Fantasy Premier League

GW5 final call: Mane or Bale to replace De Bruyne?

By The Scout 16 Oct 2020
Sadio Mane and Gareth Bale

The Scout says Liverpool and Spurs stars offer low-owned options for replacing injured playmaker

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An injury to Kevin De Bruyne (£11.6m) promotes Sadio Mane (£11.9m) and Gareth Bale (£9.5m) as big-hitting midfield differentials for Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 5.

The Manchester City star is the third-most owned midfielder in FPL and fifth overall, sitting in 36.9 per cent of squads.

But the Belgian's owners are now looking for replacements after he was ruled out by Pep Guardiola.

"Unfortunately, Kevin is out," the head coach told Man City's official website. "I don't think it is much, but the next games I think he will be out."

Son and Salah alternatives

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min (£9.1m) and Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) of Liverpool are the in-form options to replace De Bruyne.

Both are hugely popular, too, owned by 33.9 per cent and 44.5 per cent respectively.

Go for a differential?

However, Son and Salah's midfield team-mates, Mane and Bale, can tempt those in search of an overlooked pick.

Mane sits in 6.2 per cent of squads and is fit for Liverpool’s Merseyside derby visit to Everton.

The Senegalese winger has already thrived on the road this term, scoring twice and claiming 16 points at Chelsea in Gameweek 2.

Mane now faces a Toffees defence who have conceded two goals in both of their home matches this season.

Liverpool’s short-term schedule offers further encouragement, with back-to-back home encounters with Sheffield United and West Ham United to follow.

Take a risk with Bale?

Bale can be found in only 0.5 per cent of squads ahead of Spurs’ home encounter with West Ham.

Bringing him in carries a little more risk for Gameweek 5, with head coach Jose Mourinho saying the Welshman will “probably” feature on Sunday afternoon.

“Gareth being ready to be in the squad is a decision we are going to make tomorrow (Saturday)," Mourinho told Spurs' official website.

"There is still one day to think, to reflect on what is best for the team, what is best for him, and we will arrive at a good conclusion.”

Nonetheless, his upcoming matches suggest that even if Bale is eased into action off the bench, he can still profit.

Spurs also face Burnley, Brighton & Hove Albion and West Bromwich Albion in the next four Gameweeks.

Don't forget the GW5 deadline is 11:00 BST on Saturday 17 October.

See: The Scout's essential FPL tips for Gameweek 5

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