Dream Team

THE introductory phase of the 2023/24 Dream Team campaign is over.Gameweek 5 marks the start of the European competitions – after a full round of Premier League fixtures – with no fewer than EIGHT teams set to pull double duty.
Gaffers should target these midweek fixtures to ensure maximum returns this coming week.
With that in mind, allow us to suggest some transfer recommendations.

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New kid on the blockCredit: DREAM TEAM
Dominik Szoboszlai (£3.5m)
Liverpool assets have traditionally provided healthy returns in the Champions League so it would be reasonable to expect a deluge of points from them now they’re in the more favourable environment of the Europa League – assuming Jurgen Klopp takes the competition seriously.
Mohamed Salah (£6.5m) is clearly the primary candidate to benefit and those keen on the Egyptian superstar would do well to snap him up now before his price increases on Saturday.
While Salah is almost too obvious an option, Szoboszlai features in just 7.1% of teams right now.
The Hungary international has hit the ground running at Anfield and he capped his impressive start with a sumptuous goal against Aston Villa in Gameweek 4, which contributed to an 11-point haul.
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The 22-year-old has earned seven bonus points in his last three outings, a reflection of his all-round performances, and his overall tally stands at a very respectable 26.
In Gameweek 5, the Reds travel to Wolves before facing LASK in Austria on Thursday night – a double header ripe with points.
Moussa Diaby (£3.5m)
Eyes on the prizeCredit: Getty
Too many Dream Team gaffers overlooked the Europa Conference League last season with plenty of Jarrod Bowen (£4.8m) and Said Benrahma’s (£3.3m) points going unclaimed.
This season, Aston Villa are England’s representative in the continent’s tertiary competition and their best assets should be able to take advantage of some very favourable match-ups.
Diaby has two goals and one assist to his name from his first four outings in a claret and blue shirt and looks a persistent threat when everything clicks.
Only six midfielders have registered more shots on target than the the Paris-born winger and just two have created more big chances.
Looking at Unai Emery’s side more generally, they’ve been exposed against stronger opposition (Newcastle, Liverpool) but swept aside weaker sides (Everton, Burnley).
Gameweek 5’s domestic opponents Crystal Palace fall somewhere in the middle of those two categories but the venue being Villa Park should edge the contest to Diaby and company.
But it’s Villa’s Thursday night game against Legia Warsaw that packs the most potential.
See also: Matty Cash (£2.8m), Ollie Watkins (£4.4m).
Julian Alvarez (£4.1m)
Nobody’s bench-warmerCredit: Getty
Dream Team bosses know to go with the flow when it comes to Manchester City stars by now.
Alvarez has been anything but a second fiddle so far this season, in fact he’s been a first-choice regular and a pivotal one at that.
The World Cup winner has provided two goals and three assists in four outings for a return of 30 Dream Team points – only Erling Haaland (£8.1m) has more among Man City players currently.
Pep Guardiola won’t take West Ham for granted this coming weekend as the Hammers have won three games in a row, including spirited victories over Brighton and Chelsea.
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But of course the treble-winners will be favourites and Dream Team managers will also be expecting big things from Alvarez and company when they start their Champions League defence at home to Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday.
If a combination of Haaland and Alvarez is good enough for Guardiola then it’s good enough for Dream Team gaffers too.

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STOP worrying about whether Gareth Southgate will select [insert player you hate] over [insert player you love] for England’s opening match at the Euros.There’s two more international breaks before December to fill with all that tedium.
Now is the time to refocus on the Premier League and, by extension, Score Predictor.
There’s a PlayStation 5 up for grabs once again in Matchweek 5 and so let’s analyse each of the selected fixtures in hope of providing one reader with the information they need to land the fantastic prize.

