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. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Reguilon or Semedo?

    On Spurs guy now, fixtures looking slightly better

    1. Hint
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Reg

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Reg

    2. Turns
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Both good option imo. Probably Reg for me

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sem - Reg could be rotated with European games

    4. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I’ve got reg, I’m worried about Semedo and the Portuguese boys following Ron’s test

    5. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Reg

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

    Hello

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Is it me you’re looking for?

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

      A

  3. Turns
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start one:
    A) McGinn
    B) Podence

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

      1. Turns
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers mate

    2. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Blimey, how did you end up with McGinn?? Personally b

      1. Turns
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Was a make weight so I could go KDB to Kane. Who would you go for at 5.5 or below?

    3. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

  4. Dream Killers 2.0
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any advice on my final WC would be appreciated.

    Martinez
    Robbo, PVA, Saiss
    Salah, Son, Pulisic, Grealish
    Kane, DCL, Antonio

    Steer, Lampety, Bissouma, Mitchell

    1. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nice. Good luck buddy

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Love it - 10/10

    3. Turns
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sold team. Like the PVA pick given the fixtures.

      Not sure about Antonio given the next 3 games. Maupay/Watkins instead?

      1. Dream Killers 2.0
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I see the logic but I'd only want Antonio in for West Ham fixture swing.
        Sadly can't afford Maupay (0.2m out) or I would have gone for him.

        Potentially could downgrade Saiss or Lampety to move Antonio to Maupay.

        Not sure about double Villa attack.

    4. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Great team

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

      very similar to mine so love it!

      have Reguilon, Chilwell, Watkins for PVA, Saiss, Antonio

      Last 15 mins spent debating PVA in for Chilwell...

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

    Pick two:

    Reguilon v Chilwell v PvA

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      PVA

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        And Chil

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

    Two questions:
    1. Will Saiss keep his starting place?
    2.Will Jrod start today?

    Thanks and have a nice gw 😉

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      1. yes
      2. yes

  7. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    please ?

    A) Werner + Reguilon
    B) Richarlison + Robertson

    *Own TAA, Pulisic and Hames

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

      B

  8. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Sterling fit? Will he stert?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes x2

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

    Hey guys, what do you think about PVA as a WC pick?

    Cheers

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Love it, also gives value to Mitchell as 5th def fodder

    2. Turns
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I would

  10. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone starting Reece James just in case?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I am - Chelsea bear fully fit so if he doesn’t start he shouldn’t come on

    2. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Tempted. Between him and Lampety. Worried he'll get a cameo, that would really cheese me off.

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

    WC team, GTG?

    Martinez (4.0)
    Robertson Castagne Chilwell (KWP Mitchell)
    Salah(c) Son Rodriguez Zaha Grealish
    Kane DLC (Brewster)

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Careful with Zaha -not a great pick and potential injured

  12. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is it worth taking a 4 point hit to do

    KDB > Grealish

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

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

      no

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

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

    so barkley or grealish?

    thoughts on wilson instead of dcl. on pens and only 3 points less in a game week less?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Grealish

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

      Grealish

      Like wilson expect him to score today and maybe trigger the bandwagon

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

    Justin nailed?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not at all - Ricardo back soon

    2. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      But for now, he will be, difference between return to fitness and return to play

  15. asquishypotato
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ok, got it narrowed down to my cheap striker, 3 weeks execution of stay before he goes for Antonio

    Watkins (have Barkley already)
    Maupay
    Wilson

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Maupay

  16. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who will be themost Captained player this GW?

    Salah or Son

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      About the same I expect

  17. Ribus
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best under 4.0-4.1 defender to own mid/long term?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mitchell if you have PVA

  18. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Zaha and Watkins

    or

    Grealish and Maupay?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      G&M

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

      Grealish and Maupay without a doubt for me

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

      GM

  19. Ronniie
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play Saiss or Lamptey?

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

      Same dilemma! I’m currently on saiss

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Saiss - goal threat

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

        Lamptey has an assist threat too!
        But I guess wolves Leeds is likely to have more goals

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

          I’m also wary of Saiss yellow card and potential red with Leeds style of play haha

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

      I'm in the same dilemma too! Think I will go for Saiss bec Leeds have conceded 10 headed chances in the first 4 games!

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

        Interesting! I’m on Saiss at the moment

    4. jam sandwich
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Saiss, as there is a decent chance Lamptey doesn't play 60+ minutes I'd say

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

        Cheers 🙂

  20. Kitman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on zouma?

    Is he worth the extra 0.5 over the likes of Dallas or potentially masuaka in a few weeks

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Prefer Zouma

  21. yakirh
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Will Sterling start?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

    2. Couch Potato
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Might not stert, but he should start

      1. yakirh
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        The hell with it, I'm captaining him

  22. Assist me a river
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which 2 do I play?
    Justin - Mitchell - Konsa

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bench Mitch

  23. FPL MVP
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Chillwell, Reguillon or PVA? Got Chilwell at 5.5 so would lose .1 selling him, worth holding? On a WC

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      PVA or Chill, both good

  24. Dichio24
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez
    Lamptey, Ayling, Robertson
    Salah, Grealish, Pulisic, Son
    DCL, Kane, Maupay

    Bench: Forster, Soucek, Konsa, KWP

    GTG?

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

    Is Kilman worth the 0.1m being in my WC team as a bench fodder just in case Saiss loses his starting place?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Waste of Wolves spot

  26. 2OLEgend
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Vardy to Kane for free? Have a feeling Vardy could punish me badly

    1. Couch Potato
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kane should get you more assists

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

    Right, here we go. (-4), but now with 3.4m ITB. Any changes? Or convincing arguments for Salah v Son captain? 🙂

    Martinez
    Robbo Saiss Lamptey
    Salah Son(c) Havertz JRodriguez Podence
    Jimenez DCL

    Steer - Taylor Mitchell Davis

  28. The Legend Squad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Not the best options for my 11th player. Who starts?

    1. KWP
    2. Bissouma
    3. Lewis

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

      KWP

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

    Trade -4 or hold KDB?

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

    A or B?

    A) Robertson & Pulisic, Mitchell
    B) Robertson & Rodriguez, Sakho

    Current WC Team:

    McCarthy
    Robertson Semedo Chillwell
    Salah Son Grealish Rodriguez
    Kane DCL Maupay

    Subs: Anguissa, Lamperty, Mitchell

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B