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. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    chessman out did me, i didnt even think about chillwell, i should have done bellerin to killman and lamptey to chillwell

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

      Who is chessman?

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

        magnus carlsen

      2. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Magnus Carlson I assume.

    2. hugothedog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Can you link to his team, please?

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

    Why so much love for Castagne
    Yes he is am attacking full back but Leicester won't keep any clean sheet in the next few games
    Zero!

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

      reminds me of lasagne

      1. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Expensive spaghetti

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

          tesco own brand

          1. Peter Ouch
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            0.20£ per package

      2. Joey Tribbiani
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        mmmmm

    2. JJO
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      They will probably keep it this gw with anyone buying 2 Villa attackers

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

      Clean sheets arent exactly likely anywhere atm

      1. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Indeed but I think even worse for Leicester.
        They just don't click this year
        Man city's result was just so lucky

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

          Played 3 won 3. And they're not clicking? Can't wait to see them when they start to play well.

          1. Peter Ouch
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Bromwich Burnley and a lucky one with city!
            For me its a no but it's just a different perspective!

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

      Form, price, underlying quality, attacking returns, gets forward, has passed the eye test.

      All it takes is quite literally one decent GW for a bandwagon to form. In this instance he actually looks good value for money. How long that will last who knows.

      CS are even harder to predict this season. Attacking potential is what everyone is thinking about.

      1. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Very true but he is too expensive only for this and he is not proven yet
        2 good games don't make you a decent pick at 5.8

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

          He was better value at 5.5m when I brought him in.

          He's looked one of the best attacking full backs in the league. Sometimes going with form is the way to go.

          I don't think it's too peculiar why he's risen in price so much.

          1. Peter Ouch
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            I agree with you.
            Just not for me in this price.
            5.5 was a decent one!
            Good luck with him mate!!

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

      Castagne haul incoming

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

      Looks quality. V attacking. Enough for me!

    7. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Castagne at this point makes more sense than Telles, Reguilon, Doherty, ARS, MUN, MCI, Wolves defs. No team has shown cs potential apart from SOU, WHU, AVL who have 2 each and he is one of the most attacking full backs. Happy to have him and do not intend to drop him anytime soon.

      1. Conik
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        you have misused the word potential

  3. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mane(c)

    Wish me luck!

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Great pick!
      GL mate

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        GL to you too! 😀

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Why would I want to do that when I don't even own him? Hope he gets zilch 😛

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Haha c'mon he's too low owned to even worry about 😛

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

      Brought him in by not captained,
      Most likeliest to score out in LFC or EVE imo.
      Good luck.

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

    Brought in Kane for a hit but captained Salah. Is this a wrong move?

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No, you are spot on!

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

      Replaced KDB and Mitro with Grealish and Kane. Long term moves

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hope so, Kane (c)

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

      Could pay off!

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

      I've done the same and happy with decision albeit sure won't feel that way if Salah blanks today..

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

    Liverpool line up looks quality.

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      And decent bench as well.
      Missing Ali!

  6. Says
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    DCL sounds really like Micahel Owen

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Michelle Owen?

  7. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    fpl scout remove that scout icon, it looks like a bug...i tried scratching it off my screen

    1. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      same

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

    Salah moat captained player this gw?

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

      In top 10k it's Kane by a distance, but a distorted sample given Kane owners generally got them up to those position. Overall it's showing as pretty much equal between Kane, Son and Salah.

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

        Elite 1000 have Salah though.

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

    Is there any chance for kevin to miss next week too ?

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

      Yes

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

      I took Pep's words to suggest 2, prob 3 weeks.

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

    Wish I’d just kept captain on Son and not overthought it swapped to Salah

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

      Early kick off curse!

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

    Went Sterling (c). He is only at 0.8% of top 10k teams captains

    Crazy low for such an elite player who has a excellent record against Arsenal playing for the team who scores the most goals in the league

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

      City are awful. No strikers. No KDB. Brave choice

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

        Sterling will be the striker, will give him a higher xG probability.

        Plus they won the title without KDB and have shown before they dont need him to create.

        But i agree its a risk this week.

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

          David Silva & Kun says hi

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

      Elite with Aguero and Kdb next to him.
      Today just an average player

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

      So did I. Hope we are lucky.

  12. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Top 10k EO
    118% for kane
    100% for Salah

    1. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      jeez

  13. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Being happy with the look of your team for next week. That will all change by the end of this gameweek I guess!

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

    Ok more than excited now that my team differs by Magnus Carlson's only by 2 players: I own Saiss + Maupay he owns Dallas + Pulisic
    But I also have Lamptey in my bench to rotate and he has Brewster

  15. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Final WC team, ended up with:

    Martinez - 4m
    Robertson - Chilwell - Dallas - KWP - 3.9m
    Salah - Son - Pulisic - Grealish - 4.4m
    Kane - DCL - Maupay

    Thoughts?

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

      Template.

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

      Same as mine except I went 4.5 and James over 3.9 and Pulisic. Like it a lot

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

        nice

  16. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Why are people hyping up Everton seriously? They’ve beaten Brighton, palace and 10 man West Brom. The purple patch will end any time now and I expect Liverpool to make easy work this afternoon.

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

      I agree.

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

      U missed spurs

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

      And TOT (a).
      Gotta get all the facts in there!!!!

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

      It's not so much about results, as it is about scores. Liverpool may win, but as Leeds and Villa have shown, they can't defend for toffee. fitting as the toffees will put at least 2 past them today.... i hope and Hames and DCL combine for both.

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

        That 7-2 result was an anomaly. If you're letting that influence your opinion of their defence, well, that's bizarre.

