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Welcome to the Gameweek 6 FPL Staff Roundtable, RotoBallers! The title clash between Man City and Arsenal delivered an instant classic. It'll be interesting to see if either team has a hangover from such an intense battle.
There's more European football and EFL Cup action during the week. As a result, FPL managers should be patient with their transfers until they know potential additions to their squads have received the all-clear and played a healthy 90 minutes.
The Gameweek 6 deadline of the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League season is Saturday, September 28, at 6:00 a.m. EDT, when Newcastle and Man City clash. Also, check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every EPL and UCL slate with our DFS lineup picks and betting picks.
Fantasy Premier League Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 6 Preview
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the minds of our FPL writers. Our top soccer writers will answer questions each gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So, without further ado, let’s kick off Gameweek 6!
It’s looking like a popular week for Wildcards. Who would be three must-have players in your squad if you activated the chip?
Euan Leith: David Raya (£5.6m) offers the cheapest route into the Arsenal defense. Meanwhile, Emile Smith Rowe (£5.8m) is the strongest of the sub-£6m midfielders. Upfront, it would take some guts to go against Erling Haaland (£15.3m).
Jamie Steed: You have to bring in Erling Haaland if using the Wildcard. It may be your only chance if you don’t already roster him. I’d also ensure Bukayo Saka (£10.0m) is in my squad. He’s assisted in all five games and hasn’t really clicked into top form yet. If you go that route, you’ll need a cheaper option, so I’ll keep hyping up Emile Smith Rowe (£5.8m) as my third must-have player.
The FPL Manual (Wale): I would prioritize selecting an Arsenal defender like Gabriel (£6.1m) for their defensive solidity, Cole Palmer (£10.6m) for penalty duty and favorable back-to-back home fixtures in Chelsea’s next two matches, and Luis Diaz (£7.9m) due to the Colombian international’s hot form for Liverpool.
Are you going to be playing your Wildcard in Gameweek 6? 🃏#FPL pic.twitter.com/ffkCF49tA9
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) September 25, 2024
Over the next six gameweeks, what is one team that has attractive fixtures to attack on a Wildcard?
Euan: It's not the most-hyped squad out there, but Everton has a decent run. They face two promoted sides (Ipswich and Southampton) in the next four, and their two hardest fixtures versus Crystal Palace and Newcastle are at Goodison Park. It's time to invest in the Toffees.
Jamie: If we’re looking at the top teams with the best collective fixtures, Gameweek 7 is appealing. Arsenal hosts Southampton, while Manchester City is home to Fulham. Liverpool travels to Crystal Palace, which is good but not great, but there’s enough fantasy appeal from those three fixtures alone.
Wale: After back-to-back away games against Manchester City and Tottenham, Brentford is looking like a great investment for FPL managers. The Bees have a favorable run of fixtures over the next six gameweeks, with the only major challenge being a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United—a contest they could still navigate successfully.
After scoring eight goals last year, Luis Diaz already has five for this campaign. Where does he rank on your wishlist?
Euan: High. Fifty-one points through five games is remarkable for the Colombian. Arne Slot has unleashed something in Luis Diaz this season. The only question mark around his slot in my team comes with the possibility of rotation, as Liverpool has multiple options along the forward line.
Jamie: He’s near the top, for sure. I don’t like “buying high” where possible, but it’s obvious that Diaz is an integral part of how Arne Slot wants to play. If he can avoid injury, he will finish as a top-10 midfielder this season.
Wale: Luis Diaz is very high on my watchlist at this moment. The 27-year-old has made himself a mainstay in Arne Slot's team and is banging in goals for the Reds. I can’t recommend him enough, especially for those on a wildcard this week.
Luis Diaz has made an excellent start to the season ⭐️
Is he your preferred Liverpool midfielder? 🤔#FPL pic.twitter.com/ubqNHJPNAw
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) September 25, 2024
Despite accumulating 2.8 xGI this year, Eberechi Eze has only one return. Should we remain patient with the Crystal Palace star?
Euan: The Eagles talisman is in my squad, and I remain patient. Crystal Palace is experiencing growing pains after losing some key players in the summer, but things can start to turn around with a game versus Everton this weekend.
Jamie: We should, although Palace doesn’t get a nice run of fixtures with which you’re starting Eze for a few games in a row. Palace and Eze seem to be missing Michael Olise, and that isn’t going to be fixed easily, so tempering expectations is wise. He’s not among the top-tier options for me anyway.
Wale: There’s still a chance that Eberechi Eze (£6.9m) could reward the managers who have held onto him. However, with Crystal Palace winless in their first five matches, it might be time to switch to other in-form players offering strong performances at a lower price.
Besides Eze, who is one player you would “buy low” on in FPL?
Euan: Bruno Fernandes (£8.3m) has the eight-highest expected Goal Involvement mark (3.18 xGI) in the game through five gameweeks but is tied for 87th in FPL points. Meanwhile, Bryan Mbeumo has a 3.04 xGI and 34 FPL points. Bruno is a massive buy-low candidate.
Jamie: Rasmus Højlund (£6.9m) came off the bench for his first appearance of the season on Saturday. Manchester United’s next two games aren’t ideal, but they will also give Højlund a chance to regain some match fitness and sharpness before the fixtures become much more fantasy-friendly.
Wale: Morgan Rogers (£5.2m) could be a budget asset worth considering. The Aston Villa midfielder was quiet in the first four matches but found his form last weekend with two assists in a win against Wolves. With secure minutes and rising expected assists, the Englishman looks like a valuable addition to your fantasy team.
