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Gameweek 5Sunday, 20 September 2026IYSSYS 6.0 · No. 5
This edition was corrected on October 22 at 12:59 PM ET: it was updated for an official Fantrax score correction. The corrections are listed at the foot of the page.
GAMEWEEK 5 SHOCK
CRÈME RISES, SLIMEY SINKS
GC overturns the week’s clearest upset with a 132.25–58.5 demolition.
By Algernon Sidebottom
Cunha contributed 21 fantasy points to Crème Internazionale C.F.’s runaway victory.BBC Sport
Crème Internazionale C.F. beat Slimey FC 132.25–58.5, turning a matchup it entered as the slight underdog into the week’s largest victory. The 73.75-point margin was built through the lineup rather than one isolated eruption: Buendía scored 27, Cunha and Sávio added 21 each, Cherki supplied 17.5 and Kelleher returned 13.5 in goal.
The transaction desk deserves part of the credit. Buendía was claimed by Crème Internazionale C.F. on Friday after being dropped by The Lion King, then immediately led the winning side. Cunha’s 21 also arrived alongside the real-world late strike that denied Fulham a first victory, a useful intersection of football and fantasy timing. Slimey FC received 16 from Iwobi and 12.75 from Murillo, but J.Timber’s minus-five and Szoboszlai’s zero left too much ground uncovered.
Crème Internazionale C.F. have now won two straight and move to 3–2, taking the lead in an all-time series that had been level at 2–2 before the week. Slimey FC fall to 1–4 after their lowest total of the round. The result was emphatic enough to require little embellishment, although 132.25 points against 58.5 usually finds some anyway.
The Market
▲ Stock Up
Buendía. Claimed by Crème Internazionale C.F. on Friday, Buendía immediately scored 27 and led a 132.25-point win.
Semenyo. His 35 was the highest individual fantasy score of the week, even though Snake could not convert it into a win.
The Lion King. A balanced 131-point performance moved The Lion King to 2–3 and sixth in the rankings.
▼ Stock Down
WhiteCastle United’s reserve allocation. WhiteCastle United lost by half a point while leaving a league-high 23.25 points in reserve. Kostoulas alone scored 18.5 there.
Slimey FC. The 58.5-point total was the lowest of the week and included a minus-five from J.Timber.
𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚. A season-best 116.75 still produced a fifth straight defeat, which is a particularly thorough form of noncompliance.
The Transaction Wire
Buendía · CLAIM · Crème Internazionale C.F. — Crème Internazionale C.F. claimed Buendía on Friday and received 27 points immediately. Transaction of the week requires no further hearing.
Kelleher · CLAIM · Crème Internazionale C.F. — Kelleher entered the Crème Internazionale C.F. lineup after a Tuesday claim and scored 13.5 in the rout.
Thomas · CLAIM · Crème Internazionale C.F. — Thomas was reclaimed on Friday and supplied 13 points as another productive piece of Crème Internazionale C.F.’s renovation.
Mykolenko · CLAIM · Hound Boys FC 🐶 — Mykolenko scored 12.25 after joining Hound Boys FC 🐶, a material return in a victory decided by 0.5.
A.Becker · CLAIM · Saca Cojones — A.Becker scored 18 after Wednesday’s claim. Saca Cojones lost, but this particular department met its obligations.
Around the League
HALF-POINT HEIST
THE HOUNDS ESCAPE
WhiteCastle United found 24 points from Barnes and still lost 76–75.5.
By Vivian Yeoward
Isak supplied 11.5 points as Hound Boys FC 🐶 survived by the narrowest margin of the week.· The Guardian
Hound Boys FC 🐶 survived WhiteCastle United 76–75.5, the week’s smallest margin. Hall’s 19.5 and Mykolenko’s 12.25 anchored the winner, with Isak and Tzolakis adding 11.5 and 11. WhiteCastle United leaned heavily on Barnes’s 24 and Saka’s 13 but received only two points from Sels.
The decisive detail sat off the field: WhiteCastle United left a league-high 23.25 points in reserve, including 18.5 from Kostoulas. Hound Boys FC 🐶 left only two there. After entering the week behind 14–6 in the historical series, the Hounds chose a remarkably economical method of reducing the deficit.
