Gameweek 4 confirmed Arsenal and Manchester City as the league’s only perfect records, Leeds climbed into third on the back of a ruthless 4-1 win over Newcastle, and Chelsea’s front three keep scoring even as the defence behind them can’t buy a clean sheet. This is also the last round before a merged, sixteen-day international break, which reshapes almost every section below: it’s the week Manchester City finally get the fixture worth building a captaincy around, and the week Newcastle’s midfield fell apart with three injuries in one match.
The deadline is 19:30 BST on Friday, 18 September, ahead of the early Brentford-Chelsea kick-off. Below is the short version of everything we’ve covered this week, section by section, with a link through to the full breakdown wherever you want more than the headline.
Quick Take
Erling Haaland at home to Sunderland is the week’s clearest captaincy call, comfortably the best fixture the season has offered him yet. Morgan Gibbs-White and James Tarkowski are the two names worth transferring in, while any Newcastle midfielder is a hold-and-wait after Elanga, Gonzalez and Ramsey all went down against Leeds in the same match. Triple Captain is playable for the first time this season for managers set on using it early, but the real Wildcard decision now sits between this week and Gameweek 6 once the international break’s injury picture is clear. Phil Foden begins a three-match ban after his derby red card, and Taiwo Awoniyi starts one of his own for Coventry.
Gameweek 5 deadline
Bogle through 4 GWs
from one match
Captain Recommendations
Erling Haaland is the pick, at home to a Sunderland side that’s won once in four and just lost at the Stadium of Light. Morgan Gibbs-White is the next-best case against a winless Coventry, while Cole Palmer is one to fade this week away at a Brentford side that scores against everyone. Full captaincy breakdown →
Chip Strategy
Triple Captain on Haaland is genuinely playable for managers set on using it early, the best fixture of the season so far. The Wildcard call splits between this week and Gameweek 6, with the international break’s heavier-than-usual four-match window for some countries tipping the lean toward waiting. Bench Boost pairs with whichever window gets used, and Free Hit stays untouched. Full chip strategy guide →
Differential Picks
Thierno Barry leads the list after inheriting Everton’s penalties, with Leeds’ Jayden Bogle and Newcastle’s Tino Livramento the two attacking full backs still sitting under the radar. Full differentials list →
Fixture Analysis
Newcastle and Fulham have the kindest run either side of the break, while Ipswich remain the roughest schedule in the league with a Manchester City trip sitting in the middle of it. Sunderland’s brutal Arsenal-then-City fortnight, flagged two weeks ago, resolves this week before their fixtures ease sharply. Full fixture breakdown →
Injury Updates
Newcastle’s midfield took a battering against Leeds, with Elanga, Gonzalez and Ramsey all going down in the same match. Phil Foden begins a three-match ban after his derby red card, and Chelsea’s Joao Pedro is a live doubt after missing Tuesday’s visible training. Full injury list →
Player Performance
Jayden Bogle’s back-to-back double-digit hauls have made him FPL’s top-scoring player through four gameweeks, Pascal Gross produced a goal and two assists in Brighton’s demolition of Coventry, and Chelsea have now opened the scoring in every match this season despite never keeping a clean sheet. Full performance review →
Predicted Lineups
Leeds have the calmest team sheet of the week, fully unrotated after their derby-style win. Manchester City’s shape around Haaland is the least settled it’s been all season with Foden suspended and Doku still out, and Chelsea’s front three hinges on a late Joao Pedro fitness call. Full lineup predictions →
Transfer Suggestions
Morgan Gibbs-White and James Tarkowski are the two clearest buys this week, Gonzalo Garcia is a buy-low name ahead of a run of promoted opponents, and Sunderland’s defensive assets are worth watching for a discount once their fixtures ease. Any Newcastle midfielder and Cristhian Mosquera are the clearest hold-and-wait cases. Full transfer guide →
This Week’s Full Coverage
Captain Recommendations: Haaland Reclaims the Armband
Chip Strategy: The Wildcard Window Closes This Week
Differential Picks: Two Full Backs and a Penalty Taker Nobody’s Owning
Fixture Analysis: Newcastle and Fulham Have the Kindest Run
Injury Updates: Newcastle’s Triple Blow, Foden Suspended
Player Performance Review: Bogle Leads FPL, Gross’s Hat-Trick of Involvements, Chelsea’s Habit
Predicted Lineups: Foden’s Ban and Newcastle’s Makeshift Midfield
Transfer Suggestions: Gibbs-White’s Case Is Made, Sunderland’s Discount Is Coming
Set your squad, and your armband, before 19:30 BST on Friday. It’s the last deadline before three weeks without Premier League football, so everything above is worth a second look rather than a quick skim.
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