Transfer recommendations ahead of Gameweek 5 – target European fixtures for massive returns

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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DREAM TEAMNew kid on the block[/caption]

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.

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)

GettyEyes on the prize[/caption]

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)

GettyNobody’s bench-warmer[/caption]

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.

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.