After failing to return in the first four #FPL Gameweeks, Morgan Rogers claimed a double-digit haul in GW5 to the delight of his faithful owners 📊@FPLFocal explains how you can expect much more from the @AVFCOfficial asset in the latest episode of Off The Bench 🎧
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) September 23, 2024
Who is keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 6?
Euan: Despite conceding the fourth-fewest expected Goals (5.19 xGC), Aston Villa hasn't kept a clean sheet this season. That'll change in a road contest versus Ipswich Town. The Tractor Boys' three goals are the second-fewest in the league.
Jamie: Arsenal at home is an obvious choice. I’ll be going a bit more outside of the box and backing Everton at home to Crystal Palace. The Toffees should welcome Jarrad Branthwaite back (£4.8m), and Palace has scored just four goals in five games so far.
Wale: With only three goals conceded in their opening five league matches, Arsenal’s defense has been solid recently, keeping three clean sheets in those games. With their next game against a struggling Leicester City squad, I back the Gunners to keep a clean sheet in Gameweek 6.
What defensive player is providing attacking returns?
Euan: Southampton's Sugawara Yukinari (£4.5m) has produced at least 0.2 xGI in three of his five games this year. The 24-year-old has also played 90 minutes in three straight matches. His opponent, Bournemouth, has conceded the fifth-most goals through five games.
Jamie: Pick an Arsenal defender, and you could bag a return. I’ll go with Ben White (£6.4m) this week. He was a surprise omission from the starting XI against Manchester City but came on at half-time, easing any concerns about an injury. I expect him to return to the lineup this week and be a threat in the final third.
Wale: I’ll be backing Ipswich defender Leif Davis (£4.5m) this week for attacking returns. The Tractor Boys are a solid side at home, and with Davis on set-piece duty, there's a strong chance he could help Ipswich get on the scoresheet this weekend.
Who's a midfielder or forward rostered on less than 10 percent of teams that will grab us those FPL points?
Euan: Man City's Savio (£6.5m) keeps producing. The Brazilian is in 1.6 percent of FPL squads and has three returns in three matches where he's played at least 46 minutes. He only played the second half in the EFL Cup on Tuesday and should be in line for another start on the weekend against Newcastle.
Jamie: Brentford’s Keane Lewis-Potter (£5.0m) picked up his first assist of the season on Saturday and led the team in shot-creating actions (three). He played as a wing-back on the weekend, but I expect him to be more advanced in a home game against West Ham and their leaky defense. Lewis-Potter is a perfect contrarian play on just 0.1% of FPL rosters.
Wale: Arsenal has been solid defensively, but the Gunners could also improve in attack. With Leandro Trossard (£6.9m) suspended in Gameweek 5, Gabriel Martinelli (£6.9m) might step up in his absence and score his first league goal of the season for Arsenal. Martinelli is my top differential for Gameweek 6.
West Ham have conceded the most xG in the Premier League this season (12.04). 😬 pic.twitter.com/ojEu961V6Q
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 23, 2024
Who is one player you want to have but can’t for the Gameweek 6 fixtures in Fantasy Premier League?
Euan: Snagging a part of the Arsenal defense is a priority moving forward, but I need to remain patient with my free transfers. It'll be one more week without any defensive Gunners for me, but Gabriel, William Saliba, and David Raya are on the watchlist for Gameweek 7.
Jamie: It’s not just West Ham with a leaky defense, as Ipswich’s 11.58 xGA is the second highest. That makes Ollie Watkins (£9.0m) a top play this week. I just can’t afford to bring him in without a complete overhaul of my midfield and defense to accommodate him.
Wale: I’d love to have Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya in my team from Gameweek 6 onwards, but I can't fit the Spanish keeper in without taking a hit or using my Wildcard chip. It would be great to have an Arsenal defensive asset in my squad; however, I might have to postpone that move until Gameweek 7.
Potential to score goals, claim clean sheets, and take home bonus points. What more could you ask for? 📊@FPL_Harry explains why @Arsenal's Gabriel should be firmly in your #FPL thoughts in the latest episode of Off The Bench 🎧
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) September 24, 2024
Who’s getting the Captain’s armband?
Euan: Wolves is tied with Everton for the most goals conceded (14) this year. Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) was kept off the scoresheet against Bournemouth last week. The Egyptian will be chomping at the bit to get his goal tally back up and running in Saturday's late game.
Jamie: Despite my concerns that Saka isn’t fully fit, playing at home against Leicester City is too tempting to turn down. Arsenal still miss their captain’s presence, but Saka can still provide another return.
Wale: I’m trying not to overthink it this week. Braut Erling Haaland is the only player with 10 goals in the last five league games and remains the top option for the armband based on current form and fixtures. I’m backing the 24-year-old Norwegian to score again against Newcastle this weekend.
What’s your bold prediction for Gameweek 6?
Euan: Man City puts four past Newcastle to show the difference in class between the two sides, but Erling Haaland only grabs one of the goals. Elsewhere, two of the six winless squads grab their first victory of the 2024/25 campaign.
Jamie: Bryan Mbeumo (£7.1m) is the highest-scoring midfielder of the week, bagging two goal involvements and a maximum three bonus points. And after scoring his fourth goal of the season, Jhon Durán (£6.1m) finally starts a game for Villa. And blanks.
Wale: The matchup between Everton and Crystal Palace is intriguing, as both sides have yet to secure a win this season. Given Everton's recent attacking displays, I expect goals and anticipate the Toffees will claim their first league victory over Crystal Palace this weekend.
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— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) July 18, 2024
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