Last updated on September 16th, 2021
By Matthew Petersen @Matt_Petersen13
Gameweek 4 of the season was all about the return of one man – Cristiano Ronaldo. No doubt fans of Manchester United would have been buzzing at the sight of him returning to Old Trafford, and he did not disappoint, scoring 2 goals as United thumped Newcastle 4-1. There were wins for Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton as well, as they established themselves in the top 5 while Arsenal also claimed their first win of the season against Norwich, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table. With a gameweek average of 57 points, it was yet another high-scoring week, with many managers having to rely on key differentials and strategic captain picks to boost themselves up the rankings. Based on last week’s 6 picks, only Sadio Mané (£11.9m) managed to return any meaningful points so I’ll be hoping that this week’s picks improve on that. Here’s a look at last week’s top performers from GW 4 and the 6 picks for GW5.
Gameweek 4 top performers: four players scored 13 points
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m) – 13 points (2 goals, 3 BPS)
2. Romelu Lukaku (£11.6m) – 13 points (2 goals, 3BPS)
3. Mateo Kovacic (£5.0m) – 13 points (1 goal, 1 assist, 2BPS)
4. Marcal (£4.5m) – 13 points (2 assists, clean sheet, yellow card, 2 BPS)
Let’s take a look at this week’s 6 picks, reviewing their GW4 performance and previewing their points prospects for GW5
1. Trent Alexander-Arnold – £7.6m (DEF); 34.7% ownership
GW4 review – 12 points (1 assist, clean sheet, 3 BPS)
GW5 preview – Crystal Palace (H)
Trent Alexander-Arnold has bounced back beautifully from his own struggles last season and that is largely down to the fact that Joël Matip (£5.0m) and Virgil Van Dijk (£6.5m) are playing consistently, allowing Trent the attacking freedom he usually plays with. He finished the game against Leeds with an assist for Salah (£12.6m) and will be hoping to produce a similar performance against a Crystal Palace side that are still fresh and adjusting to Vieira’s new system. This new Palace side are not afraid to get on the ball and that could give Trent a lot of attacking impetus down the right-hand side. His set-piece prowess also remains a threat.
2. Raul Jiménez – £7.4m (FOR); 4.2% ownership
GW4 review – 1 point (90 minutes, yellow card)
GW5 preview – Brentford (H)
Jiménez still remains Wolves’ biggest goal threat, despite not having scored yet this season. As with all good strikers, they eventually score goals and the Mexican has been close on numerous occasions. It’s not for a lack of chances as he has amassed the most shots in the box without scoring yet so he is getting closer. On paper, this fixture looks good for Wolves but Brentford have been solid defensively so Jiménez will have a tough task on his hands but he has proven he can score against any team in the league so now would be a good time to get him in ahead of more favourable fixtures.
3. Raphinha – £6.5m (MID); 15.3% ownership
GW4 review – 2 points (90 minutes)
GW 5 preview – Newcastle (A)
The Brazilian has looked threatening in the games Leeds have played this season and remains their main source of providing chances to Patrick Bamford (£7.9m). Raphinha is capable of more than assists and has a good eye for a goal. He is also a set-piece threat so he has more than one form of returning points. A game against a particularly shaky and open Newcastle defence presents the perfect opportunity for Raphinha to get a 2nd goal of the season and go on a run of form ahead of highly favourable fixtures.
4. Demarai Gray – £5.7m (MID); 13% ownership
GW4 review – 7 points (87 minutes, l goal)
GW5 preview – Aston Villa (A)
The English winger has been an absolute revelation under Rafa Benitez since his move to Everton in the summer. Having scored in his last three games and with Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.2m) out injured and Richarlison (£7.5m) perhaps looking a little jaded after a busy postseason, Gray represents Everton’s biggest goal threat currently. Everton have a game against a Villa side that does not look anything like the defence of last season, perhaps down to the fact that John Terry has left the coaching staff. Nonetheless, a great opportunity for Gray to improve his scoring chances, also considering a home game against Norwich comes up next week.
5. Ruben Dias – £6.0m (DEF); 26.5% ownership
GW4 review – 7 points (90 minutes, clean sheet, 1 BPS)
GW 5 preview – Southampton (H)
Ruben Dias has simply been one of City’s best signings under Pep Guardiola. At only 24 years of age, he has been the rock at the back and arguably the only defensive player safe from the dreaded Pep Roulette. He usually has solid performances and is a key contributor to City keeping regular clean sheets. They were sound against Leicester and he even racked up a bonus point and now with a favourable home game against a Southampton side struggling to score since the departure of Danny Ings, Dias is poised to keep another clean sheet.
6. Edouard Mendy – £6.0m (GK); 12.6% ownership
GW4 review – 9 points (90 minutes, clean sheet, 6 saves, 1 BPS)
GW5 preview – Tottenham Hotspur (H)
This season Mendy has upped his game even more since joining Chelsea last year and has pulled off so many crucial saves to keep Chelsea in games. Despite Chelsea winning 3-0 against Aston Villa last weekend, Mendy was still forced into making six saves. He currently holds a high clean sheet possibility as well as securing save points and unlike the defence ahead of him, Tuchel seems satisfied with him and he looks to be the undisputed number 1 choice. Chelsea have some tricky games coming up but don’t rule Mendy out.
Note: Prices and ownership statistics correct as of 15 September 2021
To see the picks from last week, follow the article below:
