Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 5

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 5.

The international break is over – don’t worry, only 23 days to go until the next one – and it promises to be a crucial four-Gameweek period between now and then. The action gets underway this weekend with the Merseyside derby.

This guide aims to pick out all the crucial bits of information to help you ready your FPL team ahead of the 11:00 BST deadline.

The headline news from yesterday’s press conferences was undoubtedly the confirmed absence of Kevin De Bruyne (£11.6m). 

The 34.6%-owned Belgian had been a captaincy contender ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Arsenal, having totalled 33 points across two matches against the Gunners last season. 

But attention now turns away from Pep Guardiola’s troops leaving Fantasy managers faced with a tricky decision. Jan Sienkiewicz summed up the situation in Captain Sensible:

It’s a far from straightforward week concerning the captaincy, with fixtures that would have looked good on paper before the season started suddenly not appearing as favourable.

– Jan

Tottenham Hotspur take on a much-improved West Ham: over the last three Gameweeks, no team has allowed fewer shots from inside their box than the Hammers. And Everton, who face Liverpool, have the next-meanest defence.

But as Legomané humorously observed, it’s nigh-on impossible to tell what constitutes an easy fixture these days.

Az talked up Chelsea’s chances on the Scoutcast, and even revealed that he is planning to captain Kai Havertz (£8.4m) – although that was before he pushed the Wildcard button:

Southampton is the perfect game for the new look Chelsea… I know [Southampton’s] defensive numbers have been better, but I’m looking at them thinking if they play their high line, and you’ve got players like Werner and Pulisic, and Havertz pulling the strings and Ziyech doing all these creative bits in behind, then I think they’re going to really get at them. So I really like this fixture for Chelsea.

– Az

Although caution is perhaps advised for those considering the returning Christian Pulisic (£8.3m), Matt Henley neatly encapsulating the dilemma facing Fantasy managers:

Pulisic is quality but his legs are made of Weetabix.

– Matt Henley 

And in a Gameweek of divided opinions, Joe took a different view on Chelsea:

According to the expected goals stat, it looks like [Chelsea] may have got slightly lucky… the expected goals is 6.87, so very high, but the goals they’ve scored is 10, so they are overperforming.

– Joe speaking in the Captaincy Video

Spurs players appeal most to Joe. And with the news that De Bruyne has been ruled out, the veteran Scoutcaster is considering swapping out the Belgian for Son Heung-min (£9.2m). Could Son even be handed the captain’s armband?

I think Son is a very good captain pick in a week where I don’t think there are many good captains.

– Joe

West Ham have just a 15 per cent chance of a clean sheet, according to the odds supplied by G-Whizz, adding weight to the idea of backing a Spurs player. Harry Kane (£10.6m) gets the nod from BigManBakar:

Kane has created the highest amount of big chances in the league which add to his value. He has the best expected goal involvement (xGI) since the season started of all players in the league, so with great fixtures to come I believe he’s the main asset to own.

– BigManBakar

Schadenfreude and exciting new differentials

Schadenfreude is not the name of a former Spurs midfielder but one of the few German words adopted directly into the English language. If you want to know exactly what it means, take a look at Pro Pundit Sam Bonfield and husband Lee in their Top Five Wildcard Picks video from last week.

Spurs-fan Sam reveled in reminding Liverpool-fan Lee how many goals the Reds conceded to Aston Villa, leading fellow Pro Pundit Zophar to accuse her of “spousal abuse” on the FPL Wire. If that’s not enjoying the misfortune of others, I don’t know what is. By the way, it was seven goals in case anyone had forgotten. 

But all seemed well on Friday with the Bonfields in daring mood, braving the heights at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Following their adrenaline rush, will either of them feel emboldened to add Gareth Bale (£9.5m) to their squads?

The video footage released by both Bale and Spurs over the International break shows a player back in full training, looking happy and sharp. He has personally commented on the quality of the care and the facilities at Spurs and, after being overlooked for a few seasons in Spain, may feel he has something to prove (see Rodriguez at Everton for an indicator of what’s possible)… but, for me right now, the form of both Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min are just impossible to ignore, so you should make one or both your first picks from Tottenham’s assets.

– Sam

However, Jose Mourinho was noncommittal about whether Bale would start on Sunday:

He’s there, he’s there. Probably he plays Sunday, if he doesn’t he will on Thursday, but he’s there, he’s very, very close.

– Jose Mourinho

Bale isn’t the only enticing differential ahead of Gameweek 5. Pro Pundits Lateriser and Tom Freeman have both talked up Aston Villa assets during the international break. 

