The Gameweeks are coming thick and fast in Fantasy Premier League following the international break, and matches will get underway again on Saturday.
Fixtures such as Chelsea versus West Ham and Liverpool against Bournemouth will catch the eye, before Manchester City and Arsenal go head-to-head in a mouth-watering tie that could already have a big impact on the title race.
There are sure to be plenty of fantasy points on offer, and managers will be deliberaitng over their starting sides and next moves ahead of another week of action.
But who is the best differential ahead of Gameweek 5? And who are the value players FPL managers should be targeting as the Premier League returns this weekend?
Fantasy Football Hub expert Holly Shand reveals who you should consider transferring into your FPL teams according to AI predicted points.
Mohamed Salah appears to be the best captiancy option this week as Liverpool host Bournemouth in the Premier League
Best Captain Pick: Mohamed Salah
8.3 Predicted Points vs Bournemouth (H)
It’s not very often that we see Erling Haaland bumped off top spot when it comes to captaincy, but a tough fixture at home to title rivals Arsenal plus a favourable fixture for Liverpool sees the perfect storm. Mohamed Salah leads the way on 8.3 predicted points against Haaland’s 7.3 points.
Salah has had one of his best starts to a season for Liverpool, producing double digit FPL points from three of his four performances so far. He’s racked up six goal involvements in that time, with only Haaland logging more. He is the same formidable fantasy force under Arne Slot as he was under Jurgen Klopp.
Salah has completed 90 minutes in three of his appearances this season and should avoid the rotation expected elsewhere in Liverpool’s front three. The Reds also have a great record against Bournemouth in the Premier League, with Salah producing nine goals in nine appearances.
Best Differential Pick: Dominic Solanke
5.6 Predicted Points vs Brentford (H)
Dominic Solanke returned from injury last time out to start and complete 90 minutes in the defeat by Arsenal in the north London derby. If he can secure regular minutes, he has the potential to be a game breaker, leading the Spurs line at just £7.5million.
It’s difficult to read into his underlying numbers at this early stage of the season with such a small sample size available. He has had five shots in the box in two games, including one big chance. Managers know his pedigree, with the Englishman finding the back of the net 19 times in the league for Bournemouth last season. It’s unclear whether he will also be first choice penalty taker at Spurs, with captain Son Heung-min also in contention.
Solanke started the season in around a quarter of teams but has since seen his ownership drop to seven per cent, making him an exciting differential in the game.
Back fit an available for Tottenham, Dominic Solanke provides an exciting differential option
Best Defender Pick: Andrew Robertson
5.4 Predicted Points vs Bournemouth (H)
Liverpool reach another gameweek backed to keep a clean sheet, having conceded just once so far in this campaign – in that surprise 1-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest at Anfield last time out. They’ve conceded just seven big chances on their goal in this campaign.
It’s still left back Andrew Robertson who has the edge over team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold when it comes to their AI predictions for this week, thought just 0.1 points separates the pair. Robertson’s ownership gradually creeping up towards the 10 per cent mark.
Robertson has had two shots on target this season, including one big chance. Alexander-Arnold remains the more creative, with 11 key passes and three big chances created, but neither of them have managed an attacking return just yet – though they will likely arrive soon.
Andy Robertson is narrowly backed to outscore team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold this week
Best Mid-Priced Forward Pick: Ollie Watkins
6.2 Predicted Points vs Wolves (H)
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins had a frustrating first few games of the campaign, struggling to make it past the 65 minute mark with just one assist to show for his efforts. He then missed England duties over the international break, continuing to build himself up to full fitness for this season.
However, he returned to form with a bang in the 3-2 win against Everton, producing six shots in the box, including four big chances and two goals. He was unlucky to only come away with a brace, he could have had so much more. It was encouraging to also see him complete 83 minutes.
Watkins is a great long-term buy in FPL given that Aston Villa’s fixtures remain attractive over the next five Gameweeks. It’s a derby game next up against local rivals Wolves, who have just one point from their first four games, conceding 11 goals. Watkins will be looking to exploit them.
Ollie Watkins returned to form with a bang at the weekend as he scored twice against Everton
Best Budget Forward Pick: Chris Wood
5.5 Predicted Points vs Brighton (A)
There has been plenty of transfer movement in the budget forwards category, aided by the injury to Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, who is set to miss the next two months with an ankle problem. Increases in form has seen Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jamie Vardy among the most transferred in players.
AI avoids those injury prone players though in favour of Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood, who has already scored two goals this season from five big chances on goal. Those returns came from five big chances on goal and he remains a differential, in just 7 per cent of teams.
Chris Wood continues to provide an exciting budget option in the forward area for managers
Nottingham Forest have had an unbeaten start to the season and their long-term fixture schedule remains promising for the remainder of this month and into October. Wood is now established as their first choice striker – though he is sometimes prone to some early substitutions.
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