Best picks for FPL Challenge as players score DOUBLE for clean sheets

This week in FPL Challenge, Fantasy managers are pitted against Paris Saint-Germain and former England women’s goalkeeper Mary Earps. In this week's challenge, named "Zero to Hero", goalkeepers, defenders and midfielder will score DOUBLE points for clean sheets.

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, managers will be able to go head-to-head with Mary.

Every bottle and can of Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar sold in the UK and Ireland has a QR code which provides entry to the head-to-head duels where they can win prizes.

Managers outside the UK will still be able to take part in the weekly challenges as usual, but will not be eligible to enter the head-to-head element and win prizes.

Managers have an unlimited budget to pick their 6-a-side team, however they can only choose one player per club.

You will still be able to select forwards, but none of them will earn double points for clean sheets.

Here, The Scout assesses the best picks for Gameweek 7.

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What is the best formation for Gameweek 7?

The scoring metric favours a 3-1-1 formation, as goalkeepers and defenders will essentially earn EIGHT points for a clean sheet, which is the equivalent of a forward scoring two goals.

This certainly also lends weight to the idea of picking a defender with many routes to points for your captain in Gameweek 7.

Which defences should managers invest in?

An assessment of each club's home and away form can help refine your search, with big chances - or situations where a player is expected to score - a key statistic here.

The table below shows that AFC Bournemouth, Leeds United and Arsenal have each conceded a mere two big chances each in their three home matches, the joint-best records in the league.

Bournemouth's visitors Fulham have had just three big chances in their three away matches - the second-fewest in the league - which suggests the Cherries are one of the very best defences to invest in.

Handily, their centre-back Marcos Senesi is the top-scoring defender in Fantasy. He has combined two assists with three clean sheets to total 44 points. The Argentinian, meanwhile, is the ONLY player to collect two points for his defensive contributions in each of the first six Gameweeks.

Arsenal's match at home to West Ham United is a similar standout, while Aston Villa and Newcastle United's backlines can profit from the lack of goal threat posed by Burnley and Nottingham Forest on their travels.

Gameweek 7 match-ups

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The Gunners' Gabriel is the standout armband contender for his home encounter with West Ham due to his big threat at free-kicks and corners. From set-piece situations this season, Arsenal's seven goals and 34 shots are both league-highs, while the Hammers' 34 shots conceded are the most in the division.

The Brazilian collected 13 points against Newcastle last weekend, producing a goal, two defensive contribution points and maximum bonus. If Arsenal had claimed a clean sheet, Gabriel would have earned eight further points to total 21 points. Combined with the captaincy, that would have been a massive 42-point haul.

Among the Villa and Newcastle contingents, the Magpies' Dan Burn leads the way for defensive contributions , picking up six extra points. The centre-back also boasts a decent threat at set-pieces, which suggests pairing him with Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez could be the way to go.

Who are the best attackers?

Erling Haaland's form and underlying statistics make him a very easy pick for the lone forward role against Brentford.

Manchester City's Norwegian has climbed to the top of the player standings on 62 points, thanks to eight goals and an assist.

Haaland has produced nine or more points in all but one of the opening six Gameweeks and the numbers show why. His 28 shots, 27 shots in the box and 13 big chances are all more than any other player this season.

The midfielder spot is the one most open to debate.

Certainly, Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes has the home form to merit inclusion - the Portuguese has delivered 10 points in each of his last two outings at Old Trafford ahead of a meeting with Sunderland.

As the table above shows, the Red Devils have conceded only four big chances in their three home outings, which indicates Fernandes is one of the likeliest midfielders to collect two extra points for a clean sheet.

He has also picked up two points for his defensive contributions on two occasions and, despite failing to earn an assist so far, has created 16 chances, the second-best total in the league.

If you're not too keen on Fernandes or would rather focus on attacking potential here, there are a host of midfielders to choose from among the remaining matches.

Mohamed Salah is the leading contender for big-chance involvement - the Liverpool star has had three of his own and created three more ahead of the Reds' visit to Chelsea.

The Blues' Enzo Fernandez is also among the standout players below, with his five big chances leading the way.

Brighton & Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh is also worth considering at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

As the first table shows, Wolves are the joint-worst defence for conceding big chances at home, while Brighton's nine big chances in away matches are second only to Liverpool's 11.

The player table also backs up Minteh - his 10 shots in the box rank top in the assessment, while his five big-chance involvements are just one behind Salah.

Finally, Crystal Palace trio Ismaila Sarr, Yeremy Pino and Adam Wharton are also worth a mention, with all three involved in five big chances ahead of the Eagles' trip to Everton.

Midfielder attacking stats, 25/26

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