Ross Barkley (£5.9m) and Ollie Watkins (£6.0m) appeal to Lateriser along with Brighton’s Leandro Trossard (£6.0m). The Seagulls midfielder is taking up a very advanced position and producing some impressive underlying stats: only four midfielders have taken more shots.

Meanwhile Zophar pointed out that Ross Barkley was practically a support striker against Liverpool, judging by his shot map. And Tom even suggested he could be on penalties.

The Villa fan also singled out Watkins as his top differential pick, writing in glowing terms of his all-round potential and striking ability. The former Brentford star could benefit from an injury-hit Leicester City on Sunday, with Cağlar Söyüncü (£5.5m) set to miss out and his central defensive partner, Jonny Evans (£5.5m), a doubt with abdominal pain. 

Tom concluded his Pro Pundit piece:

I’m not totally convinced Villa will be good week in, week out, but if the connection between Grealish, Barkley and Watkins continues, they could offer FPL managers some serious value, and the fixtures between Gameweeks 6-15 will certainly give them the platform to impress.

– Tom

Elsewhere, Under-17 World Cup winner, Rhian Brewster (£4.5m), has piqued the interest of many in the FPL Community following his move to Sheffield United. Neale ran the rule over the former Liverpool youngster highlighting his finishing strength during a successful loan period at Swansea. The new recruit also picked up the Golden Boot at the Under-17 World Cup in India back in 2017.

Described as “a gift from the FPL gods” by Zophar, Brewster’s budget price tag enables us to upgrade our squad in other positions. Which could be handy for owners of Tyrick Mitchell (£4.1m) with the news that Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) is “back”.

Ahead of an enticing run, Van Aanholt was Joe’s differential pick on the Scoutcast – six of Crystal Palace’s next seven fixtures are rated at just two on the FPL website. 

And on FPL Black Box, Mark gave the Dutchman a ringing endorsement, pointing out that Palace perform very well against weaker opposition – they kept eight clean sheets against teams outside the ‘Big Seven’ (the ‘Big Six’ plus Leicester) – and Van Aanholt averaged five points per match in those games. What’s more, Mark thinks that he could be on penalties and free-kicks.

However, not everyone was so enthusiastic. Granville gave a withering reply when asked if he was a fan of PVA: “yeah, when I’m putting up wallpaper.”

Meanwhile Pro Pundit Holly found it useful to delve into the stats in an attempt to find some clarity during what’s been an unpredictable start to the season. 

The first name highlighted using her sanguine approach was Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.6m):

Calvert-Lewin leads the goal-scoring charts with six goals from six big chances, as well as dominating the shots (15) and shots on target (nine) behind just Harry Kane (£10.6m).

– Holy

Sometimes the obvious picks are the best.

Finally, Pro Pundit Andy revealed a stat that few expected to hear at the start of the season:

At 7.72 xGC [Manchester United] are the second worst defence statistically and are only kept off the bottom spot by West Brom, a stat that looks even worse when you consider United have only played three matches.

– Andy

It’s not a pretty picture for followers of the Red Devils: they are one of only four teams in the whole of English professional football to have conceded more goals than they’ve managed shots on target in 2020/21.

Community latest

Site moderator Gregor (real name Graeme Sumner) was invited to join Joe on his popular Meet the Manager series. 

Graeme has managed an outstanding three top 1,000 finishes during his FPL career, the best of which was 29th overall in 2016/17. An advocate of the eye test over stats, Graeme talked about his style of play and plans for the upcoming Gameweeks – he has it all mapped out with Antonio set to be his captain in Gameweek 8 for an enticing home encounter against Fulham. 

Make time to watch the interview if you haven’t seen it already. 

Earlier this week, the Best of the Community feature covered a range of topics from Chelsea’s defence to innovative ideas on how to handle the topsy-turvy start to the season. It also rounded-up all FFScout Mini-Leagues and Community Competitions.

And finally, for those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 5 can be found below:

Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,310 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Jimenez to Kane for a -4 smart idea ? 😀

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      could backfire but if set on captaining kane it might be worth doing

  2. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    1FT left. Anything worth doing? (FanTeam)

    Lloris
    TAA Boly Zouma
    Salah Sterling Podence Rodriguez
    Werner Jimenez Watkins

    (Meslier Bissouma Mina O'Connell)

    1. Pratik
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      who has your armband....Looks good for the week.

  3. bruuuno
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Konsa or Targett?

    1. Oooo Matron
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Would have said Targett but Konsa seems nailed and Villa have some threat at Set plays. Think both are good picks.

  4. tissae
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Wilson or Maupay?

