Fantasy Gameweek 5 Preview: Suggested picks, differentials, captain & more

After a fascinating return to Premier League action in Gameweek 4, bet365’s Premier League fantasy game returns for another week.

Gameweek 5 is headlined by a huge clash between Manchester City and Arsenal, with Liverpool hoping to bounce back and Manchester United looking to make it back to back wins in the Premier League.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of Gameweek 5 of the fantasy football season.

Fantasy Gameweek 5 fixtures

Saturday 21st September 2024:

• 12:30 BST: West Ham v Chelsea
• 15:00 BST: Aston Villa v Wolves
• 15:00 BST: Fulham v Newcastle
• 15:00 BST: Southampton v Ipswich Town
• 15:00 BST: Tottenham v Brentford
• 15:00 BST: Leicester City v Everton
• 15:00 BST: Liverpool v Bournemouth
• 17:30 BST: Crystal Palace v Manchester United

Sunday 22nd September 2024:

• 14:00 BST: Brighton v Nottingham Forest
• 16:30 BST: Manchester City v Arsenal

Fantasy Gameweek 5 suggested picks

Lining up in a 3-4-3 formation, the following XI should be firmly in your consideration as you pick your Gameweek 5 squad:

Goalkeeper

Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)

Fixture - Nottingham Forest (H)
Price - 4.5m
Ownership - 3.86%

Defenders

Leif Davis (Ipswich)

Fixture - Southampton (A)
Price - 4.9m
Ownership - 1.41%

Pedro Porro (Tottenham)

Fixture - Brentford (H)
Price - 5.5m
Ownership - 32.43%

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Fixture - Bournemouth (H)
Price - 6.5m
Ownership - 53.13%

Midfielders

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Fixture - Bournemouth (H)
Price - 12m
Ownership - 56.54%

Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Fixture - West Ham (A)
Price - 10.1m
Ownership - 32.76%

Emile Smith Rowe (Fulham)

Fixture - Newcastle (H)
Price - 5.5m
Ownership - 21.33%

Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)

Fixture - Chelsea (H)
Price - 8m
Ownership - 4.73%

Forwards

Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Fixture - Arsenal (H)
Price - 14.1m
Ownership - 63.91%

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

Fixture - Wolves (H)
Price - 9.5m
Ownership - 18.42%

Jamie Vardy (Leicester)

Fixture - Everton (H)
Price - 6m
Ownership - 1.79%

Fantasy Gameweek 5 Differentials

The following three suggested picks are all currently owned by under 5% of EPL Fantasy Season Game managers:

Leif Davis

Ownership - 1.41%

After an impressive Championship campaign which saw the left-back pick up 21 assists, Davis set high expectations for fantasy owners entering the 24/25 campaign.

Following his assist away at Fulham, Davis and Ipswich picked up their first clean sheet of the season away at in-form Brighton in Gameweek 4, ensuring consecutive fantasy returns.

Heading into Gameweek 5, the high-flying full-back acts as a great differential against a struggling Southampton, who are yet to pick up a point, scoring just one in the opening four games.

Jarrod Bowen

Ownership - 4.73%

An impressive start to the season with two assists and one goal sees Bowen heading into Gameweek 5 as an interesting differential, having contributed to over half of the Irons goals this season.

The signings of Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville have had little impact on Bowen’s game time, with the England international having started all four games, proving a crucial player in new manager Julen Lopetugui’s system.

With Chelsea having kept only one clean sheet so far this season, Bowen will be eyeing up the chance to add his second of the season, with his previous goal coming away at Crystal Palace.

Jamie Vardy

Ownership - 1.79%

While many seemingly doubted Vardy’s return to the Premier League, owned by just 1.74%, he has not been shy to silence his doubters with two goals in the opening four games.

With seven previous goals against Everton, the 37-year-old striker will be keen to add more to the tally, against a troubled Toffees defence.

Having conceded 13 goals in the opening four games, the Blues have conceded more goals than any other Premier League side, much to the delight of this weekend’s opponents Leicester.

Vardy’s winless Leicester will certainly fancy their chances at picking up their first victory of the Premier League campaign.

Fantasy Gameweek 5 Captain

Mohamed Salah - Liverpool

Despite the fine form of Erling Haaland heading into Gameweek 5, we simply cannot ignore the defensive records of Arsenal and their ability to keep the Norwegian at bay.

Arsenal kept clean sheets in both Premier League games against Manchester City last season. Given their defensive performance in Gameweek 4, it would not come as a surprise to see that again.

For this reason, I would suggest Mohamed Salah as captain for Gameweek 5. Following a disappointing outing in Gameweek 4, the Egyptian hit the post twice midweek against AC Milan, suggesting goals are on the way for the prolific number 11.