Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 6

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 6. It’s the first Friday deadline of the season – you have until 18:30 BST to ready the troops!

Who to captain?

This week Jan Sienkiewicz, our sage of the armband, recommends Sadio Mané (£11.9m), Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) and Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) in his Captain Sensible article. Risk-taking often factors into our decision-making process, and in terms of popularity Salah is the safest pick:

“Backed by over 66% of our voters combined, Salah and Kane seem to be the safe choices for Gameweek 6, the heavily-backed Egyptian the safest of the two.”

– Jan

In the latest edition of The Review, BigManBakar also tips Salah ahead of an enticing encounter against Sheffield United:

He’s on penalties playing for a team that has the best xG this season. According to the bookies, Salah has the best odds of scoring a goal and Liverpool are the most likely team this Gameweek to score 2.5+ goals. No player in the league has recorded more shots in the box this season.

– BigManBakar

Meanwhile David, who returned to the Captain Video after successfully transferring out a wisdom tooth last week, brought more good news for those considering a Liverpool player. Pointing out the impact the now-departed Dean Henderson (£5.4m) had on the Blades’ defence, he noted:

Sheffield United last season, for all the clean sheets they kept, I think a lot of people … would have assumed their xGC (expected goals conceded) was often quite good, but actually it really wasn’t. They would give up lots of Big Chances, but Dean Henderson had the second-best xG Prevented in the whole division last year, i.e. he was making incredible saves to keep Sheffield United in games.

– David

And if you prefer a differential option – a tactic last week’s Meet the Manager guest Graeme Sumner advocates – Neale was on hand with a tasty stat in his Big Numbers piece.

79.4 minutes per expected goal involvement (xGI) recorded by Sadio Mane, the best figure in the division from any player who has started at least one Premier League match this season.

– Neale

At under 10 per cent ownership, the Senegalese could be the better option for those willing to move away from Salah.

High opportunity cost

With so many players performing well this year it’s impossible to have them all. One strategy is to switch between the premium assets for their best fixtures, to give yourself the best captain candidates. 

But, as Greyhead has found out this season, you will have to accept the high opportunity cost.

The Community scribe sold Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) before his unexpected Gameweek 3 hat-trick away to Manchester City, he then ditched a potentially-injured Son Heung-min (£9.4m) ahead of his brace in Gameweek 4, and even his Gameweek 5 transfer-out Che Adams (£5.8m) returned 11 points after leaving his team.

The topic was raised on this week’s Scoutcast, with all three of Joe, Az, and Lee holding differing opinions on how to deal with the season. Az in particular was against switching out expensive players:

I think you can build a team with these premiums and you don’t need to worry about switching them out every week to try and catch different ones, because we’ve seen how much that can hurt people.

– Az

Instead, Az prefers to identify blocks of fixtures rather than transferring out a player because he blanked. 

Pro Pundit Simon March offered a different perspective on opportunity cost when discussing loss aversion, a cognitive bias that describes our tendency to fear losses more than we value gains.

Arguably the number one source of anxiety among Fantasy managers comes from transferring a player out who you suspect might suddenly start scoring, something that always seems to happen.

– Simon

Citing Timo Werner’s (£9.3m) haul against Southampton’s high-line defence, Simon explained that “one of the key skill elements of FPL is identifying the contextual factors that influence whether a player will score or not.

Essentially, judge the decision not the outcome. Simon concluded:

Most importantly, although it might feel like it, a player did not start scoring because you transferred them out. That kind of ‘magical thinking’ can quickly sabotage a Fantasy manager’s season as it removes logic and objectivity and puts events firmly into the hands of chance.

– Simon

And fellow Pro Pundit Lateriser doesn’t expect the rollercoaster of a season to stop any time soon.

This season, variance is a lot higher than usual and I expect that trend to continue. Be prepared for it and remember that this is only a game, one which involves a fair amount of luck and unpredictability as well.

– Lateriser

Value Villains 

Several contributors have noted the value on offer in Aston Villa’s ranks, who have surprised us all with their excellent start.

Now is a good time to invest in [Villa] from an attacking standpoint. When it comes to their attackers, I get the feeling that you will get what you pay for. Jack Grealish (£7.2m), Ross Barkley (£6.0m) and Ollie Watkins (£6.0m) are all correctly priced in my opinion and could be good stick-and-forget options for a while.

