Teams to target: Tottenham, Arsenal
Tottenham vs. Sheffield United
Life under big Ange has gone as well as can be expected for Tottenham supporters, with the club claiming 10 points from their first four matches.
Perhaps more impressive is the brand of football they are playing, scoring 11 goals already this season, despite the departure of key man Harry Kane.
Despite three of their first four matches being away from home, only four sides have created a higher XG than Spurs and a home fixture with Sheffield United in GW5 is as good at it gets.
Sheffield United are second for XG conceded this season, despite 75% of their fixtures being relatively favourable.
Burnley’s offensive approach played into Tottenham’s hands in GW4 and Son Heung-Min exposed the highline with a superb hat-trick. It’s probable he will be the most brought player going into GW5.
I’d like a triple up on a free hit this week and James Maddison along with Destiny Udogie are the obvious other picks.
Everton vs. Arsenal
Despite dropping just two points this season, Arsenal are yet to hit top form.
Prior to the international break though they returned to a more recognisable set-up at home to Manchester United and produced their best showing of the campaign.
Arsenal have a favourable fixture in GW5; however have an awful recent record away to Everton, losing four of their last five at Goodison Park.
Arsenal sit second in both the XPoints and XG against table and it’s hard to look past the Gunners on Sunday and I’d want a couple of Arsenal assets in a free hit side.
It remains unclear who will start up front, so they best options come from midfield. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are the stand out selections, with slight preference for the former as he’s more likely on penalties.
Defensively Arsenal are better on the road and Gabriel Saliba is a good bet against an offensively blunt Everton side.
Opposition to target: Luton Town, Burnley
Fulham vs. Luton Town
Luton Town were handed a very difficult start to their first ever Premier League campaign and three consecutive defeats wasn’t going to be a surprise.
However they’ve looked well short of the required standard and are the only side to average over 3XGA per game.
A little naïve on trips to the Amex and Stamford Bridge, they were better defensively in a narrow 2-1 loss to West Ham United, but they still looked suspect, especially from set-pieces.
Fulham are actually bottom of the XGA table; however have had perhaps the most difficult start to the season, which included trips to both Arsenal and Manchester City.
On a free hit I’d want at least one Fulham option and Andreas Pereira, on all set-pieces, looks the best bet.
Nottingham Forest vs. Burnley
Nottingham Forest look a good side this season and have put in impressive performances in away matches at Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Taiwo Awoniyi’s incredible scoring run came to an end last week, but he still provided the match winning assist in a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
As for Burnley they’ve been pulled apart early on this season, conceding 11 goals in just three matches, all of which at home.
Right sided defensive options have had a nice time against Burnley this season, making Serge Aurier a decent option in a free hit.
Aurier has surprised many since joining Forest and ranks 10th for defenders this season despite an incredibly difficult start.
Other options
Wolves vs. Liverpool
Liverpool’s start to the season has perhaps gone under the radar, with 10 points from a difficult start very impressive.
Mohamed Salah has returned in his last 10 Premier League matches and remains the best and most consistent Pool offensive option.
Wolves have lost three of their first four matches, but statistically they’ve performed okay. I wouldn’t want more than one Liverpool option this week.
West Ham United vs. Manchester City
I’d be tempted to go without Erling Haaland on a free hit side; however I’m struggling to find great striking options this week.
Funds are available given the cheap Nottingham Forest picks, meaning Haaland can fit into the side.
West Ham away is one of the tougher games though so he’d be the only City option I’d select were I FH’ing this week!
GW5 Dream Team: Leno; Aurier, Udogie, Saliba; Saka, Pereira, Salah, Son (C), Maddison; Awoniyi, Haaland
