Caveat - Picks are in below format

1. No.1 predicted by Fix
2. Alternative high-ownership option. Over 25%
3. Differential under 20%

Raheem Sterling (nor)

Despite blanking in gameweek four, Sterling is the top captain pick for gameweek five, and the statistics explain why. The Englishman ranks top amongst midfielders for goals (five), shots in the box (SiB) (12), ‘big chances’ (six) and shots on target (SoT) (seven). When uploading a squad containing Sterling into the Assistant Manager feature, the algorithm firmly backs the Englishman for captaincy. This is further supported by Man. City’s attacking statistics, the defending Champions are top for goals (14), shots (77), SiB (56), SoT (30) and ‘big chances’ (18). Norwich are ravaged by injuries to their defenders and their numbers make for poor reading. No team has conceded more goals than the Canaries’ 10 nor allowed more SiB than their 47. They have also allowed opponents more SoT (26) than any other team and their total of 13 ‘big chances’ conceded is the third-worst in the league, with only Bournemouth (14) and West Ham (15) faring worse. Our Fix Algorithm projects a point score of 7.5 for Sterling.

Mohamed Salah (NEW)

Liverpool welcome Newcastle to Anfield in gameweek five and the Egyptian is an excellent candidate for the armband, blanking in just one fixture so far this season. As the Custom Stats table shows, his 12 SiB is joint-first with Sterling’s 12 amongst midfielders and he also matches him for 'big chances' with six. Six SoT landed by the Egyptian is bettered only by Mount and Sterling (seven) and despite the allegations that he is not a team player, he has actually attempted eight assists, just two fewer than Mane. The Reds’ 12 goals is behind only Man. City (14) and they have fashioned 13 ‘big chances’, again trailing only the defending Champions (18). Their opponents Newcastle allowed 35 SiB, only six teams have allowed more. Although they kept a clean sheet at White Hart Lane, Anfield is likely to prove an entirely different proposition with the Reds unbeaten at home in over a year. Our Fix Algorithm projects a point score of 6.5 for Salah.

Sebastian Haller (avl)

Haller’s strike against Norwich made it three goals in three appearances for the Frenchman and he looks like he has already adapted well to the Premier League. He has taken nine shots, all of which were SiB and only Aguero (10), A. Barnes (11), Firmino (12) and Pukki (13) have managed more. His six SoT can only be bettered by A. Barnes (eight) and Pukki (eleven) amongst forwards. As his shot map below shows, he has been afforded four ‘big chances’, only Rashford (five) has been afforded more amongst forwards. West Ham have continued with their attack-first approach from last season, their 23 SoT is the fourth highest in the league with only Liverpool, Chelsea (both 25) and Man. City (30) landing more SoT. They are also third for ‘big chances’ with 12, beaten only by Liverpool (13) and Man. City (18). Villa have allowed opposition the most shots of any team in the league (77), keeping just one clean sheet. Only Norwich (47) have conceded more SiB than their 46. Haller should find plenty of opportunities to find the back of the net and our Fix Algorithm predicts a point score of 4.0 for the Frenchman.