Best Fixtures to Exploit in FPL GW 5 for Clean Sheets and Attacking Returns

For FPL managers targeting Gameweek 5 of the 2025/26 season, the best fixtures to exploit for clean sheets and attacking returns are concentrated around teams like Bournemouth, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Crystal Palace, especially considering who they’re up against. I'll get into exactly which players are lining up against specific opponents, so that every transfer counts. To help find out how many points your team can score, take a look at our FPL points predictor tool.

Why GW5 Fixtures Matter

Gameweek 5 is a pivotal point for sorting out strategy, and the fixture list offers clear FPL angles for clean sheets and attacking returns. For instance, Bournemouth host Newcastle United, a team still adjusting defensively. Arsenal face Manchester City, which doesn’t scream clean sheet, but offers potential for attacking fireworks. Crystal Palace travel to West Ham United, a fixture with clean sheet and attacking promise, given West Ham’s inconsistency.

GW5 Attacker Hotlist

Mohammed Salah (Liverpool vs Everton): With one goal in his last outing, he looks inevitable for attacking returns against Everton, who have shown frailties while defending against elite attackers.
Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth vs Newcastle United): He is another gem: not only is he racking up goals, but Newcastle’s away defensive stats remain poor early in the season.
Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest vs Burnley): Although the Forest striker had a quiet game against Arsenal, expect him to be among the goals against Burnley next match.

Richarlison (Tottenham vs Brighton): Richarlison has had a great start to the season, and against a leaky Brighton defence, expect him to be among the goals or rack up assists. I may just gamble and put him in my team to secure points up front.

GW5 Defender and Goalkeeper Picks

Defensive clean sheets are ripe for the picking with Crystal Palace playing away to West Ham United. West Ham’s attack has sputtered in recent outings.

Daniel Munoz (Palace) provides both an attacking threat and defensive security.

Senesi (Bournemouth vs Newcastle United) has kept clean sheets against teams with similar xG profiles as Newcastle so far this season.

But you have to keep in mind, Aston Villa get the benefit of facing Sunderland, a newly promoted side who've been goalless in two of their four matches so far.

Best FPL defenders and goalkeepers for GW5:

• Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace vs West Ham United).
• Senesi (Bournemouth vs Newcastle United).
• Pedro Porro (Tottenham vs Brighton): Attacking fullback, facing a Brighton side averaging high xG but also conceding.
• Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa vs Sunderland): Good clean sheet odds, Sunderland’s attack not yet clicking.

Fixtures to Avoid This Week

Don’t get sucked into picking attackers or defenders from sides facing elite defences. Sunderland’s attack faces Aston Villa’s improving defence, while Newcastle United travel to Bournemouth, where clean sheets are tough to come by for visitors.

Wrapping Up GW5 Strategy

The best FPL fixtures for Gameweek 5, as per Sportsdunia's FDR tool, are loaded with promise, just target players with favourable matchups: Bournemouth hosting Newcastle United; Crystal Palace at West Ham; Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby; and Arsenal vs Manchester City for pure attack potential.
Make every transfer count and smash GW5 with these fixture-insightful picks!