        Liverpool have consistently had one of the best defences in the league over the last few seasons.

        As the season progresses their defenders will start to offer more CS potential. It's not like they're going to concede every week.

    5. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Have you actually watched them play this season?

  17. Goodricke
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Many people WC this week, and as such had half the EPL in their team at one point, so who are the players that you nearly chose, that you expect you bite you in the arse this week?

    Me:
    Chilwell
    Pulisic
    Havertz
    Wood

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

      I went Kane and Grealish over Sterling and Watkins and regret it already. Went against my gut

      1. Goodricke
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Never considered any of City. They looked like lost children after the first 20 mins against Leeds, and had no idea what to do. Sterling dived, and the rest of the team panicked frantically to avoid a defeat.

        Until that team has a focus upfront, i ain't going near it. If Kun comes back, things will change.

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

      I didn't WC, but Pulisic for me

      1. Goodricke
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I have Salah, Costa (playing against his old team for first time), Hames, Son and Grealish in midfield and didn't want to drop any for Pulisic. Also got Kane and DCL upfront, so couldn't drop either for Wood.

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

      Could have taken a hit to bring in Mane for KDB

      1. Goodricke
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        After Covid has had a workout in his lungs, he may not start. Mane may only get 30 mins, less if Liverpool stroll it.

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

          and of course he scores within 2 mins

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

      Aguero and Robertson. Went Kane and TAA instead

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

    REPOST!!

    Need help with my team

    1. Until KDB is fit (guaranteed starter choice)
    A. McGinn
    B. Mahrez

    2. For the next 4-6 GW
    A. Zouma
    B. Gabriel (ARS)

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

      get Chillwell and Son

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

        Got them.. just an extra options for my mini league

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

        Ignore that reply.. don’t have the budget for what I’ve got planned in a few weeks.

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

    looking forward to DCL never scoring again now that I got him in on WC

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

      Why would that happen? It's not like he's Pukki. Everton look great

  20. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    +100,000 spots already and not a ball kicked in anger. That's a fair few hits.
    76 points off the Top 10K. Time for an aul afternoon nap and will check back in once the Citeh game starts.

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Me too, but I must be about 400 points off the top 10K

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

    Went castagne over chilwell. Error?

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

    TAA mega haul imminent as I sold him

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

      Me 2!

  23. Pino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Magnus Carlsen brought inn Pulisic on WC

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

      He's obviously a good option until he gets injured again

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

      All the cool kids have him.

    3. King Drogba11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Team link ?

  24. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Those two midfields look class in this derby. Fabinho, Alacantra, Henderson and Allan, Doucoure, Gomes. Very jealous actually. Should be a cracker this.

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

      They are worlds apart in my view.

      People are really over rating Everton - who have indeed improved alot. But they are no where near the level of that liverpool midfield.

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

        Not really overrating considering the price points of the Everton attackers. They're the best midpriced options

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

          Ah yes sorry, thought you meant in real life, i agree that fpl-wise Everton offer very nice options.

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

        Was it 7-2 to Leicester?

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

          Villa ,

          To be fair Liverpool have 4 starters changed today, and 2 of the 3 in the midfield are different

          one of games are never good longterm predictors

          Liverpool have lost what- 4 games in 2 years

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

            Be careful Adrian is in goal

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

              Liverpool had the second best defence last year with Adrian based on the underlying stats

              Adrian factor is over stated

              Take a read of Marks article

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  3 years, 5 months ago

                  That doesn't make any sense, we know their defence stays at a consistent level. We also know Adrian is crap and throws that out of the window

        2. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I don’t think they are being overrated either though. Doucoure for example has always been good but just had been at Watford.

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

      Is Sterling penalty taker now with KDB out?

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

        I don't think u want that. He sucks at them

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

          I don't mind that, it's 5+ points compared to -2/3 for a miss.

      2. Collie01
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Gundogan if he plays I reckon

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

      This week will tell us alot

      If we get another week of data where Liverpool are poor at the back, City dont attack as usual , Villa score and win easy at Leicester and Everton win then we have a different PL season.

      I still dont think we do and the previous results are just part of variation, similar to Norwich firing early last year and things will come back to normal this week.

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

        The difference is norwich were getting lucky while everton and villa have looked like solid teams with a game plan. And they have much better teams. City will improve once they have a proper striker playing again. Liverpool defence conceding is because of the new tactics. The fullbacks are attacking even more than last year which still makes it okay to own trent and robbo even if they don't get a lot of clean sheets.

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

          There is some truth in your insight and also some hindsight.

          Norwich did put up ok data early on last year also.

          Villa also have got a huge amount of luck - 3 deflections, liverpool terrible line etc.

          But yes its always fun at this point in the year to see how it goes longterm.

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

            Yes villa will almost never score 7 again this year but they still look a decent team that can beat most lower table teams. I think they'll be in top 10 this year.

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

        I think this GW will be affected by some fatigue post-internationals. Next week will be when things really settle into sensible patterns.

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

          Also a factor. Good point

          Maybe a slight advantage for some players who got the rest and time to work on systems

        2. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Nah, goals galore!

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

      Best replacement for kevin ?

      Sterling?

    5. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Anybody have the link to Az's WC team? The live stream last night was fantastic!

    6. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      If my Aunt had balls she'd be LR, can't be too many with Werner captain!

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

      So do we reckon Everton will actually try and press Liverpool ?

      and do they have the players to do that, will be interesting to see if Hamez, Richardilson, Gomes can and will do that to help DCL, Doucoure

      May be very hard for them if e.g Hamez doesnt help the press.

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

        I think Liverpool will win today probably. Still a better team than everton. They just need to stop making so many mistakes at the back if they don't want to concede