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Score Predictor’s main event in Matchweek 5Credit: DREAM TEAM
Manchester United v Brighton
Matchweek 5’s headline fixture comes first chronologically as it’s scheduled for 3pm on Saturday.
You may remember this match-up from the opening weekend last season when the Seagulls recorded an historic 2-1 win at Old Trafford thanks to a Pascal Gross brace.
Interestingly, 40% of Score Predictor users believe the visitors will win by the same scoreline again this season while same volume of users think the Red Devils will take revenge with a 2-1 win of their own.
With 1-1 being the third-most popular prediction it’s clear this fixture has split fans down the middle and will therefore be a pivotal one.
Roberto De Zerbi’s tactics generally ensure a open-ended contest with chances at both ends while Erik ten Hag has struggled to strike the right balance in midfield, while also being hampered with injuries in defence.
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However, Brighton are yet to keep a clean sheet this season, even with a couple of favourable fixtures in that regard in the form of Luton and Wolves – they’ve allowed their opponents 46 shots across their first four fixtures.
This suggests there will enough to keep the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford interested even if Andre Onana is to be a busy man.
We got our prediction spot on for Matchweek 4’s headline fixture by tipping Arsenal to beat Man United 3-1 but this one really could go either way.
Our Prediction: 2-1 to Brighton
Newcastle have lost three games in a rowCredit: Alamy
Newcastle v Brentford
Now then, this an intriguing one.
Score Predictor users are overwhelmingly backing Eddie Howe’s men, as are the bookies, but it has to be noted that the Bees are yet to lose this season while the Magpies have lost three on the bounce.
Not only that, Brentford have generated the most xG (expected goals) in the Premier League so far this season – a byproduct of the more expansive approach employed by Thomas Frank this term.
That being said, St James’ Park is a very difficult place to go these days (unless you’re Liverpool, Newcastle’s bogey team) and while it’s true Brentford are undefeated, they’ve only won one of their four games – Bryan Mbeumo’s 93rd-minute strike prevented a home loss to Bournemouth last time out.
We suspect the international break will have allowed Newcastle to reset and let’s not forget that their three consecutive defeats came against Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton – three of the top six teams in the league and, respectfully, all a level above Brentford.
Our Prediction: 3-2 to Newcastle
Chelsea fans want to see more celebrations from Nicolas JacksonCredit: Getty
Bournemouth v Chelsea
The Blues still aren’t quite right while the Cherries are without a win under Andoni Iraola.
Defeat at home to Nottingham Forest in Matchweek 4 was a bitter pill to swallow for Mauricio Pochettino but his side’s underlying numbers are actually rather encouraging – although Nicolas Jackson really needs to start converting more of his chances.
Even with their efficiency problems and the unsettling presence of an out-of-sorts Robert Sanchez between the sticks, Chelsea have Raheem Sterling and Enzo Fernandez in impressive form and literally hundreds of millions of pounds of talent in the starting midfield alone.
Our Prediction: 2-0 to Chelsea
The pressure is on Everton after four games without a winCredit: Getty
Everton v Arsenal
Fans of the Toffees are probably among the small minority who would welcome another week or two of the international break.
Sean Dyche’s side have mustered just one point from four outings so far and that came from a draw to newly-promoted Sheffield United.
No team has scored fewer goals than Everton’s two at the start of this season and it’s hard to envisage anything other than one-way traffic in favour of the Gunners on Sunday.
We agree with the 40% of users who think this will be a routine 3-0 win for Arsenal.
Cue those famous Goodison Park boos…
Our Prediction: 3-0 to Arsenal
Taiwo Awoniyi has picked up where he left off at the end of last seasonCredit: Alamy
Nottingham Forest v Burnley
Many pundits fancied the Clarets to do well upon their return to the top flight under Vincent Kompany but it hasn’t gone to plan for the Belgian gaffer so far.
His side have conceded the most goals in the league at this stage, despite playing one game fewer than every team bar Luton, shipping 11 in their three defeats.
As for Forest, they’ve generally been competitive at home and dismal away but they bucked that trend in emphatic fashion with a win at Stamford Bridge before the international break.
Steve Cooper’s side also had their moments against Arsenal and Man United in the games they lost.
This analysis hints at a home win but it should be noted that Burnley actually beat Forest in the Carabao Cup a fortnight ago, albeit with both managers naming second-string starting line-ups.
Also, Score Predictors users should occasionally listen to their gut and ours is telling us…
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Our Prediction: 1-1 draw
Submit your predictions for Matchweek 5 now!

