Holly Shand from Fantasy Football Community returns with captaincy corner and her three player picks in three positions for Gameweek 5.
Gameweek 4 was yet another captaincy blank for many, with Raheem Sterling failing to deliver any fantasy returns during Manchester City's 4-0 thrashing of Brighton. I'm still in disbelief over how that happened! Meanwhile, those who went Salah didn't fare much better, but Aguero delivered the points. He was tipped to make the Gameweek 4 Dream Team and duly delivered, as did the midfield pick, Kevin De Bruyne.
It's been a busy International Break for some, although Aguero, Salah and Mane have had the time off. Sterling, Kane and De Bruyne have all shined for their country. The Champions League and Europa League group stages kick off next midweek. Chelsea host Valencia on Tuesday, with Liverpool travelling to Napoli. On Wednesday, Manchester City visit Ukraine to play Shakhtar Donetsk and Spurs travel to Olympiacos. Thursday sees Arsenal away to Eintracht and Manchester United host Astana. There's tasty Gameweek 5 fixtures for Liverpool and Manchester City, who dominate the selections for this week.
Captaincy Corner
The shield pick is likely to be the most captained player of the week, allowing you to play safe and keep pace with the pack. The sword pick will be a less popular selection: if they perform it can shoot you up the overall rankings, but the risk from failure is higher.
Shield Pick: Mohammed Salah vs Newcastle (H)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 8/13
Salah slightly edges the incredibly tight armband race this week, given that he's got the home fixture and has had the Intentional Break off. He's managed double digits in both of his home fixtures this season, with three goals and two assists. Newcastle began the season looking questionable defensively, but they have kept one clean sheet already away to Spurs and only conceded once in their last game too. Steve Bruce will come to Anfield and park the bus, which does concern me slightly. Despite that, Salah has had six big chances this season and can be a flat track bully on his day. It's three goals and one assist in four appearances for Salah against the Magpies, plus he's on penalties and some set plays too. Will you play safe with the Shield Pick?
Sword Pick: Raheem Sterling vs Norwich (A)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 6/10
Sterling has delivered for England in the International Break and could arguably be in a better position going into Gameweek 5 having played some minutes in the last fortnight. It's an away fixture but Sterling already has four goals from his first two games on the road this season and the opposition provide plenty of appeal. The league's most attacking side face a Norwich lineup who struggle to defend and are blighted by injuries. Manchester City have scored the most goals this season and Norwich have conceded the most. Sterling has three goals and three assists from six Premier League appearances against Norwich. This game could produce a lot of goals and the bookies favour Sterling over Salah. Rotation and early substitutions after the busy break ahead of the Champions League provides the only niggling doubt, but I'm going with Sterling. Are you going to take a risk in selecting the Sword Pick?
Holly's Hopefuls
I share my top three players for each Gameweek, selecting one defender, one midfielder and one striker. These are players that I'm tipping for the FPL Dream Team and they could also make intriguing differential captain decisions for you to consider too.
DEF: Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Newcastle (H)
Alexander-Arnold seems to be the obvious selection here: Newcastle have scored just three goals this season and Liverpool have only conceded three. Hopefully they can build on that clean sheet last time out and keep another one this weekend. Alexander-Arnold is an assist machine, with three in four games and he provides plenty of goal threat too. He's created 14 chances this season, which puts him second behind Kevin De Bruyne. He's on most of Liverpool's set pieces and looks to be unstoppable this season. Another perfect FPL combination of attacking return, clean sheet and bonus could see him line up in the Dream Team once more.
MID: Kevin De Bruyne vs Norwich (A)
I'm finally joining the Sterling and De Bruyne double up and the Belgian retains his place in the hopefuls section. He's had a fruitful international break, bagging goals and assists for Belgium in their Euro 2020 qualifiers. He's got a 100% record in the Premier League this season, with one goal and five assists from four games. He's on top for bonus points, with six, as well as creating 16 chances including six big chances. He's also amassed ten successful crosses and is bossing absolutely ever creativity metric going.
FOR: Sergio Aguero vs Norwich (A)
I'll be a nervous manager without Aguero in my side this weekend, as he looks set for another monster haul. He leads the FPL scoring charts, having bagged six goals and one assist from his opening four matches. He's had ten shots in the box, with six on target and has penalties in his locker too. Not owning an in-form Aguero is a scary prospect - I can only hope that Sterling and De Bruyne manage to reduce the damage. The only question mark is whether Jesus will return from injury and impact Aguero's minutes.
Until next time…
Good luck!
Holly
Find even more Fantasy Premier League Tips over on Holly's website: Fantasy Football Community