THIRTY-FIVE, NO WIN
SNAKE’S MASTERPIECE MISFILED
Semenyo delivered the week’s biggest individual score; Declan Rice FC collected the result.
By Wystan Goodenough
Rice returned 5.5 points within a balanced Declan Rice FC victory.· you_search
Semenyo’s 35 was the week’s outstanding individual performance, but Declan Rice FC beat Snake 108–95.75. The winner countered with balance: Pickford scored 16.25, Barry 15.5, Virgil 15, Van Hecke 12.75 and B.Fernandes 11. That distribution proved sturdier than one enormous forward return.
Snake also received 15 from Gibbs-White and 14 from Ndiaye, yet Raya scored minus-two and Konsa minus-1.75. Declan Rice FC have won two straight and sit 4–1; Snake have lost three straight despite scoring 519.75 across five weeks. The long-running series already favored Declan Rice FC 18–12–1 before this result, and became no more charitable.
HIGH SCORE, SAME PROBLEM
LION KING ROARS PAST 116.75
𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 finally found points and discovered that The Lion King had found more.
By Trent Crimm
N.Jackson scored 17.5 points in The Lion King’s deep 131-point performance.· BBC Sport
The Lion King defeated 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 131–116.75, a score that would have beaten most of the league but not the opponent assigned to it. E.Le Fée led with 20, followed by Belloumi on 18.5, N.Jackson on 17.5, Muharemović on 16 and Branthwaite on 15.
𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 received 26 from Manzambi, 14.5 each from Justin and Wirtz, and 13.5 from Boscagli. It was comfortably the club’s best total through five weeks and still extended the losing run to five. The Lion King, meanwhile, climbed to 2–3 and reversed a rivalry that 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 had led 18–13 before the week.
CHAMPIONS’ WATCH
FIVE PLAYED, FIVE WON
The GOAT’s 7-1 FC remain perfect after another opponent clears 100 and receives nothing.
By Montague Fidgett
Haaland scored 11.5 for Saca Cojones, but 7-1 FC’s depth decided the matchup.· you_search
7-1 FC beat Saca Cojones 128.75–113.5 and extended their winning start to five games. Tarkowski delivered 26.75, Groß scored 25, Trafford added 18 and Schade supplied 16. The reigning champions have now scored 678 points, the highest total in the league.
Saca Cojones did not collapse. A.Becker scored 18, Rashford 14.5, De Cuyper 13.75 and Enzo 13. The problem was simply that 7-1 FC carried four returns of at least 16 and left another 17 points in reserve. Saca Cojones had led the all-time series 17–13–1 before the matchup; the present tense remains less accommodating.
The Muckraker investigates
FOLLOW THE TRANSACTIONS
A chain of 378 player moves across 9 seasons links Ian Bustillo and Giancarlo Perez.
Dalot moved from Giancarlo Perez to Ian Bustillo in 2026-27 GW5, reopening a file the desk considers unusually well travelled. Yeremy had already gone from Giancarlo Perez to Ian Bustillo in 2026-27 GW3 after moving from Ian Bustillo to Giancarlo Perez in 2026-27 GW1. Convenient timing remains a hypothesis the desk has considered and declined to dismiss.
Across 9 seasons, 378 player moves have run between Ian Bustillo and Giancarlo Perez. Of those, 197 went from Ian Bustillo to Giancarlo Perez and 181 travelled the other way, involving 223 different players. Oleksandr Zinchenko alone has crossed the corridor 8 times, which is either roster mobility or a commuter route with unusually favorable terms.
The broader activity is substantial: Ian Bustillo has made 1561 moves and Giancarlo Perez 1260. Even against that turnover, the expected traffic between them was 251.8 moves; the observed total is 378. Ordinary churn has been asked to account for the difference and has not yet produced the paperwork.
Both managers have benefited from repeated access to players released by the other, while the league has benefited from a transaction log capable of sustaining an investigations desk. No improper arrangement has been proven.
Crème Internazionale C.F. and WhiteCastle United did not respond to a request for comment that the desk did not send.
