Premier League 2022/23 Season: FPL Fantasy Forecast - Gameweek 5
Ahead of each Gameweek in the Premier League, The Hype Train's team - Robert Austin, Sam Austin, and Phil Jones - provide a rundown of the upcoming round of games in the Premier League; predicting scores for every game, picking a budgeted squad of 15 players that we think are the top selections each week, whilst ee also comb over other relevant statistics, impressions and insight from around the game and the league to best navigate you through the world of fantasy football, all for free. Welcome to the Forecast. All aboard.
Premier League: Gameweek 5 Fixtures:
2022/23 Premier League Season: Fixture Predictions
Below, our score predictions pit the train's three members against one another. Let's find out how they think the Gameweek will shape up for teams.
- There is no unity over Brentford's visit to Crystal Palace in a London derby, with the same applying for Leicester's home tie against Man United. Swing fixtures for sure.
- Rob, the team's Newcastle supporter believed that Newcastle will lose at Liverpool, whilst Sam (a Liverpool supporter) believed that due to the club's injuries, a well drilled Magpies outfit are primed to leave Anfield with at least a point.
- Leeds are tipped to score 3 goals against Everton, whilst in all 3 instances Arsenal keep a clean sheet against Aston Villa
- Rob believes that Bournemouth will bounce back at home against Wolves are tough games against City and Liverpool.
2022/23 Premier League Season: Fantasy Forecast
The team go through a list of questions and insight to provide their predictions ahead of each Gameweek. None of the team pay for any subscription based FPL services, and the type of opinions here are based in both stats and analytical thinking where possible, as we tackle the latest round of games.
2022/23 Premier League Season: Gameweek 3 Fantasy Forecast (Sam Austin)
Fixture Predictions: Gameweek 5
Crystal Palace 2-1 Brentford
Fulham 1-2 Brighton
Southampton 0-1 Chelsea
Leeds 3-0 Everton
Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa
Bournemouth 0-1 Wolves
Man City 4-0 Nottingham Forest
West Ham 0-2 Spurs
Liverpool 1-1 Newcastle
Leicester 1-2 Man United
FPL Forecasting: Gameweek 5
Who are the teams to look out for and avoid?:
Leeds (Watch): After dismantling Chelsea, Leeds wants to bounce back after a loss against a well drilled Brighton. They are facing arguably the worst team in the Premier League, and it will be a miracle if they get a point from this game. Everton are the team who should be looking at the bottom three with a lump in their throat, and Leeds are back to playing good attacking football with a young, progressive team.
Brighton (Watch): One of the games to watch is going to be Fulham and Brighton; with the home team an exciting prospect under Marco Silva, and Brighton have one of the best starts to this new season under Graham Potter. The Seagulls have found the ‘it’ factor and are an extremely tough nut to crack and look even better after selling their better players this summer.
Liverpool/Newcastle (???): This is the fixture of the weekend; this is going to be the best watch between two attack minded clubs. Liverpool bounced back to form with one of the most comprehensive wins in Premier League history, and Newcastle are a revitalised club who should have beaten Manchester City a few weeks ago.
Top FPL player targets ahead of Gameweek 5:
GK: Aaron Ramsdale (ARS, GK, £5.0mil, 14.4% ownership)
DEF: Emerson Royal (TOT, DEF, £5.0mil, 4.3% ownership)
MID: Bruno Fernandes (MUN, MID, £9.8mil, 2.1% ownership)
FWD: Roberto Firmino (LIV, FWD, £8.0mil, 2.9% ownership)
Gameweek 5 - FPL Differential Picks:
CRY/BRE: Eberechi Eze (CRY, MID, £5.5mil, 2.1% ownership)
FUL/BHA: Pervis Estupiñán (BHA, DEF, £4.5mil, 0.2% ownership)
SOU/CHE: Kai Havertz (CHE, FWD, £7.8mil, 3.0% ownership)
LEE/EVE: Jack Harrison (LEE, MID, £6.1mil, 4.1% ownership)
ARS/AVL: Kieran Tierney (ARS, DEF, £4.9mil, 0.9% ownership)
BOU/WOL: Kieffer Moore (BOU, FWD, £5.5mil, 1.3% ownership)
MCI/NFO: Bernardo Silva (MCI, MID, £6.8mil, 7.6% ownership)
WHU/TOT: Emerson Royal (TOT, DEF, £5.0mil, 4.3% ownership)
LIV/NEW: Roberto Firmino (LIV, FWD, £8.0mil, 2.9% ownership)
LEI/MUN: Bruno Fernandes (MUN, MID, £9.8mil, 2.1% ownership)
Differential Captain: Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
Liverpool completely annihilated Bournemouth this past weekend, and Roberto Firmino was the start of the show, being involved in 5 of the 9 goals that the Reds put past a completely helpless Bournemouth defence. Liverpool returns to Anfield on Wednesday against an up-and-coming Newcastle team who will be travelling with lots of confidence after an electric start to the season. This will be a good back-and-forth encounter, and that will open space for Liverpool’s attack as Newcastle will bring it to Liverpool. This could mean a productive day for Liverpool’s forward line.
