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. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Save the free transfer here guys?

    Martinez
    Robbo - James - Saiss
    Pulisic - Rodriguez - Salah (c) - Son - Trossard
    Kane (v) - DCL
    ____________________________
    Forster: Mitchell: Brewster: Dunne

    1.3m itb

    Appreciate feedback guys! 😉

    1. STONEROSES
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yep - seems wise

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers man, just struggling of any moves, suppose just leave it alone 🙂

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

      Consider James/Dunne > Lamptey/Targett

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers bud

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

      Yeah, I recon I’d have brewdog first on the bench.... Cheers!

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Good point, will do

    4. Powers106
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I would save it, however risk is low that you'd need more than 1 bench player but there is some possibility it could happen.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Aye that’s true, is possible, but maybe i can get away with it if Mitchell at least starts

        1. Powers106
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          That would be the best case since it's vs Fulham but who knows really, probably worth the risk

        2. norab
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I would also have Brewster first on the bench in James doesn't make it. You could just see him banging a couple in with how suspect the Liverpool d is/has been.

  2. STONEROSES
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Place Taylor (TOT) ahead of Brewster (liv) on bench?

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

      Would have Brewster ahead tbh. Both unlikely to return much, but feel Spurs are going to score in their current form.

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

    After the game tonight I’ll have the perfect money for Zaha to greilish - going to be really tempting to do that tonight before I get priced out of it ! No brainier or to risky for an early transfer ?

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

      I was considering same. Have had Zaha since the start. He still has good fixtures though.

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

        Yeah but then you look at them

        Wolves and Leeds the next 2, could easily be 2 blanks the way they are playing, even burnley the week after if they tighten up could be tricky. Going to be a tough one

    2. stat sifter 888888
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I would keep him personally, especially considering fixtures Zaha has. Grealish has so much less goal-scoring threat, especially now that Villa have a competent striker. Happy to eat my words tonight but Grealish is more of a playmaker type.

    3. Who are all Lukakus
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      If Grealish played well and healthy, do it.
      It is early in the season, team value is important. I wouldn't do it late in the season though.

  4. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Time to sell Mitchell with PVA back or will Mitchell still fill in somewhere

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

      Worth holding this weekend. Surely you have a more pressing issue?

      1. Reggie Nainggolan
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        On WC lol

        Trying to have a squad ready for the next few weeks

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

          If on WC, Struijk and Kilman good alternatives

          1. Reggie Nainggolan
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Is Cooper injured long term?

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

              Don't know, but Struijk is going to play in midfield with Phillips out for more than a month

    2. STONEROSES
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Maybe wait to see what happens re; kilman

  5. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any crazy news I may have missed before I head to the gym and dont touch my team?

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

      I’ve made some stupid transfers between sets

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Endorphin induced transfers

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

      No. Enjoy the workout...

      .....and come back to find out that Martinez and Grealish injured themselves in warm-up... 😉

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        😆 thanks

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

    Bottomed: Last draft, tell me i'm good..

    Martinez

    Robbo- Lamptey - Kilman (Chilwell, Cahill)

    Salah, Son, Hamez, Grealish

    Kane, DCL, Maupay

    1. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Solid g2g

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

      Superb

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Tasty! GL mate

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

    Bottomed:

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

    Cheers!

    1. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      With -4 both youll likely do worse points wise this Gw but Lamptey better long term investment

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

      Who else is on your bench? May be worth the -4 as Mitchell May not play

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

        Robertson, TAA, Mitchell (should play)

        James (probably won't play) , Cooper (Injured)

    4. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

  8. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hello guys. Any ideas what to do here?

    McCarthy
    Saiss, Chillwell, TAA
    Barnes, Salah, Son, James
    DCL, Werner, Adams

    Subs --- Button, Bissouma, KWP, Mitchell --- 1 FT, 2.1 ITB

    A) Werner -> Kane
    B) TAA & Adams -> Kane & Targett (-4)
    C) Something else, what?