The Notebook
Slimey FC are 1–4 with 413.25 points for and 569.75 against. The schedule has been severe; the 58.5 this week was self-administered.
𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 have allowed 595.5 points, the league’s highest total, while scoring 371.25. Both ends of that arrangement remain under review.
The Lion King have scored 530.5 points but allowed 580.5, leaving a high-powered team at 2–3.
Snake’s 519.75 points rank among the league’s strongest totals, yet the record is 2–3 after three consecutive defeats.
Crème Internazionale C.F. sit 3–2 despite scoring 429.25, fewer than every team except Slimey FC and 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚.
Saca Cojones have scored 461 and conceded 463 through five weeks, an almost exact competitive equilibrium that has produced a 2–3 record.
The League Table
Rank
Team
Rec
W
D
L
Form
GB
PF
PA
1
7-1 FC —
5-0-0
5
0
0
WWWWW
—
678
482.75
2
Declan Rice FC ▲1
4-0-1
4
0
1
WWLWW
—
520
388.25
3
WhiteCastle United ▼1
3-0-2
3
0
2
WLWWL
—
531.75
497.25
4
Hound Boys FC 🐶 ▲1
3-0-2
3
0
2
LWWLW
—
447
451.25
5
Crème Internazionale C.F. ▲2
3-0-2
3
0
2
WLLWW
0
429.25
397.25
6
The Lion King ▲2
2-0-3
2
0
3
LLWLW
1
530.5
580.5
7
Snake ▼3
2-0-3
2
0
3
WWLLL
1
519.75
476.25
8
Saca Cojones ▼2
2-0-3
2
0
3
LWWLL
1
461
463
9
Slimey FC —
1-0-4
1
0
4
LLLWL
2
413.25
569.75
10
𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 —
0-0-5
0
0
5
LLLLL
3
371.25
595.5
The Playoff Race
7-1 FC
—
1/100(99%)
Declan Rice FC
▲
1/3(75%)
WhiteCastle United
▼
4/9(69%)
The Lion King
▲
4/5(56%)
Snake
▼
11/10(48%)
Hound Boys FC 🐶
▼
4/1(20%)
Saca Cojones
▲
5/1(17%)
Crème Internazionale C.F.
▲
7/1(13%)
Slimey FC
▼
33/1(3%)
𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚
—
100/1(1%)
From the archive: sides standing 5-0-0 at this stage went on to make the top four in 3 of 6 cases; sides standing 4-0-1 at this stage went on to make the top four in 10 of 12 cases; sides standing 3-0-2 at this stage went on to make the top four in 9 of 24 cases; sides standing 2-0-3 at this stage went on to make the top four in 8 of 21 cases.
Futures courtesy of the desk bookmaker
The Honours Board
Performance of the Week
Semenyo
Semenyo scored 35, comfortably the week’s best individual return, in Snake’s defeat.
Transaction of the Week
Buendía
Buendía joined Crème Internazionale C.F. on Friday and scored 27 in Sunday’s rout.
Escape of the Week
Hound Boys FC 🐶
Hound Boys FC 🐶 defeated WhiteCastle United by 0.5 while leaving only two points in reserve.
Next Week in Football
Gameweek 6 · first whistle Saturday, October 10 at 7:30 AM ET
Fixture
Home
Away
7-1 FC v Slimey FC
−399
+399
WhiteCastle United v Crème Internazionale C.F.
−156
+156
𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 v Saca Cojones
+171
−171
Declan Rice FC v Hound Boys FC 🐶
−294
+294
The Lion King v Snake
+102
−102
Prices as they stood Saturday, October 10 at 7:10 AM ET. The desk reprices as team news lands.
The desk’s record this season: 13 of 20 calls right (65%).
All prices courtesy of the desk bookmaker · bets void where prohibited, which is everywhere
The Desk’s Record
✗ Gave Slimey FC 60% — wrong.
✓ Gave Hound Boys FC 🐶 53%.
✓ Gave Declan Rice FC 79%.
✓ Gave The Lion King 78%.
✓ Gave 7-1 FC 64%.
