Last weekend signalled another gloomy Gameweek for most Fantasy Premier League managers as several highly owned assets failed to deliver big points. Including, for the third match in a row, Erling Haaland.
The Gameweek 9 deadline is set at a time of 20:30 (EAT) on Friday so make sure to get your house in order before clocking off for the weekend.
BEST FPL TEAM AHEAD OF GAMEWEEK 5
FORMATION: 3:4:3
GOALKEEPER: Mark Flekken (Brentford)
The Brentford No 1 has already earned 12 save points – the equivalent of three clean sheets in eight appearances. The Bees entertain an Ipswich side whose 13 big chances and 48 shots in the box are both league-low totals, lifting Flekken’s prospects of a shutout.
DEF: Joel Veltman (Brighton)
The full-back helped Brighton & Hove Albion to their third clean sheet of the season against Newcastle United last weekend. Notably, Veltman has earned bonus points on ALL THREE of those occasions, underlining his extra points potential at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
DEF: Rico Lewis (Man City)
With Kyle Walker likely sidelined due to injury, Lewis is poised for increased playing time. His low price point makes him an attractive option, especially considering Man City’s upcoming fixtures and potential for attacking returns.
DEF: Josko Gvardiol (Man City)
Manchester City haven’t kept a Premier League clean sheet since the opening day, but will expect to record another shutout on Saturday when they host Southampton. The Saints have scored just three times away from home, the joint-lowest tally in the division. Gvardiol is capable of scoring from set plays. Southampton have let in seven goals from such situations already.
MID: Son Heung-min (Spurs)
After spending three weeks on the sidelines due to a muscle injury, Son Heung-min was back in Ange Postecoglou’s starting line-up and back amongst the goals as Spurs thrashed West Ham in Gameweek 8.
With an ownership under six per cent and a reasonable run of games coming up, Son is an excellent differential, assuming he is fit enough to play.
MID: Facundo Buonanotte (Leicester)
The Argentine has quickly become a pivotal player under Steve Cooper, providing more direct goal involvements (with five; three goals and two assists) than any other Leicester player.
MID: Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
Brentford midfielder Bryan Mbeumo has had a sensational start to the season, with six goals in eight putting him in the top five best performing FPL midfielders in the game. Adding to his tally feels inevitable with a home game against promoted Ipswich Town next, given that the Tractor Boys have kept just one clean sheet this season, conceding 16 goals in this time. Mbeumo’s home form is particularly impressive, with five goals in four matches.
MID: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Palmer continues to demand plenty of interest in FPL, with his four goals against Brighton still fresh in the memory of both owners and non-owners. Palmer has six goal involvements in his last four games, but did blank in the trip to Liverpool last time out. The home game against Newcastle United should suit him, especially with the midweek off.
FWD: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
The Villa forward has seen his ownership stagnate in recent weeks, despite four goal involvements in his last four league games. His side have been very consistent in this campaign, scoring 15 goals, with Watkins being involved in almost half of those returns. He also ranks top for big chances on goal with 12. Opponents Bournemouth haven’t kept a clean sheet on the road this season, notably conceding three at Anfield last month.
FWD: Erling Haaland (Man City) – CAPTAIN
The Norwegian began the campaign in blistering form scoring 11 goals in five, which saw his ownership climb up to over 70%. Since then, we’ve seen three consecutive blanks from him, but he remains the top captain pick by some margin given the fixture ease at home to Southampton.
FWD: Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)
Chris Wood’s consistent start to the season continues and he now boasts five goals, with three of those coming in the last four Gameweeks. A trip to Leicester City next is an interesting one given that this is a local derby, and Wood was previously a Foxes player.
