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

    Can't decide between Son and Kane for captain ARGHHHHH

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

      Son

    2. sthelenslad92
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'd go Son

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

      Harry

    4. NIGHTHIKER - I Kane, I Shaw…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kane for me

    5. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sonny

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

      I’ve gone Son. Put it on him 2 weeks ago and not overthought it.

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

      Got to be Kane imo if you have him.

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

      I went kane so anyone else is the correct choice. Probably from another team.

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

    Kdb and ings to grealish and kane -4?

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

      yes without a doubt

    2. sthelenslad92
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Great moves

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

    Hi lads, bit of help here please

    I did--> Bavies,Podence,Werner->Chilwell, Son, Wilson (-8).

    Should I WC still? Kinda took a big hit.

    McCarthy,Nyland
    TAA,Chilwell,Justin,Mitchell,Buur
    Salah,Sterling,JRod,Son,Bissouma
    Wilsom,Jimenez,Mitro

    This would be my WC

    Martinez,Forster
    Chillwell,Justin,Saiss,Mitchell,Douglas
    Salah,Sterling,Son,Jrod,Grealish
    Jimenez,DCL,Brewster

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

      Ha! I took a drunken -16

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

        Lolol

  4. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Why has Zaha suddenly been yellow flagged!?

      1. Flynniesta
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Argh, the story of my wildcard last week

  5. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is it worth swapping out KDB for a -8 from my score but for who? (Have son,Salah,and don’t have enough money for Mané,also have Grealish)

  6. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Surely Jimmy willdo alright this weekend against Leeds. Surely

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

      Ditching one of him or Podence if they blank yet again, so hope so!

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Part of me says ditch for Brewster. But this also seems like a bad time to make dscisions

    2. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      SURELY yes. I don't even own him

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

      100% keep!

    4. Deeney-is-a-god
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      If he doesnt he becomes kane or aguero for me

  7. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    made some bad early transfers so on -12 after selling KDB. Would you WC?
    Ramsdale/4.0
    Chilwell Semedo Justin
    Son Salah Rashford Podence Grealish
    DCL Mitro
    (Brewster Mitchell KWP)
    6.3 ITB

    1. NIGHTHIKER - I Kane, I Shaw…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Time is of the essence, but a -12 is something I'd very much avoid. Ideally I wouldn't take more than about 5 hits over the course of a season, they do really start to add up.

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

      You’ve got a decent squad. I took -16 but it does look a good fpl side

    3. Vlekz
        3 years, 5 months ago

        -12 and 6.3ITB. I just might. With that team I don't think my GW will cover for that -12

      • AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Not with 28 minutes to go

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

      Any Villa fans here to confirm whether Heaton is expected to go straight back to the no.1 spot when he returns? i've read that he is close to full fitness

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

        He is more likely to fight with Steer for the second keeper role I guess

    5. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Who to bench!?

      A) Justin (AVL)
      B) Saiss (lee)
      C) Digne (LIV)
      D) Brewster (FUL)

      Cheers

      1. NIGHTHIKER - I Kane, I Shaw…
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Brewster imo, think he'll probably be introduced from the bench

        1. Catastrophe
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Cheers. Hes in line for a start, no? Wasn't Burke injured during international break?

      2. Runaway
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Tough one, I do not think any of those defender will keep a CS, I would probably bench B.

        1. Catastrophe
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Cheers. I don't fancy any to keep CS either, but doesn't Saiss (currently) have more attacking games threat than Justin and Digne?

    6. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      How would you spend your last 0.4 :

      A) having a playing 3rd bench (KWP) over a non-playing one (Mitchell)

      B) having a stronger 1st bench (Soucek) over a regular 2-3 pointer (Bissouma, Stephens)

      C) keep 0,4 and hope your players are well kept from COVID (and injury of course)

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        B or C IMO but easier to advise if we can see full team. Would prefer Soucek to Bissouma for the little extra.

