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. Ibra
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Podence + R. James -> Bruno + Balbuena (-4)?

  2. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    G2G? Sub order all good?

    Ryan

    Robertson, Semedo, Chilwell

    Salah (c), Son, Hamez, Grealish

    Kane, DCL, Maupay

    Subs: Button, Mitchell, Dallas, Stephens

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

      Yes g2g

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers!

  3. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Good luck peeps

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

    Come on Grealish and Ayling !

  5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    best 4.5 defender?

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

      Targett

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mitchell?

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

      Target might be a good shout

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

    Selling C Wilson doesn’t feel right but I enjoyed it.

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

      good, who do you got? Walters or Maupay?

    2. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Just sold him for Werner ... can hope for a Kilman CS now

  7. toluthadon
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bench one?
    A. Lamptey
    B. Podence
    C. Play bench boost with Mitchell, Bissouma, 4.0 Gk

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

      Don't do C

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

        Cheers

    2. Make ManeMane Make ManeMane
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A and it's not close

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

        Cheers

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

    Bench 2
    A) Justin
    b) James
    c) KWP
    D) Mitchell

  9. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Need a 10 pointer from Martinez, and just 16 from Grealish. Not too much to ask.

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

      "You musnt afraid to dream a little bigger, darling"

      1. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Inception?

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

          Friends. It's a Joey Tribbiani quote

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

    Really tough to captain Salah when you had Kane last week.
    Just doesn't feel right.

  11. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hames price drop??

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

      *rise

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looks like it

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

    A) Rodriguez or B) Greenwood first sub?

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

      B

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

        Guessing you're playing A

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

          Just switched it

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

    Play one:

    A) Chilwell
    B) Dallas
    C) Mitchell

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

      A

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

        Salah

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

    Salah or Kane as C?

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

      Salah

    2. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Captain poll - Salah

  15. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start KdB or Brewster.

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kevin easy

    2. Cookie Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      lol Kevin

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

      kdb xd

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

      wtf

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

      Start KDB or sell

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

    PANIC STATION KICKING INN

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'd stay there

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

    A little worried about Liverpool's attacking thrust being blunted by making sure they don't concede. Going Kane(c) over Salah.

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think its the opposite. They will make sure they score enough goals to win the game and Sheff are not much of a counter attack threat

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

        Team's usually react to conceding a lot of goals and can go too much in the opposite direction. If Klopp plays Milner and Henderson in from of the back 2, it doesn't bode well for Salah imo.

    2. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Think it'll go the other way. All out attack. Best form of defence.

  18. chilli con kone
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start one

    A. Soucek (MCI)
    B. Mitchell (ful)
    C. Brewster (liv)

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

      A or C. A.

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

      A

  19. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Keep?
    McCarthy
    TAA, Tierney, Konsa
    Bruno, Son, JRod, Podence
    Kane(c), Ings, DCL

    bench: Nyland, Bissouma, Justin, Taylor

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

    Best C
    Son
    Kane
    Salah

    On Son?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Salah

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

      Kane for me

  21. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    good luck everyone. I hope this is finally going to be my first decent week.

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

      Who have you captained?

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

    So who else TAA(C)?

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

      Prefer him over Salah at the minute lol

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

      Nuts

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Almost had the balls

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

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

    1. Make ManeMane Make ManeMane
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Save and do one next week if no fires to put out

  24. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Holding j. Rod hope it doesn't back fire!

    G2G?
    Mccarthy
    TAA Mitchell Saiss
    Salah Bruno Son Rodriguez Grealish
    Mitrovic Jiminez

    Nyland KWP Taylor Davies

    Cheers

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

    Start KWP or Mitchell?

    Mitchell much better CS prospects, but could get a cameo?

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

    On wildcard:
    a) Grealish
    b) Barkley

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      a

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

      a

  27. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    It's all about the Grealish tonight

    1. Party time
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Barkley’s Premier league

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

          He's the sponsor...or assister...Grealish the champ 😀

      • Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        And Marty

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

          Oh yes, him too...I forgot!

    2. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      QUICK
      Start one?

      Targett ( have Martinez already)
      Mitchell (don’t think he starts??)

    3. Snapes on a Plane
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Pick one to start please
      A) Chillwell
      B) Kilman
      C) Mitchell

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

        A

    4. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Good luck everyone! Time for real players to start rising from the depths 🙂

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Fingers crossed! GL