    1. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      M

  5. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Last night armband was on Son, this morning Salah. Help! Which to go for?

  6. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    No love for Digne? Everton is top for lowest xG conceded so far

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Still playing liverpool next though. And still have been conceding

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Pickford

  7. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any super convincing arguments for Salah over Son(c)?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      its Salah lol, can haul at anytime but now so can Son lol

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Lol

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Spurs is like a cup final for West Ham, I think it’ll be low scoring - still an unconvincing argument lol

    3. JollyGoodYellows
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Salah odds on to score, Son 7/5

      1. Tinkermania
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Odds mean nothing for fpl.

    4. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Both decent choices. Everton are leaky and salah has decent form. Wham 2 clean sheets in the last 2. Who knows which spurs turn up.

    5. 11SPECIALONE11
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looking at the history Son is better away from home

      Salah has only scored 1 goal vs Everton

      History says the Liverpool Vs Everton game will be low scoring

      Conculsion: Kane (C)

  8. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Already taken a hit at the beginning of international break.

    A) bench KDB

    B) KDB > Grealish/Pulisic/Bale -8

    C) KDB > Salah -12 lol

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      im actually just going to bench KDB and Play Podence, reassess next GW with my FT.

  9. Enes_Sahini1
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed...

    sorry lads havent been keeping up over the break

    Am on a wildcard is there any sort of template to follow?

    Any advice appreciated, cheers.

    1. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I thought templates are to be avoided, not followed.

  10. Pratik
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling vs Son as captain?

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son

  11. Ycfc
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play two:

    A) Digne (LIV)
    B) Dunne (wba)
    C) Mitchell (BHA)
    D) Lamptey (cry)

    Thanks!

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A and D

    2. Oooo Matron
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lampety & Digne

  12. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Captain:

    A. Salah
    B. Son
    C. Kane
    D. Werner
    E. Havertz
    F. Mahrez

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    3. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A or B

  13. cutch
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Captain one:
    A) Salah
    B) Hamez
    C) Grealish
    D) DCL

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A out of those

  14. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Chillwell or PVA?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Chillwell

  15. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KDB to Sterling for a -4 hit?

  16. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Captain Salah or Son...that is the only question I have remaining

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      same as a few of us on here lad

    3. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      salah

  17. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Repost

    Hey guys, how nailed on is Stephens? Should I pick Bissouma for 0.1 more? I would only want to pick Stephens if he is fully nailed on.

    Cheers

    1. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      nailed atm, I'd save the 0.1, could come in handy.

  18. Kingtekkerz
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play Taylor or Lamptey?

    1. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Taylor

  19. Indio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hi all,

    Made all the hard WC decisions but my favoured drafts leaves me with Mitchell and £0.4M itb. and this defence...

    TAA, Chilly, Saiss, KWP, Mitchell

    Is worth either going for a playing 4.4 like Ream (yeah yeah, I know!) or even downgrading Martinez to a 4.5, so I can bring in a £4.5 defender like Ayling? Or ,given it's a last slot behind a strong defence, shall I just keep Mitchell as an enabler with some change ITB, despite the gametime risk?

    Thanks, and good luck to all today.

  20. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KDB ->

    A) Grealish
    B) JRod

    1. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A if you have an Everton asset already

    2. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      50-50 I'd spread the risk so if you already have someone like Watkins then James, if you have Calvert-Lewin then Grealish.

  21. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Baldock over Saiss just for this gw on a WC?
    Or is it a "waste" of a transfer
    I have no planned transfers till gw8 though cause my team looks great

  22. Eirern
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Please help,
    Best 4.5 defender?

    Dallas?
    KWP?
    Other?

  23. Pariße
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    on WC 0.6m ITB. I went for Dunne (4.0 non starter), should I use the money for a better player?

  24. Tinydancer
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Thinking of taking KDB out for a -4, Already have Salah Son, Option:

    A - Fernades
    B - Mane
    C - Pulisic
    D - Sterling
    E - Other

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Puli

    2. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      MANE easy. By far the best stats.

    3. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B or C

  25. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start Saiss or Lamptey?

  26. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any good rotating 4.5 GK pair?

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mccarthy and Ryan. Been mine from the start.

  27. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Whey gang. Can I ask why Pulisic is such a popular transfer?

    1. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Many hoping he'll hit the ground running and kick Chelsea into gear.

  28. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Right then, Barkley or Trossard and why?

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Trossard because he is better at association football than Barkley.

  29. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Kane or Son for C?

    1. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sonnyboy

  30. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KdB -->

    A) Sterling (-4)
    B) Start Justin/Ward