– Lateriser

In his Scout Notes from Gameweek 5, David Wardale, the author of Wasting Your Wildcard, revealed that Grealish was the most advanced Aston Villa player against Leicester City. While Az also recommends the Villa talisman:

Looking at the numbers, Grealish seems the stand-out option. Turning attention to Mark’s “Top Penalty Box Dweller” table in the Premium Members Area also shows that no player in the league can better the number of touches that Grealish has had in the opposition box (38) over the last four Gameweeks.

– Az

Referring once more to Neale’s stat-dive article, we find that Dean Smith’s men could be set for more immediate returns:

2.8 direct attacks per game recorded by Aston Villa this season, the highest number in the Premier League. Leeds United, Villa’s opponents on Friday, have had the most direct attacks against per game so far this term (4.0). A direct attack is one that starts just inside a team’s own half, has at least 50% of movement towards the opposition goal and ends with a shot or touch in the opponent’s box. Aston Villa ranked 16th for this statistic last season (1.4).

– Neale

A change in attacking style this season that looks set to reap rewards again in Gameweek 5.

Are Premium Defenders Worth the Money?

– the black circles represent the defenders priced £5.5m and over

Lateriser is considering selling Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m), Magnus Carlsen has sold Trent Alexander-Arnold, and BigManBakar’s research finds that “Andrew Robertson (£7.1m) is beating Trent in almost every single underlying stat that matters – not only this season but post restart”.

The graphic above is taken from FPL Ted’s video analysing premium defenders. Alexander-Arnold stands out with nine shots and nine chances created, which would suggest attacking returns are imminent. But perhaps the numbers aren’t as impressive as they first appear:

Alexander-Arnold seems to have monopolised direct free-kicks, which may explain why all nine of goal attempts have been small chances.

– FPL Ted

Neale, too, paints a less-than-ideal picture of the Liverpool full-back:

50 minutes per chance created by Trent Alexander-Arnold this season, still a very reasonable figure but down on last season’s average of 37. His average number of crosses per match has dropped from 10.1 to 7.4, in no small part thanks to his rate of corner-kicks dipping (4.3 to 2.6); Robertson, indeed, has delivered more of those than the Liverpool right-back in 2020/21.

– Neale

Will he be making way in your team this week?

Finally, before confirming your starting line-up, don’t forget to check the latest Team News and Predicted Line-ups. In case you missed it, James Rodriguez (£8.0m) may make a miraculous recovery for Sunday’s game!

Community latest

Earlier today, the Best of the Community feature included a tactical analysis from Kroos Kontrol, a ‘keeper evaluation from El Estadístico, and Jaydutt’s list of potential transfer traps ahead of the weekend’s fixtures.

And finally, for those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 6 can be found below:

Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

May your arrows be green!


TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,099 Comments Post a Comment
  1. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    On wildcard, no Salah but would need to get rid of Bruno and DCL/Jimi to get him. Want to keep Jimi for next 2, should I make move now or hold? Bruno & Jimi are both differentials in my ML...

    Martinez (4.0)
    Robbo - Saiss - Lamptey (Targett - Kilman)
    Son - Bruno - Rodriguez - Barkley (Soucek)
    Kane (c) - DCL - Jimi

    1. sozopol
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hold for sure.

      1. sozopol
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Sorry, missed that you were on wildcard! holding still not bad, but I'd prefer Salah over Bruno for sure.

    2. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      If you're on a wildcard, you simply must have Salah,

      Bruno needs to make way, don't pay attention to him being differential, Salah will punish you so hard.

      Bruno+Jimi to Salah+Watkins?

    3. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Get rid of Bruno for Salah IMO

      This is what I have:
      Robbo, Saiss, Creswell, Lamptey, Kilman
      Salah, Son, Grealish, Soucek, Bissouma,
      Kane, Aguero, DC

      I would also ditch both Barkley and Jimmy as think there are better options.

    4. No Salah
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Keep Bruno. Forget Salah.

      Gives you much better flexibility with the savings, and it doesn’t look like Salah will our score Bruno over next 5/6 GW.

      Against popular opinion

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Its not just against opinion

        Its against evidence

        Underlying stats for Salah are excellent

        Not so much for Bruno

        1. No Salah
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          4 games ( one with 45 minutes)
          One missed penalty
          One yc.

          Still managed 31 points.

          And united just starting to find their feet so hopefully it will improve further.

    5. Rvp is back
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Salah and Aguero a must for wc

  2. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bench Lamptey Saiss or Barnes?

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Barnes

    2. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Barnes

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Trashvey

  3. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Jimenez > Kane or Werner > Kane?

