Team News

The FPL line-up lessons we learned from Gameweek 5

We take our regular look back at the Premier League line-ups from the weekend just gone, analysing the systems and personnel used by the 20 top-flight clubs and seeing what lessons could be learned ahead of Gameweek 6.

The article has taken a slightly different format this week as we harness the use of the average position maps in our Members’ Area.

The figures in brackets given after each player name correspond to the numbered shirts in the position maps.

Members can read on for further analysis, while those wishing to subscribe can still do so by clicking here – memberships cost £17.50 for the remainder of 2019/20 and a video of the benefits can be accessed here.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 5

1,973 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Let’s go Lewa!!!

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Dont worry my son 😉

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Darth, is that your heavy breathing I hear?

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Luke ?

          1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            More like lukewarm...

            1. el polako
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              ....I need to tell you something.
              Better sit down.

  2. LarryDuff
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    What's your current rank? 🙂

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      1.5m

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      3m 😮

    3. Doctor Evil
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      400k

    4. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      180K

    5. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Thin margins still, rank dosent mean much that early in the season.

    6. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      High.

    7. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Just under 20K, was just under 3K the week before. If only I could figure out how to pick a captain correctly, not managed it once this season yet.

    8. Jafoole_88
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      580k

    9. JonBoy
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      12k...!

      1. LarryDuff
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Same 😀

    10. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      900k 🙁

    11. Pia06rc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      79k

    12. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      23k

    13. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      1.8m

    14. Jon Wicks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      3028

      1. LarryDuff
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Woh

  3. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling surely due a rest now, unless withdrawn early tonight....

    After an awful few weeks not sure its sensible to captain him at weekend when good chance he wont start....

    May switch to kdb.

    Others think the same?

    Alternatively if he doesn't start v watford and rested Preston in the cup next week that's 10 days without a start which seems too long...

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      He'll start.

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Kun obvious captain for me

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Aguero is the one
      KDB could be rested in prem again!?

      1. Your Man With The Hair
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        No chance. Can't afford to not field their best XI

      2. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        KDB's value went up by not starting against Norwich. Don't think he is being rested soon.

    4. Rik Waller
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Scored a hat-trick in the opening game of the season, so a good rest from competitive football can do no harm.

    5. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Starts vs Watford, must win game for City, rested for EFL Cup, back for Everton a week later sounds likely, IMO.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Would u risk it with the armband though?

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I would personally, but I don’t own Aguero or De Bruyne so its a little more straightforward.

      2. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Every league game is a 'must win' game though.

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Hard to argue with this statement however should Liverpool & City be level on points then Pep would be more likely to gamble or relax his approach, being 5 points behind means no room for errors so should play his strongest XI.

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Maybe, but we don't have access to Pep's mind in those scenarios. Personally I doubt he would ever think to himself "Ahhh we are level on points with Liverpool, may as well take some risks". Especially considering they had the highest points ever last season and still barely won the league.

            1. el polako
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              He already took a risk by not starting his most in form midfilder against decimated Norwich...

              1. Epic Fail
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                He wouldn't have seen it as a risk.

                1. el polako
                  • 6 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  In my opinion he seen it a low risk action.

                  1. Epic Fail
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 13 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Yeah that's what I mean. It probably barely registered as a risk to him.

              2. Digital-Real
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                isn't Sterling his most in-form Mid??

                1. el polako
                  • 6 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  KDB is, im talking about real football not fpl points.

            2. Nightcrawler
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Except they didn't have the highest tally last season

              1. Epic Fail
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                It was up there, but obviously you get my point.

        2. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Agree with you, just think after Norwich, they need to get back on track and that means Sterling, De Bruyne, Aguero all start. Could of course be wrong tho.

