Top 3 FPL Captain Picks for Gameweek 5 (2025/26)

Looking for the best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) captain for Gameweek 5?

Each week we break down the top captaincy options to help you maximise points and climb your mini-leagues.

For Gameweek 5, we’ve highlighted three standout choices:

1️⃣ Fix’s No.1 predicted captain pick
2️⃣ A safe, high-ownership option (20%+ ownership)
3️⃣ A bold differential captain (under 20% ownership)

These picks cover every type of FPL manager — whether you prefer to play it safe with the crowd or chase early gains with a differential.

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FPL Gameweek 5: The Best Captain Choices

Mohamed Salah (EVE) - Highest Projected Point Scorer

Salah has managed just five shots in the box so far this season, but his home numbers from last year remain impressive.

In 2024/25, only Semenyo (55) attempted more shots in the box at home than Salah (51), while the Egyptian led all midfielders for both big chances (14) and expected goals (xG: 10.99).

Liverpool were formidable at Anfield last season, scoring 42 goals — second only to Man City (43). They also ranked top for home shots in the box (238) and xG (41.49).

This weekend’s opponents Everton have looked fragile on the road, conceding three goals in two away matches without a clean sheet. They sit 19th for shots conceded (33) and 18th for xGC (3.75) away from home.

Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently projects a score of 6.1 for Salah.

Erling Haaland (ars) - Highly Projected Points Alternative

Haaland has burst out of the blocks this season with five goals in four matches. No player has managed more shots in the box (18), created more big chances (nine), or recorded a higher xG (4.51) than the Norwegian.

The Player Heatmaps feature underlines his strong away form too — averaging 11.0 FPL points per game on the road, with three goals already to his name.

Man City have made a strong start in attack, scoring eight goals — the fourth-highest in the league. They also rank second for big chances (12) and third for expected goals (7.69).

Arsenal, however, have looked solid at the back. The Gunners have conceded just once in four matches, keeping three clean sheets. They sit third for shots in the box conceded (24) and second for expected goals conceded (xGC: 2.49).

Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently projects a score of 4.3 for Haaland.

Cody Gakpo (EVE) - The Differential

Gakpo was a home specialist last season, with 93 of his 127 FPL points coming at Anfield. He registered nine goals, three assists and 22 bonus points in front of the home crowd.

This season, as highlighted in the Opta Stats Sandbox, he leads all Liverpool players for shots (11) and shots in the box, while also ranking among their top creators with eight attempted assists and two big chances created.

Liverpool have started brightly in attack, scoring nine goals in the opening four Gameweeks — the joint-highest in the league. They’ve also hit 21 shots on target, a tally bettered only by Chelsea (22).

Everton, meanwhile, have conceded just three goals and kept two clean sheets. But the underlying numbers suggest good fortune: they rank 17th for shots conceded (53) and 14th for xGC (6.48).

Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently projects a score of 4.9 for Gakpo.

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