Fantasy Premier League

Which players from the Americas to pick for 5-a-side Fantasy Challenge

18 Sep 2024
FPL GW5 Challenge Americas

Sam Bonfield explains her selections, with managers ONLY able to pick players from the Americas

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Gameweek 5 of Fantasy Challenge sees the start of a new set of challenges. The International Series focuses on players from different parts of the world. The series starts with managers selecting players who come from the Americas. Gameweek 6 will be players from Africa, with Gameweek 7 focusing on the Asia-Pacific region.

Managers can select from THREE different formations, picking a 5-a-side team with an UNLIMITED budget.

You can enter a squad up until 16:30 BST on Sunday, when Man City host Arsenal in the final fixture of Gameweek 5.

Here, FPL expert Sam Bonfield reveals her approach for Gameweek 5.

Pick your Fantasy Challenge team NOW!

Who to select at the back?

There are six goalkeepers to choose from this week, although three of them are second-choice 'keepers. This means managers are choosing between Ederson (£5.5m), who is at home to Arsenal, Alisson (£5.5m), who has a home fixture against AFC Bournemouth and Emiliano Martinez (£5.0m), who faces Wolves at Villa Park.

For me, the choice is between Alisson and Martinez. With the likes of Andy Robertson (£6.0m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) and Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m) unable to be selected, going with Alisson feels sensible, providing he recovers from a muscle problem. If I see he isn't starting when the teamsheets come out, I'll swap him out for Martinez.

I am opting to play in a 1-2-1 formation. In defence, I have plumped for Cristian Romero (£5.1m). Of course it is possible to select Gabriel (£6.0m), but coming up against Erling Haaland (£15.2m) and Man City isn't an ideal fixture. 

Romero, who was the top defender last season for goals scored, with five, faces Brentford at home.

The Argentinian has registered 19 points so far this season and comes up against a Bees side that has allowed more shots on target than any other team this season. So combined with his set-piece threat, Romero looks a good option. 

FPL Challenge GW5
Midfield picks

Moving into midfield, I have opted for Luis Diaz (£7.8m). The Liverpool winger did not start in the UEFA Champions League in midweek and therefore hopefully gets the start against Bournemouth. The Colombian has already racked up three goals and an assist this season.

Facundo Buonanotte (£5.0m) is the third-highest scoring midfielder than can be selected this week, but the Leicester player did not feature at all in Gameweek 4. If he is in the starting XI for the Foxes, I may look to bring him in, but it feels too risky to pick him right now.

This is also true of Lucas Paqueta (£6.0m) and Alejandro Garnacho (£6.4m). Both of these are attractive picks based on the fixtures, with Paqueta's West Ham at home to Chelsea, while Man Utd visit Crystal Palace. But their lack of minutes is a concern.

I currently have Paqueta in my side, given he plays in the first fixture of the Gameweek at 12:30 BST on Saturday. If he doesn't start, I will move him to Buonanotte if he is named in the Leicester starting XI. If he misses out again, I'll pick Garnacho for the Saturday 17:30 BST match.

If none of those three midfielders start, I have the option to go for Savio (£6.5m) or Gabriel Martinelli (6.9m) on Sunday. Being able to change your line-up after seeing the teamsheets is one of the massive benefits of FPL Challenge.

Take a chance on Joao Pedro

My final slot goes to Joao Pedro (£5.7m). The forward missed Gameweek 4 and the EFL Cup tie in midweek after picking up a minor injury on international duty. Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler revealed on Friday that the Brazilian was going to train, so I'll take a chance on him being fit to play on Sunday. Both Jhon Duran (£6.1m) and Raul Jimenez (£5.4m) look like good alternatives if you want to play safe.

I am planning to hand the captain's armband to Luis Diaz. Good luck with your picks from the Americas this weekend. This International Series looks set to be good fun! 

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