FPL Gameweek 5: Captain Salah, Budget Picks Mbeumo and Joao Pedro

Gameweek 5 presents a classic choice between Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland. We back Salah at home to Everton after Haaland faces a tough Arsenal defence.

Last Week’s Review

Captain Salah delivered 18 points and the defence secured a clean sheet, helping the team to a solid 57-point return despite a Yoane Wissa injury.

FPL Team of the Week (Free Hit, £100m Budget)

Goalkeeper and Defence

• Sam Johnstone, Wolves, £4.5m – Leeds (H): Likely low-scoring draw. Wolves have scored once; Leeds only from a penalty.
• Joe Rodon, Leeds, £4m – Wolves (A): Strong defensively with 38 defcon points and facing a side with two goals this season.
• Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £6.1m – Everton (H): 50 defcon points so far and two consecutive clean sheets.
• Joachim Andersen, Fulham, £4.5m – Brentford (H): Bonus in three straight games and good clean sheet prospects.

Midfielders

• Antoine Semenyo, Bournemouth, £7.5m – Newcastle (H): Second only to Haaland for shots, xG and big chances among all players.
• Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United, £8.1m – Chelsea (H): United lead in shots (10 more than any team) and xG (8.24). Mbeumo has matched top stats with 12 shots and five on target.
• Mohamed Salah (c), Liverpool, £14.5m – Everton (H): Proven derby performer with multiple routes to returns.
• Xavi Simons, Spurs, £7m – Brighton (A): New attacking role in a likely high-scoring match.
• Lucas Paqueta, West Ham, £5.9m – Crystal Palace (H): Key penalty taker and vital in the team’s bounce-back.

Forwards

• Joao Pedro, Chelsea, £7.8m – Manchester United (A): Three returns in four games against a vulnerable defence.
• Chris Wood, Nottingham Forest, £7.6m – Burnley (A): Burnley’s poor xGC and Forest’s attacking intent suit Wood’s style.

Substitutes

Jose Sa, Wolves, £4.5m (GKP); Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool, £5.5m; Lyle Foster, Burnley, £5m; Ezri Konsa, Aston Villa, £4.5m.

Mohamed Salah’s derby pedigree and consistent returns make him the standout captain choice, while budget picks like Mbeumo and Joao Pedro offer strong upside under a £100m cap.

This topic was reported by BBC Sport.

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