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THE Premier League returns this weekend and talkSPORT BET have boosted the odds of a top Dream Team selection to celebrate.Punters can now get 6/1 for Aston Villa, Spurs, Man City & Fulham all to win their Premier League matches this weekend – that’s up from 9/2!
Get Aston Villa, Spurs, Man City & Fulham all to win at 6/1 with talkSPORT BETCredit: gETTY
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Aston Villa host Crystal Palace and are looking for a response after a 3-0 defeat at Liverpool last time out.
It’s likely Unai Emery will get that reaction and they’re fancied to win at 3pm, as are Manchester City (away to West Ham) and Tottenham (home to Sheffield United).
In fact, the entire four-fold all have the same kick off time, with Fulham hosting Luton Town, who look like the step up to this division has been just too big a step up.
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TIME to peruse Dream Team’s bargain aisle.These are the five best players available for under £3million ahead of Gameweek 5, based on total points scored already this season.

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Buzzing!Credit: GETTY
Mathias Jensen (£2.8m)
Brentford’s No8 is one of those players who is underappreciated outside of his own club’s fanbase.
The Denmark international is a tidy technician who is always willing to run the hard yards for the Bees.
Jensen mustered just one goal involvement in his first Premier League campaign but he registered eleven last term and has shown an even greater attacking influence in the early stages of the current campaign.
The 27-year-old provided an assist against Spurs in Gameweek 1 and scored against Newport (in the Carabao Cup) and Bournemouth just prior to the international break.
He’s also earned points through tackles in all but one outing so far.
The 0.2%-owned midfielder has produced 29 points in total, more than Moussa Diaby (£3.5m), Martin Odegaard (£4.9m), Bruno Fernandes (£6.3m) and several other popular assets.
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Taiwo Awoniyi (£2.8m)
Banging them inCredit: Alamy
Nottingham Forest’s man of the moment started the season with goals in three consecutive games to continue the impressive streak he started at the back end of 2022/23.
And the Nigerian striker provided the crucial assist for his side’s winner at Stamford Bridge in Gameweek 4.
With Brennan Johnson (£2.7m) having switched the City Ground for the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, the onus will be on Awoniyi to provide the finishing touch in the final third to an even greater degree.
Many Dream Team gaffers will still be unsure of Forest’s prospects but the simple fact is that their No9 has eleven goal involvements in his last ten Premier League games.
Awoniyi is the eighth-best forward this season with 29 points to his name.
Jordan Ayew (£2.8m)
All actionCredit: Getty
The Crystal Palace fan favourite is yet to score a goal this season but still he’s amassed 31 points – a tally only bettered by four assets in his position.
Ayew has registered a whopping 14 tackles across the first four Gameweeks, twice as many as the next-best striker.
And no forward has earned as many bonus points (five) as the Ghana international, who ranks in the top three for successful dribbles, accurate crosses and big chances created in his position.
Add in three assists and a full allotment of appearance points in the league and it’s no wonder Ayew is mixing it with the big names – he’s level on points with Mohamed Salah (£6.5m).
Just imagine if he starts scoring as well.
Pedro Neto (£2.8m)
Back to his best?Credit: DREAM TEAM
It’s a similar story for the Wolves winger, who is yet to score this season but is well ahead of the game in the creativity department with three assists.
Eberechi Eze (£3.4m) and James Maddison (£4.1m) are the only players to have earned more bonus points than Neto’s ten – that’s esteemed company this season as the former pair are second and third in the overall rankings.
The Portugal international has seemingly rediscovered the form he exhibited before his significant injury setback.
Currently featuring in just 0.4% of teams, Neto has 31 points and is therefore rubbing shoulders with Raheem Sterling (£3.8m), Solly March (£3.9m) and Rodri (£4.4m), who are all way more popular.
The 23-year-old has achieved this impressive tally despite the fact he sat out Wolves’ 5-0 thrashing of Blackpool in the Carabao Cup.
Odsonne Edouard (£2.6m)
A time for celebrationCredit: Getty
Best of the lot in the sub-£3m category is Crystal Palace’s in-form striker.
The Frenchman is almost the antithesis of his team-mate, the aforementioned Jordan Ayew, in that he’s simply been on hand to put the ball the net.
Edouard scored seven goals in all competitions last season but he’s got four in as many Gameweeks already in 2023/24.
The ex-Celtic poacher was the Eagles’ match-winner against Sheffield United in Gameweek 1 and his brace at home to Wolves proved to be decisive too.
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It’s probably fair to say that many of Roy Hodgson’s previous teams have been primarily characterised by organised defences – certainly his last spell as Selhurst Park boss was more risk adverse – but he’s been more than happy to let this current side off the leash.
As a result, Palace’s attacking assets have raked in returns across the first four Gameweeks – Erling Haaland (£8.1m) is the only striker with more points than Edouard’s 41 at this stage.

