The start of Game Week 5 has been punctuated by the first European window of the 2021/22 season as Premier League clubs kicked off their continental campaigns in midweek.
For FPL managers, GW 4 brought a new dimension to the game with Michail Antonio’s red card against Southampton particularly hitting hard given he was owned by 39% of managers.
A new approach is expected for those concerned and the best advice right now is to not unleash that Wildcard Chip yet. This is the moment to select the best differentials in Gameweek 5, and With Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden back for Manchester City in midweek, the talent pool is increasing.
FootballCastle will provide some of the best differentials for the near future, and take note that this weekend’s deadline is at 6.30 pm GMT on Friday 17 September.
Goalkeepers
Jose Sa(£5.0m)
Bruno Lage’s men kept their first clean sheet of the season at Watford last weekend, while opponents Brentford have managed just nine shots on target across the opening four Gameweeks.
Sa faces a good run of fixtures and his bargain price makes him a must-have option.
Edouard Mendy(£6.0m)
The Senegalese leads the Golden Gloves race with three clean sheets having not conceded a goal from open play.
Mendy is the second-highest scoring goalkeeper this season with 26 FPL points and seems fixture proof against Tottenham and Man City given Chelsea’s incredible defensive record in big games under Thomas Tuchel
Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m)
The Liverpool man is flying high after an assist and clean sheet against Leeds took the fullback to 34 points this season. Alexander-Arnold is the most expensive defender in the game but also third for most points behind only Salah(38) and Antonio(39) having registered three clean sheets alongside his attacking exploits.
The 22-year-old is now well-placed to continue his sparkling performances against Crystal Palace in GW5.
Marcal(£4.6m)
Having returned 13 points from two assists and the clean sheet against Watford, the Brazilian could boost his FPL credentials with more attacking returns in the coming weeks.
Marcal is very difficult to ignore given his form and a look at upcoming fixtures against Brentford, Southampton, Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Leeds suggests this is the start of a good run.
Cesar Azpilicueta(£6.0m)
The Spaniard reminded everyone of his quality at both ends with his assist for Romelu Lukaku against Aston Villa and followed it up with another delicious cross for their midweek winner against Zenit.
The Chelsea captain is proving his credentials as a hot pick in a back three due to his durability, tactical nous, and reliability to deliver assists. They face Tottenham who have created just three big chances and the eighth-worst xG in the league so far.
Azpilicueta is a main-stay and should thus be in your team for his returns at both ends of the pitch.
Midfielders
Raphinha(£6.5m)
Leeds have had a slow start to the season, but opponents Newcastle have been dreadful at the back and rank bottom for goals conceded and big chances conceded
Raphinha would be pleased and can use his unpredictability to deliver a huge haul for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
Bukayo Saka(£6.3m)
The young attacker had six shots in GW 4 against Norwich and is the premium Arsenal midfield pick going into the fixture against Burnley.
Saka registered 12 touches in the box during Arsenal’s trip to Turf Moor last season and could be highly influential once again.
Demarai Gray (£5.7m)
The winger is showing flashes of his well-known quality and has begun his Everton career promising to show more consistency as he has three goals in his opening four games. Gray has the support of his manager, Rafa Benitez, and the confidence with which he’s playing means he carries a considerable threat going into GW5 against Aston Villa.
Andros Townsend(£5.4m)
Everton face Aston Villa then Norwich which bodes well for a possible double-up of their in-form wingers.
Townsend registered a goal and an assist against Burnley to take his season tally to one goal and two assists as all four of his shots have been on target. The prospect of the ex-Crystal Palace man’s bargain price coupled with the fact that five of the seven goals Villa have conceded have come from the left side paves the way for possible returns from the right winger.
Nicolas Pepe(£7.2m)
Pepe provided the assist for Arsenal’s winning goal in GW4 against Norwich and hit the woodwork twice. The Gunners have a very good run of upcoming games and Pepe could be the best route into their attack.
The Ivorian has been the best player for Mikel Arteta’s men so far this season with the most shots on target, big chances created, xG and xA. Burnley seem to have an apparent weakness with seven of their eight goals conceded coming from the left of their defense, where Pepe would be waiting to wreck even more havoc.
Mo Salah (£12.5m)
What more do we need to tell you about the Egyptian King? Salah has started the season in scintillating form after combining three goals with two assists in his opening four appearances. Salah will be looking to maintain his prolific form against Crystal Palace whom he has scored six times and five assists against in only nine matches.
Forwards
Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m)
West Ham are expected to be more resistant than Newcastle, but Ronaldo’s start is simply hard to ignore. Having registered six efforts against the Magpies, the Portuguese superstar was also on target during Man United’s 2-1 defeat to Young Boys in the Champions League.
Needless to say, he already has a good record against the Hammers and shouldn’t have trouble adding to his personal total.
Allan Saint-Maximin(£6.5m)
Leeds have conceded 23 goals, 28 big chances, and zero clean sheets between themselves and Newcastle, and with a mini-crisis at centre-back, they are set to suffer defensively against the Magpies having allowed more chances from their right flank. Something which will please the tricky left-forward Saint-Maximin.
Raul Jimenez(£7.4m)
Although he is yet to score this season, Jimenez has been incredibly unlucky as Wolves continue to be one of the most creative sides in the league. It is surely only a matter of time before the Mexican hits the net, and Brentford in GW5 looks a good start.