    6. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Raheem Sterling - compare the minutes:

      Last season:
      CS (05/08) - 0 mins (not in squad)
      GW1 (12/08) - 87 mins
      GW2 (19/08) - 0 mins (benched)
      GW3 (25/08) - 85 mins
      GW4 (01/09) - 90 mins
      INT (08/09) - 0 mins (withdrew from squad with a back injury)
      INT (11/09) - 0 mins (withdrew from squad with a back injury)
      GW5 (15/09) - 75 mins
      CL (19/09) - 76 mins
      GW6 (22/09) - 90 mins
      EFL (25/09) - 35 mins (subbed on)
      GW7 (29/09) - 90 mins
      CL (02/10) - 75 mins
      GW8 (07/10) - 76 mins

      This season:
      CS (04/08): 90 mins
      GW1 (10/08): 90 mins
      GW2 (17/08): 90 mins
      GW3 (25/08): 90 mins
      GW4 (31/08): 90 mins
      INT (07/09) - 71 mins
      INT (10/09) - 90 mins
      GW5 (14/09) - 90 mins
      CL (18/09) - In play

      1. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        So what do we read into that he is not going to benched at all or well overdue a rest 🙂
        Thanks for the stats.

    7. ALegendJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      He will start imo

    8. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Kun benched and a Sterling and KDB owner thinking I might have to go KDB C as he has had his rest
      rather City kill this off and Sterling gets subbed after 60- might still give him the C then.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I may go kdb Capt too

    9. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Certainly possible he is rested but can't be dropping any more points in league for a while and Watford new manager bounce and that ... I think he will likely start. If he doesn't doubt he will come off bench so VC should come in.

  4. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    On Ota watch

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      What channel number is Comedy Central nowadays?

    2. ALegendJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      What to watch?! 😀

    3. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      is that on country file.......i like otters

  5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Mahrez looks like a walking skeleton with skin. No fat, no muscles.

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Never hurt Iniesta

    2. ALegendJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      His playstyle doesn't need physicalities

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        To have no physicality you have to be damn good

        He isn't.

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Playing very well though

  6. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Another area 51 article.
    But come page 8 I can usually un-redacted it.

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      unredacted*

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Get the gist of it.

  7. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Would you hade KDB on WC?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I would.

    3. ALegendJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I reckon so, Son is pushing him close but surely KDB is the better long term option.

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Both

        1. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Probably not if you're doing Salah/Mane and Sterling too as many are.

  8. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Would you have Wilson on WC?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No.

      1. Mackans
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Why?

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Prefer 3 other strikers.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I wouldn't.

      1. Mackans
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Why?

    3. ALegendJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      options for cheaper

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Why?

        1. SHOOTER MCGINN
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Why?

    4. luk46
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Wilson Pukki Abraham is a great front 3

  9. ALegendJ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Choose one:

    A) Aguero
    B) Auba

    Have sterling and KDB.

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B

    3. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B

    4. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B

    5. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B

  10. Your Man With The Hair
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    VVD -> Digne?
    (Have TAA)

    Y / N

    1. ALegendJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Y from me

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Aye if nothing else pressing. Better fixtures and more attacking threat, can always switch back later if Everton don't start getting clean sheets again and Liverpool do.

  11. avfc82
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    The Athletic (@AlexKayJelski) reports that tests confirm Mason Mount did not suffer ligament damage in the Champions League although the midfielder remains a major doubt for this weekends' game against Liverpool. #CFC

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Hopefully he's out for the weekend at least.

    2. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Via Ben Dinnery, sorry if this has already been posted.

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Oh, you mean it might be nonsense?

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Lol I suggest you look for real sources than that nonsence

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Ha, to be fair the info came via the journalist at The Athletic, but I grabbed it from Ben D’s Twitter feed so thought I should mention it.

  12. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    City team need Mendy back

    Zinchenko offers so little going forwards. With sane out they are really lacking any pure attacking width on one wise

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Clean sheets may be free & far between now though

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        True but it would help the team flow even better and create spaces for others

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Boooooo

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I just want to see Mendy again 😆

        I think he's so good for this city team

        1. thepeen555
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I want mendy too

    3. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Did Mendy ever play in a back 4? Feel like it was always in a back 5, will be interesting to see if Pep trusts him in a back 4 if so.

