FPL Gameweek 5: Fantasy Premier League tips, captain picks and transfer strategy for the weekend

The league roars back with a thud of boots and a fair bit of dread for Fantasy managers: Arsenal v Manchester City is the showpiece, which is glorious for neutrals and mildly terrifying for anyone juggling premiums. When two elite sides square up, the wrong armband can turn a good week into a sulk.

Elsewhere the schedule opens doors: Chelsea head to a leaky Manchester United, Liverpool greet Everton at Anfield, Bournemouth’s defence keeps humming along, and Forest encounter promoted opposition. Gameweek 5 asks for clear heads rather than dramatic overhauls; play the percentages, grab one or two differentials, and try not to captain the wrong Norwegian.

Below, we’ll break down the key fixtures, the best options to target, the recommended transfer, and the final line-up for the week.

Reading the fixtures and the FPL fixture difficulty

Let’s be honest, Arsenal versus City screams chess rather than chaos. City’s attack has been efficient with eight league goals, yet Arsenal’s defence has allowed just one in four, ranking superbly for expected goals conceded at around 2.49. That tension probably compresses floors for both attacks. Your Fantasy football strategy shouldn’t be to sell stars for one week, but you can shift the captaincy elsewhere and let the heavy hitters tick over.

At Old Trafford, Chelsea’s visit is a softer landing spot for Cole Palmer. United have leaked seven across four, and Palmer returned from a short injury with back-to-back goals—one in the draw with Brentford and another in midweek. With Brighton (H), Forest (A) and Sunderland (H) to follow, Palmer re-enters the must-have conversation for FPL transfers. This is the kind of run that turns a steady rank into a climb.

Bournemouth’s defensive platform continues to be undervalued. Marcos Senesi has been quietly monstrous in the new defensive contributions metric—averaging 13.75 per match, good for bonus nudges and a tidy assist already. With the Cherries not meeting a top-rated fixture until City in GW10, he remains one of the best Fantasy football bargains and a rock-solid FPL differential pick at his price.

Captaincy nerves: Salah, Haaland, and a dash of Gakpo chaos

Projecting captain points properly matters this week. Mohamed Salah looks the sensible armband against Everton. His recent shot volume in the box is modest, yet last season he sat at 51 efforts at Anfield with 14 big chances and xG just under 11. Liverpool at home churn chances—top for shots in the box and league-leading xG at home—while Everton’s away numbers show fragility, conceding plenty with an away xGC around 3.75. If you enjoy sleeping on Friday nights, this is the FPL captain pick.

Erling Haaland is the high-upside alternative even if the fixture is prickly. Five goals in four, league-best 18 shots in the box and top-tier xG around 4.51 makes him difficult to fade entirely. He’s a classic vice-captain this week: you probably won’t stick the armband on him at Arsenal, but heaven help your mood if he bullies a set piece and you ignored him.

For managers chasing ranks, Cody Gakpo is the cheeky punt. He’s leading Liverpool for shots this season, has strong creative numbers, and historically stacks points at Anfield. It’s riskier given Everton’s two clean sheets, but the underlying defensive data suggests they’ve been riding their luck. If you’re behind your mini-league nemesis who keeps captaining Salah, Gakpo is the sabotage option.

Team analysis, key players and expected roles

Chelsea’s attack runs through Palmer. He’s now the central organiser, the penalty magnet, and the calming presence when the game starts wobbling. He’s also shown he can torch Manchester United, with four goals across four starts against them, and that historical edge aligns neatly with current form.

Arsenal’s back line continues to look organised and nasty in the good way. Gabriel is the set-and-forget type even through a City fixture; clean sheets and bonus have already piled up to 23 points, and his set-piece threat hasn’t even landed yet. When the dam breaks, the haul will feel overdue. If you’re eyeing Cheap FPL defenders this season, oddly, he’s premium in output at a mid-range price.

Forest’s new era under Ange Postecoglou promises more delivery into the area, which is lovely news for Chris Wood. He struck twice on the opening weekend and now faces Burnley and then Sunderland—exactly the kind of defences he can bully. If you already own him, patience is justified; if you don’t, he’s one of the best Fantasy football picks for short-term upside.

Spurs’ Xavi Simons feels like a fun investment. An assist in his first start, 70 minutes in a three-nil win, and fixtures that read Brighton, Wolves, Leeds. He’s a crisp pass away from a double-digit return. Keep expectations reasonable but he fits snugly into any FPL team selection desperate for a sub-£7.0m spark.