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Haha leaving it late. Probably A

    3. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers both. Yep left it late this week 😀

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

    Bottomed.

    Havertz to Son for free ? ??

  10. Skogen89
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    James to Robertson for a hitt?

    Or play Mitchell?

    1. Emp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hit for me

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

      Play Mitchel.

      1. Skogen89
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

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

    Play Dallas or chilweel ?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think both Villa and United score so go with attacking threat. Probably Chilwell for me.

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

      I'm playing Chillwell for sure and torn on whether to start Ayling or Mitchell, if that helps

  12. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    JRod to start and score a pen vs Southampton? There must be some that sold just a day or two ago :/

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sorry but I hope he will 😆

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Decent chance tbf

  13. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Grealish captain?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      My vice

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Will be a great test of whether Villa are good enough to pass through the press.

    3. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Vice vice, I have Salah and Son

    4. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Chucky in heaven tonight

  14. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play Mitchell or Ayling?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ayling

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

      Same issue with Dallas in my team. Playing Dallas.

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

      ha, my exact dilemma too. Leaning Mitchell but it's going down to the wire...

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

      I'm playing both. Lol

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

    My current set-up

    Unsure on the first sub or playing Antonio

    Meslier
    TAA (C) Robbo Saiss Kilman Ayling
    Salah Sterling Hamez Son
    DCL

    Subs Antonio Bissouma Brewster

  16. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Right order of starters and bench?
    Captain?

    Mccarthy
    TAA Mitchell Castagne Semedo
    Salah(C) Son Zaha
    Kane Jimi DCL

    Button Bissouma Mendy Holding

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

    On WC

    Zaha or Jrod?

    1. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Jrod

      1. Reggie Nainggolan
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Unless that's the Burnley one

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

        Not convinced. He’s better long term option but he’s yet to haul away and injury doubt is pushing me towards Wilf

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

      Hames

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I love having JRod in my team but if I didn't have him, then I'd consider Zaha given the Palace fixtures.

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

        Is what I am thinking

    4. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Zaha? Really? he is kind of fluke, I got into that trap too, can't wait to get rid and hope he delivers some farewell pts against Fulham

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

        For a one week punt I think he’s a better pick

  18. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    In Salah(C) but some demon on shoulder says Sterling...anyone dare?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        which option would be more painful for you if you don't go with it and it becomes the better option actually ?

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Goes from being a good to a great captain option if we knew KdB starts.

  19. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Keep Justin or buy Konsa?

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

      Keep Justin

  20. Releasebreaks
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Konsa worth the extra 0.1 ?

    A- Konsa 4.6
    B - Tragett 4.5

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mings for me is the best. Targett is injury prone

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

      Yes

  21. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Tick tock...

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      boom

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

        Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff fan? Haha

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

    Reece James out for a hit?

  23. Erez Avni
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    play one:

    A. Mitchell
    B. KWP
    C. Justin

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A. B first sub

      1. Erez Avni
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        thanks man

  24. GoonerGirl
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who to replace James with:

    A) Lamptey
    B) Reguilon
    C) Dallas
    D) Ayling

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

  25. MGMT
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Podence to McGinn for free? Or save the FT

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

      I was just thinking about it!

      1. MGMT
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        What did you conclude?

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

      save easy

  26. Crashjct
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What one player do I bench this game week?

    A. Robertson
    B. Sais
    C. Chilwell
    D. Lamptey

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

    3. Crashjct
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thank you!

  27. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any Brighton fans know if Alzate comes back in? Tempted to start over over Konsa given it's WBA.

  28. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who you reckon will be the unlikely top scorer this GW then guys?

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

      TAA

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

      Foden

    3. MGMT
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Telles

  29. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    On WC. G2G?

    Martinez Forster
    Gomez Saiss Justin (Mitchell Kilman)
    Son Salah Fernandes Grealish (Bissouma)
    Kane DCL Maupay

  30. DesafioFantasy
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KDB to Mane for a -4?