FPL Challenge Gameweek 21 Tips and Team Reveal

In this article, we present to you our FPL Challenge Gameweek 21 tips and team reveal. 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 21 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 21 is ‘Legends’.

Players who have been at their club for 5+ seasons earn double points.

Challengers have to select five players with an unlimited budget.

Top Picks – Goalkeepers

There are plenty of goalkeepers who have been at their club for 5+ seasons to choose from this week. One of them is Aston Villa’ Emiliano Martinez. Unai Emery’ men play away to Everton this week. As well as ranking second worst overall for total goals scored, Everton have also failed to score in four of their last five matches.

Alternatively, you could back Everton’ Jordan Pickford in the same match as above. The Toffees may be poor offensively, but they have maintained some of the best defensive data in the league as of late. That data has translated into actual clean sheets – racking up five in their 10-previous games.

We could also look to Liverpool this week. There is no doubt that their clash with Nottingham Forest could be tough. However, we should mention that Liverpool rank second best for total clean sheets, whilst Nottingham Forest sit sixth worst overall for expected goals this season. Taking that into account, Alisson could be a standout option.

Newcastle have also been extremely impressive defensively as of late. The Magpies collected four clean sheets in their last five matches. They take their form into a clash against a poor Wolves side. Between the sticks for Newcastle is Martin Dubravka, who continues to start ahead of the injured Nick Pope.

Defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of many defenders who have played at their club for 5+ seasons. As well as offering clean sheet potential against Nottingham Forest, he also offers huge attacking threat. Examples of this are the fact he ranks among the top two defenders for total chances and big chances created this season. The Liverpool man also edges out every other defender in the game for non-penalty expected goal involvement.

Of course, Alexander-Arnold isn’t the only defender who has enjoyed many years played at Liverpool. Both centre-back Virgil Van Dijk and full-back Andy Robertson are also viable for double points this week, and both offer attacking threat in different forms.

Fulham star Antonee Robinson also qualifies for double points this week. The Cottagers come up against West Ham away from home, which could offer clean sheet potential. Robinson doesn’t just offer that though, he has already registered a huge seven assists this season, showing he has attacking threat.

Crystal Palace’ new back-three system makes wing-back Tyrick Mitchell a great pick. This week Mitchell faces one of the worst sides in the league currently, Leicester. He goes into the meeting having banked two assists in his previous five games.

Other good options eligible for double points this week include Arsenal centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel, Newcastle centre-back Fabian Schar, Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot, Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk and Aston Villa’ Ezri Konsa.

Midfielders

Fortunately Challengers will be able to pick the best asset in the game so far this season. Mohamed Salah has enjoyed a long period of time at Liverpool, whilst also maintaining incredible consistency. Nottingham Forest may not be a simple test, but based on his scintillating form this season, it could be unwise to go without him.

Ranking second worst in the league for total shots on target conceded thus far, Brentford are a team to target from a defensive perspective. Challengers have the ability to target that same defence with Manchester City’ Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden. Foden could well be the standout after returns in three of his last four matches. But, if both players start the game, there is no telling who will come out on top.

Bruno Fernandes is another popular asset who has played at their club for 5+years. The Manchester United penalty taker has proven to be one of the Reds most effective attackers this season. He also faces Southampton this week, who as well as sitting rock bottom in the league, also rank 20th for metrics including big chances conceded.

Crystal Palace also have a very favourable fixture. They come up against the joint worst defence in the league in terms of total goals conceded this season. Leicester have been woeful as of late, and that is something Crystal Palace veteran Eberechi Eze could take advantage of.

Challengers have an abundance of options to pick from, who also fit the framework of the Challenge. Some of those assets include Newcastle’ Jacob Murphy, who faces Wolves, Brentford penalty taker Bryan Mbeumo, who meets with Manchester City, Manchester United’ Amad Diallo and Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli, who clashes with Tottenham.

Forwards

There are just three available forward options who have played for their club for 5+ seasons. One of them, who arguably has the better fixture from an attacking perspective, is Leicester’ Jamie Vardy. The penalty taker has produced an impressive five returns in his last seven league matches. He takes that form into a clash with a leaky Crystal Palace defence.

Everton have produced very good defensive data recently. But, they have also shipped three goals in their last two matches. This could mean potential for Aston Villa’ Ollie Watkins. Watkins managed a huge 12 points in his most recent game, suggesting his confidence could be high ahead of the fixture.

For Challengers who aren’t convinced by the the two names mentioned above, it could be a case of settling for a forward who won’t receive double points. One player who fits that bill is Erling Haaland. The Norwegian has scored three goals in his last two league matches and faces a poor Brentford defence this week.

It could be difficult to rule out the in-form Alexander Isak. Scoring in each of his last seven matches, Isak has been one of the best assets in the game as of late. This week could see his form continue with a clash against a poor Wolves defence.

@FPLReaction Team Reveal

I really wish they made it so we could pick more players this week. There are a lot more options to choose from than once thought. I really do like a lot of the options available.
Based on already having Liverpool defensive coverage, and not wanting to touch the Everton v Aston Villa game, I thought I’d opt for Dubravka between the sticks. I’ll of course keep an eye on Nick Pope news.
Trent Alexander Arnold, if he plays, is still the best defender option in my opinion this week for double points.
I think Liverpool will have better potential than many think they will for their clash against Nottingham Forest. With that in mind, Salah isn’t just a shoo-in, but also my captain. He joins Bruno Fernandes, who I think is another excellent pick this week.
I’m not keen on the double-point forwards this week, and I think Haaland could do very well against Brentford.
I also really like midfielder picks like Eze, Foden and De Bruyne, so it’s a shame I couldn’t fit more players in.

Gameweek 20 Challenge Review

Last week wasn’t ideal, in fact my defence completely let me down, other than Travers who I had to swap in late due to Kepa not starting.
Midfield was a success. All three of my picks hit double-digit hauls. If only I captained Mbeumo, who went all out against Southampton.
Up front, Watkins blanked surprisingly against Leicester. But, it was no suprise at all that Isak scored.
I finished the round with 86 points, which only gave me a round rank of 74k, I blame my defence. But, overall I rose in global rank up to around 1k.
Good luck this week!