This week in FPL Challenge, Fantasy managers are pitted against rapper Nemzzz. In this week's challenge, named "Iconic", players who have been with their clubs for a minimum of five seasons - joining before 26 October 2020 - will earn double points.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, managers will be able to go head-to-head with rapper Nemzzz.
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 more than 20,000 prizes, including match tickets.
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.
Here, The Scout assesses the best picks for Gameweek 9.
What is the best formation for Gameweek 9?
This week’s team lines up in a 1-2-2 formation, with five of the six players collecting double points thanks to their “Iconic” status in Challenge.
One of the key decisions this week was between Arsenal pair Gabriel and Bukayo Saka for their home match against Crystal Palace, and whether to play a 2-1-2 or 1-2-2 set-up.
Ultimately, Palace’s huge threat in attack was the determining factor here.
Saka gets the captaincy
Although Gabriel is the top-scoring defender in Fantasy, his visitors have had a league-high 33 big chances, or situations where a player is expected to score, which shows they pose a major threat to Arsenal’s prospects of a clean sheet.
Saka’s multiple routes to returns means he gets the nod over the Brazilian, with the winger also handed the captaincy, meaning he will score FOUR times his total points against Palace.
Notably, Saka collected seven points in the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Fulham in Gameweek 8, despite not being involved in his side’s goal.
He was awarded two points for his defensive contributions, earned one point for the clean sheet and collected two bonus points because he created a match-high six chances.
See: What are defensive contributions
Elsewhere, Erling Haaland doesn’t qualify for double-points status as he joined Manchester City in 2022/23.
Yet the Norwegian’s prolific start to the campaign makes him a must-have against Aston Villa – he has amassed 83 points in the first eight Gameweeks, more than TWICE the total of any other forward in Fantasy.
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford (Everton)
The Everton No 1 boasts a strong record in home contests ahead of his encounter with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Pickford has averaged 6.5 points per match at Goodison Park, collecting 26 of his 32 points this season across those four encounters.
Defender: Reece James (Chelsea)
A home match with Sunderland gives the Chelsea defender the chance to extend his fine run of form. James has combined a goal and three assists with a clean sheet, two points for defensive contributions and three bonus points in the last four Gameweeks.
Midfielder: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Arsenal’s winger faces a Crystal Palace side who have conceded 14 big chances across the last four Gameweeks, just one off bottom spot. Saka has scored in two of his last three home outings in all competitions and, as evidenced by his converted penalty against West Ham United in Gameweek 7, he appears to have retained spot-kick duties ahead of team-mate Viktor Gyokeres.
Midfielder: Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
The Manchester United captain has been a reliable source of big hauls at Old Trafford, delivering 10 points in two of his previous three appearances. Fernandes entertains a Brighton & Hove Albion side who are still without a clean sheet this season.
Forward: Erling Haaland (Man City)
Man City’s frontman has been one of the standout players for consistency of both attacking returns and big hauls this season. Haaland has produced a minimum of eight points in seven of the first eight Gameweeks of 2025/26.
Forward: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)
West Ham's talisman has scored three of their six goals this season, collecting nine points on each occasion. Bowen’s influence on the Hammers will be vital against a Leeds United side who have just one clean sheet in their previous seven matches.