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Why Mane could be an explosive FPL differential captain in Gameweek 5

In Gameweek 5, Liverpool face Crystal Palace and Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) will be very highly captained.

However, if you are one of those Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who is actively looking for differential captaincy options each week, who are potentially more explosive, then this article may be for you.

Against Crystal Palace, I expect to see a much less open game than the one we saw at Leeds United in Gameweek 4. Therefore, for the sake of accuracy, I will use the Burnley game at home in Gameweek 2 as the sample match for assessing Liverpool assets against compact defences.

SALAH’S FORM

There is no denying Salah’s rich vein of goalscoring form at the moment, with three Premier League goals so far this season.

He also had a goal ruled out against Burnley in Gameweek 2.

Though it was correctly given as offside, the way Salah opened his body up to curl the ball past Nick Pope (£5.5m) was impressive.

In the second half, after chesting the ball down from a Kostas Tsimikas (£4.1m) cross, his ability to manoeuvre in tight spaces and engineer a shot for himself also stood out.

However, there is a case to be made against Salah against more compact defences. Whilst Diogo Jota (£7.7m) tends to drift closer to goal, Salah would often retreat to the edge of the penalty box instead to get more shooting opportunities.

This is not to say Salah is not lethal in these sorts of positions though. We have seen numerous past occasions where he was able to curl one in from the edge of the penalty box.

MANE CENTRAL

1,413 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gooner97
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2FT

    A) Barnes & Ings ----> Townsend/Gray & Jesus
    B) Toney, Barnes & Ings ----> ASM, Townsend/Gray & Jesus (-4)

  2. Pep bites Kun
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who's the better option this week - Is it Ron by a mile?

    Bam v New
    CR7 v Whm

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. Plus its not the early game.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ronaldo yeah

    3. _Ninja_
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    4. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah bit silly that

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I know 🙂 When you're looking at numerous options, sometimes you need a sounding board

    5. Pep bites Kun
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers all

    6. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I feel like this isnt out of the realms of possibility though...
      WHU 1 - 1 MUN
      NEW 2 - 4 LEE
      Ronaldo 7pts
      Bamford 16pts

      1. The Mentaculus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I'll concede I'm a little biased when it comes to leeds & man utd tho

      2. Pep bites Kun
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This was my thought. I've no idea how good/bad the Whu defense is though. Haven't seen any of their games. Have you?

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Only highlights. Spotted few errors from Dawson; not sure when Zouma will start. Had Coufal until I realised (before soton) they'd kept 1 CS is sth like last 14 games. But I do quite fancy an upset this week (would be even more confident in it with Antonio fit).

          1. The Mentaculus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Just had a peek at their stats.. not bad. 8 shots on target conceded is 2nd only to City (Newcastle 22). xGC 4.91 is mid table (Newcastle 10.53). Shots conceded in the box (key for Ronaldo) = 29 (9th best)

            1. Pep bites Kun
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Interesting, considering Leeds play Whu next

              Appreciate the feedback & stats!

  3. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Good to save ft here? 0.7mitb.

    Was planning benny to raph but rumours put me off

    Sanchez
    Taa shaw ayling white (livra)
    Salah greenwood jota benrahma (gilmour)
    Ronaldo toney (antonio)

    Thanks

  4. MagicMessi
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Whats up on this Raph injury comments you think its real or hoax ?

    1. Threat Level Midnight
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hard to tell. The fact the Philips rumor seems to be true, would lead you to believe that the Raph portion is as well if using logic. But again, nothing confirmed whatsoever.

  5. Threat Level Midnight
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Feels good to not be on the short end of injuries, suspensions, etc. for once. This means I am due for a 36 point week this week, right?

    Sanchez
    TAA-Shaw-Semedo
    Salah (C)-Torres-Jota-Sarr
    CR7-Jimmy-Bamford

    Gunn-Williams-Gilmore-Livra

    Plan is CR7/Shaw>Kaku/Reece in GW7

    1. MagicMessi
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      G2g

  6. JONALDINHO
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Hoever to Marcal (Bench Antonio)
    B) Antonio to Bamford
    C) Antonio to Jesus

    1. Threat Level Midnight
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. FF Dirtbag
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  7. mcginnntonic
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    ayling to ake/dias/cancelo for a -4 is crazy? right?

  8. banskt
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1) Ings -> Bamford (Free Transfer)
    2) Save FT

    Raya
    Alexander-Arnold / Cancelo / Amartey
    Salah* / Grealish / Torres / Raphinha / Benrahma
    Lukaku / Ings

    4.0 / Dennis / Duffy / Livramento

  9. Miguel Sanchez
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Good luck all, gonna need it with my midfield each week

    Sanchez
    TAA James Ayling
    Salah(c) Benrahma Sarr Doucoure Sissoko
    Ronaldo Lukaku

    Steele Tsimikas Livramento *Antonio 0FT 0.1 ITB

    1. CRAZY TRAIN
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don't fancy a punt on Traore Miguel?

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Could work out the FPL goes

    3. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      100 points guaranteed. Good luck

    4. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Will look much better once Antonio is alongside Ron and Rom 😉

  10. TSN
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Help me choose one.

    A. Jimenez
    B. Bamford

    Thanks

    1. MagicMessi
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B higher ceiling

  11. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Last few thoughts on WC?

