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. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Did a -4 for Sonny. GTG here?

    Ramsdale
    TAA Taylor Justin Mitchell
    Salah Sterling Son(C)
    Vardy(Vc) Wilson DCL

    Steer Bissouma KWP Romeu

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

      Yes

  2. Gimli son of Gloin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start Rodriguez or DCL? Fancy Liverpool to win this, leaning DCL.

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

      DCL

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Both surely..

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

      Both

    4. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Both and see if they are true or not

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

    KDB to Sterling or Mané?

    McCarthy
    TAA - Justin - Mitchell
    KDB - Salah - Son - Zaha
    Wilson - DCL - Jimé

    Nyland - Stephens - KWP - Holding

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

      Mane

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sterlong

  4. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    PULISICCCCCCC!!!

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

      Please say that at 2pm

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

      Why is he suddenly so popular?

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

        More hope from last season than expectation but needs must

      2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He hasn’t crushed anyones hope yet

      3. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Fantasy football scout optimism. Taken a punt on him myself

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

        He's probably the most underpriced player to have scored more than 5 points per game last season. Also there are a lot of Americans getting into FPL lately, especially on Reddit.

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

      Makes a great pass to Havertz, through one on one, GOAL!

  5. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Jorginho expected tp start?

  6. Lingard’s Shin Guards
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    rp. Podence -> Pulisic or Grealish (-4)?

    or do Podence and Foden -> Pulisic and Grealish (-8)?

  7. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bale or Rashford??

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

      I don't like either tbh

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

      Neither

  8. AF90
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    RMWCT ...Any changes?

    Martinez 4.0
    Robertson, Saiss, Dallas, Lamptey, Mitchell
    Salah, Son, Grealish, Pulisic, 4.4
    Kane, DCL, Maupay

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

      looks good

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

    Repost:
    KDB or -4 Sterling?

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

      Does no one know the answer to this question or something?

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      -4 Sterling

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

        Yes

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

        will sterling definitely start?

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

      Can't keep all that money on the bench!

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

    Jimi to Kane for free?

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

      not for mine, I like wolves fixtures

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

        Ok. Just sounds a good captain pick on here.

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

      Not this week.

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

      Yes. I did it for a hit.

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

        Oh wow

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

      Yes

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

        I would

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

      I have the money for next week but I think the Wolves that played City not Fulham will show up on Monday v that Leeds attackfest

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

      I did Vardy to Kane for a hit and KDB to Son right at the start of the IB

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

    Think its a weekend to really study. Spurs with Bale, Chelsea with nearly all options ready, City minus KDB. Lot more data for GW6.

  12. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Many capping Son on here? Feel like we should always captain a penalty taker

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

      salah for me

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

      I currently am... mainly cos I don’t like captaining a player in the first game lol

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        This

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

      I’m on Son. This place giving me doubts despite him having the armband for the last 13 days.

    4. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I’m on sterling

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

      Was on Son all week but now on Salah, on pens and see him scoring.

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

      Yep. That's why it will be Kane for me.
      Pens are essential this year.

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

    WC G2G?

    McCarthy
    Robertson Semedo Chillwell
    Salah (C) Son Grealish Rodriguez
    Kane DCL Maupay

    Subs: Konsa, Lamptey, Anguissa

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

      Lovely stuff

    2. G Banger
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Great team, must have a ridiculous TV for week 5!

  14. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Captain Salah or Kane?

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

      I have both in my team, but I'm captaining Son!

      Of course, this could end in tears

  15. Maeki2
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Keep 5m in bank or -4 (che Adams) -> Kane

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

      Do the move.

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

      Ksne.x

  16. 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 but could Brownhill or Gudmunsson take his place?

    Cheers

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

      answered this.

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

        Thank you. Do you know why in the team news section it says Brownhill can take Stephens place? What about Gudmundsson?

  17. schlupptheweek
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I am captaining Havertz or Pulisic. I am tending towards Pulisic even though he'll probably only get 60-70min today. Is Pulisic the best (C) risk?

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

      Ive bought but surely too dangerous to cap.

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

      Do it. Pulisic is the one.

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

        Thanks I'll go Pulisic. Hopefully he doesn't do a Trossard vs Man Utd!

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

    Martinez
    TAA Chilwell Saiss
    Salah(C) Son(V) Sterling Foden
    Jimenez DCL Brewster
    Steer Podence Lamptey Mitchell
    GTG?

  19. Ritchies Magic Hat
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play 1:
    A - Mitchell (BHA)
    B - Justin (AVL)

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

      Mitchell

    2. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B. Unlikely A will play is the general feeling with PVA back

      1. Ritchies Magic Hat
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks - wasn't sure if he'd have one more week but I have Maupay anyway so will play Justin and hope Villa got all their goals out of the system last week!

  20. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which 2 should I start?

    A - Podence
    B - Brewster
    C - Bissouma
    D - Shaw

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

      B and C

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

        Any reason for Bissouma over Podence or just a hunch?

  21. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Lamptey likely to start?

  22. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) Chilwell, Saiss, Lamptey, Stephens, Maupay.
    B) Coady, Lamptey, Dallas, Hamez, Brewster
    C) Chilwell, Semedo, Dallas, Stephens, Maupay

    Martinez, Forster
    Robbo, Chilwell, Saiss, Lamptey, Ferguson
    Salah, Son, Pulisic, Grealish, Stephens
    Kane, DCL, Maupay.

  23. Merlinho
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Draft question - bench two of Enda Stevens (FUL), Reece James (SOU), PVA (BHA), Marcal (lee)?

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

      James and Marcal.

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

    Captain Kane or Son?

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

      Kane (on pens too)

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

        Cheers

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

    Thoughts on the best 4.0 goalkeeper? Not from Aston Villa...

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      The best one is likely Bailey-Peacock. The 2 most likely to get games are Button and Forster, imo.

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

        Interesting, thanks!

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

    Will I get 11 players out? They are dropping like flies!

    Martinez
    Robbo Justin Lamptey*
    Salah Son Zaha* Pereira
    Vardy* Jimi DCL
    Steer Mitchell* Stephens KWP

  27. Bergkamps second touch
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any news on Egan?

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

    Kane or Son for C ???

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

      I’m on Son. Toss of a coin though. Going Son for added 1 point per goal and CS.

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

        Yeah, it is a close call...

  29. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Pick 2 to start...

    A - Podence
    B - Brewster
    C - Bissouma
    D - Shaw

  30. Hawk Eye
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Quick one here,
    Bench Klich of Mitrovic?

    Cheers