Need some last minute advice and transfer tips ahead of gameweek 5? We’ve got you covered.
A tricky fixture list this week as Arsenal go to Man City for a top of the table clash. Haaland (£15.1m) has been unstoppable so far but many pundits are expecting a tight affair and if any team can stop him, it’s Arsenal.
Haaland has been heavily bought in this week but if you’ve gone this far without him I don’t think this is the week to get him in. He’s a captaincy headache for me this week – which given his form tells you how much we rate Arsenal’s chances. From gameweek 7 Haaland will be a must have again but 2 tough fixtures means now is not the time.
Striker transfers are the order of the week for many, with Isak (£8.4m) yellow flagged and not in great form, Joao Pedro (£5.7m) still yellow flagged, Wissa (£6.1m) out for some time and Muniz (£6.0m) of Fulham has also appeared to have lost his place. Watkins (£9.0m) is an ideal replacement given his 2 goals last week and great fixtures but many won’t be able to afford him.
Image source: goal.com
Cheaper alternatives are Calvert-Lewin (£5.9m), who has a good fixture run for a long time and has started scoring and getting chances. It may not seem desirable given Everton’s start to the season but their main issue is defending. Calvert-Lewin can be a bit wasteful in front of goal but there’s goals in him for sure.
If you don’t like that then there’s Jamie Vardy (£5.7m). The veteran striker has made a solid start to his return to the Premier League and Leicester’s fixtures look great too. Rotation is a risk given his age but could be a great addition at that price point and allow managers to spent more elsewhere.
Welbeck (£5.8m) has proved popular and has scored well so far. I like Brighton this season, they look good but there’s some tricky upcoming fixtures so you may find yourself benching him some weeks. If that works for you then he’s a strong option.
In midfield I return to Bryan Mbeumo (£7.1m). He’s on penalties, a good fixture run and Brentford look a decent team, especially going forward. With Wissa out, there’s concern that Brentford will lose some of their attacking potency which could negatively impact Mbeumo but I still think he’s a great pick capable of returns in the weeks to come.
Looking at defence many are selling Gvardiol (£6.0m) having lost his starting place last week. It’s not to say that’s permanent and Man City rotation is always a risk but for his price you want a guaranteed starter in defence. Arsenal defenders, Gabriel (£6.0m) or Saliba (£6.0m) are the best bets but maybe not the week to do it given they are facing Man City. They absolutely could shut out City but it’s a tough fixture so the chances are slimmer than usual.
A cheaper option is Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina (£4.5m). He’s played every game so far and Forest have been pretty good defensively. Fixtures are decent too so at his price he’s a bargain and I’m surprised he’s not more highly owned (4.7%).
Salah (£12.7m) is the best captaincy option this week with a home game against Bournemouth. I expect Liverpool to bounce back after the defeat to Forest but the front 3 of Salah, Jota (£7.6m)and Diaz (£7.7m) do concern me – rotation and reduced minutes is now a risk with more fixture congestion. As a Diaz owner who doesn’t have Salah I’m probably putting the armband on Diaz but I’ll be nervous about his gametime.
Our transfer targets:
Matinez of Villa is our pick in goal. Although Wolves do pose a threat, Villa are a well oiled machine under Emery and I expect them to do a professional job this weekend. It’s hard to see where else a clean sheet may arise across this weeks games.
Defence:
Trent gets the nod in defence, the attacking upside is unbeatable this week. If you need to save money then Robertson is great too but less threat going forward..
Porro has great attacking upside and face a Brentford side who have a reduced attacking options with Toney gone and Wissa injured. Could this blunt their attack? Mbuemo is still a threat but it could be a good time to host them.
Southampton’s Sugawara is our final pick. His underlying stats are great and he’s an absolute bargain. At home to Ipswich, with the league’s lowest XG, a cleansheet and attacking returns are possible. His expected goal involvement so far this season is up there with the best defenders.
Midfield:
Salah and Diaz double up is the ideal. Both have another great fixture with huge attacking upside.
McNeil of Everton has created plenty so far so looks a great bargain option. looks good after his first goal of the season last game week and a nice fixture at home to Leicester.
Barnes of Newcastle is the final pick with great underlying stats and a nice fixture against Fulham.
Forwards:
Haaland keeps his place but a tough one against Arsenal. It’s hard to go without him but this would be the week to do it if you were to. He makes are our team because it’s Haaland but expect Arsenal to make life hard, and I wouldn’t prioritise signing him this week.
Solanke has a good fixture against a depleted Brentford and Spurs will be looking to bounce back from the disappointment of the north London derby.
Finally Vardy comes in with a favourable home game against a defensively poor Everton. The evergreen striker could be on for another goal to add to his 2 already.
Watkins is the other obvious pick for upfront but compromise elsewhere is needed to squeeze him in. 2 goals last week and good fixtures ahead will mean owners are rubbing their hands together and praising their patience with him.
Get your thoughts over to us, tell us what you plan to do and any questions you want answering to @FPLwithStu on X.