    A stick
    B Ramsdale & Sanchez as keepers
    C Tierney/Semedo & Torres > Cancelo & Sarr/Gallager
    D both B & C

    Sa
    Trent, James, Semedo, Tierney
    Salah, Greenwood, Torres, Gray
    Bamford, Lukaku

    4.0, Sissoko, Williams, #ANTONIO#

    1. Müller Light
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Stick

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Ta

  12. TheYogaDaddy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    best 4.5 defender

    1. TSN
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ayling?

    2. popey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      probably Ayling, White might be an option again with fixtures

  13. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    On wildcard, should I include raph or is it true he’s injured ?

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Would prefer Jota or Torres personally

  14. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    WC team

    Ramsdale
    TAA James Marcal Duffy
    Torres Greenwood Salah Gray
    Ronaldo Lukaku

    4.0 Williams Sissoko Scarlett

    1. BBC_TF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think scarlett is a mistake. It forces you to play 442.

      Upgrade to Pukki and downgrade Torres?

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I intend to play 4-4-2 though

    2. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nice!

    3. VAR United
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I like it. But would probably swap Torres or Greenwood for Antonio, Bamford can be the placeholder.

  15. BBC_TF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A/ Semedo + Gallagher
    Or
    B/ Marçal + Traore?

    1. popey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      tight, just a for me

    2. Müller Light
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  16. popey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    WC and have Semedo already

    a) Sa, Duffy, Sarr (bench Duffy)
    b) Schmeichel, Marcal, Gallagher (rotate Gall/Marcal)

  17. Gazpilicueta
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best long term midfielder pick for 7.4 million anyone?
    I'm thinking probably not raphina as he might be injured.
    And although chelsea have tricky fixtures im considering Mason mount.
    Already have jota and not sure on ferrans minutes
    Anyone obvious im missing ?

    1. Doylaz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo

    2. Karhumies
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ziyech returned from injury. He should be the obvious choice unless you want to punt with Pepe IMO.

  18. how now brown cow
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I've balled up and been priced out of getting torres. Already done DCL to bruno.

    A - Toney-> ronaldo, bruno ->7.1 mid (who) -4
    B - toney->lukaku, bruno->greenwood -4
    C - toney ->jimenez, keep bruno

  19. barton fc
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    James or semedo?

    Obviously James is better long term but my team has jota and greenwood in it will try and navigate the fixture swing (gw7) with out a wc, but with them two in my team i may be forced to play it gw7/8

  20. LangerznMash
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    My starting XI all have great fixture this week, with Mane bagging a hattrick i'm hoping for 100 points ;p

    Sanchez
    TAA, Semendo, Williams (Norwich)
    Mane (C), Pepe, Greenwood, Jota
    Ronaldo, Jiminez, Bamford

    [Steele, Duffy, Allan, Livramento]

    Bamford to get the ball rolling tonight with a goal and an assist.

    1. The Kopite
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Actually could be gold. Mane loves Palace

  21. R.C.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    is Raphinha injured?

    1. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe, maybe not.

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Rumours have him injured.

      Nobody knows...

    3. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      i own him so fully expect him to be ,absolute sh#tfest of a season so far

    4. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      So twitter says.

      Swap to Jota or Torres immediately

  22. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Worth -4 to move from Bruno to Ronaldo this week? If so who is the best 8.5 midfielder? Currently have Jota, Raphinha and Benrahma.

    1. Salalalalah
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Grealish

  23. FOO FIGHTER
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dennis to score a hattrick vs NOR. You heard it hear 1st! 🙂

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Well in that case I do really hop Raph is out and first sub Dennis steals the show LOL

    2. The Final Boss
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      3 assists to sarr and all bonus points plus cs points to sarr

  24. Salalalalah
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play sissoko(nor) or williams (WAT)?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hahahaha ditto.

    2. Salalalalah
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio better pay off next GW!

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Fingers crossed. I'm on Williams at the moment. Watford haven't score since the first day...

  25. TheYogaDaddy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sanchez (Steele)
    TAA Shaw White (Livramento) (Amartey)
    Salah Jota Greenwood Barnes (Brownhill)
    Ronaldo Toney Antonio

    1 ft, 0.5 itb

    a. Save FT and play livramento/brownhill
    b. Something else??

    1. TVPlugSockets
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Save

    2. duststorm
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Save

  26. FF Dirtbag
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Sissoko(nor) or Williams (WAT)?

    1. Salalalalah
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      ha, I posted the same 🙂

  27. TVPlugSockets
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Antonio to Bamford (-4) is not worth it is it?

    Someone reassure me

    1. Kryptonite666
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nah. Keep Antonio if you have balue tied in him

      1. Kryptonite666
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        *value

    2. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Depends. If you have Raphinha and a weak bench then I'd consider.

  28. TopCorner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Greenwood or Pogba..?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If you can spare the cash pogba. I think he is more likely to stay in the team and not get rotated.

    2. CRAZY TRAIN
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pog for me (but I think I'm in the minority)

    3. Philosopher's Stones
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Greenwood

    4. GC123
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pogba if planning for more than the next few GW’s. Not at risk of rotation which Greenwood is

  29. Kryptonite666
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cant decide if I should keep Raphinha on a WC. No alternatives as well

    1. CRAZY TRAIN
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I've ditched him for Traore - could be a fun ride

    2. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Surely the point of WC is to set your team up for the long term, in which Raphina is a great pick. Just need the cover for this week, but frankly on a WC you should have the cover every week until until December - now you know the budget gems like Gray/Semedo etc.

  30. duststorm
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Duffy or Allan?

    1. GC123
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Duffy. Good chance of a clean sheet and Leicester aren’t great in the air at the back