After a long international break, FPL has returned, and the horizon is very different! With manager changes, more injured players, chips activated, and countless teams underperforming, the preparation for GW4 is vital. So let’s cover all the essential weekly FPL info you need to ensure you top those mini leagues!

You can also follow our Fantasy Premier League Football Tips throughout the season for gameweekly insights and opinions.

The 25/26 season is on its way, and our experts will begin to roll out their Premier League Predictions soon, so now is the perfect time to get involved. We will remain across all the action on the continent, the EFL, and in Scotland in our various Football Betting Tips & Predictions, with fresh tips available here on Andy's Bet Club every day.

⚔️ Gameweek 3 Review - 49 Points (48 Average)

I played my Free Hit chip to medium effect. It worked out slightly better than playing the original team before the chip, but as FPL managers, we always want more. A few highlights though with low-owned Grealish paying off and Haaland & Pedro continuing their hot streak.

Cucurella was the closest scorer to them with a clean sheet v Fulham, but elsewhere, it wasn’t optimal. Yes, Pedro Porro got an assist, but the Nottingham Forest triple-up fell flat. No one could have foreseen the 3-0 West Ham upset, but it wasn’t the best GW in which to go a differential captain.

Chris Wood & Milenkovic also blanked, but we continue to push forward and I’m confident in our strategy. On the bright side, it's critical information for upcoming GW4, especially as a certain chip might very well be played. It’s WILDCARD time.

💎 Gameweek 4 Gem Pick

🇨🇴 Daniel Munoz – Crystal Palace (£5.5m, 11.8%)

• Plays at Home v a promoted side (Sunderland)

• Ultra attacking defender with many routes to points, including BPS

• With current injuries, he will play even more advanced

Don’t let his low price and ownership fool you, Munoz is a top pick this week. Crystal Palace have shown us that they are one of the most defensively solid teams in the league, especially at home, which is only one stream of Munoz’s points.

An attacking defender this season is gold dust, and with the addition of CBIT(2 points extra per game max), owning him could honestly reward his owners handsomely. I always pick players that have a high ceiling, and this could be a mammoth score. Palace are one of the four teams this week that the bookies favour to likely keep a clean sheet, and with Sarr out injured, it's likely Munoz plays even more advanced than normal. An attacking midfielder for the price of a cheap defender... Yes please!

Honestly, deep down, I want to captain him and come the deadline on Saturday, I may be tempted. He's a top choice for GW4.

✅ The Best 2 Transfers IN for Gameweek 4

🇨🇴 Virgil van Dijk - Liverpool (£6m, 26%)

• Added CBIT points potential

• Balanced team & defensively solid

• Liverpool will control the tempo, so BPS is more likely

In this section, you will see a strong Liverpool theme. They have the highest chance of a clean sheet & this is the sort of game that Van Dijk can attack in, especially from corners. Having already earned CBIT points as well as clean sheets this season, he’s a lock in my team for now and the future.

We could very well be looking at a 15-pointer if it goes exceptionally well. A full FPL template hasn’t formed as we are still in the infancy of the season, but there are approximately four players in the mould, VVD is one of them. Whether on a Free Hit, Wildcard, or just using free transfers, VVD is a must.

🇫🇷 Hugo Ekitike – Liverpool (£7.6m, 22%)

• 3rd highest scoring striker

• Adapted to the league flawlessly

• Plays a porous side, leaking goals

Continuing the Liverpool theme is an attacker to add to the defender. Liverpool will perform defensively but also offensively. When a top striker (currently the 3rd-highest scoring forward) meets a poor promoted side, usually there is only one outcome… Goals.

Hugo Ekitike has started this season like a Premier League regular and tallied two goals and an assist in just three games. If we factor in three very tough opening games, he can only get better. Yes, Isak has finally arrived in Liverpool, but Slot is a trusting, loyal manager, and he won't push Ekitike aside just yet.

Burnley have conceded five goals in three games and even conceded midweek in the cup (also at home), so the omens for them don’t look good. There is a great sea of optimism at Liverpool, and I think this is the week we see the new generation display what they have, scoring plenty of goals in the process. I expect Liverpool to score three goals at a minimum.

❌ The Best 2 Transfers OUT for Gameweek 4

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa (£8.9m, 17%)

• Dropped £0.1m in value & could drop further

• Has not scored a single goal in three games

• Everton away is a tough fixture, especially with the current Aston Villa form

I fell into the trap again; Watkins always somehow looks a better prospect on paper than in reality. Aston Villa have had a shocking start to the season, and so has Ollie. No goal or assist in the opening three games, and watching the games, you can see why. There seems to be a lack of creation there, and it doesn’t seem to be resolved anytime soon.

Regardless of Aston Villa’s form, Everton away is a tough fixture, and that was before they added some 12th manpower in the form of a new stadium. These key points alone were swaying me to remove him, but what confirmed it for me was the eye test when watching the games.

Watkins does get chances, but he just doesn’t convert enough of them. When we only have two forward spots up for grabs, I need my front duo to be clinical, and Watkins just isn’t it. There are way more optimal choices than the current 19th-best forward in the game, with better fixtures, and for a lot less money.

🇩🇿 Rayan Ait-Nouri  – Man City (£6m, 16.7%)

• Man City are not keeping clean sheets

• Premium price, but not premium points

• Pep roulette risk

It’s funny how things change so easily in the FPL landscape. GW1, we all wanted RAN, now no one seems to. With many injuries, especially at the back for City, and a whole host of new players integrating, their defence at times has left a lot to be desired.

We thought he would have clean sheets and attacking returns as points routes, but in the last two, he has not come close to either. With a Manchester derby, anything could happen, but one thing for me is fairly predictable: Man City will concede. They are a shadow of their former selves, conceding four goals in the last two games against average opposition.

Yes, they will still continue to score goals and win games, but those aspects aren’t the hallmarks of champions currently. Replace with a £4.5m CBIT nailed starter and bank the remainder, or beef up a midfielder.

🦸 Gameweek 4 Captaincy Calls

🇳🇴 Erling Haaland - Man City (£14.1m, 32.7%)

• On red hot form, six goals & two assists over international break

• Man Utd have not kept a clean sheet this season

• High points ceiling

• Man City are at home

• Plays 90 minutes every game

🎯 Target Game

Man City v Man United

Goals, goals, and more goals are written all over this. Anything can happen in the Manchester Derby, and although I’m not sure what way this fixture will end, one thing is certain is it’ll be entertaining. Haaland is coming off a heater of an international break (six goals and two assists) and I think he’s way overdue for a haul v Man United, who conceded two goals v Burnley.

Neither club has started the season well, and both need a result, especially for Man City, before the Champions League starts in midweek. Man United always seem to keep it tight, but away from home, I think it could be far from it. If I were to predict this outcome, I would go for 5-1.

🎰 FPL Bet Builder

Here's my recommended bet builder for the key clash.

🪙 Final Team for Gameweek 4

Conclusion

For my final GW4 Wildcard team and football insights/analysis throughout the 25-26 season. Look out for my special articles and follow me on X @FplVeteran_ for daily fantasy football content.