsenal will likely be the Challengers go-to team for defensive investment this week, especially with fixtures against Ipswich and Crystal Palace. Of their defenders, centre-back William Saliba (£6.5m), who can offer goal threat from corners at times.
Manchester City’ fixtures against Everton and Aston Villa could suggest that they have clean sheet potential. Offering more goal threat than any other player in the game though is Josko Gvardiol (£6.2m) who could have multiple routes to points.
Bournemouth and Arsenal may be limiting for Crystal Palace assets in current form. However, Daniel Munoz (£5.3m) similar to our other defensive assets, also offers attacking potential. Munoz ranks just behind Gvardiol in second among all defenders for expected goals.
There are plenty of good defender picks this week, including Arsenal’ Jakub Kiwior (£4.8m), Manchester City’ Ruben Dias (£5.4m), Chelsea’ Marc Cucurella (£5.4m) against Fulham, and Fulham’ Antonee Robinson (£4.9m) who faces off against Chelsea.
Midfielders
Only Liverpool have scored more goals than Manchester City this season so far, making them an appealing attack to invest in this week. With two matches, any of their midfielders could perform well, but their most promising is veteran Kevin De Bruyne (£9.3m).
As well as facing an Ipswich side who rank second worst this season for big chances conceded, Arsenal also meet with Crystal Palace who conceded a huge 10 goals in Gameweek 32. The best of the bunch in midfield is penalty taker Bukayo Saka (£10.5m). Saka scored in his most recent match against Real Madrid. The Gooners offer an array of different midfield picks though, the out of position Mikel Merino (£6.1m) is one of them, Leandro Trossard (£6.7m) is another.
Chelsea may play just one match, but the Challenge means that their players earn double points. Fulham have been less than convincing from a defensive perspective, which could mean we see penalty taker Cole Palmer (£10.6m) among the goals again. Palmer produced two returns in his last three games heading into the clash.
You can’t rule out some other players who play twice this week. Aston Villa’ Morgan Rogers (£5.6m) and Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze (£6.9m).
If you’re enjoying our FPL Challenge Gameweek 33 Best Picks and Team Reveal article, you may also want to check out our best Free Hit draft.
Forwards
The lack of assured striker picks to pick from this week could make the forward role an easy position to fill. Primed to take advantage of his two fixtures ahead is Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush (£7.6m). The Egyptian has produced four attacking returns in his previous four matches, so heads into the round in great form.
Another forward option many could be considering is Jean Philippe Mateta (£7.8m). The Frenchman played under 60 minutes in both of Gameweek 32 matches which is concern. He isn’t exactly short of form though, as prior to that he bagged six returns in a five match period.
Chelsea could have success against a ropey Fulham defence, which makes Nicolas Jackson (£7.7m) a viable pick. Jackson is yet to return contribute to a goal or an assist since returning from injury. But the Blues are chasing for European football, so don’t rule out a turnaround in output from him.
Team Reveal
- I mean, five players isn’t exactly exciting is it? If we had to pick seven then that would be an improvement, 11 would have been a lot more fun. But five, it creates a very strong template.
- At the back I prefer Raya to anyone else. The same could be said for Gvardiol who offers more goal threat than Saliba.
- Whilst tempted by Palmer, Saka and KDB seem more convincing this week, and they have two attempts.
- Captaincy will be on Marmoush, who should start both, unlike my midfielders.
Gameweek 32 Review
- Last week didn’t go to plan. I ended the round on 58 points, a 70k round rank and a global ranking of around 800th.
- The above meant I had a red arrow, and I mostly blame Murphy and Barnes.
- I don’t think any expected Newcastle to score nine goals last week, so I wanted a split of Crystal Palace and Newcastle assets. That definitely didn’t work out.
- Looking ahead, I want to start making gains again, but that may be tough with the current template.
- Good luck this week!
