Scout Squad

The Scout Squad’s best FPL players for Gameweek 6

The best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players for Gameweek 6 are debated by Fantasy Football Scout contributors Az, Sam, Neale and Tom.

For those new to this feature, it’s a weekly piece that always takes the form of a ‘Free Hit’-type selection for the upcoming Gameweek.

All of our panelists have put forward an 18-man long-list of Fantasy assets and will explain their notable inclusions and omissions below.

It also serves as a precursor to the Scout Picks, as the players listed will then be narrowed down to a squad of 15 (with the starting XI not exceeding a total cost of £83.0m) for final our weekly selection.

Each writer must meet the following requirements:

  • At least one goalkeeper costing £5.0m or less
  • At least one sub-£5.0m defender
  • At least one midfielder listed at £6.5m or below
  • At least one forward priced at £7.0m or lower
  • No more than three players from the same club

SCOUT SQUAD PICKS

AzSamTomNeale
GKAsmir BegovicBen FosterKasper SchmeichelAlex McCarthy
Ben FosterRobert SanchezAsmir BegovicVicente Guaita
Robert SanchezKasper SchmeichelRobert SanchezEdouard Mendy
DEFTrent Alexander-ArnoldTrent Alexander-ArnoldTrent Alexander-ArnoldTrent Alexander-Arnold
Nelson SemedoLuke ShawLuke ShawJannik Vestergaard
Shane DuffyNelson SemedoKurt ZoumaLucas Digne
Marcus AlonsoShane DuffyTino LivramentoKieran Tierney
Ricardo PereiraLucas DigneDanny RoseKurt Zouma
MIDMohamed SalahMohamed SalahMohamed SalahIsmaila Sarr
Ismaila SarrSadio ManeIsmaila SarrMohamed Salah
Said BenrahmaSon Heung-MinDiogo JotaAndros Townsend
Demarai GrayIsmalia SarrJarrod BowenTomas Soucek
RaphinhaMason GreenwoodAndros TownsendAdemola Lookman
FWDMichail AntonioMichail AntonioCristiano RonaldoMichail Antonio
Cristiano RonaldoCristiano RonaldoJamie VardyJamie Vardy
Allan Saint-MaximinTeemu PukkiMichail AntonioCristiano Ronaldo
Jamie VardyAllan Saint-MaximinAdam ArmstrongAllan Saint-Maximin
Raul JiménezJoshua KingSalomon RondonJoshua King


Most popular picks: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ismaila Sarr, Mohamed Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo, Michail Antonio (four), Robert Sanchez, Allan Saint-Maximin, Jamie Vardy (three)

AZ SAID

There are some great matches this week and I’m expecting plenty of goals, namely at West Ham v Leeds, where I’ve selected three attacking players; I wouldn’t be surprised to see this game ending up as a 4-4 thriller. Said Benrahma was a bit fortuitous to get his deflected goal on Sunday but I think him and Raphinha could be in for returns in what looks like to be the most entertaining game of the weekend.

There are a couple of games that I think could be quite tight, however, and these are where I’ve focused my defensive picks. I would back Wolves and Chelsea to be two teams with a good chance of keeping their opponents out and both Nelson Semedo and Marcos Alonso have outstanding attacking appeal on their day – although Alonso does tend to actually deliver points, unlike the Portuguese wing-back.

In midfield, it’s a reflection on the season that four of my five midfield picks are all under £6.5m. I’m very confident in Ismaila Sarr‘s prospects at home to Newcastle: he ran the show against Norwich and has hopefully turned a corner after some less-than-impressive displays in Watford’s previous fixtures. Demarai Gray also features in arguably the best-looking tie at home to Norwich, although the Toffees’ injury woes mean that I won’t be rushing to grab Everton assets for my own team.

Up front, the top two picks were easy and don’t need any explaining. I’ve been so impressed with Allan Saint-Maximin, however, and do wonder if he could become a factor in our seasons if Newcastle can pick up a bit of form and he can stay injury-free. Jamie Vardy and Raul Jimenez both have good games and those who have invested in the Mexican must surely be thinking that returns are round the corner.

SAM SAID

With Daniel Bachmann reportedly nursing a knee injury, now could be a good time for Ben Foster to become more than just a good enabler. Whilst Watford haven’t been solid defensively so far they face a Newcastle team without star man Calum Wilson and so it could be an ideal opportunity for the budget shot-stopper to nail down a start.

Having missed Gameweek 5 through illness, I’m expecting Trent Alexander-Arnold to be straight back in the Liverpool team this weekend. Whilst Lucas Digne had a Gameweek to forget last week, he wiped the memory of his own-goal by finding the net at the right end of the pitch in the cup in midweek. If fit, he should be one of the favourites for a clean sheet this weekend and the underlying attacking threat stats are always there.