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Listen up, Gareth Southgate!We know every man and his dog has an opinion about the England squad and it’s probably best to shut out the noise but have you considered selecting a starting line-up based purely on this season’s Dream Team points?
Here’s what such an XI would look like…
SpoilerCredit: DREAM TEAM
GOALKEEPER: Sam Johnstone (£1.7m)
Crystal Palace’s custodian is with the Three Lions for real this week but whereas Southgate probably views him as third in the pecking order, the 30-year-old is our No1.
Johnstone has 15 points to his name which puts him ninth among all Dream Team keepers but first among his compatriots.
Wes Foderingham (£2.1m) would be our back-up option, for what it’s worth.
DEFENDERS: Tyrick Mitchell (£2.7m), Rico Henry (£2.8m), Marc Guehi (£2.7m)
Okay, so one centre-back and two left-backs is hardly the ideal composition for a functional defence in reality.
It’s quickly become apparent this is merely classic international break content rather than a sincere instructional dossier for Southgate to study.
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Guehi (19 points) is with the squad for real but his club team-mate Mitchell (21 points) was omitted – perhaps harshly given Luke Shaw (£4.9m) is injured, meaning Ben Chilwell (£4.3m) is the only specialist left-back in the 24.
Palace started the season with a clean sheet at Bramall Lane and that’s essentially why two of their defenders have made the cut here – Mitchell also provided an assist in Gameweek 4.
A fan favourite in west LondonCredit: Getty
Brentford fans will be proud to see Henry honoured, even in only a hypothetical sense.
The 26-year-old always puts in a shift and his attacking threat doesn’t get the coverage it warrants – he created two big chances (one converted for an assist) against Tottenham on the opening weekend.
Plus, only four defenders overall have earned more bonus points than Henry at this stage.
We should say that Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.3m) would have made the cut but we decided not to include injured players.
MIDFIELDERS: James Maddison (£4.1m), Eberechi Eze (£3.4m), Bukayo Saka (£6.3m), Jarrod Bowen (£4.8m), Solly March (£3.9m)
Now isn’t that a fun quintet?
Again, the lack of anything even close to resembling a defensive midfielder would be catastrophically flawed in reality but that’s why we call it fantasy football.
Whereas we had to scroll a fair way down the rankings to find English defenders, these five are all within the top six midfielders in Dream Team right now.
Maddison is pushing hard for a place in England’s starting line-upCredit: Rex
Maddison (46 points), Eze (44) and Saka (38) are the top three assets in their position and among the top five overall.
These five have combined for 11 goals and six assists already this term.
Many England fans feel Bowen and March were unlucky to miss out on Southgate’s squad and this exercise suggests such claims are justified.
For those interested, Kalvin Phillips (£2m) has one Dream Team point to his name.
FORWARDS: Dominic Solanke (£3.2m), Eddie Nketiah (£2.4m)
Two players who plundered goals for fun at youth level for England – 41 in 59 games between them for the Under 20s and Under 21s.
Bournemouth’s No9 has quietly amassed a very respectable 28 points across the first four Gameweeks by virtue of two goals and two assists.
The 0.4%-owned striker is ninth in the rankings among all forwards but he’s just four points off fourth-placed Son Heung-min (£4.5m).
On targetCredit: Getty
Arsenal’s homegrown hero is seven points adrift of Solanke on 21.
Two goals in four outings represents a decent start to the campaign but it’s likely Gabriel Jesus (£5.2m) will be fit enough to lead the line for the Gunners after the break.
It would be remiss not to mention Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane who would both have more than enough points to make this XI if Real Madrid and Bayern Munich fell under Dream Team’s jurisdiction – but they don’t.
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Here’s what our XI would look like through the visual medium of classic Football Manger graphics…
Please don’t do this, GarethCredit: SHAREMYTACTICS
In conclusion, it’s a shambles but we had fun along the way.

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