And then Bournemouth’s Senesi. Yes, again. When a defender is fifth-highest in the game and still under 10% owned, that’s a mistake to exploit. This is the definition of Fantasy football sleepers meeting rock-solid data.

Injury notes and minutes watch

Lucas Perri’s injury opened a door for Karl Darlow, who now becomes an intriguing Bench Boost enabler if you carry him as a £4.0m stopper. Jeremie Frimpong could be eased back for Liverpool, which nudges caution. Rayan Cherki is still out, so Enzo remains a pragmatic hold in midfield for steady minutes and passing bonus potential. William Saliba is flagged in earlier notes, which only strengthens the case for Gabriel’s nailed role.

Chip talk: Bench Boost, Wildcard restraint and FPL deadline tips

A cheeky percentage of managers are eyeing Bench Boost now. If your bench is stacked with promoted club cheapos, this might actually be the rare week that it works: Leeds visit struggling Wolves, Sunderland entertain goal-shy Villa, Burnley meet a Forest side still settling. If you own Darlow, the window could be brief. That said, I still prefer a calm hand with FPL chip strategy—save Wildcard unless your squad is fraying and consider Gameweek 8 as a juicier Bench Boost pocket. But I won’t judge if you press the shiny button; sometimes the fun is the point.

Expected line-ups, gameplay ideas and our XI

Our structure leans into secure starters and a couple of calculated gambles. Pope between the sticks remains the steady call. The defence mixes attacking roles and form: De Cuyper’s width for Brighton keeps upside alive, Diouf adds steel, and Dorgu offers licence even if the fixture is harsh—sometimes you bite down on the gumshield and hope. In midfield, Salah leads, Enzo stabilises, Longstaff provides reliable minutes at Fulham, and Kudus brings invention against West Ham’s next opponents. Up front, Haaland stays, Chris Wood benefits from kinder fixtures, and Ekitike rides the Anfield wave with Salah. The bench keeps Kelleher, Henry, Scott and Kayode in reserve; none have appealing fixtures so we accept the thin cover.

I’ll say it out loud: I’m captaining Salah and bracing for the Haaland FOMO. If the big man scores a hat-trick, I’ll claim my account was hacked.

Fantasy Premier League tips, transfers and who to captain in FPL this week

If you need a single move, Cole Palmer is the best FPL transfer this week. For defence, Marcos Senesi is the standout among FPL budget players and a brilliant FPL differential pick. If you’re shopping for forwards, Chris Wood is a timely punt with favourable fixtures. For a spicy midfield slot, Xavi Simons or Lucas Paqueta can be your upside darts; Hwang Hee-chan is the moonshot if you love living dangerously. Gabriel is the defender to buy and forget about. The best FPL captain for Gameweek 5 is Mohamed Salah, with Erling Haaland the sensible vice. If you’re desperate to climb, Cody Gakpo is the differential armband—just keep a cushion to hide behind.

Our Fantasy League Current Team

The Goalkeeper Fix

No surprises in goal: Pope stays between the sticks for the trip to Bournemouth. Newcastle’s defensive organisation gives him a steady clean sheet chance, and his bonus-point potential remains one of the best in the game. Kelleher is there as back-up only, facing Fulham away, but the gloves are firmly in Pope’s hands this week.

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Defence: Senesi steps in

The one transfer this week was the addition of Marcos Senesi, and it feels like a smart bit of business. The Bournemouth centre-back has been quietly accumulating points from defensive contributions, averaging over 13 per game, and his numbers suggest bonus points are always close by. Even with Newcastle at home, he earns a start.

Alongside him, De Cuyper keeps his spot, although Tottenham at home is a difficult assignment, and Diouf fills the third slot as he welcomes Crystal Palace. Kayode travels to Fulham and Dorgu hosts Chelsea, both of whom drop to the bench given their fixture difficulty.

It’s not the dream week for defenders, but Senesi’s form stabilises the unit. Sometimes it’s about fielding the least-worst options and hoping the fixture gods are kind.

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Midfield: Salah at the heart

The midfield is still driven by Mohamed Salah, who wears the armband at home to Everton. His Anfield output remains too strong to ignore, and Everton’s away defensive record suggests chances will fall his way. Enzo lines up against Manchester United — not the easiest fixture, but his secure minutes and creative influence keep him as a steady fourth mid.

Longstaff heads to Wolves, where he should get the usual 90 minutes and could nick a return if the game opens up. Kudus faces Brighton away, offering attacking invention even in a tough match-up. Scott, facing Newcastle, is benched as the weakest option of the five.

It’s not a midfield packed with differentials yet, but Salah’s ceiling makes it formidable enough to carry the load.

