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Who are the best FPL Challenge GW33 picks? Players will earn four points for each foul drawn this week, and that figure will jump to 10 points if they are fouled for a penalty. We use Opta data to find the top players to target in the Premier League.
In Gameweek 33 of FPL Challenge, Unstoppable, players earn four points each time they are fouled by an opposition player. But it doesn’t stop there – if said foul leads to a penalty, that figure will rise to 10 points.
This means that one drawn foul holds as much value (four points) as a goal scored by a forward. Given that fouls are much more common than goals, this means we can forget almost entirely about chasing goalscorers and instead focus on players who are fouled the most often.
Which players have drawn the most fouls in the Premier League in 2025-26?
Elliot Anderson is the clear leader this season, and you would therefore think the Nottingham Forest man would jump straight into our team – but there’s an added complication.
This week is a ‘Double Gameweek’, meaning there are teams that have two fixtures in FPL this week, and both count towards their points return.
Indeed, six teams play twice in this Gameweek, and Forest are not one of them; the six teams are Bournemouth, Burnley, Brighton, Chelsea, Leeds and Manchester City.
Players from these teams have to be prioritised, as the ceiling for their potential points return is far higher than that of players from the other 14 teams, irrespective of the difficulty of their fixtures.
We will be evenly distributing our output with a 1-2-2-1 formation this week.
Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martínez: Aston Villa vs Sunderland (H)
We will only be picking one player from a team that plays once this week, and that’s because he fits the theme so neatly that we cannot turn down the opportunity.
Emiliano Martínezhas been fouled 16 times in the Premier League in 2025-26, comfortably the most of any goalkeeper. Indeed, he has even been fouled twice in a game on three occasions, with each instance coming in 2026.
Only three teams have conceded fewer goals at home than Aston Villa this season, while Sunderland have scored the second-fewest goals away from home, only bettering Wolves.
The one drawback is that Martínez has been dealing with a calf injury of late, so make sure to be attentive to Villa’s lineup announcement on Sunday.
Defenders
Gabriel Gudmundsson: Leeds vs Wolves (H) and Bournemouth (A)
Perhaps our easiest selection this week is Leeds left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson, who faces Wolves at Elland Road before travelling south to face Bournemouth in midweek.
Gudmundsson loves a marauding run down the left flank, and coupled with his nimble footwork, this helps Leeds win free-kicks in dangerous areas as they seek to capitalise on their set-play abilities.
The Swede has won the most fouls of any defender in the Premier League this season (52) as a result, and as you may have spotted from our table at the top of the page, he actually ranks joint-third among all positions, behind only Anderson (69) and Jack Grealish (58).
But what makes Gudmundsson an outside shout for captaincy is the fact that his opponents this week rank first and joint-second for total fouls conceded in 2025-26.
The fun of FPL Challenge is distilled by the fact that a player who costs just £3.8m in regular FPL may well be the most dangerous selection in Challenge this week.
Jan Paul van Hecke: Brighton vs Tottenham (A) and Chelsea (H)
Our second defensive selection is Jan Paul van Hecke, whose Brighton team face Spurs and Chelsea this week.
You may be surprised to learn that Van Hecke has won the most fouls of any Brighton player this season (36), while the only central defender across the division to equal his tally is Yerson Mosquera of Wolves.
The Dutchman was fouled twice in Brighton’s victory against Burnley last time out, and he has been fouled as many as three times in a single game during this campaign.
Coupled with Brighton’s improved defensive numbers – they have not conceded more than one goal in a match since January – Van Hecke feels like a surprisingly astute selection.
Midfielders
Alex Scott: Bournemouth vs Newcastle (A) and Leeds (H)
England hopeful Alex Scott comes into our team after his match-winning strike against Arsenal last week, but it’s not just his scoring that catches the eye.
Scott has been fouled 52 times this season, which ranks joint-third in the Premier League; but perhaps more importantly with regards to our one-player-per-club limit, it’s 22 more times than any other Bournemouth player.
His season-best for fouls won in a game is four, which he has achieved on three occasions, and those instances have all occurred from January onwards.
Scott isn’t limited to earning points from fouls this week, either – he also ranks sixth among midfielders in FPL for total defensive contributions (322) and needs 12 or more in a single game to earn a further two points.
Jérémy Doku: Man City vs Arsenal (H) and Burnley (A)
Manchester City are a better team when Jérémy Doku is in the starting XI, and when he’s fit, he starts. Right now, he’s fit.
Doku has been fouled 2.83 times per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, up from 1.96 in 2024-25 and 1.86 in 2023-24.
That’s the fifth-highest rate among players with at least 10 starts this season, and the most of any player who can play twice this week.
Whether it’s Jurriën Timber, Ben White or Cristhian Mosquera, whoever starts at right-back for Arsenal on Sunday will have their work cut out to halt the incessant danger that Doku provides on Man City’s left.
City follow up their match against Arsenal with a trip to Burnley. The Clarets have given away seven penalties this season, the joint-most of any team, along with Brentford. Remember, winning a penalty will earn a player 10 points this week.
Forward
João Pedro: Chelsea vs Man Utd (H) and Brighton (A)
Our sole forward this week is Chelsea’s João Pedro, who will face Man Utd at Stamford Bridge before returning to the Amex Stadium to face former club Brighton on Tuesday night.
The Brazilian leads all forwards in FPL for fouls won this season, with 49. But his danger doesn’t stop there – he has also won three penalties this season, a figure surpassed only by Brentford’s Dango Ouattara (four).
In fact, since joining Brighton from Watford in the summer of 2023, he has won 12 penalties in all competitions – two more than any other Premier League player.
Since Liam Rosenior’s first Premier League game in charge of Chelsea, against Brentford in Gameweek 22, Bruno Fernandes (87) is the only player to earn more points than João Pedro (82) in FPL.
His threat from general fouls won (49), penalties won (3), and goal involvements (19) combine to make him our preferred choice of captain this week.
GW33 Honourable Mentions
Neco Williamshas been on fire of late in FPL Challenge, earning 38 points across the last two gameweeks. The Welshman sits 10th overall for total fouls won this season, with 48. He only plays once this week, but it is at home to Burnley.
Jaidon Anthony would be our preferred selection from Burnley if pushed, but we have decided to steer clear of the Clarets this week despite their double gameweek. He has been fouled 39 times this season, the most of any Burnley player.
Rayan Cherkicould be a great selection for those concerned about Doku’s game time. The Frenchman has been fouled 1.95 times per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, while he recorded two assists last week against Chelsea.
Opta Analyst’s Team Reveal: Gameweek 33 FPL Challenge Picks
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