No-one in the FPL community is really talking about Sadio Mane but the Senegalese has returned in each of the last four Gameweeks and if he hadn’t wasted so many opportunities against Leeds in particular, he could have been leading the FPL midfielder points table by now. He has a decent recent against newly-promoted sides, too, averaging 5.89 points per game.

I’d also expect Son Heung-min to return to scoring ways against Arsenal with the South Korean having found the target in three of the last four Premier League north London derbies.

If Luke Ayling misses out for Leeds this weekend, Michail Antonio goes from being a good pick to an exceptional one with regards to the captaincy conversation. He had a flawless start to the season until Gameweek 4 and I’m expecting him to bounce straight back from his red card this week.

Whilst Newcastle have started the season badly, if anyone is going to drag them out of the situation that they find themselves in it will be Allan Saint-Maximin; he could be a really nice differential this weekend.

TOM SAID…

With Chelsea and Manchester City squaring off in one of Saturday’s early kick-offs, I’ve overlooked both sides in favour of those who have ‘easier’ fixtures, at least on paper.

Everton fall into that category, with opponents Norwich City losing all five of their opening matches, scoring just two goals and conceding 14 in the process. There will understandably be reservations about investing in Rafa Benitez’s side after their heavy loss at Villa Park on Saturday, but I do think that it was a more even contest than the scoreline maybe suggested. With Jordan Pickford set to miss out, Asmir Begovic is a solid £4.0m starter who will also help free up some budget, while I’m also backing Andros Townsend and Salomon Rondon further forward.

Elsewhere, I’ve included a Liverpool triple-up via Trent Alexander-ArnoldMohamed Salah and Diogo Jota. Brentford have impressed so far this season, especially defensively, conceding just five big chances and 3.92 expected goals. However, they haven’t yet faced a team as dominant as the Reds. Jota hasn’t quite been at it in recent matches, failing to put away his chances, but he is still taking a high volume of shots which interestingly are coming from a zone the Bees do look a little more vulnerable in.

Ahead of Watford’s trip to Carrow Road in Gameweek 5, Xisco Munoz’s side had lost their last three Premier League games without scoring a goal. They ended the match with a 3-1 win, having racked up six big chances and 2.46 xG, which is a reminder – if we ever needed it – of the importance of fixtures and how they often dictate form. With another shaky defence up next, I see no reason why Ismaila Sarr can’t add another goal to his tally, while Danny Rose was excellent against Norwich and should get another start having been rested in midweek.

With Leeds United in the midst of an injury crisis at the back, West Ham United’s attacking players will fancy their chances this weekend. Jarrod Bowen is an intriguing pick, given that the Whites often struggle against direct runners, while corner-taking duties also hands him another route to points. Kurt Zouma will test them aerially from those set-piece situations, while the return of Michail Antonio will also give them a boost through the middle. It’s also worth noting that Marcelo Bielsa’s side have given up more chances from the centre of the pitch than any other side so far this season.

NEALE SAID

Five Gameweeks in and some familiar patterns are starting to form, with City, Liverpool and Chelsea comfortingly solid at the back and Newcastle, Leeds and Norwich anything but. Ismaila Sarr has the pleasure of facing all of the latter three teams from Gameweeks 5-7 and he showed just how an obliging defence can kickstart a campaign last Saturday, with a brace and a whopping four big chances against Norwich; a Newcastle side who have allowed exactly the same number of these Opta-defined gilt-edged opportunities as the porous Canaries are up next for Watford’s Senegalese winger.

Joshua King, creator of seven chances in just 233 minutes of pitch-time, and the line-leading Allan Saint-Maximin also get nominations in the battle of two teams who have yet to keep a clean sheet between them.

Leeds are also without a shut-out to their name and could be four centre-halves down by the time West Ham come calling, with Luke Ayling now a doubt. The Whites are fairly dismal at defending set plays even with a full complement of stoppers; three of the four goals that the Hammers scored against Marcelo Bielsa’s side last season were headers from dead-ball situations, the other being a penalty. The aerial danger posed by Tomas Soucek and Kurt Zouma, scorer of a combined nine set-piece goals in 2020/21, could be telling, then.

Burnley are, like the three much-maligned defences above, similarly without a clean sheet in 2021/22. They’ve also conceded more headed opportunities and set-piece chances than any other club, so towering stopper Jannik Vestergaard gets the nod alongside the in-form Jamie Vardy. Ademola Lookman is a bit of a punt based on what his manager described as an “outstanding” cameo against Brighton, with the winger racking up an eye-catching eight penalty box touches, two shots and a brace of key passes in just 45 minutes of pitch-time.

