FPL Gameweek 5: Best players guaranteed to start
By Holly Shand
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Gameweek five of the 2022/23 Premier League season throws up the first dose of midweek fixture chaos, with concern among most FPL managers usually geared around rotation.
There is generally a higher number of goals and points offered up under the lights, yes, but it's never an easy task knowing which players fit into the bracket of being 'undroppable'.
The seven Premier League teams involved in European competition will certainly have other things on their mind, so it's likely a number of key players will get a rest in one of their next two league games.
With that in mind, it might be time to gear your side around the players who are guaranteed to chalk up 90 minutes week in, week out.
Pascal Gross vs Fulham (A)
Pascal Gross has been one of the surprise packages of the season so far, and his FPL ownership has risen to over 10% having delivered three goals and one assist for Brighton.
Playing in an advanced midfield role, Gross is also involved heavily in set pieces, though more importantly he's yet to be taken off this season by manager Graham Potter.
who currently sit in the top four places of the Premier League table. He’s playing an advanced position and is heavily involved in set pieces.
Despite rising in price, he’s the best bargain midfielder available at under £6.0m consider and could capitalise as Fulham look to take the game to Brighton at Craven Cottage on Tuesday night.
Ivan Toney vs Crystal Palace (A)
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has started the season in superb form, bagging two goals and two assists for Thomas Frank's side.
The 26-year-old looks more than capable of smashing the 12 goals and five assists he delivered last season, and sits fifth for big chances this season with four.
Toney is also Brentford's penalty taker and lead talisman, so unfathomable to think that Frank will look to ship him out of the side for rotation. Up next for the Bees are Crystal Palace, who are yet to keep a clean sheet from what's been a difficult opening four fixtures - something Toney could look to capitalise on when the pair meet on Wednesday.
Aleksandar Mitrovic vs Brighton (H)
Aleksandar Mitrovic has already started to silence the critics who suggested that he transfer his Championship goalscoring form to the Premier League.
The Serb bagged 43 goals in what was an incredible 2021/22 season having scored just three the campaign before when Fulham were relegated. But after four games, Mitrovic has already netted four times - and has even had the time to miss a penalty against Wolves.
Three of his four goals have come at Craven Cottage and he'll fancy his chances of adding to the tally despite Brighton's outstanding defensive record. The Seagulls have kept clean sheets in three consecutive games, with an own goal against Manchester United the only blot on their copybook, but are yet to face a striker as powerful, well-rounded and full of confidence as Mitrovic.