FPL Holly is back this week with her selection of captain picks for Gameweek 5. After a two week absence due to the International Break, our fantasy assets should be back with a bang as the Premier League returns. The only person disappointed for the return of FPL is the Clueless Husband.
SCOUT: Aguero provides a single assist for the 1,757,652 managers who captained him. He is projected to get 1 bonus point, for a total of 6 points in Gameweek 4#FPL #MCINEW pic.twitter.com/heP0JPSDyc
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) September 1, 2018
Gameweek 4 was a disappointing one for many: Salah and Kane blanked, plus those who trusted Aguero with the armband or triple captain chip were underwhelmed by his 6 point haul. Meanwhile, Marcos Alonso continues to excel and many managers are still scrambling to get him in their teams.
Gameweek 5 will be interesting, especially since Spurs entertain Liverpool at Wembley. It's the start of a tricky schedule for the traditional top six sides, as Champions League and Europa League fixtures kick in this midweek. Chelsea have the pick of the fixtures, as Cardiff visit Stamford Bridge. Manchester City will be looking to climb up the table, with a home game against Fulham.
Shield Pick: Sergio Aguero vs Fulham (H)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 4/9
There was a lot of talk last week of triple-captaing Aguero. I was always against it, because Newcastle parks the bus.
I think this week could be one of the best weeks to do it though.
After West Ham and Huddersfield, Fulham have the most expected Goals Against. pic.twitter.com/9MxyGMb0Xj
— FPL Vader (@FF_Vader) September 5, 2018
A home game against weak opposition is quite the prospect: especially since he already has 3 goals and 2 assists at the Etihad this season. He's also on penalties, which could further bolster his goal scoring prospects: he's had 20 shots this season which is the most in the Premier League. Aguero has had the International Break off and his strong form means that his ownership is rising to the highest in the game, overtaking Salah. Fulham have yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League, conceding 2+ goals in each of their four games. Are you going to play safe with the shield pick?
Sword Pick: Mohammed Salah vs Spurs (A)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 19/20
Mohamed Salah: No player has made more key passes than @MoSalah (13) in the Premier League this season
For more player stats -- https://t.co/4g98F2dFXn pic.twitter.com/UB1k0monTe
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 7, 2018
Salah was ousted from the top captaincy selection last time around and that trend looks set to continue, as the fixture looks a tough one on paper. However, Salah managed 3 goals against Spurs last season, including one in the away fixture. He's a big game player and the fantasy points look to be just around the corner: he's missed 4 of his 5 big chances so far and also has 13 Goal Attempt Assists, which is the best in the league. His performance will be crucial to Liverpool maintaining their unbeaten start to the season: will you gamble on the sword pick?
Form Pick: Marcos Alonso vs Cardiff (H)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 27/10
Marcos Alonso has no interest in being a defender. #CFC pic.twitter.com/NGbhQ4WcwU
— Football Whispers (@FB_WHISPERS) September 2, 2018
It's not very often that more than one defender appears among the captain picks, but as the leading FPL points scorer, Marcos Alonso is a worthy contender. He has managed attacking returns in every game so far, plus two clean sheets in four games. Cardiff are particular goal shy, with just two goals across their four games. The fixture looks promising for both attacking returns and a clean sheet. Alonso is also leading the Bonus charts, with 9 in total. Are you opting for the form pick?
Fixture Pick: Eden Hazard vs Cardiff (H)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 10/11
Eden Hazard's game by numbers vs. Bournemouth:
92% pass accuracy
most final third passes (45)
most dribbles won (5)
most key passes (5)
2 shots
1 goalHuge performance. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/QF9SK1DBMY
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 1, 2018
If you like the look of Chelsea's fixture, but refuse to captain a defender, Eden Hazard is an excellent alternative. He's the only other player to deliver attacking returns in the opening 4 games: he's managed 2 goals and 2 assists across limited minutes. He's also the Chelsea penalty taker, but Etheridge has proven difficult to beat from the spot so far this season. Cardiff have conceded 5 goals in 4 games. Will you go for the fixture pick?
Punt Pick: Harry Kane vs Liverpool (H)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 10/11
SCOUT: Harry Kane scored more goals in September last season than any other #FPL player - the England striker found the net on six occasions
More of the same this year?#WATTOT pic.twitter.com/xJcqQiLQXV
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) September 2, 2018
Harry Kane has had an inconsistent start to the season, but could strike form at just the right time. He's got 2 goals and 1 assist so far, plus he's on penalties too. His record against Liverpool is strong: 5 goals and 2 assists in 7 games, including 2 goals and an assist in the 4-1 win last time around. The fixture makes this one a bit of a punt, will you take it?
Park the Bus Pick: Benjamin Mendy vs Fulham (H)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 7/1
Clean Sheet Odds: 3/4
Most assists in Europe's top five leagues this season:
• Benjamin Mendy (4)
• José Holebas (4)Those left-backs doing work. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/WeI3m6XyvC
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 2, 2018
Not to be outdone by Alonso, Mendy has amassed a minimum of 4 points in his opening games, also achieving 5 assists to date. 3 of those assists have come across the two home games and more attacking returns are promising against a leaky Fulham defence. Pep will be aiming for a clean sheet in this one too, having only managed one in four. Mitrovic may be lurking to snatch those clean sheet points away though. Are you brave enough to captain a defender?
Clueless Husband Pick: Dele Alli vs Liverpool (H)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 3/1
Dele Alli's game by numbers vs. Man Utd:
56 touches
5 tackles (most)
5 touches in opp. box
4 interceptions (joint-most)
3 shots (most)
1 foul won
1 take-ons"Dele Alli is maturing" 📈 pic.twitter.com/RB0iSoLTcv
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 29, 2018
Never one to study the fixtures, the Clueless Husband is opting for Dele Alli this week. A little late to the hand manoeuvre challenges, it could be a tough game for Alli, but he did manage a goal in this fixture last season. Alison's blunder prevented a clean sweep of shut outs for Liverpool and Dele will be on the prowl to capitalise on any other howlers from the Liverpool keeper. Will you side with my Clueless Husband?
Until Next Week…
Good Luck!
Holly and her Clueless Husband
Follow fplbet for weekly fantasy features... Follow @fplbet
[/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]