There’s a quartet of budget midfield picks alongside Mohamed Salah, indeed, and I’ve opted for Andros Townsend over Demarai Gray given the opportunities and goal-creating chances being allowed down Norwich’s left flank this season.

As for the goalkeepers, Alex McCarthy and Southampton come into a clash with Wolves, who have the worst shot-to-goal conversion rate in the league, off the back of two straight clean sheets. Vicente Guaita has back-to-back shut-outs at Selhurst Park and is second among shot-stoppers for baseline bonus thanks to his manager’s play-out-from-the-back approach, while Edouard Mendy – if fit – is my sole representative from the lunchtime kick-off at Stamford Bridge. The division’s two best defences lock horns in west London in a fixture that Chelsea have thrice edged since Thomas Tuchel took charge, and I think at least one of the goalkeepers on show could rack up a tidy score.

272 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ruudy Van
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Sorry for the naivety. Is the idea to wildcard;
    A) after 6 before 7
    B) after 7 before 8

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      The idea?

      1. Ruudy Van
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        *template plan

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          I think WC is completely team dependent!

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      People waiting to get Lukaku in

    3. Riverside Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Why WK7 or WK8 for WC

    4. CapK
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      The idea was to wildcard after GW6 before GW7, in order to get Chelsea in for their good run of fixtures starting with saints, as well as city assets for their good run from GW8.

      People starting to come around to the idea that Ronaldo can match Lakuku in GW7, with Everton so might not be as clear as it was.

      Good luck dude!

      1. Ruudy Van
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Thank you Capk. That makes it much clearer for me, really appreciate it.

    5. gonzalocampos
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      GW8 is the ideal for me (during International competitions). If you GW on 7 you run the risk of having injured players.

  2. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Hi....who is the best city mid for gw8 wildcard inclusion?

    A...torres

    B...grealish

    Thanks

    1. Riverside Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Why B when Foden is back?

        1. Flynny
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Grealish appears pretty nailed......like 5 out of 6 matches to me....

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Ok

          2. Threat Level Midnight
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            So same as Torres then?

            1. Flynny
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 6 months ago

              I'd say torres is less nailed....or that we can't yet be sure he is as nailed as that....

              1. Flynny
                • 9 Years
                2 years, 6 months ago

                Based on my limited knowledge

              2. Threat Level Midnight
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 6 months ago

                They have played the same amount of games....and one has less competition for his spot. Hint, its not Grealish.

  3. Riverside Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Guaranteed starter

  4. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Traore on at HT.

  5. Dogs Of War
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Score prediction for Chelsea v City? Will City score??

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      1-1

    2. drughi
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      2-1

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      0-1

  6. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Hwang goes central I assume

  7. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Cross finding Timo

  8. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Werner goal

  9. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Just seen that scout picks picking Ben foster. Still Unsure whether to play foster or Sanchez?

  10. Yes Ndidi
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    So, am I getting unnecessarily twitchy here? Have already used my FT to bring in Lukaku, but I currently have the right change in my pocket for
    a: Shaw > Alonso
    or
    b: Amartey > Livramento/Duffy
    or even more daft
    c: Shaw & Amartey > Rudiger & Livramento -8
    On the plus side, I haven't taken a hit or used a chip yet this season.
    Normally I'd give myself a firm talking to and forget I ever had these thoughts, but Chelsea defenders are rising, Shaw is heading the other way and Amartey will drop tonight. I like to go deep on the bench if I can.

    Team as it stands is
    Kasper (Ward)
    Tierney TAA Shaw (Reguilon Amartey)
    Salah Jota Greenwood Raph Gray
    Lukaku Antonio (Dennis)

    Or is it WC time? Any thoughts gratefully received.

    1. Farteta
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      b for me OR look to shift greenwood out for Sarr or benrahma

      1. Yes Ndidi
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I've had Benrahma for most of his points, but he became Gray last week. I'll probably do that switch after Greenwood has played Everton.
        I think I'm doing B, with a view to Shaw>Rudi next week if the funds allow.
        Thanks for the opinion.

  11. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    James assist...

  12. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    James assist!

  13. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Wolves spurs 2-2 Podence.

  14. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    What's everyone's plan to get Ronaldo Salah and Lukaku in?? I can do it if I get rid of Trent but I really want to keep him??

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Prefer salah + 1 other!

    2. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I've had to get rid of Trent, don't like it but I'm aiming for Pool/Chelsea/City defenders to try and counter it.

    3. Yes Ndidi
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I don't see a good way of getting all 4 in at the same time. I'm leaving CR7 at the moment. He could punish me, but I've missed his honeymoon period, and MU have a pretty poor run coming up.

