FPL Challenge Best Picks and Team Reveal – Gameweek 1
The new season kicks off with an exciting twist, and the first FPL Challenge is here to test your squad-building skills. In FPL Challenge Best Picks and Team Reveal – Gameweek 1, we break down the standout players for this week’s challenge and reveal the team we’re backing to score big.
From key differentials to reliable heavy-hitters, this guide will help you navigate the format and maximise your points right from the start.
What is the Gameweek 1 Challenge?
This weeks Challenge is ‘Instant Impact’. Challengers earn double points for new players, but can select just one player from each club.
Top Picks
Goalkeepers
Focus should be on the new signings this week, with plenty to choose from. One of them is former Liverpool shot-stopper Caoimhen Kelleher. Brentford conceded a high volume of shots last season – ranking among the worst in fact. This could give Kelleher plenty of save point potential against Nottingham Forest.
Another new goalkeeper signing that should start is Bournemouth’ Dorde Petrovic. The Cherries come up against league holders Liverpool, so clean sheet potential is limited. However, he too should face plenty of shots which could give him the opportunity to collect save points.
For those unconvinced by the two options above, Nottingham Forest’ Matz Sels v Brentford, Bart Verbruggen of Brighton up against Fulham, and Tottenham’ Guglielmo Vicario versus Burnley, could all offer potential.
Defenders
The Liverpool full-backs appear to be two of the best options to pick this week, one of them is Milos Kerkez. As well as good clean sheet potential – playing for a side who kept the more clean sheets than any other last season, Kerkez offers attacking threat – having produced seven attacking returns for Bournemouth last season.
On the opposite wing, Jeremy Frimpong could be another fantastic option. The former Leverkusen man was fantastic in the Bundesliga last season offensively, and has shown his attacking threat already for Liverpool – scoring and assisting during pre-season.
Another option many Challengers will be keen on in Gameweek 1 is Rayan Ait Nouri. The Algerian amassed four goals and seven assists for former club Wolves in the previous campaign, so he could have multiple routes against his old club this week.
Brighton’ Maxim De Cuyper and West Ham’ El Hadji Malick Diouf could be two more great options. Brighton face off against Fulham at home, whilst West Ham come up against newly promoted side Sunderland.
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Midfielders
No midfielder looks more set to benefit from the Challenge ahead than Florian Wirtz. Playing for the best attack in the league statistically, Wirtz could add even more output – after bagging double-digits for both goals and assists in his previous campaign.
Although transitioning with new signings, World Champions Chelsea continue to prove football fans wrong. The Blues have been scintillating from an attacking perspective, and they take that form to Stamford Bridge where they will face Crystal Palace at home. Monitoring the line-ups for one of Jamie Gittens or Estevao could give you an edge ahead of those who don’t.
Manchester City ranked among the top two sides for multiple attacking metrics during their 2024-25 campaign, and Gameweek 1 sees them meet with Wolves. Checking the starting XI could be key in this case, because if starting, the likes of Tijani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki could have big potential.
Tottenham’ fixture against Burnley could be one of the best to target this week in general. Promoted sides have historically been one of the best teams to attack, which could give new signing Mohamed Kudus plenty of appeal. Alternatively, if starting, Mathys Tel could also take advantage of a great fixture.
Everton’ Carlos Alcaraz Durán v Leeds, Newcastle’ Anthony Elanga against Aston Villa, and new Manchester United duo Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo could also be viable options.
Forwards
Of the new singings among forwards Joao Pedro could be the best of the bunch. Chelsea head into their new season in top form, and a large contributor to that was the former Brighton man who has scored five goals in just five features for his new side.
Another player who seems to have hit hit the ground running is Hugo Ekitike. Liverpool’ opening match against Bournemouth could see goals and Ekitike has already shown his quality in the recent Community Shield match in which he scored.
It would be difficult to highlight new signings without mentioning Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish international was one of the best performing strikers in Europe last season – with over 40 goal contributions. He meets with Manchester United on day one, a team Arsenal are expected to beat.
Other viable forwards include Manchester United’ Benjamin Sesko, Nottingham Forest’ Igor Jesus who faces Brentford, and Everton’ Thierno Barry up against Leeds.
Team Reveal
- There aren’t many new signing goalkeeper picks, so I think Kelleher stands out. If he doesn’t start I’ll go elsewhere.
- We are only allowed one player from each team, so whilst I like their attackers, Rayan Ait Nouri has both clean sheet and attacking potential against his old club. Because of this, I think I’ll captain him.
- I think Tottenham could score plenty of goals this week, so I’m backing Mohammed Kudus. I also think Florian Wirtz is an excellent option. I do like Frimpong so picking between him and Wirtz came down to how good the other defender and midfielder options were eslewhere.
- I think of the new Chelsea signings Joao Pedro is the best. He’s arguably the best forward pick too. I also went for Viktor Gyokeres as a punt against Manchester United.
- We are officially back Challengers! Watch out for the line-ups! Good luck!
