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. DRIZ ✅
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Oh no it wont let me log on and i cant change captain!

    1. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      App or web?

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

    31 points in 4 games

    With a missed pen, a 45th minute sub, and a yellow card

    7.75 points per game

    With a missed penalty, half one match, and a yellow card

    HOW?!

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

      Penaldez, that's how

    2. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      ? goals and assists, and 6 bonus

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

    2.5 ITB
    WHAT SHOULD I DO?

    Meslier
    Digne-Reguilon-Mitchell
    Jamez-Salah-Son-Harrison
    Jimenez-DCL-Kane (c)

    1. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Save FT

    2. AFC90
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Save

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

    A: Werner => Kane
    B: Brewster + Mahrez => Kane + March/Soucek (-4)

    Thanks
    A bit worried that Mahrez won't start

  5. AFC90
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    G2G? Foden becomes James next week

    Martinez (Button)
    Robbo, Saiss, Lamptey (Balbuena) (Kilman)
    Salah, Son, Foden, Grealish (Bissouma)
    Kane, DCL, Maupay

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

    all my players except Son play at home this gw...

  7. HippY
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed

    My attack is heaven. My defence is hell.

    Which 2 to select alongside Digne

    KWP (EVE)
    Justin (ars)
    Mitchell (ful)
    Other defender is Holding (injured)

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

    Sell Burke for Barkley or sell Podence for Barkley and get into benching dilemma between Podence/Wilson ?

    Also sell Doherty for Lamptey or Reguilon or Matty Cash?
    Is it worth the -4 anyway?

  9. evilfish
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play Mitchell or KWP?

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

    start Ayling or KWP this GW?

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

    Pick 2 defenders to start:
    A) Mitchel (away to Fulham)
    B) Lamptey (home to West Brom)
    C) Coady (home to Newcastle)
    D) KWP (home to Everton)

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

      BC

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B and C or D

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

      B+C

    4. NorthernMan
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      BC

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

    Leeds forums have Ayling playing CB and Dallas RB
    with cooper out

    Hmm

    May have Ayling first on bench and start Antonio

  13. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling captain, no Salah...what could go wrong?

    1. Mr Bird
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A lot

  14. H-SF
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez for ramsdale -4?

    1. joey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Big time

    2. 1zverGGadeM
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Very funny..

      1. H-SF
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        what???

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

    Is there chance that Milner starts? Wondering pens...

  16. ididnt
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    who's everyone captaining?

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

      Salah here

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      All 7 million?

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

        a lot will go Kane I'd think

    3. HippY
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Salah for me.

    4. NorthernMan
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mo.

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

    Hi mates

    Right order of starters and bench?
    Captain?

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

    Button Bissouma Mendy Holding

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

    On WC. GTG?
    Martinez--Foster
    Chilwell, Konsa, Cresswell, Saiss, Kilman
    Grealish, Salah, Son, JRod, Bissouma
    Kane, Ings, DCL

    1. zon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looks great

  19. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play Chillwell or Lamptey?

    1. zon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lamps

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      This week Lamptey

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers, United going to score

  20. zon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Soucek -> Grealish for a hit, yay or nay?

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

      Not for me

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

      Do it.

    3. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      yes, good move.

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

    Podence to Grealish/Zaha worth a hit?

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

      Na

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

        Cheers!

  22. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start 1?

    A. Justin
    B. Chillwell
    C. Mitchell

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

      C

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

        I think Chilwell will get attacking points though

  23. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Evening guys- thoughts on below? Best of luck this weekend.

    McCarthy 4m
    TAA Mitchell Justin Saiss Taylor
    Salah Fernandes Son JRod Podence
    DCL Jiminez Brewster

    2FT 1.3ITB

    A) TAA, Pondence + Jiminez to Konsa, Zaha and Kane for -4pts
    B) McCarthy to Martinez this week then Jiminez + TAA to Konsa and Kane for free next week.
    C) Jiminez + TAA to Kane + Konsa for free
    D) Do something with Rodriguez

  24. Dr Mulholland
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who would you start out of
    Bissuma (WBA)
    Kilman (NEW)
    ?

    Cheers

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

      kil

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kilman.

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

      Kilman.

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

        Thank you all.

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

    Any obvious route for getting Bruno? Anyone figured out? Downgrade Kane? Other options? ultra cheap defense maybe? son to bruno after 3 games? sell salah? forget Bruno?

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

      For me:

      Robbo to Cresswell for GW8
      Son to Bruno for GW9

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

      I was setting up a 4.5, 4.5, 4.5, 4.5 and 4.0 defense to afford Salah Sterling Son Bruno Foden Podence midfield. But then changed it to no Bruno with TAA in defense.

  26. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed...

    G2G?

    Martinez (Steer)
    Trent - Saiss - Lamptey (Dallas & Taylor)
    Salah (c) - Son - Zaha - Podence (Burke)
    Kane - DCL - Jimmy

  27. si
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Salah 48% Mane 2% in captain poll. I get the pen bonus but 46% worth? Mane (c)

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

      Good luck Si. You are one of the best, do as you please

      1. si
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thank you sir x

  28. King of Kings.
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A - Grealish and Watkins
    B - Barkley and Maupay

    Need help please!

  29. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    G2G? Starting two 4m defenders this week...

    McC
    TAA, Kilman, Mitchell
    Salah, Son, Sterling, Podence
    Jimi, DCL, Mitro

    4.0; Biss, Justin, Taylor

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Salah (C)

  30. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    WC keep mitchel or get strujik ?

    1. King of Kings.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Get Kliman