    1. Champione
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Jimenez imo

  4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I think I am set. Any changes?

    Martinez
    TAA Dallas Lamptey
    Salah (C) Sterling Son Foden Podence
    DCL Ings

    Steer Mitchell Brewster James

    1. Champione
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Good team!

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thank you!

    2. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      If you think you're set, then you're set.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks for the vote of confidence!

  5. Champione
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling > Salah?

    A) Yes
    B) No, Keep Raz and captain Kane

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

  6. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play Lamptey or Kilman?

    1. Champione
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lamptey imo

  7. TheSharpeEnd
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who to start out of...

    GK: Martinez
    DF: Saiss, Lamptey and...

    A: Kilman
    B: Konsa
    C: Struijk

    1. Champione
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kilman

      1. TheSharpeEnd
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers. That's what I'm thinking.

  8. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Doherty replacement?

    A. Lamptey (Already have Ryan)
    B. Konsa

    Also Podence to Grealish/Zaha worth a hit? If yes, which of them? Have Watkins but no Palace

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Konsa and then I’d probably hold Podence for this week

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers!

  9. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A : Play Chilwell and save FT
    B : Mccarthy > Martinez
    C : Justin > Targett /Lamptey & Bench Chilwell

    1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      if you own Chilwell then he has to start for that price, regardless of fixture.

  10. RooneyforLife
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Barkley or Mcginn ?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Barkley

  11. battlecat
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Go on then fellas. WC in action.

    Zaha and Grealish

    Or

    Barkley and Rashford

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Why Zaha?

      1. battlecat
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Simply for the next few fixtures.

      2. battlecat
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Any other suggestions?

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B+R

    3. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      first one

    4. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      2nd

    5. battlecat
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Gah! Probably be a coin toss.

    6. Mings the Merciless
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Grealish and Barkley. You know you want to!

      1. battlecat
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Got both Villa keepers so not an option.

  12. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hey fam! GTG? Did Barnes to Foden for free!

    McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Mitchell
    Salah(C) Son Havertz Foden Podence
    Kane DCL

    1. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looks superb to me

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers mate

  13. Angin out the Begović
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is it worth dropping Mahrez for a hit (Barkley or Grealish) as he’s not certain to start ?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldn't

      1. Angin out the Begović
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I was gunna keep and swap him for a 4.5 then do Brewster for Aguero next week

    2. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nooo

  14. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    For free
    Kdb to
    A son ( have Kane)
    B Bruno
    C keep kdb

    Thanks

    1. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

  15. Carlton P
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bench order correct?

    Mitchell (ful) / Bissouma (WBA) / C.Taylor (SPURS)

  16. Kevin Twine
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Werner to Kane? Or save?

    1. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Go for it

  17. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How nailed is Joujinho?

  18. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which combo would you choose on wildcard?
    1) KWP, Saiss, Bruno, Barkley, Brewster
    2) Chilwell, Saiss, Grealish, Bissouma, Ings
    3) Chilwell, KWP, Sterling, Bissouma, Brewster

  19. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Wrong article. Repost..

    Havertz to Son for free ?

  20. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bench one:

    A) Mitchell (ful)
    B) Justin (ars)
    C) C.Taylor (TOT)

  21. Mr. Funny Name
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is it worth selling one of Jiménez or Werner for Kane for free?

  22. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on chances on Mahrez starting?
    Don't have much of a bench so wondering if worth moving to Grealish for free or to hold out a week for KDB coming back

  23. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Less than 30 minutes to decide and it's killing me. Final answers?

    1) Soucek > McGinn (in a 352)
    2) McCarthy > Martinez
    3) Save

  24. ZAWAd25
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start Bissouma or Justin?

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Beastsouma

  25. Mortal.Swinbat
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) Play Mitchell
    B) James > Lamptey -4 and play him

  26. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Reece James & Ings --> Kane & Saiss/Lamptey for a -4?

  27. Jack.Armstrong96
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play Anguissa or Mitchell?

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mitchell

  28. The Reptile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play
    Mitchell or Justin?

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mitchell

  29. Tripleh123
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start one:

    A) Mitchell (FUL)
    B) Lamptey (WBA)
    C) C.Taylor (TOT)

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

  30. VinMar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Last draft, tell me i'm good..

    Martinez

    Robbo- Lamptey - Kilman (Chilwell, Cahill)

    Salah, Son, Hamez, Grealish

    Kane, DCL, Maupay

    1. insertcomedyname
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Same as mine, save I have AVL def