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Forwards: Haaland, Wood, and Ekitike

The front three remain unchanged. Haaland is vice-captain, and although he travels to Arsenal, his underlying numbers are impossible to bench. Wood goes to Burnley in a fixture that feels made for him — Burnley’s defence looks fragile, and Forest will look to his aerial strength to punish them. Ekitike stays in the XI for Liverpool’s derby against Everton, with the expectation that Liverpool will generate plenty of chances at home.

It’s a front three that mixes guaranteed explosiveness with Haaland, short-term fixture upside with Wood, and steady involvement through Ekitike.

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Bench Order and Weak Links

The bench is clear: Kelleher, Kayode, Dorgu, and Scott. Kayode and Dorgu both have fixtures too tricky to risk, while Scott faces a Newcastle side who rarely give up easy chances. The weak links remain the cheap defenders and fifth midfielder, but they serve their purpose as emergency cover. The XI looks stable enough to carry the week.

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Suggested XI for Gameweek 5

Goalkeeper: Pope
Defence: Senesi, De Cuyper, Diouf
Midfield: Salah (C), Enzo, Longstaff, Kudus
Forwards: Haaland (VC), Wood, Ekitike
Bench: Kelleher, Kayode, Dorgu, Scotties.
• Wood is precisely the kind of short-term punt we wanted for these two fixtures.
• Salah captain remains the highest-probability points path this week.

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Final Thoughts and FPL Tips

This is one of those weeks where patience, not panic, wins you points. With Arsenal and Manchester City clashing, many managers will be tempted to gamble wildly on captaincy or take unnecessary hits. The smarter move is to trust the core assets and let them do the heavy lifting.

The standout captain choice is Mohamed Salah. Anfield has been a fortress for Liverpool, and Everton’s away numbers look brittle enough that Salah should see plenty of chances. He wears the armband with confidence this week. Erling Haaland, despite facing Arsenal’s defence, takes the vice-captaincy. His shot volume and xG figures are simply too high to ignore, and even in tight games he has the knack of turning half-chances into returns. If you want to play the percentages, Salah is the safest play, but Haaland is still looming in the background as the player who could punish anyone brave enough to bench or sell him.

The addition of Marcos Senesi has steadied the defence. His ability to collect defensive contributions gives him a high floor for points, even when clean sheets are not guaranteed. This makes him an ideal starter against Newcastle, a fixture that many managers will shy away from. Pairing him with Diouf at home to Crystal Palace and De Cuyper against Tottenham is not glamorous, but it spreads risk sensibly and keeps a pathway open for bonus points. Kayode and Dorgu, with their more difficult fixtures, drop to the bench, which is exactly where they belong this week.

Midfield strength comes entirely from Salah, with Kudus and Enzo offering stability rather than explosive ceilings. Longstaff, away at Wolves, is another steady two-to-three pointer who may chip in with more if the match opens up. Scott is bench depth only, but his minutes remain useful when rotation inevitably hits later down the line.

Up front, the trio of Haaland, Wood, and Ekitike feels balanced enough to ride out Gameweek 5. Haaland is the superstar, of course, while Wood has a kind fixture at Burnley that could finally reignite his goal-scoring after the opening-week brace. If Forest deliver service into the box, this is the type of match where he thrives. Ekitike, meanwhile, benefits from the attacking dominance Liverpool are expected to have at home to Everton. Even without being the focal point, he should get into good positions as part of the attack.

The weak points of the squad are obvious — the budget defenders and Scott as fifth midfielder — but this is not the week to waste transfers on them. Keeping faith with the current line-up allows you to save flexibility for the coming weeks, when fixtures begin to swing and some differentials, like Xavi Simons or even a cut-price Bournemouth asset, may become attractive.

Fantasy Premier League tips for this week are therefore straightforward:

• Captain Salah, keep Haaland as vice.
• Trust Senesi to deliver steady points even in tricky fixtures.
• Hold Wood for his short-term upside, particularly with two promoted sides in the next run.
• Save your transfers where possible, banking flexibility for bigger swings in Gameweek 6 or 7.

There is no need to touch chips right now. Bench Boost would be wasted on a thin squad, Wildcard feels premature, and Triple Captain in a single-gameweek is simply reckless. The correct FPL strategy is to stay calm, ride Salah and Haaland for returns, and let Senesi’s consistency make up ground while the squad holds steady.

If Salah blanks and Haaland scores twice at the Emirates, well… that’s just Fantasy football. The trick is not to chase every scenario, but to build steady gains over time.

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