  13. Madderegern
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Considering Kane+Haller -> Auba+Son(attacker in my game) ..... sensible?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah.

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Like it

  14. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Bollocks that man city line up makes Sterling a difficult pick for captaincy vs watford

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yep, difficult to c him and possibly kdb too.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Kdb got his rest v Norwich.

        Kdb surely starts. Sterling who knows...

  15. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Best replacement for Ceballos at 5.6m?

    Would be a 4th mid playing every week.

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Cantwell

  16. St Pauli Walnuts
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    On a WC, thoughts appreciated thanks. I'm happy with the front 3 and definitely want to keep TAA and probably Digne too. Midfield is the main thing I'm trying to figure out. Think Mount is worth holding on to if only out for a game or two, especially when I have Cantwell to cover with decent fixtures. Would prefer Salah over Mane but a lot of compromises required for that so can live with Mane. Son over KDB is one I'm considering but I think KDB scores more over the season. Sterling, hmm well he has had a few blanks and will probably be rotated for one game soon but still he's a great option regardless, or is he ha?

    Pope
    TAA / Digne / Lund
    Mane / Sterling (c) / KDB / Cantwell
    Abraham / Pukki / Haller

    Button / Mings / Soyoncu / Mount

  17. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    PSG goalll

  18. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Can’t make my mind if I should include Sterling in my WC team, sounds silly to go with just KDB from City but maybe there’s a time to break a template ?

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      It has crossed my mind too but I don't think it's the right thing to do.

  19. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Son bench and sub on is nice.
    Confused on Sterling or KDB C now.
    Looks like Kun owners have a march on us for C again.
    Probably change to KDB from Sterling now and the. Sterling starts and hauls 🙂

  20. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    This rodri fella is pretty good

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Amazing but they lose the power-shithousery of Fernandinho, which hurts them.

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Don't get a more sh*thousery defence than otamendi and fernandinho though

      2. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Cue mega shithousery tackle from Rodri ha

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Soon enough, Pep will beat the cynicism into him.

  21. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Mahrez g

  22. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    OMG mahrez

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Dial up

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        😆

  23. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Mahrez doing what Sterling hasn't lately.

  24. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Mahrez is one hell of a player. We forget that because we don't see him that often.

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      What a goal that was what a goal !!!
      Goal of the year probably.

    2. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Wasted not playing often

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      He is but I just don't think he suits peps way of playing

      1. JonBoy
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Surely you don't break your transfer record for a player who doesn't suit your style? Even if your Man City?

    4. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Is this scarcasm or what? It was a tap in that he smashed in ?

  25. timawflowers
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Am I crazy to not get aguero in, already have kdb and sterling. OK to bring in auba and it not backfire?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Of course it could backfire.

  26. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    (While we're at it, first sub to come in for Mount: Maguire, whu, or Dendoncker, cry? Maguire, right?)

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Maguire

  27. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    A) Hayden to Cantwell and bench Mount since back soon
    B) Mount to Cantwell to save cash for Greenwood upgrade

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ooh I was all set on A but B is a good option too. Upgrade to who and does that mean Cantwell has to start every week if you upgrade Greenwood?

      1. Iceball
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Could rotate Cantwell with 4th defender Boly or Lundstram

        1. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Probably B then if means Greenwood to Pukki, Haller, Tammy etc.

  28. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Nice finish by DiMaria for that Paris goal earlier.

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I once had a Threesome with Di and Maria

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I once had a foursome with Angel, Di and Maria.

  29. patshaw
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    1 Kun & Son
    Or
    2 Sterling and Abumeyang
    Both for a hit.

    Currently have Sterling and Rashford.

    1. dshv
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      2

  30. dshv
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Heaton

    Vvd - robbo - digne - walker

    Salah - sterling - mount - dilva

    Pukki - wilson

    (Lund, donky, greeen)

    1. Mount to cantwell right now ?
    2. Save ft and doing downgrade vvd and dilva for 4.5 and son
    3. Give me another option please