Dec 14

Gameweek 5 Preview

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Our @JWoodfield365 previews the pressing issues ahead of Gameweek 5 in FPL, including who to replace Sadio Mane with and why an in-form Manchester City duo are worth spending big on.

Mane swap

Sadio Mane's red card against Manchester City in Gameweek 4 was a right hook knockout (or rather, right foot) to the face of all his FPL owners. Particularly those who acquired him in exchange for 9-point Kevin De Bruyne...(more on him later) But Gameweek 5 is a fresh start. And there's no room for self-pity here. So let's focus on the fact that the Liverpool forward is banned until GW7 and look at some of the best replacement options. Of course, there are some standout names, namely Christian Eriksen (24.5% ownership), Paul Pogba (38.7%), Dele Alli (34.5%) and Mohamed Salah (29.9%), but given their high ownership it's worth a more substantial peruse. Two alternatives are Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez. Both made their first Premier League appearances of the season in GW4, coming off the bench for Chelsea and Arsenal, respectively, and coincidentally both will face off in GW5 as Chelsea host Arsenal. Hazard's sensational solo goal was the standout moment in this fixture last season as the Blues won 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, while Sanchez scored in Arsenal's respective 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium. Both are closing in on full fitness, both are capable of producing big goals in big games and both have low ownership (2.6% Sanchez; 2.4% Hazard). There are some tempting budget options to consider too. Watford's Abdoulaye Doucoure, available for just £5.1m, has already registered two goals in a compact, disciplined Hornets side which maintain defensive vigilance but also possess pace in abundance on the break. He's also Watford's third-highest creative player after the first four league games (source: FPL Creativity index). Pascal Gross is another cheap alternative at £5.4m. His 18-point haul against West Brom was of course emphatic, and even though he hadn't registered even an assist for Brighton prior to GW4, the German midfielder is attack-minded with an eye for goal - he was known as a free-kick specialist in Germany and created 95 chances in the Bundesliga last season, more than any other player. Brighton's next two fixtures are Bournemouth (A) and Newcastle (H).

Patience pays off

I would be remiss here not to mention Harry Kane and Kevin De Bruyne. Both spectacularly broke their goalscoring and assist ducks, respectively, in GW4, with Kane's two goals and De Bruyne's two assists serving as a cruel/majestic reminder - depending on whether you owned either of the duo in GW3 - that patience can indeed pay off in FPL. A total of 314,331 managers removed De Bruyne for GW4; 120,180 removed Kane. The old cliché "Form is temporary, class is permanent" rings true here. The duo have been among the highest-scoring performers over the last two years and amply rewarded managers who stuck with them during three weeks of hardship. If you ousted either one of them, chalk it up as a lesson learnt. The premium stars require more patience than the budget options because their rewards are generally more magnificent, hence their cost.

Essentials collection

Chelsea's turbulent transfer window has been much-criticised, but the fact remains that Alvaro Morata looks to be an outstanding signing. The joint-third highest FPL scorer already has three goals from four Premier League games, all of which have come from his head. Meanwhile the Blues' GW5 opponents, Arsenal, have already conceded four headed PL goals (eight in total) this season. Gabriel Jesus is another striker in thrilling form, and one of the few Man City players who appears exempt from Pep Guardiola's starting XI rotation. The Brazilian has begun all four PL games so far and boasts three goals in his last two games. His 91 minutes-per-goal ratio is outrageous, and more than justifies his £10.4m price tag. It's Watford (A) up next for City, and despite the Hornets' defensive resiliency under Marco Silva, the in-form City and Jesus represent a sterner test than Watford have faced in their previous three league games against Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton. Benjamin Mendy didn't get the plaudits he deserved in Man City's win over Bournemouth in GW3, and the Frenchman was again sensational against Liverpool, collecting an assist and a clean sheet. He is forever patrolling the left flank in support of attackers but serves as a vigilant defender too - his partnership with Leroy Sane late on against Liverpool reaped great success. He may cost a hefty £6.5m, but he's an exciting defensive differential with just 1% ownership.

GW5 risk factors

Football Manager aficionados will attest to the promise a Barcelona wonderkid called Kiko Femenia once had in 2011. Six years later, after uneventful spells at Alcorcón and Alavés, the Spaniard is enjoying one of the finest periods of his career at Watford. But Femenia was rushed to hospital in the Hornets' 2-0 victory over Southampton and is an injury doubt ahead of their GW5 clash with Man City. Moreover, Daryl Janmaat, Watford's goalscoring hero in GW4, is ready to step back in having initially lost his place to Femenia through injury against Liverpool. The end could be nigh for Ahmed Hegazi's purple patch. The Egyptian was acquired by 94% of active managers after GW3, but after playing 56 dour minutes against Brighton and with FPL phenomenon Gareth McAuley nearing full fitness it looks ominous for his chances of remaining in the West Brom starting XI. Follow Jack for more FPL insight...

More FPL Gameweek Tips

Wondering who to pick as as your Gameweek 5 Captain? @FPLHolly discusses the best options in her weekly GW5 Captain tips article. Follow Us for more #FPL tips, picks and expert opinion. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_6" layout="1_6" spacing="" center_content="no" hover_type="none" link="" mer_position="all" padding="" dimension_margin="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no" element_content=""][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]