Fantasy Premier League 2023-24: The best FPL team for Gameweek 5

Cameron Smith

15 Sept 2023 17:00 BST
6 min read

Destiny Udogie, Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah — © ProShots

The September international break is over and the Fantasy Premier League deadline for Gameweek Five is fast approaching.

As always, FPL managers have a budget of £100 million to spend on 15 players, with 11 starters being supplemented by four bench options every week.

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FPL managers must select two goalkeepers, five defenders, five midfielders and three forwards with their £100m budget, with more emphasis placed on the starting XI.

MORE: FPL bonus points: Which Fantasy Premier League player has the most bonus points in FPL 2023-24?

Here is FootballTransfers’ selection for the best Gameweek Five team in FPL 2023-24.

Using the cheapest options possible for the bench - a £3.9m goalkeeper, a £3.9m defender, a £4.4m midfielder and a £4.4m forward - there is £83.4m left for the starting XI.

MORE: Fantasy Premier League: How do FPL bonus points work?

Formation: 3-4-3

Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno - Fulham (£4.1m)

Bernd Leno has increased to £4.6m ahead of GW5, but the Fulham shot-stopper is an excellent FPL pick for this weekend.

The former Arsenal man has already taken home 19 points so far this season - the third-highest of any goalkeeper - and he faces a Luton Town attack with only two Premier League goals to their name.

A clean sheet is very likely, especially given Fulham are the home side.

Defender: Destiny Udogie - Tottenham (£4.6m)

It’s the third week running that we have recommended Destiny Udogie, but he;s returned 17 points over the past two matches and is a brilliant option once again.

Tottenham Hotspur look incredible under Ange Postecoglou and they host a Sheffield United side who have conceded seven goals and scored just four so far this campaign.

As a result, Udogie has the potential to bring home returns at both ends of the pitch.

Defender: Malo Gusto - Chelsea (£4.2m)

Malo Gusto is guaranteed to start for Chelsea due to Reece James’ injury and his price has risen for the second consecutive week as a result.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have the underlying numbers to suggest they should be near the top of the Premier League table, and if the Blues can put away their chances, victories will follow.

Bournemouth have typically been a tricky opponent for Chelsea, but Gusto has the potential to return big this weekend.

Defender: William Saliba - Arsenal (£5.2m)

William Saliba will certainly start for Arsenal and an away trip to Goodison Park to face a struggling Everton side represents a great opportunity for a clean sheet.

Sean Dyche’s side lost Alex Iwobi and Neal Maupay (loan) on Transfer Deadline Day and while new signing Beto could produce the goods, it’s asking a lot for the former Udinese man to fire the Toffees to victory against Arsenal.

Midfielder: James Maddison - Tottenham (£7.8m)

James Maddison has seen his price increase by £0.3m since the start of FPL 2023-24 (the joint-most of any player) and for good reason.

Spurs’ new signing has hit the ground running under Postecoglou and has rewarded owners with 17 points across the past two gameweeks. A home tie against Sheffield United provides the perfect opportunity for more FPL points and he could even be a captain choice if you don’t select Erling Haaland.

Midfielder: Bukayo Saka - Arsenal (£8.7m)

Bukayo Saka has scored 25 FPL points so far this campaign - the seventh-most of any midfielder - and he has the chance to build on that versus Everton.

The England international grabbed one goal and one assist during his last appearances against the Merseyside club and with Arsenal needing a win to keep the pressure on Man City, he could deliver the goods.

Midfielder: Bryan Mbeumo - Brentford (£6.8m)

Brentford’s 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace is the only game in which Byran Mbeumo has not produced an attacking return so far this season, meaning he is a must-have in FPL.

The Bees star has tallied the highest number of points of any midfielder in the game and although Brentford face a tricky test away to Newcastle, Mbeumo remains a great option.

Midfielder: Mohamed Salah - Liverpool (£12.5m)

Mohamed Salah has endured an underwhelming start to the 2023-24 season by his standards, but he has still notched, with two goals and two assists so far this campaign.

The problem is that all four goal contributions have come in different games, meaning he is yet to pick up his first bonus point of the new season.

That could change away to Wolves on Saturday afternoon, with Gary O’Neil’s side shipping three goals against Crystal Palace last time out. They also conceded four away to Brighton, so Salah could be set for his first double-digit haul of 2023-24.

Forward: Erling Haaland - Man City (£14.1m)

Erling Haaland bagged a hat-trick last time out to elevate himself to top spot on the list of FPL points over the first four matchweeks.

The Norwegian is the go-to captain and with over 90% ownership, he is arguably the biggest must-have in FPL history. No more needs to be said.

Forward: Taiwo Awoniyi - Nottingham Forest (£6.6m)

Taiwo Awoniyi had scored in seven consecutive Premier League matches before he blanked against a Chelsea side who looked vulnerable on the counter-attack.

Nevertheless, the Nigerian will have a chance to put things right against Burnley - who are bottom of the league and have conceded 11 goals so far this season. That is the highest number of any English top flight club, so Awoniyi should have plenty of opportunities to add to his goal tally.

Plus, he scored on international duty.

Forward: Gabriel Jesus - Arsenal (£7.9m)

Gabriel Jesus showed all his class to sit down Diogo Dalot and slide the ball past Andre Onana to seal a 3-1 win against Manchester United last time out, and he could start for Arsenal against Everton.

The Brazilian is a rotation risk given Eddie Nketiah started the win over Erik ten Hag’s side, but the international break will have provided Jesus all the time needed to get to full match sharpness.

He has scored eight goals in 10 games against Everton - his joint-best record against any single team - so back Jesus to return against Toffees.