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Premier League Fantasy Football Preview: Who’s bound to score big in Gameweek 5?

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4 weeks ago

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Fantasy Football

Premier League Fantasy Football Preview: Who’s bound to score big in Gameweek 5?

Gameweek 4 threw up a surprise or two, notably at Selhurst Park where Crystal Palace demolished Tottenham, but the big stars certainly didn’t disappoint. In true fashion, Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed most of the headlines with his brace against Newcastle on his debut. As predicted last week, Arsenal got their Premier League campaign up and running with a home victory against Norwich.

But what is on the cards for this weekend? We take a look at teams tipped for strong results, and the players bound to score big in Gameweek 5.

 

Liverpool

The first team I’m backing for a big result is Liverpool. The Reds head into Gameweek 5 joint-top of the Premier League table with 10 points from 4 games. They’re in great form, thrashing Leeds 3-0 at Elland Road last time out, and have only conceded one goal thus far.

Their Gameweek 5 opponents, Crystal Palace, travel to Merseyside on the back of a 3-0 win against Tottenham at Selhurst Park. However, it’s a slightly different story on the road. Palace have taken a single point away from home, conceding five goals already. That’s why I’m backing Jurgen Klopp’s men to take home maximum points this weekend.

 

Man City

Pep Guardiola’s men go into their Gameweek 5 clash against Southampton with the Premier League’s best form. They have won their last three outings all without conceding. This season at the Etihad, they have won both of their Premier League games 5-0, and put another six past RB Leipzig in their midweek Champions League encounter. Like Liverpool, they have only conceded one goal in the Premier League so far, and have three clean sheets in a row.

Their opponents Southampton arrive in Manchester still looking to register their first Premier League victory, with three draws and a loss from their first four. They failed to score against a fairly leaky West Ham defence in their last game, drawing 0-0 at St. Mary’s. Away from home, they have conceded five goals already, and I’m expecting Man City to add a few more to that tally with a victory in Gameweek 5.

It’s now time to identify the potential Premier League powerhouses bound to score big in Gameweek 5.

 

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

We start with Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. As mentioned, Liverpool have registered three clean sheets already, and Palace aren’t great on the road. So the potential for another shutout is certainly there.

In terms of attacking returns, Alexander-Arnold has claimed two assists already this season, and the recent form of his frontline offers another opportunity to add to that. He scored 12 points last time out against Leeds, and is the highest scoring defender in Fantasy Premier League with 34 points.

It helps having teammates that are scoring goals for fun, with the Reds putting nine past their respective opponents already. The England man is their primary set-piece taker too. All of that makes it hard to look past Alexander-Arnold for the crown of Premier League powerhouse in Gameweek 5.

 

Joao Cancelo (Man City)

A player challenging Alexander-Arnold for this week’s title is Man City defender Joao Cancelo. City head into Gameweek 5 with three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League, and opponents Southampton’s blank last time out provides a strong case for another this weekend.

Cancelo has played every minute so far this season, and his points tally has been increasing week-on-week. In his last match, the Portuguese chalked up a clean sheet and assist for the only goal in their 1-0 away win at Leicester, finishing with 12 points.

City have scored 10 and not conceded in the two matches they’ve played host in. If their forwards are in the same mood this weekend, there’s potential for a huge points return for Cancelo. That’s why he’s on the list of potential Premier League powerhouses for Gameweek 5.

Now we take a look at the players that can provide your team with a good points return in somewhat of a rogue selection, with Gameweek 5’s ‘surprise packages’.

 

Raphinha (Leeds United)

Some of you might be wondering how a player of Raphinha’s quality has made it into the ‘surprise package’ section ahead of Gameweek 5. That’s because of his low points tally so far this season, with the Brazilian only registering a single attacking return on the way to 12 points.

Despite Raphinha’s low points return, he has been one of their best players. His 11 shots so far is a joint-team high (with Patrick Bamford), and is second in chances created with 7. He is too good to be averaging just 3 points a game in Fantasy Premier League.