FPL Captaincy Picks:
Essential: Erling Haaland (MCI)
Alternative: Gabriel Jesus (ARS)
Differential (low ownership %): Roberto Firmino (LIV)
Rest of the World XI Challenge Team:
What is Sam’s team all about?: For the 22/23 season, Sam’s latest challenge sees his actual squad only being comprised of players from outside of Europe, with players only from Asia, North and South America, Australasia, and Africa considered.
Target Points: 2330pts
Total Points: 191pts
22/23 Captaincy: 2/4
Ins: Pervis Estupiñán (BHA)
Outs: Thiago Silva (CHE)
The Gameweek 5 team of the non-EU challenge includes:
22/23 Challenge Team: Rest of the World XI
GW4 Formation: 4-4-2
GK: Edouard Mendy (CHE)
DEF: Pervis Estupiñán (BHA)
DEF: Gabriel (ARS)
DEF: Emerson Royal (TOT)
DEF: Kalidou Koulibaly (CHE)
MID: Hueng-Min Son (TOT)
MID: Gabriel Martinelli (ARS)
MID: Luis Diaz (LIV)
MID: Mohamad Salah (LIV) - (VC)
FWD: Gabriel Jesus (ARS) - (C)
FWD: Roberto Firmino (LIV)
Substitutes:
GK: Wily Caballero (SOU)
DEF: Davinson Sánchez (TOT)
FWD: Taiwo Awoniyi (NFO)
MID: Miguel Almirón (NEW)
2022/23 Premier League Season: Gameweek 3 Fantasy Forecast (Phil Jones)
Fixture Predictions: Gameweek 5
Crystal Palace 1-2 Brentford
Fulham 2-1 Brighton
Southampton 0-3 Chelsea
Leeds 3-2 Everton
Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa
Bournemouth 1-2 Wolves
Man City 5-0 Nottingham Forest
West Ham 2-1 Spurs
Liverpool 2-2 Newcastle
Leicester 1-0 Man United
FPL Squad Picks: Gameweek 5
Formation: 4-4-2
Budget: £101.4 million
Starting 11
GK: Nick Pope (NEW)
DEF: Oleksandr Zinchenko (ARS)
DEF: Reece James (CHE)
DEF: Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV)
DEF: Kyle Walker (MCI)
MID: Kevin De Bruyne (MCI)
MID: Gabriel Martinelli (ARS)
MID: Raheem Sterling (LIV)
MID: Rodrigo (LEE)
FOR: Erling Haaland (MCI) - (C)
FOR: Gabriel Jesus (ARS) – (VC)
Substitutes
GK: Danny Ward (LEI)
MID: Andreas Pereira (FUL)
DEF: Neco Williams (FOR)
FOR: Cameron Archer (AVL)
2022/23 Premier League Season: Gameweek 3 Fantasy Forecast (Robert Austin)
Fixture Predictions: Gameweek 5
Crystal Palace 1-1 Brentford
Fulham 1-0 Brighton
Southampton 1-2 Chelsea
Leeds 3-1 Everton
Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
Bournemouth 2-2 Wolves
Man City 3-0 Nottingham Forest
West Ham 1-2 Spurs
Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle
Leicester 1-1 Man United
FPL Forecasting: Gameweek 5
Takes and analysis ahead of the GW5 deadline:
Don’t sleep on Mitrovic: The Serbian has hit 51 goals in 57 games for Fulham and his country and has at long last found his place in the elite level of the men’s game. Brighton have only conceded once this season, which means the stage is set for Mitro to strike down any chances of a 4th clean sheet in a row given how 227,652 have so far transferred in Robert Sanchez (BHA).
On Newcastle signing Alexander Isak: The club’s transfer policy has been to be bring in a lot of Europe’s top young players to create a long term vision which includes Eddie Howe improving and growing with these younger stars. Isak is the tip of the spear and a signing of true quality, though the Swede has had some dry spells and rough patches, even if the quality if certain. What this does is allow the club to take the sole goal scoring burden from Callum Wilson, which has been long overdue given his injury record, and punctuated by Wilson’s latest injury just a few weeks into the campaign.
On Man United signing Antony: The raw talent is all there, and will fit in well at United, but it’s clear as days that Man United have no plan. One United fan in Hype Train FC said that United’s scouting department must just be calling every club about every player and just seeing if anyone bites, and base their strategy off the responses they get, even if comical. The lack of plan comes in to place when you figure out that they’ll have spent upwards of £200.00m in the summer transfer window and it feels like they’ve been taken for a ride and are just desperate to make signings from whichever way they happen to arrive, which just isn’t sustainable at all… In FPL, Antony will be Mahrez with less output, but will play more over the course of the season.
