It was a solid week for the column last week as the best team selection scored 76 points. The goalkeeper and defence didn’t concede a goal which was an elite result, but it was let down a bit by the midfield and attack. The final gameweek before the international break looks an interesting one, so let’s crack on with our FPL Gameweek 5 preview.
FPL Gameweek 4 Team
GK: Verbruggen – 8pts
DEF: De Cuyper – 11pts, Gvardiol – 11pts, Calafiori – 6pts, Konsa – 6pts
MID: Odegaard – 3pts, Gakpo – 1pt, Palmer – 5pts, Pino – 1pt
FWD: Haaland (C) – 18pts, Isak – 2pts
TOTAL: 76pts
FPL Gameweek 5 Target Fixtures & Players
Manchester City (vs Sunderland, home)
City got a great win against Manchester United last week despite being down to ten men for most of the game. They take on a Sunderland team who have had a solid but unspectacular start to the season. They did play in Europe in midweek though, so bouncing back with a tough away game is a big ask.
Top picks:
- Josko Gvardiol (5.7m) – At this price he’s probably the best value defender in the game.
- Rayan Cherki (7.8m) – Subbed at half time last week but with Phil Foden suspended the French maverick is likely to get more minutes.
- Antoine Semenyo (8.4m) – Not yet exploded this campaign but seems in favour by Enzo Maresca.
- Erling Haaland (15.5m) – Matchwinner two weeks in a row. Haaland is a no-brainer.
Arsenal (vs Brighton, away)
Arsenal are flying, it’s as simple as yet. They’ve won every game so far this campaign, and while Brighton will post a stiff test, they’re strongly favoured to pick up another three points. The defence looks even better than last season and their attackers look free and are firing on all cylinders.
Top picks:
- Ezri Konsa (4.5m) – Gave away a penalty last week, somewhat unfortunately, but kept a clean sheet and at 4.5m he’s an absolute bargain.
- Ricardo Calafiori (5.7m) – Hauled again last week with the clean sheet bonus and looks superb this season.
- Martin Odegaard (6.7m) – No attacking returns last week but still at the centre of everything Arsenal do.
- Bukayo Saka (9.5m) – Rested in midweek, Saka has three goals in four games and looks like he’s enjoying his football. Also likely on penalties while Gyokeres isn’t in the side.
Everton (vs Ipswich, home)
Unbeaten Everton take on Ipswich who picked up a crucial win on the road at Crystal Palace last time out. Palace look like they’re still finding their feet though and Everton have won one and drawn one so far, and know winning these types of games are crucial to them avoiding getting into another relegation scrap.
Top picks:
- Jordan Pickford (5.5m) – England’s No.1 has a strong chance of a clean sheet here.
- James Tarkowski (6.1m) – Two clean sheets and a goal mean Tarkowski is fully justifying his premium price tag so far.
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (6.5m) – Looks the best Everton midfield option given his all-round style.
Nottingham Forest (vs Coventry, home)
Forest got a crucial win on the road at Aston Villa last week and face a home game against Coventry who have been absolutely rotten so far. Oliver Glasner’s side are strongly fancied to carry on their solid start to the season.
Top picks:
- Neco Williams (5.0m) – Glasner loves full backs and Williams is proving a great pick this season.
- Morgan Gibbs-White (8.0m) – Forest’s best player and has a huge ceiling, as proved by 13 and 8 point hauls already this season.
- Liam Delap (5.5m) – Looks determined to prove a point and scored a lovely goal against Aston Villa last week.
Leeds (vs Crystal Palace, home)
Leeds are third in the table and playing some lovely stuff. They despatched a good Newcastle side with ease on Monday and now have another home game. A chance to really cement themselves and create daylight from the relegation zone early in the season.
Top picks:
- Tarik Muharemovic (5.0m) – Much was expected of the Bosnian this season and he’s looking very promising so far.
- Anton Stach (6.0m) – Stach is Leeds chief creator and highest scoring midfielder. Not scored since Gameweek 1, but is keeping things ticking over.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin (6.0m) – The most owned sub-6.0m forward in the game is making a mockery of his price tag. Looks truly back to his best and will fancy his chances of adding to his season tally here.
FPL Gameweek 5 Captaincy
Erling Haaland (C) – I know it’s boring but the Norwegian scored for the third week in a row last week, and there’s no reason to stop believing in him as the best FPL captain. Set and forget.
Morgan Gibbs-White (VC) – Something of a differential captaincy pick, but with Forest having such an appealing home game, this is the chance to throw the dice a bit.
Worth a Punt
Andy Robertson (4.4m) – Tottenham have kept two clean sheets in a row and Robertson is a budget route into their backline.
Harvey Barnes (6.0m) – Owned by just 3.3% of managers, and while Newcastle got thumped last week against Leeds, they back up against two newly promoted sides, and this could be a week Barnes explodes.
Evanilson (6.0m) – Got an assist last week and Bournemouth will be well up for their game against former boss Andoni Iraola. The Brazilian was tipped not to start as many games this year but still looks like he’s first choice for the Cherries.
Jorgen Strand Larsen (6.0m) – Put up in this column last week and found the back of the net, he looks a decent option again, against a Leeds side that have conceded in all but one game so far.
FPL Gameweek 5 Team
GK: Pickford (5.5m)
DEF: Gvardiol (5.7m), Williams (5.0m), Konsa (4.5m)
MID: Saka (9.5m), Cherki (7.7m), Gibbs-White (8.0m), Dewsbury-Hall (6.5m)
FWD: Haaland (15.5m), Delap (5.5m), Calvert-Lewin (6.0m)
SUBS: Kinsky (4.5m), Muharemovic (5.0m), Robertson (4.4m), Barnes (6.0m)
TOTAL: 99.3m
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