As the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season progresses, every week becomes a crucial one for managers to make the right decisions and gain an edge over their opponents. This week, one of the most significant FPL decisions surrounds the highly anticipated matchup between Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday. While considering FPL tips, many managers are wondering if they should start any attacking players from this matchup, including the goal-scoring machine Erling Haaland. However, considering the defensive prowess of both teams, the answer is a resounding no, unless you already have Haaland in your squad, in which case, don’t do anything drastic like benching him.
Based on the current FPL prices, our team of the week is carefully selected to fit within a £100m budget, assuming a Free Hit is in play. Before we dive into this week’s selection, let’s take a look at the team that earned the worst score of the season so far, with just 52 points in gameweek four. Although it was a tough week, there were some positives to take away, such as the 13-point hauls from Erling Haaland and Jean-Philippe Mateta upfront, as well as returns from Bruno Fernandes and Lucas Digne. Unfortunately, the luck didn’t quite go their way, with several one- and two-pointers and a surprisingly tight Forest defense keeping Mohamed Salah quiet as captain.
While looking back at the previous gameweek, it’s essential to analyze the performances and make adjustments accordingly. The FPL podcast, Fantasy 606, provides valuable insights and advice from experts Alistair Bruce-Ball, Chris Sutton, and Statman Dave. One of the key takeaways from the podcast is the potential of Southampton’s Yukinari Sugawara, who had 15 assists in his last two seasons at AZ Alkmaar.
FPL Tips for This Week’s Matchups
When selecting our team for this week, we need to be cautious and consider the defensive strengths of teams like Manchester City and Arsenal. However, there are still several players who are poised for a big week ahead.
Goalkeeper and Defenders
Emi Martinez (£5m) from Aston Villa is a reliable choice at home to Wolves, considering his big-game performances in the past. Derby games can often be tight affairs, and Martinez’s experience could be invaluable. Another option is Yukinari Sugawara (£4.5m) from Southampton, who has been impressive down the right flank in manager Russell Martin’s progressive style of play. He has put in 16 crosses, created three big chances, and scored at Brentford, making him a solid choice at home to Ipswich.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7m) from Liverpool is another top pick, with his attacking returns on the horizon. Despite being close to another clean sheet last week, he was denied by Nottingham Forest’s late goal. Alexander-Arnold has an impressive expected assists (xA) stat of 1.87 from four games, making him a top contender for assists and bonus points. Josko Gvardiol (£6m) from Manchester City is also a great option, considering the defensive prowess of Manchester City and Arsenal in their matchup on Sunday. Rodri is set to return to City’s lineup, allowing Gvardiol to play in a more progressive position down the left.
Midfielders and Forwards
Choosing the right midfielders and forwards is crucial in FPL, and this week is no exception. Jarrod Bowen (£7.5m) from West Ham has been a consistent performer over the past three seasons, with 68 FPL returns. He started the 2024-25 season in similar vein, with three returns in four games. Chelsea’s defensive data suggests that Bowen has a strong chance of another return this week.
Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) from Liverpool is undoubtedly one of the top captain choices this week, despite his blank last week. With Haaland facing Arsenal’s stiff defense, Salah is the safer option. He has the highest number of shots (13) and shots on target (8) for midfielders this season, making him a top choice against Bournemouth.
Cole Palmer (£10.6m) from Chelsea is another top pick, especially considering his ability to bounce back from a disappointing performance against Bournemouth last week. He has been Chelsea’s talisman last season, and it’s only a matter of time before he starts delivering in FPL as well. Kaoru Mitoma (£6.7m) from Brighton has had a decent start to the season, with two early returns. Although he’s underperforming his underlying data, Mitoma is on his way to being Brighton’s talisman again, and his returns will come eventually.
Forward Options
When it comes to forwards, Jamie Vardy (£5.7m) from Leicester City is an excellent budget choice. He’s scored two goals from his three shots this season, and as long as he’s fit, he’s a great pick. Jamie Vardy has a proven track record of delivering in FPL, with season scores of 211, 161, 183, 174, 210, and 187 between 2015-16 and 2020-21. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.9m) from Everton is another striker who’s great if he can stay fit. He has 18 FPL points in his last two games and should have more, considering the chances he’s created.
Bench and Alternative Options
Lukasz Fabianski (£4m) from West Ham is a solid choice on the bench, considering his home game against Chelsea. Adama Traore (£5.1m) from Fulham is also a great option as a first sub, given his electric pace and trickery. Lewis Dunk (£4.5m) from Brighton is another reliable choice, especially considering his attacking returns from corners and free-kicks. Lamare Bogarde (£4m) from Aston Villa could also emerge as a popular budget choice if he keeps his place in the Villa team.
With a total team cost of £98.1m, our selection is well within budget and provides a great balance of defense and offense. While it’s essential to be cautious in our FPL tips this week, there’s always the potential for some of these players to deliver surprisingly big performances.