Fantasy Premier League. Gameweek 5

Everton vs Liverpool

Score Prediction: 2-2
Everton sit top of the table going into this weekend’s Merseyside derby after a superb start to the season. The match will act as a test of the Toffees’ top four potential or even title contention against a Liverpool team that need to bounce back from a humiliating 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa. Both teams can score at ease but neither look solid at the back with only one clean sheet each at this stage.

FPL Tips:
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (7.6M) is returning to Everton fresh off a goal on his England debut against Wales last Thursday and has scored at least one in every league game this season.

Chelsea vs Southampton

Score Prediction: 3-1
Chelsea are finally close to full strength after suffering a number of injuries already this campaign. The Blues will have too much for Southampton if their exciting forward line clicks into gear and Lampard seems to have found a reliable centre back partnership in Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma to stop leaking goals. The Saints picked up form before the international break but would appear outmatched in this one unless Danny Ings can carry them to a result.

FPL Tips:
Christian Pulisic (8.3M) looked a superstar after the Premier League restart last season but an unfortunate injury in the FA Cup final has kept him out ever since. If the American international can stay healthy he will be among the top points scorers over the coming weeks.

Man City vs Arsenal

Score Prediction: 2-1
Man City are already playing catch-up this season having dropped points against Leeds and Leicester and playing one less game than most. They desperately need a positive result but it will not be made easy by a more disciplined Arsenal than we have been used to seeing. The addition of Thomas Partey in midfield will make them even harder to break down, although Pep Guardiola has the players at his disposal more than capable of it much like Liverpool did a few weeks ago.

FPL Tips:
Ferran Torres (6.9M) was beginning to adjust to English football before the break with an impressive League Cup display and an assist on his first Premier League start. The Spanish winger is likely to play with some other of City’s attacking options doubtful for the game.

Newcastle vs Man United

Score Prediction: 1-1
Steve Bruce’s Newcastle have surprised people again this season with a solid start that sees them in 9th place on seven points from a possible 12. In stark contrast, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is already under pressure with his Man Utd team just above the relegation zone and yet to put in a good performance. United will have enough to earn a point but it’s not looking good for Solkjaer’s job security if even more points are dropped.

FPL Tips:
Callum Wilson (6.5M) has settled in incredibly well at St. James’ Park with four goals to his name already. The forward has the pace to cause United’s defence all kinds of trouble following in the footsteps of Heung-Min Son who gave them a torrid time of it in their 6-1 defeat to Spurs.

Sheffield United vs Fulham

Score Prediction: 1-1
A bottom of the table clash takes place at Brammall Lane between the two lowest scoring sides so far. Neither team fill me with confidence that they can beat the drop and a draw wouldn’t do either team much good but that’s what I’ve gone for here.

FPL Tips:
Bringing in Ruben Loftus-Cheek (5.9M) on loan was a shrewd piece of business by Fulham on transfer deadline day. Scott Parker will be hoping that he can bring goals to a team that otherwise will rely heavily on striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (5.9M).

Crystal Palace vs Brighton

Score Prediction: 1-1
The M23 Derby presents two evenly matched teams with very different playing styles. Roy Hodgson’s direct Palace against Graham Potter’s fluid Brighton makes for an interesting match that could kickstart either teams’ season but a hard-fought draw is the most likely result in my eyes.

FPL Tips:
Leandro Trossard (6.0M) has made a bright start to his second season with a goal and two assists for Brighton. The Belgian is ready to add to his tally after hitting the woodwork a record three times in one match against Man Utd a few weeks ago.

Spurs vs West Ham

Score Prediction: 3-1
Spurs were firing on all cylinders against Man Utd in an emphatic 6-1 victory that had many hinting at a possible title push. Also, Gareth Bale is in line to make his hotly anticipated return to the club seven years after his last appearance which will give the team a boost. As for West Ham, in David Moyes’ absence from the touch line they managed two surprising wins against Wolves and Leicester without conceding a goal, but I can’t see them making it three wins from three.

FPL Tips:
Heung-Min Son (9.1M) could be considered a must-have player in this years’ FPL. The joint top-scorer is putting in brilliant performances for Mourinho’s Spurs team that are on the rise.

Leicester vs Aston Villa

Score Prediction: 2-1
Leicester couldn’t have had two more opposed results in beating Man City 5-2 and then losing 3-0 to West Ham in recent weeks. Brendan Rodgers will be eager to get his side back on track this weekend. Villa are unbeaten this season, including a 7-2 win against Liverpool which will go down as one of the most shocking results in Premier league history, but they have to fall down from these heady heights at some point.

FPL Tips:
Timothy Castagne (5.8M) has been a revelation for the Foxes in the right-back position. The defender was signed after Ben Chilwell’s departure and has arguably improved the team with four goal contributions to this point.

West Brom vs Burnley

Score Prediction: 1-1
West Brom haven’t had trouble scoring this season but they’ve had the worst defence in the league, highlighted in their second half collapse in which they conceded three goals to Chelsea and only came away with a point. Burnley made no significant transfer business are paying for it as they are yet to get off the mark. Sean Dyche’s men are also conceding at an alarming rate which is something that couldn’t be said about Burnley since their promotion to the Premier League until now.

FPL Tips:
Matheus Pereira (6.0M) is the primary attacking outlet in Slaven Bilic’s team. The Brazilian has an ICT rank of 23rd among midfielders which is not bad at all for the Baggies’ playmaker.

Leeds vs Wolves

Score Prediction: 2-1
Marcelo Bielsa’s men have not just been brilliant to watch but have more importantly picked up results along the way. Leeds’ only defeat this season came at the hands of Liverpool on the opening day. Wolves’ were tipped to have a strong performance this year with the absence of Europa League football but haven’t looked at their best which won’t be enough for a result at Elland Road.

FPL Tips:
New signing Raphinha (5.5M) has already hit the ground running in training according to teammate Luke Ayling and is in contention to start on Monday evening. The winger won several plaudits for his stand-out performances at Stade Rennais in Ligue 1 last season.

This Week’s Top Tip: Heung-Min Son

Points = 45, Form = 14.3, GW4 = 18pts, Total = 45pts, Price = £9.1, TSB = 30.9%

Heung-Min Son is the obvious captain pick for this week after an outstanding performance against Man Utd. The South Korean star has had a week off while many players played international fixtures which gives him an advantage that he didn’t need to be considered this week’s top tip. With his electric pace to get in-behind and superb link-up play with Harry Kane, the Spurs forward will take some stopping on Sunday afternoon.

By James Reeses Pieces