Is it right time to Bench Boost? FPL Gameweek 5

Now is one of those rare moments in the season where everyone in the FPL community is second-guessing themselves, and honestly, I’m right there with them. Is it actually the right time to play the Bench Boost chip in FPL Gameweek 5? That all-important FPL bench boost question is popping up everywhere, so let’s break it down together and see what makes sense, using everything we know so far in 2025-26.

Why Gameweek 5 Has Everyone Talking

This season’s been wild, promoted teams are surprisingly solid, big clubs are wobbling, and clean sheets are up across the board. Around 7% of managers plan to use the FPL bench boost chip this week, which is about as many as the first four weeks combined. That alone tells you Gameweek 5 looks inviting.

The big spark here is the promoted trio: Burnley, Leeds United, and Sunderland. Most budget players (think £4.0m defenders and keepers) are from these squads, and their Gameweek 5 fixtures are a lot better than anyone expected in pre-season. Leeds travel to a Wolves team still struggling for goals, Sunderland host an absolutely toothless Aston Villa, and Burnley get to face a transitioning Nottingham Forest. Suddenly, those “fodder” picks have a sniff of a clean sheet for once.

Is My Bench Good Enough for Bench Boost FPL?

If you’ve structured your squad for a bench boost FPL play, chances are, you’ve got at least two of these promoted club defenders or goalkeepers warming the pine. Here’s the kicker: Karl Darlow (£4.0m) owners might have a unique window to play him, as he’s in line for rare minutes this week with Perri injured. So, if you’re riding Dubravka or Darlow, you’ve actually got a live shot at a budget clean sheet.
And it’s not just defenders: Anton Stach (£5.0m), the only midfielder in FPL to hit double figures for both shots and chances created this year, as well as Elliot Anderson (£5.5m), both have appealing Gameweek 5 matchups. Even Josh King (£4.5m), providing he keeps his spot, is worth a punt at home to Brentford. The key thing is, your “bench boost FPL” attackers need to either start or have a real shot at meaningful minutes, don’t waste it if your bench is full of rotation risks like Marc Guiu, who’s not even making Chelsea’s squad right now.

Clean Sheets Are Trending Up

A big reason why the FPL bench boost talk is so hot? Clean sheets from promoted sides are way up. Burnley, Leeds, and Sunderland have combined for five clean sheets already in September. Last season, that same trio managed eight in the entire campaign. Whether that momentum holds is a guess, but the division as a whole has seen clean sheets rise; we’re already at more than 20% of last season’s total.
So, if your budget defenders are in play and the fixtures are juicy, you’ve got a rare shot at double points from players who usually settle for two-pointers.

Should I Hold My Bench Boost Chip for Later?

Real talk: There are other windows where the bench boost looks solid, namely Gameweeks 8 and 9. All three promoted sides again have excellent fixtures, and by then, we might know more about the minute risk for guys like Guiu or whether someone’s totally lost their place. If you’re planning a Wildcard in Gameweek 6 or 7, you could even tailor your squad for one of those bench boost FPL weeks. For more information on fixtures, use our free Fixture Difficulty Tool.
But, and this is the big “but,” waiting means banking on promoted teams staying resilient and hoping that injuries or suspensions don’t nuke your lovely bench by mid-October.

The Takeaway: Is Now the Right Time?

My call? If your squad has a playing budget keeper (especially Darlow), at least two of those promoted club defenders with good fixtures, and attackers like Anderson or Stach who have genuine points potential, hitting the Bench Boost in Gameweek 5 is a very valid move. The stars have aligned for the FPL bench boost to pay off, for once, our benches aren’t packed with blanks!
FPL is about maximizing what’s in front of you. If your bench boost chip could land you an extra 15–20 points this week, then why not go for it? Just remember, there’s always a risk of holding chips too long. I’m seriously tempted to join the 7% and roll the dice, worst case, at least it’s not left burning a hole in my chip list until May!
What are you thinking? Is this finally the week to Bench Boost FPL and get ahead of the pack? Drop me your thoughts!