    7. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bought Son in for hit. Worth slapping on the armband instead of Salah?

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

        I think so

        1. Dirty Harry
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Thanks

      2. The Senate
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I am

      3. Deeney-is-a-god
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Did the same thing, and captained him

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

        Yes

    8. corderz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wildcard team GTG? (0.3m itb)

      Martinez
      Robbo Chilwell Reguilon
      Salah Son(vc) Rodriguez Grealish
      Kane(C) DCL Maupay

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

        Yes solid

    9. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      That Chelsea lineup is going to make or break a lot today

    10. davies
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Play Soucek or Mitchell?

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

        Soucek

      2. John Nerdelbaum
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Soucek

    11. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm really excited to see Bale tomorrow.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Could be the dogs bo.....

        Again!

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

        Man me too. I couldn’t bring myself to punt on him as KDB replacement so went Havertz, but Bale could be awesome

      3. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I'm in two minds. Its great tohave him back, but seeing him on the right wing just wont be the same as left back

    12. 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

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

      Ings/Jimmy -> Kane worth -4?

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

        Jimmy of the two. Wolves attacking stats are woeful. Ings has the fixtures medium term

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

      KDB > ???

      a. Mane (Have Salah)

      b. Stirling

      c. Save and use FT next GW

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A or B

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

          oh this would be for a - 8 btw

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            A minus 4

            The past has gone!

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

              ive already used my FT early to get Son and had to do a - 4 to do the move 🙁

      2. John Nerdelbaum
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I'd do A or B. Who knows how long KDB will be out for

    15. Muscout
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Best 4.8 or below mid? Minus Soucek

    16. Railwayman
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Play one:

      a) Semedo

      b) Dallas

      c) Lamptey

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

      Should Brewster become a solid, Greenwood-2020-esque option, it enables an insane team if you go him and DCL up top!

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Strong option, I really like it, but I'd want Antonio GW8.

    18. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Surprised at how many have gone Son or Kane over Salah (c) given how organised Moyesehs men have been so far.

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

        Was just gut for me tbh, stuck it on Son start of the IB and haven’t changed. Everton could make things difficult for Liverpool

        1. Simon69
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          They could alright but they've conceded goals in all but opening game - Should be a great GW.

          1. Baps hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            On the other hand Everton has even better xGA, so it is difficult. Son is more likely to assist, keep cs and get baps imo. Yet Salah has higher odds to score and pens on his side.

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

        While Moyes was away from the touch line. He’s back to ruin things again now.

        1. Simon69
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Never has a truer sentence been spoken.

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

        What makes Salah better vs Everton?

        Everton kept a clean sheet vs Spurs. They have the lowest xGC in the league. The history of the fixture is low scoring...

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

      Is Sterling's injury anything of concern that will mean he won't start?

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        It's possible

    20. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Does Vardy play?

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

        think so mate

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

      Best defender for 4.6m on wc? Have lamptey and Dallas.

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

        Villa and Palace but have v good fixtures ahead so I'm tempted by them

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

          Ward nailed? Thanks

    22. AD2110
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thoughts on this WC team? Which option to go for?

      McCarthy, (Steer)
      Saiss, Dallas, Mitchell, XXX, XXX
      Salah, Son, Grealish, Bissouma, XXX
      Kane, DCL, Wilson

      A) Chilwell, Robbo, Pulisic
      B) Lamptey, Konsa, Sterling

      Only thing with A) is that it doesn’t give much flexibility on getting back KDB once fit

      1. NorthernMan
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A)

    23. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      So no Mitchell today?

    24. Gaffa914
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thoughts on starting Brewster over Hames

    25. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Reed to whom for a -4? Got no subs so need to make a switch.

      A) Pulisic
      B) J. Rod
      C) Grealish

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

      Best defender for 4.6 and under? Leaning towards a Villa player, but also tempted by Palace (although who starts for them when everyone is fit?)