The Perfect GW5 XI: A 312-Point Data-Driven FPL Squad
FPL Admin
FPL Elite Analyst
The Perfect GW5 XI: A 312-Point Data-Driven FPL Squad
Gameweek 5 calls for a blend of explosive attackers, high-form midfielders and defenders who can deliver at both ends of the pitch. Using only the supplied statistics—and limiting the squad to a maximum of three players from any one club—this is the strongest available Optimal 11.
Formation: 3-4-3
| Position | Player | Team | Price | Form | Points | xGI | ICT Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | David Raya Martín | Arsenal | £6.0m | 7.2 | 29 | 0.01 | 4.7 |
| DEF | James Tarkowski | Everton | £6.0m | 7.2 | 29 | 0.20 | 13.6 |
| DEF | Riccardo Calafiori | Arsenal | £5.8m | 7.0 | 28 | 1.19 | 11.8 |
| DEF | Semi Ajayi | Hull City | £4.2m | 6.5 | 26 | 0.65 | 10.7 |
| MID | Bukayo Saka | Arsenal | £9.5m | 7.5 | 30 | 3.49 | 30.3 |
| MID | Kevin Schade | Brentford | £6.0m | 7.5 | 30 | 1.27 | 20.1 |
| MID | Marcus Tavernier | Bournemouth | £6.0m | 7.2 | 29 | 2.49 | 27.6 |
| MID | Cody Gakpo | Liverpool | £7.2m | 7.2 | 29 | 1.66 | 27.7 |
| FWD | João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus | Chelsea | £7.7m | 8.2 | 33 | 2.37 | 26.9 |
| FWD | Erling Haaland | Man City | £15.5m | 6.0 | 24 | 2.96 | 30.4 |
| FWD | Alexander Isak | Liverpool | £9.1m | 6.2 | 25 | 2.85 | 29.1 |
Total cost: £105.0m
Total points from the supplied data: 312
Formation: 3-4-3
Goalkeeper: David Raya Martín
Raya narrowly beats Konstantinos Tzolakis as the goalkeeper pick, leading the position with 29 points and a 7.2 form rating. His £6.0m price is higher than Tzolakis’ £4.6m, but Raya provides the strongest overall points and form combination among the available goalkeepers.
Defence: Maximum output from three defenders
James Tarkowski — Everton
Tarkowski is the standout defender in the data, matching Raya’s 29 points and 7.2 form. His 13.6 ICT Index is also the highest among the listed defenders, while his 0.20 xGI suggests some attacking potential alongside his defensive appeal.
Riccardo Calafiori — Arsenal
Calafiori combines elite ownership with excellent underlying numbers. His 1.19 xGI is one of the strongest defensive figures available, supported by 0.60 expected goals and 0.59 expected assists. He has returned 28 points at a reasonable £5.8m price.
Semi Ajayi — Hull City
Ajayi completes the back three after producing 26 points at just £4.2m. His 0.65 expected goals leads the listed defenders, making him an appealing budget option with genuine attacking upside.
Midfield: Four high-form, high-involvement picks
Bukayo Saka — Arsenal
Saka leads all listed midfielders for points alongside Schade, with 30, and owns the highest midfield xGI at 3.49. His 30.3 ICT Index confirms his significant involvement, while his 7.5 form makes him an obvious premium midfield selection.
Kevin Schade — Brentford
Schade is one of the week’s clearest value picks. He has 30 points, a 7.5 form rating and costs only £6.0m. His 1.27 xGI and six bonus points underline the strength of his recent output.
Marcus Tavernier — Bournemouth
Tavernier offers an excellent statistical balance: 29 points, 7.2 form, a 2.49 xGI and a 27.6 ICT Index. His eight bonus points are the highest total among the selected XI, further strengthening his case.
Cody Gakpo — Liverpool
Gakpo makes the team with 29 points and a 7.2 form rating. His 1.22 expected assists is the best among the listed midfielders, giving him a strong creative profile to complement his attacking threat.
Midfield comparison
| Player | Points | Form | xGI | ICT Index | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bukayo Saka | 30 | 7.5 | 3.49 | 30.3 | £9.5m |
| Kevin Schade | 30 | 7.5 | 1.27 | 20.1 | £6.0m |
| Marcus Tavernier | 29 | 7.2 | 2.49 | 27.6 | £6.0m |
| Cody Gakpo | 29 | 7.2 | 1.66 | 27.7 | £7.2m |
Attack: The highest-scoring forward trio
João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus — Chelsea
João Pedro is the leading forward and the highest-scoring player in the entire dataset, with 33 points and an outstanding 8.2 form rating. His 2.17 expected goals and seven bonus points make him the natural captaincy candidate based on the available data.
Erling Haaland — Manchester City
Haaland’s 24 points are lower than several forwards in the list, but his underlying numbers remain exceptional. He leads all listed forwards for xGI at 2.96, including 2.46 expected goals, and has an 8.0 points-per-game figure.
Alexander Isak — Liverpool
Isak completes the attack with 25 points and a 2.85 xGI. His 2.79 expected goals rank just behind Haaland, giving Liverpool two representatives in the XI while keeping the squad within the three-player club limit.
Captain and vice-captain
- •Captain: João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus — the highest points total, best form rating and seven bonus points among the available forwards.
- •Vice-captain: Erling Haaland — the strongest forward for xGI and points per game in the dataset.
Club-limit check
- •Arsenal: Raya, Calafiori, Saka — 3 players
- •Liverpool: Gakpo, Isak — 2 players
- •Everton: Tarkowski — 1 player
- •Hull City: Ajayi — 1 player
- •Brentford: Schade — 1 player
- •Bournemouth: Tavernier — 1 player
- •Chelsea: João Pedro — 1 player
- •Manchester City: Haaland — 1 player
The squad satisfies the maximum-three-player rule for every club.
Conclusion
This GW5 Optimal 11 prioritises the strongest combination of points, form and underlying attacking involvement. João Pedro leads the line after topping the overall scoring charts, while Haaland, Saka, Tavernier and Isak provide the highest xGI profiles in their respective positions. With 312 combined points from the supplied data, this 3-4-3 offers a powerful balance of reliability, value and explosive potential.