FPL Gameweek 5 Tips: Fantasy Football Must-Haves, Captain Picks and Injury Report

Four gameweeks into the 2026/27 Premier League season, the early shape is sharper than it was a week ago.

Arsenal and Manchester City both sit on 12 points with perfect records, Leeds and Hull City share third on eight, Brighton’s free-scoring attack has them fifth, and Chelsea remain dangerous despite a more mixed defensive picture. Liverpool are still finding consistency after another solid midweek showing.

With the FPL Gameweek 5 deadline locked in for Friday, September 18 at 18:30 BST, here’s everything you need to lock in your squad before the action begins.

FPL Gameweek 5 Fixtures

All times BST

Friday, September 18

• Brentford vs Chelsea (20:00)

Saturday, September 19

• Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa (12:30)
• Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal (15:00)
• Everton vs Ipswich Town (15:00)
• Newcastle United vs Hull City (15:00)
• Nottingham Forest vs Coventry City (17:30)

Sunday, September 20

• Bournemouth vs Liverpool (14:00)
• Leeds United vs Crystal Palace (14:00)
• Manchester City vs Sunderland (14:00)
• Fulham vs Manchester United (16:30)

Injury Updates, Suspensions and Key Team News

Midweek Carabao Cup ties and the final training sessions have clarified several fitness pictures ahead of Fantasy Football Matchweek 5.

Chelsea’s trip to Brentford carries the biggest late call. Joao Pedro, who scored and assisted in the 2-2 draw with Hull City last weekend, has an injury that forced him out of the Brazil squad. Xabi Alonso has kept the door open after Friday’s final session, but multiple reports suggest the Brazilian is more likely to miss out. Moises Caicedo is closer after his calf problem, while Reece James, Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha remain fitness doubts.

Arsenal travel to Brighton with William Saliba still long-term (back). Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera are both late fitness tests after the Sunderland win; Jurrien Timber is available and could step in. Declan Rice and the rest of the midfield are fine.

Manchester City host Sunderland with Phil Foden suspended until after the international break. Jeremy Doku remains a doubt with a calf issue that has kept him out all season so far, though Haaland is expected to start after being rested in midweek.

Newcastle face Hull without Anthony Elanga, while Jacob Ramsey (thigh) and Nico Gonzalez (concussion) are also absent. Hull have Nobel Mendy in concussion protocol.

Liverpool head to Bournemouth with a largely settled group after their European and Carabao Cup action. Aston Villa still miss longer-term absentees including Amadou Onana (knee) and Leon Goretzka (knee), with Joao Gomes (calf) a doubt.

Crystal Palace are without Jean-Philippe Mateta (hamstring) and Dean Henderson (foot). Manchester United will assess Luke Shaw again after careful management.

Keep a close eye on the final press conferences – last-minute fitness calls can still shift FPL Gameweek 5 decisions.

Must-Have FPL Picks

Gameweek 4 results and the midweek fixtures have sharpened the picture for FPL Gameweek 5.

Manchester City’s home game against Sunderland is the clearest attacking opportunity of the round. Erling Haaland (£15.6m) remains the standout after another strong start to the season, while the supporting cast around him continues to offer returns.

Nottingham Forest welcome bottom-side Coventry. Morgan Gibbs-White (£8.0m) has been among the more consistent midfield options and looks well placed for returns, with defensive coverage also attractive.

Arsenal’s trip to Brighton is tougher on paper, yet Bukayo Saka (£9.5m) retains premium appeal, and the backline still carries clean-sheet potential if the defensive unit holds. However, Arsenal defenders are likely to be a risk this weekend.

Liverpool’s away game at Bournemouth keeps Alexander Isak (£9.1m) and Dominik Szoboszlai (£7.0m) in the conversation for those who stayed patient.

Chelsea’s Friday night derby against Brentford is clouded by the Joao Pedro situation, so Cole Palmer (£9.7m) and Morgan Rogers (£7.7m) remain the safer route into that attack if the Brazilian is ruled out. Everton’s home fixture against Ipswich also offers solid defensive and attacking value.

For FPL Gameweek 5, prioritise high expected minutes and the clearest fixtures while watching for price movements after the early-season form has settled.

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FPL Captaincy Picks

The FPL Gameweek 5 captaincy decision has a few strong candidates:

• Erling Haaland – (Man City vs Sunderland)
• Morgan Gibbs-White – (Nott’m Forest vs Coventry)
• Bruno Fernandes – (Fulham vs Man Utd)
• Bukayo Saka – (Brighton vs Arsenal)
• Alexander Isak – (Bournemouth vs Liverpool)
• Cole Palmer – (Brentford vs Chelsea)

Extra Time Notes

FPL Gameweek 5 rewards those who have tracked the early patterns and the midweek European and cup action carefully.

Manchester City’s home fixture against Sunderland is the clearest attacking story of the round, and Forest’s game against Coventry offers both attacking and defensive upside. Arsenal’s away trip still carries appeal for the right assets, while Chelsea’s Friday night derby requires a close eye on the final team news around Joao Pedro.

Monitor the final fitness updates closely – especially around White, Timber, Pedro, Caicedo and any late rotation after cup exertions – because small shifts can still move the needle before the 18:30 BST lock. Build around the best fixtures, leave room for the price rises that are already appearing, and don’t overthink the tougher away trips.

Solid foundations and one well-timed captaincy call should keep you moving in the right direction heading into the international break.

Apply these FPL Gameweek 5 tips carefully, and you’ll be well placed for the next set of fixtures.

Good luck!

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