Premier League gameweek 5 preview: Fixtures, players to watch, fantasy football tips and game of the weekend

Here’s a Premier League preview for the coming weekend (Gameweek 5), with a recap of last weekend, fixtures & kick-off times, players to watch, fantasy football tips including captain pick, and a game of the weekend.

After four matchweeks, the 2025-26 Premier League has already delivered drama, tight finishes, surprise performances and solid starts for the big clubs. 

Momentum is becoming important now: teams looking to climb into contention, others trying to avoid slipping into the bottom half. 

With European games mixing in, fatigue and squad depth might start to tell. 

This weekend is set to test those factors, and there are some fixtures that could reshape perceptions early.

Summary of last weekend (Gameweek 4)

Here’s what stood out from Gameweek 4:

• Liverpool continued their perfect start, winning 1-0 over Burnley with a 95th-minute penalty from Mohamed Salah. 
• Arsenal had a strong display, beating Nottingham Forest 3-0. Martin Zubimendi scored twice, showing Arsenal’s attacking depth. 
• Brentford vs Chelsea ended 2-2, with Chelsea leading late before squandering the advantage. Brentford rescued a point with Fabio Carvalho’s stoppage-time equaliser. 
• Newcastle got off the mark for their season: 1-0 vs Wolves, with debutant Nick Woltemade scoring the winner. 
• Manchester United’s form remains under pressure; their derby with City didn’t go well. (They lost 3-0) 

These matches reinforced Liverpool’s momentum, revealed Arsenal’s strength beyond just their starters, and showed that mid-table clubs are capable of hanging with the big sides.

Fixtures & kick-off times (Gameweek 5)

Here are the upcoming Premier League fixtures for GW5 with local UK kick-off times: 

Players to watch this week

Here are some players who may have a big impact this GW5:

• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) — Coming off a late winner, he’s in fine scoring touch. Liverpool vs Everton is a derby where he’ll be expected to create or finish chances. 
• Erling Haaland (Man City) — Always dangerous; City have a tough away fixture at Arsenal, but Haaland’s recent performance suggests he’s a safe bet for returns. 
• João Pedro (Chelsea) — Among the form forwards so far; good attacking returns and could take advantage of weaknesses. 
• Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal) — After his brace vs Forest, he’s showing he can contribute in goals as well as in overall midfield play. 
• Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) — If Forest get a favorable fixture, his positioning and chances in the box make him a potential value pick. 

Fantasy Football (FPL) considerations

Who could be important

• Clean sheets: Liverpool (vs Everton) look strong, so picking defenders or goalkeeper from Liverpool could yield bonus points.
• Fixture difficulty: Teams with weaker defensive records or recent struggles are good targets. For example, Burnley vs Forest or Fulham vs Brentford are matches where attackers can thrive. 
• Midfielders with attacking potential: Salah, João Pedro, Zubimendi, plus players like those used off the bench who have shown impact.
• Forwards with value: Players who get consistent starts and shots, like Haaland or others in mid-priced forwards, could give returns.

Captain pick

Very tough choice, but current form suggests Mohamed Salah is a strong captain option: recent performance, Liverpool’s momentum, derby fixture at home. 

If you prefer someone else, Erling Haaland is also in the mix, though the Arsenal away match might be tougher.

Game of the weekend

If I were to pick one match as Game of the Weekend, it would be Arsenal vs Manchester City on Sunday. It has big implications for the title race, top-of-table positioning, and both teams have plenty to prove. It’s likely to be intense, high quality, and potentially decisive in momentum.

Conclusion

Gameweek 5 is shaping up to be important. Early form is building, and this weekend’s fixtures give us real tests: derbies, heavyweight clashes, and opportunities for mid-table sides to upset. 

Fantasy managers should aim for balance — safe picks from strong teams, and a couple of calculated gambles. 

Keep an eye on squad rotation because European matches will test depth. By the end of this weekend, table gaps may open up, and narrative arcs will be clearer: title challengers, mid-table consolidators, and early strugglers.