Leeds have made a poor start to the season with just two points, conceding 11 goals already, but let’s cut them some slack. They have faced three of the sides currently sat in the Premier League’s top 4. This week, they face a Newcastle side with the unwanted record of worst defence in the Premier League, conceding 12 goals.

Against a defence as porous as Newcastle’s, it presents a great opportunity for the Brazilian to get himself firing with a strong attacking return.

 

Leandro Trossard (Brighton)

The second potential surprise package of Gameweek 5 is Brighton attacker Leandro Trossard. Many will be expecting the likes of Jamie Vardy and company to run out winners on the south coast, but the Seagulls might have something to say about that.

Brighton are in good form this season. They currently sit 6th in the Premier League with 9 points from the first 12 available, and will have taken confidence from their win against Brentford last time out.

Trossard scored the last-minute winner in West London, scooping up all 3 bonus points too on his way to 11. He comes up against a Leicester defence that has conceded 5 goals in 2 away games so far this term, a stat that should fill the Belgian with confidence of producing another attacking return ahead of Gameweek 5.

After looking at the obvious and not-so obvious, it’s time to list the three players I would want in my Fantasy Premier League team going into Gameweek 5.

 

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

We start with the Egyptian king himself, Mohamed Salah. So far he has scored 38 points in 4 matches, one less than Michail Antonio who tops the charts. Salah has 3 goals and 2 assists already this season, the last of which was his 100th Premier League netting. Liverpool have scored 9 goals themselves, adding to his attacking potential.

With Liverpool’s solid defence, there’s the likelihood of Salah gaining an extra point for a clean sheet (as he’s a midfielder on Fantasy Premier League).

Visitors Crystal Palace have conceded 5 goals in their 2 away games this term. Salah is not only in great form, but ranks first out of all players in the Premier League on the ICT Index. The prospect of him up against a leaky Palace defence is the reason I would select him for my team this week.

 

Allan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle United)

Newcastle have made a shaky start to the season, but the same can’t be said for Allan Saint-Maximin. The Frenchman has played every minute for them so far in a more advanced role than last season, and is benefitting from consistent game-time.

Saint-Maximin has produced attacking returns in 3 out of the first 4 games, with a goal and 2 assists to his name. He has scored 6 points in both games played at St James’ Park, and has been directly involved in 60% of the Magpies’ goals this season.

He comes up against a Leeds defence that is wide open, shipping 6 goals in 2 away games and 11 in total. The prospect of an in-form Saint-Maximin coming up against the Leeds backline at home makes the flashy Frenchman another player I would like in my team for Gameweek 5.

 

Nelson Semedo (Wolves)

The final man on this list is Wolves defender Nelson Semedo. Wolves haven’t been in great form, and Semedo has only scored 10 points from 3 games. So why would I be selecting him for my team in Gameweek 5?

Wolves have had some very difficult fixtures to start the season, but chalked up their first win last time out against Watford, keeping a clean sheet. They come up against a Brentford side who have only scored 3 goals so far in the Premier League, and so Wolves’ potential for a second successive clean sheet offers Semedo a potential defensive return.

Despite no attacking returns yet for the Portugal international, he had two huge chances at Vicarage Road in Gameweek 4 and another day could have had a brace. Wolves’ system presents lots of opportunities for their wing-backs, and Semedo ranks in the top 10% of defenders for ‘Threat’ on Fantasy Premier League, cementing his potential goal-scoring abilities.

It remains to be seen if Wolves have turned the corner yet, but Semedo is the third player I would be selecting in my team ahead of Gameweek 5.

It appears as though Liverpool and Man City players are bound to produce attacking returns against their respective opponents. We wait and see if the Premier League powerhouses will come good, and if the surprise options can deliver for their Fantasy Premier League manager ahead of a tasty round of fixtures in Gameweek 5.

 

We hope you enjoyed the article ‘Premier League Fantasy Football Preview: Who’s bound to score big in Gameweek 5?’ What are your predictions for Gameweek 5? Let us know!

 

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Alex is currently working in the Marketing department for a multi-academy educational Trust based in West Yorkshire, but has always harboured a keen interest for writing. Is a lover of all things football and currently in a long-term relationship with Sheffield Wednesday. He currently lives in Sheffield.

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