On midweek games and rotation for FPL players:
FPL is a rinse and repeat game of emotion. You get hyped for the start of the season, and then quickly loathe the game a few weeks later as in form players and prices run away from you. Midweek games offer the challenge of potential player rotation (which is always greatly exaggerated). GW5’s challenge is just seeing it our as most template teams have cleared skies for Gameweek 6, so don’t rush or overthink if you can help it.
What are the potential stumbling blocks to a good Gameweek?:
- Liverpool’s 9-0 win over Bournemouth being a blip
- Erling Haaland being rotated against Nottingham Forest
- Mitrovic silencing new Robert Sanchez owners
- The dreaded ‘R’ word causing havoc for Fantasy Football players across the globe. Rotation.
Who are the teams to look out for and avoid?:
Aston Villa (Avoid): It’s been a well-documented slow start by Villa this season, with Steven Gerrard drawing quite a bit of criticism. A couple within the train’s football team aren’t happy with how things have gone and are already calling for a change of leadership – which is odd given how much Villa did to get the former Liverpool captain on board, who has a pedigree of winning trophies.
Newcastle (Avoid): A true test of mettle for my beloved Magpies, but a few concerning injury niggles heading into the game, combined with a bench that will struggle if called upon, means we might be quite light if the likes of Trippier, ASM, Wilson, and Gruno don’t play. Liverpool have more injuries to key players, though I think they’ll get by against what has been a stubborn Newcastle team – I’ve also had a conversation with Sam about the game and he is dreadfully worried about Liverpool’s lack of first team squad options, and has been lamenting the club selling all of their clutch and reliable players (Minamino, Origi etc) from last season.
Man City (Watch): This will be as routine as you like for City, even if they bench Haaland. KDB might be the FPL option to watch as a replacement for Salah if you think The Egyptian King is running on borrowed time given how Luis Diaz is outscoring him in FPL.
Leeds (Watch): Combine Everton having a poor start with Leeds being a decent team to watch, this should be an open game which should allow for a few goals on both ends to help the mass Rodrigo owners.
Bournemouth (Curious): Wouldn’t put it past Bournemouth to give a strong response to the 9-0 loss against Liverpool by giving Wolves a really difficult time. If they do lose heavily again, Scott Parker’s days will be numbered given how openly vocal he has been about the squad needing reinforcements.
Chelsea (Watch): Despite their teething pains under new management, with Thomas Tuchel becoming more unbearable by the day, and a mean streak that has led to two silly red cards already, this Chelsea squad is somehow getting by and I can see them by hook or by crook leaving the south coast with the points.
Fulham (Watch): All eyes are on Brighton’s defensive run, with a game against another form side setting up for what will be a very intriguing game. The result can swing either way, though it wouldn’t surprise me if Fulham continued their strong start to defy the potential odds of relegation.
FPL Captaincy Picks:
Essential: Mohamed Salah (LIV)
Alternative: Gabriel Jesus (ARS)
Differential (low ownership %): Jamie Vardy (LEI)
FPL Squad Picks: Gameweek 5
Formation: 3-4-3
Budget: £101.6 million
Starting 11
GK: Aaron Ramsdale (ARS)
DEF: Kyle Walker (MCI)
DEF: Reece James (CHE)
DEF: Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV)
MID: Mohamed Salah (LIV) – (C)
MID: Gabriel Martinelli (ARS)
MID: Luiz Diaz (LIV)
MID: Brendan Aaronson (LEE)
FOR: Ivan Toney (BRE)
FOR: Erling Haaland (MCI)
FOR: Gabriel Jesus (ARS) – (VC)
Substitutes
GK: Danny Ward (LEI)
MID: Andreas Pereira (FUL)
DEF: Kieran Trippier (NEW)
DEF: Neco Williams (FOR)
Want to know more about The Hype Train?
The Hype Train is an entertainment website founded in 2015, specialising in general football and Fantasy sports reporting, starting with Fantasy Premier League (FPL), before expanding to MLS Fantasy coverage in 2018.
We pride ourselves in providing beautiful graphics, statistics, in-depth analytical reporting and free weekly insight for hopeful players attempting to climb rankings tables. We are also occasional media reviewers, with a keen interest to review games, live sport, and professional wrestling.
In 2019, Hype Train Football Club was formed, becoming the first Fantasy Football website to take to the field. HTFC is a socially active team across social and web channels, providing regular match highlights, match reports, comprehensive player statistics and unique player profiles. We won both Goal of the Season Awards in the Berkshire and County FA regions, with Callum Parr-Jones winning the Berks & Bucks FA award, whilst Martin King won the PlaySport UK award.
In 2021, we formed the Reading Sunday Social League (RSSL), a competitive Sunday League involving 8 teams in its debut season. During the 2021/22 season, we won our first-ever trophy, lifting the East Berkshire Football League's Presidents Cup!
The Hype Train were nominated and shortlisted for the 'Best Football Blog' in 2016 by the Football Bloggers Association at their annual Football Blogging Awards (The FBA's), and were again shortlisted as a finalist in 2019 in the 'Best Fantasy Football Blog' category.
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