Teams to target: Arsenal & Manchester City
Arsenal vs. Aston Villa
Arsenal sit top of the Premier League and are the only side to have won all four matches so far this campaign.
Most FPL managers have at least two Arsenal options and even with a few injury doubts in the squad, I wouldn’t be against getting a third for a home game with an out of sorts Aston Villa.
Arsenal weren’t at their free flowing best in the win over Fulham on Saturday, but two from Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli appear important to own.
The three goals they’ve conceded this season have been from individual errors and collectively they look much more solid, and at £4.7m William Saliba looks the best route into the defence.
Manchester City vs. Nottingham Forest
The first midweek round of the season brings the first real chance of Pep roulette as they host Nottingham Forest.
He has previously said that Erling Haaland will be given rests during the heavy schedule, so I wouldn’t be buying the Norwegian this week, but I certainly wouldn’t be selling.
Ilkay Gundogan came off the bench in the comeback win and as a result is probably the most guaranteed midfield selection for this one.
Joao Cancelo remains the best defensive option for Manchester City; however a budget option of John Stones is now appealing, especially with Nathan Ake an injury doubt.
Opposition to target: Bournemouth, Leicester City
Bournemouth vs. Wolves
Bournemouth created an unwanted Premier League record on the weekend as they were beaten 9-0 away at Liverpool, the joint heaviest defeat.
In their last three games they have conceded an incredible 16 goals, more than Chelsea conceded in the whole of the 2004-05 league campaign.
Scott Parker has admitted they desperately need new players and until they get them, they are surely the opponent to target the most.
Wolves are yet to win this season; however performances have been decent and they were unlucky not to beat Newcastle United on Sunday.
Wolves don’t score a great deal themselves, but you’d fancy them to score a few at Bournemouth, with Goncalo Guedes and Pedro Neto best bets.
Defensively Wolves have produced some good underlying stats and a Nelson Semedo is probably the safer bet if you are concerned about their lack of goals.
Leicester City vs. Manchester United
Leicester City’s nightmare start to the season shows no sign of easing, claiming just one point and conceding 10 goals in their opening four matches.
Wesley Fofana’s move to Chelsea has now been confirmed and they will surely be desperate to get bodies into the club before the end of the transfer window.
Defensively they’ve looked abject at best and conceded twice against the 10 men of Chelsea last time out.
Manchester United are starting to show signs of improvement and their options remain well priced, meaning a Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho could be a good bet here.
Other options
Liverpool: Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander Arnold
Liverpool hit Bournemouth for nine last time out and somehow Mohamed Salah failed to record a return.
Luis Diaz scored twice, whilst Trent Alexander Arnold scored one, made another and kept a clean sheet in a huge 17 pointer.
Both are around the 8.0m mark and with Liverpool now off and running, if you don’t own at least one, I’d recommend buying here ahead of a home tie with Newcastle United.
GW5 Dream Team: Sanchez; Semedo, Alexander-Arnold, Saliba, Cancelo; Saka, Diaz, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Rashford; Jesus