Called 4 of 5 this week. 13 of 20 on the season (65%). The desk stands by whatever it said.
Points Left in Reserve
1. WhiteCastle United41.50
2. Slimey FC15.75
3. The Lion King23.50
4. 7-1 FC33.75
5. Declan Rice FC33.50
6. Snake13.25
7. Crème Internazionale C.F.6.00
8. Saca Cojones7.00
9. Hound Boys FC 🐶7.25
10. 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚2.75
Points scored by players their managers chose to watch from the sofa.
On This Matchweek
2018-19.On this matchweek in 2018-19, Snake beat WhiteCastle United 173.5–162.5. A total of 162.5 was therefore filed as insufficient, which remains discourteous.
2020-21.On this matchweek in 2020-21, WhiteCastle United defeated 7-1 FC 179.25–108.75. The archive preserves evidence that the current leaders were once mortal.
2024-25.On this matchweek in 2024-25, 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 beat The Lion King 152.75–102.25. Two seasons later, the same fixture has changed departments.
The Weekly Football Folly
“The reigning champion’s cabinet now comes with a weekly extension.”
From the Back Pages
Obituaries
BUENDÍA, BRIEFLY UNEMPLOYED
Dropped by The Lion King on September 15; claimed by Crème Internazionale C.F. on September 18. He is survived by 27 immediate points and several uncomfortable transaction logs. No flowers.
KAYODE LEAVES SLIMEY FC
Released September 15 and promptly claimed by Snake. He later scored nine points, suggesting reports of his fantasy death were administrative in nature.
MUNOZ CHANGES KENNELS
Dropped by 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 on September 12 and claimed by Hound Boys FC 🐶 on September 15. Survived by three reserve points and an unresolved spelling jurisdiction.
BOSCAGLI, RELEASED AND RESTORED
Slimey FC dropped Boscagli on September 15. 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 claimed him on September 18 and received 13.5 points. Memorial contributions may be sent to roster management.
TIMBER PASSES BETWEEN CLUBS
Dropped by Slimey FC on September 12 and claimed by 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 on September 20. He leaves behind 6.5 points and no permanent forwarding address.
The Classifieds
Brobbey — FORWARD AVAILABLE: Brobbey, 41 points last week. Apparently no appointment necessary. Interested clubs advised to move before everyone develops the same idea.
Jay da Silva — DEFENDER FOR HIRE: Jay da Silva, recent return 27.25. Clean paperwork, conspicuously productive, currently without fantasy representation.
Schuster — SCHUSTER: Defender, 25 points last week. Available immediately to any club that considers points a useful roster feature.
Pinnock — PINNOCK: Defender seeking placement after 22 points. References available from the scoreboard; discretion available from nobody.
Rushworth — RUSHWORTH: Goalkeeper, 21 points, presently unattached. Ideal for managers dissatisfied with their current arrangement or newly aware that goalkeepers score points.
Cho — CHO: Forward, 17.5 points last week. Sold as seen; prior production included, future production subject to the usual regrettable uncertainty.
Ask the Gaffer
“Gaffer, my forward scored 35 and I still lost. At what point does a manager stop asking the attack for more and begin asking why the goalkeeper has contributed minus-two?”
— Perplexed Behind the Goal
The Gaffer: The traditional response is to praise the forward, avoid eye contact with the goalkeeper and quietly inspect the defenders. Snake received 35 from Semenyo but also minus-two from Raya and minus-1.75 from Konsa, while Declan Rice FC spread five double-digit scores across the lineup. One star can carry a week only if the rest of the squad agrees not to climb into the luggage compartment.
The Pub Quiz
This week: Which player produced Gameweek 5’s highest individual fantasy score?
This season: Who beat 7-1 FC’s 142.75 in Gameweek 2?
From the archive: Who won the 2018-19 Gameweek 5 shootout between Snake and WhiteCastle United?
Semenyo, with 35. · Nobody; 7-1 FC beat WhiteCastle United. · Snake, 173.5–162.5.
Corrections
Correction: Dorgu (WhiteCastle United) scored 11.5, not 10.25; WhiteCastle United left 41.5 points in reserve, not 40.25.
