FPL GW5 Tips – Arsenal Defense, Rotation, Fixtures to Target

Welcome to StatsmanFPL’s Weekly Tips & Preview for FPL GW5 of the FPL 2024/25 season. This blog will provide FPL GW5 Tips and advice to address key dilemmas and maximize your FPL points.

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Link to all our FPL GW5 blogs including buy, hold, sell analysis, differentials, captaincy metrics, transfer targets, and more. Completely free to access as well!

FPL GW5 Tips – Key Tips & Questions Answered

1. Man City v Arsenal Predictions 

This is the biggest fixture of the gameweek as many managers have premium assets from both teams.

Last season’s fixtures between these two title contenders saw Arsenal win 1-0 at Home followed by a 0-0 draw at the Etihad. City were limited to 2 shots on target and approximately 1.5 xG in total. Haaland himself only registered two shots off target across both fixtures as the Arsenal CB’s put the clamps on him. 

I predict that this fixture will follow the same pattern as last season, mainly due to Arsenal’s ability to repel teams, especially in away fixtures. The introduction of Timber and the return of Rice this gameweek will help ensure a strong defensive performance. A one or two goal game is very likely. 

Arsenal have only conceded in one of their previous ten away fixtures. 

Arsenal Away Defense Record last season(Defense Rank):

• Shots on Target conceded- 1st
• xGC- 1st
• Goals Conceded- 1st
• Big Chances Conceded- 1st
• Clean Sheets- 1st

Stats are from FFHUB -> Subscribe now with 50% off for Opta stats, Heatmaps, Player Comparisons, AI Transfer Suggestions, FPL Planners & more

It is also worth noting that Arsenal have 3 good fixtures(including playing 2 promoted teams) after playing Manchester City in GW5.

2. European League Rotation

Now that Champions League, Europa League and Conference League have begun, the expected minutes of your assets is key. 

With fixtures every 3-4 days for the majority of top half teams, ensure you take into account your player’s likelihood to start week-in-week-out in the league fixtures as your first thought. 

Full backs and wingers are the most susceptible to rotation due to their physically demanding roles. 

Also understand what backup/replacement options are available for that player. It is also important to note players who were rested in midweek cup games so that it increases their expected minutes in the following week.

Some of the popular FPL players who were rested in Midweek games ahead of GW5:

• Robertson– Played 0 minutes vs Milan in UCL
• Luis Diaz– Played as a substitute(28 minutes) vs Milan in UCL
• Robinson– Played 0 minutes vs Preston in EFL Cup
• Smith Rowe– Played as a substitute(13 minutes) vs Milan in EFL Cup
• Bruno Fernandes– Played as a sub(28 minutes) vs Barnsley in EFL Cup
• Mbeumo– Played as a sub(14 minutes) vs Leyton Orient in EFL Cup

3. One Week Punts Before Wildcard GW6

If you plan to wildcard in Gameweek 6 and have 2+ saved free transfers going into Gameweek 5, it could be worth taking a punt this week on a strong asset before wildcarding next Gameweek. 

If Isak’s eye injury rules him out of the weekend, consider Ollie Watkins(if fit) or Dominic Solanke. Both have favourable home fixtures and are capable of scoring. Both are not just one-week punts and can be good picks long term as well with fixtures on their side.

Note: Watkins was taken off in the Champions League game and was spotted with ince on his ankle in the bench. However Emery confirmed that he should be okay in the post match press-“He’s working well, he played well and I decided to change him like another player. He’s OK.”

A Liverpool defender at home against Bournemouth could also be a good one week punt. TAA, Robbo & Van Dijk are all possibilities. 

Further Read: FPL GW5 Ultimate Guide: Tips, Differentials, Captaincy & More

4. Fixtures To Target

Teams with Most Expected Goals Conceded after 4 games:

Now that we have seen two fixtures of home and away for each team, we can start to target some fixtures as being better than others. 

Southampton, Leicester, Ipswich and Everton are the obvious fixtures to target for midfielders and forwards. 

Manchester United, Chelsea & Tottenham also should receive special mention as they will struggle to keep many clean sheets in the near future. 

Teams with Least xG after 4 matches:

• Ipswich- 1.56
• Leicester City- 3.32
• Wolves- 4.13
• Everton- 4.28
• Southampton- 4.50

Ipswich Town & Leicester City are currently the key fixtures to target for defenders and goalkeepers. These two teams have struggled the most to create meaningful chances in front of goal this season. 

Southampton have created chances but have not had the quality to finish them so far. 

If you are looking for fixture swing analysis from GW6(which is a good Wildcard window), do check out this thread-

📝🔥FPL Fixture Swing Analysis from GW6:

*THREAD*

GW6 seems to be a good Wildcard window with fixture swings for many teams!

In this thread, we analyse them based on fixtures👇

✅Teams to Target
❌Teams to Avoid

🔄/❤ Welcome

Bookmark this for future use✅#FPL pic.twitter.com/ULtCS3BQWZ

— ALLABOUTFPL (@allaboutfpl) September 9, 2024

Further reads from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL GW5

Best FPL GW5 Differential Picks(<10% TSB)
FPL Gameweek 5 Transfer Tips: Two Players to Buy, Hold & Sell
FPL GW5 Tips – Arsenal Defense, Rotation, Fixtures to Target
FPL Fixture Swing Analysis from GW6- Wildcard Window
FPL GW5 Ultimate Guide: Tips, Differentials, Captaincy & More
Top FPL Gameweek 5 Captain Picks Based on Analysis & Metrics 
FPL GW5 Scout Selection Based on Stats, Analysis and Matchups
Sleeper Draft Fantasy GW5 – Best Punts and Hidden Gems

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What’s next from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL Gameweek 5 of the 2024/25 FPL Season?

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