    4. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Going for two of em plus TAA

  15. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Podence goal!

  16. @persecuted_by_mods
      2 years, 6 months ago

      James and Digne owners fuming

      1. Riverside Red
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Why,

    • SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Wolves' best player, who doesn't usually start, scores

    • Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      James having a good game

      1. C-Dawgg
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Looking at the team they put out should we be concerned he's playing at all?

        1. _Ninja_
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Doubt he starts at the weekend.

    • BeWater
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Greenwood comes on and nearly scored straight away.

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah hes great... when Ronaldo doesn't play..

        1. BeWater
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Exactly. Almost doesn't matter what he does here. Ronaldo back on Saturday.

          1. El Presidente
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Obviously, Ronaldo is much better than Greenwood.

            1. BeWater
              • 3 Years
              2 years, 6 months ago

              Who said Greenwood was better than Ronaldo? Just making the point that Greenwood's output will be better when Ronaldo isn't there. Which will be almost never in the premier league.

    • Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Any news on raphinha? If he is out assume stil better to keep him rather than Torres?

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Bielsa should tell us on Friday

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Hope he is ok but doesn’t sound good

      2. DycheDycheBaby
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Trust in Bielsa. He will tell us.

    • Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Archer golazo

    • SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Matty Cash assist, will be a great option from GW8

      1. Jdpz
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I wonder whether to sell him or not.

        1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          I’m keeping for the meantime, will bench him for the next 2GW’s

    • Le Bluff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Pick one for this GW only:

      A) Shaw and Gallagher

      B) Livramento and Greenwood

    • Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A bit mystifying to me why Mark is keeping Mbeumo.

      Fixtures are LIV whu CHE. It's such a clear remove to me purely for fixtures and because there are great options right there in Gallagher and Gray.

      What am I missing? He even has money ITB for it.

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Didn’t think you were keen on Gray? Awful stats!

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Fixtures are decent. He's also taking up very advanced positions. He's better than Mbeumo at least!

          I'd go Gallagher ofc.

          1. Eat my goal!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Ha, I’m considering the switch shortly!

          2. TheTinman
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Jonty talked quite a bit on scoutmaster about keeping Toney through this run unless you have absolutely nothing else to change. Guess Mark is thinking similar.

      2. zes
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Probably thinks prioritising Lukaku + a Chelsea defender is the better move

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          He already has Lukaku and James. There is little else to do except improve that midfield slot...

      3. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Using money on 5.0 mids is a waste of transfer resources

    • Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Lukaku warming up

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Injury incoming

    • Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Jota or Greenwood out for Sarr?

    • El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Ofc ESR delivers when it doesn't matter...

    • Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I just keep reminding myself Mark loved Torres and that nothing has been proven yet. If he starts nxt match, then we know he's the preferred #9

      1. TheTinman
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I still think Torres is a good option.

        On FPL Wire Lateriser said about Torres owners that they knew he would get benched now and then but still got him. So they shouldn't be so weak as to remove him after one benching.

        I wouldn't pick him because I like all my players to play. But he is absolutely right, he is a viable option but you have to roll with the benchings!

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Isn’t the issue with Torres is 2 tricky Games coming up and others like sarr hsve good fixtures?

          1. TheTinman
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Torres is a long term pick. You have to hold him a long time to ride out the benching. City can score 3 goals vs anyone.

    • CroatianHammer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Reece's pieces on the right of a back 3... shouldn't be too worn from that I imagine. Could start this weekend.

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

        Christensen & Azpi both rested.

      2. Yozzer
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I wouldn't be so sure

      3. TheTinman
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        No chance he starts on weekend. I think the theory is Azpi is a better choice RWB against the stronger teams as he is more defensively secure.

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Yet James started against Liverpool

            1. TheTinman
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 6 months ago

              I know. I'm actually warming to the idea of double city or double Liverpool and forget the Chelsea wing backs. Or if I went Chelsea probably Rudi and Azpi

            2. Hazz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 6 months ago

              Silva wasn't ready, was he?

        2. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Just moved him to my bench. Got lucky with no cameo this week, rather not risk it again.

      4. Ayzay112728
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Anyone considering kovacic for gw7+, is he likely to keep up this level of productivity?

        1. TheTinman
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          21 goals in 417 career appearances.

          So that's roughly 1 goal on 20. Your choice.

        2. Salarrivederci
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          I am actually. If I knew he was going to start every match I would get him. That price and those fixtures are lovely when you are fitting in all four of TAA, Salah, Lukaku & Ronaldo

        3. Kun Tozser
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Passes the eye test for the price tag