FPL Challenge Best Picks and Team Reveal – Gameweek 4
For this week’s fantasy twist, we’re diving into FPL Challenge Best Picks and Team Reveal – Gameweek 4. The challenge format adds a fresh layer of strategy, and finding the right players can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll highlight the best options for the round, explain the thinking behind the choices, and share a complete team reveal to help you prepare with confidence.
What is the Challenge for Gameweek 4?
Top Picks
Goalkeepers
Manchester City v Manchester United should have our focus between the sticks. Manchester City have looked far from convincing this season, but they have still managed one clean sheet, and they have home advantage this week.
The arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma makes monitoring the line-ups essential, but many would expect James Trafford to continue starting for now. The former Burnley man edges out the Manchester United goalkeeper based on clean sheet potential.
Manchester United are yet to keep a clean sheet this season which is a concern. However, due to double points Altay Bayındır could still outscore most goalkeepers outside of the challenge due to save points. Manchester City have sustained some of the best underlying attacking data over recent years, so the Turkish international could have a busy match.
Those looking at options who won’t benefit from double points this week could opt for the likes of Alisson of Liverpool v Burnley, Crystal Palace’ Dean Henderson v Sunderland and Newcastle Nick Pope up against Wolves.
Defenders
Clean sheet potential doesn’t look as safe for Manchester City as it usually would. As well as keeping just one clean sheet, they play in a local Derby this week, and Derbies can be unpredictable as we have seen in the past.
However, home advantage could be key, so backing the Manchester City backline could be crucial. With that in mind, we could select Rayan Ait Nouri. The Algerian isn’t just one of two defenders who have started all three matches for his side, he also has attacking threat, something he displayed for former club Wolves regularly last season.
The only other defender who has featured in all three of Manchester City’ games so far is John Stones. The English centre-back has shown attacking threat from set-plays historically, so he could offer multiple routes to points.
Manchester United have been even more ropey than Manchester City from a defensive perspective, so backing them away from home could be unwise. However, for those who fancy an away clean sheet then there are several options you could select.
Monitoring the line-ups for the likes of wing-backs Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu could be worth the effort. Both players have shown attacking threat since pre-season. Or you can opt for reliability and set play goal threat via Leny Yoro, a player who has already found the net in the Premier League this season.
There are plenty of options outside of the Manchester City v Manchester United game though, including Crystal Palace duo Daniel Munoz and Maxence Lacroix v Sunderland, Liverpool’ Milos Kerkez, Fulham’ Joachim Andersen against Leeds and Spurs’ Pedro Porro v West Ham.
Get even more prepared for Gameweek 4 with our Essential Guide!
Midfielders
Although unconvincing in terms of results, Manchester City have still been scoring goals – five so far in fact. For that reason, and due to their oppositions shaky defence, buying into the Manchester City midfield could offer potential.
Rotation seems to be rife among the Manchester City midfielder picks. Oscar Bobb is one of few players to have started each and every one of their games though. The Norwegian has picked up an assist during that period so could be a solid pick this week.
Another regular for Manchester City is new signing Tijani Reijnders. The Dutchman bagged a goal and an assist on his Premier League debut, so could have multiple routes to points heading into the match.
Even if you thought Manchester United were going to lose, Bruno Fernandes could still be an excellent option. As well as taking his sides penalties, Fernandes has also produced more defensive contributions than most midfielders in the game.
Bryan Mbeumo is also worth considering. The former Brentford talisman has started the season well – bagging two goals in his four Manchester United matches. He also takes some corners – giving him an additional route to points.
Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz v Burnley should also be top of Challengers shortlists. Neither are eligible to earn double points this week, but still have huge potential due their opposition. Ignoring Salah especially could become problematic if he starts firing more convincingly.
Forwards
The standout option heading into Gameweek 4 is Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker has already bagged three goals this season, which makes going without him against a leaky Manchester United extremely risky. Many would even consider him the most viable captain in Challenge this week.
One route into the frontline that many could avoid is Omar Marmoush. The Egyptian was re-categorised as a forward this season, which meant he had less appeal. But if he starts he could make a real impact, and we saw how much quality he had last season.
You could also take advantage of Manchester City’ shortcomings in defence. Benjamin Sesko failed to start in the previous match, but if he features this week, he could have potential leading the Manchester United attack.
Outside of the Challenge, the likes of Crystal Palace’ Jean Philippe Mateta v Sunderland, Chelsea’ Joao Pedro versus Brentford, and Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool up against Burnley, could also be viable selections.
Team Reveal
- I had to go for Altay Bayındır due to the three-per-team limit. I also think the Manchester United man could rack up save points.
- In defence, Rayan Ait-Nouri seems like the standout pick, in terms of minutes and attacking threat.
- Midfield was tough. Fernandes is a shoo-in, but I’m on the fence with Reijnders and Salah. I also like Bobb and Mbeumo. For now though, I think Reijnders and Salah feel like the standouts.
- Haaland was a very easy decision. With double points it feels crazy not to captain him.
Gameweek 3 Review
- I ended the round with 69 points and an overall rank of 8k. I actually had a really solid week.
- Captain Tarkowski didn’t do much outside of defcons, which was something I suppose. Sanchez, and Haaland both did well.
- Porro and Fernandes hit defcons, although, I do regret not captaining Fernandes.
- Last week meant a global rank green arrow up to 1.9k.
