Need some last minute advice and transfer tips ahead of gameweek 6? We’ve got you covered.
Haaland (£15.3m) and Salah (£12.8m) resume their battle for the captaincy pick this week. Both will be eyeing big points this week and we could see a few hauls.
Haaland goes away to Newcastle and while the Magpies are usually better at home, they haven’t had a fantastic start to the season and City, especially Haaland, look highly motivated. Salah meanwhile has Wolves away, another vulnerable defence which could make for a great week for owners of the Egyptian King.
It’s not all about these 2 though; there are some alternative captain picks worth considering. Luis Díaz (£8.0m) is so far outscoring his teammate, Salah, and having been rested midweek looks set to come into the starting lineup fresh.
Saka (£10.0m) probably has the pick of the fixtures with a home game against Leicester. As an owner myself, I hope he does well but I favour one of the previous 3 due to the greater likelihood of a big score. Saka has been consistent but Arsenal’s style and Saka’s role doesn’t always lend itself to a big haul.
Chelsea host Brighton and while Palmer (£10.6m) and Jackson (£7.7m) could end up with some serious points, I personally wouldn’t be gambling on it.
Mbeumo (£7.2m) could be a great differential shout this week. With West Ham at home (a defence I think we should all be targeting) he could have a great day at the office. It’s more of a punt but could pay off big time.
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All of the above should be on your radar, either in your team or players to target (although I know it would be impossible to have them all sadly!).
Some cheaper options to be keeping and eye on are the likes of Semenyo (£5.6m) of Bournemouth. His next 2 fixtures are great (Southampton then Leicester) but he does have a tricky spell after that.
Smith-Rowe (£5.8m) remains a great budget option and, although the next few weeks are a bit mixed in terms of fixture difficulty, I think he’s generally a great long-term pick as a budget midfielder.
Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) and Everton have a great fixture run ahead so it could be the time to jump on him before the points start coming in and his popularity picks up. It’s a close choice between him and Chris Wood (£6.1m). Everton’s fixtures are probably better than Nottingham Forest but Wood has performed better so far in my opinion and looks more clinical in front of goal.
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Jamie Vardy (£5.7m) has a tough game against Arsenal this week so I probably wouldn’t bring him in yet but after that his fixture run really opens up. Throw in Welbeck (£5.8m) and you’ve got a good selection of potential cheap forwards to choose from. Bighton’s fixtures are tougher than the others but you may prefer to back the form of Brighton over the fixtures.
In defence, the sales of Gvardiol (£5.9m) have meant a price drop, with Rico Lewis (£4.7m) much cheaper and more attacking it makes sense to shift away. The Gvardiol money is better spent on the likes of Gabriel (£6.1m). He’s the best option in the Arsenal defence but don’t waste a transfer switching Saliba (£6.0m) to Gabriel, both are solid picks.
Ola Aina (£4.5m) remains another great cheap option in defence. He’s played every game so far and Forest have been pretty good defensively. Fixtures are decent too so at his price he’s a bargain and I’m surprised he’s not more highly owned.
Our transfer targets:
Raya in goal is without a doubt the best GK pick right now. He’s flagged but I expect him to play. Arsenal defence has been fantastic so a great long term pick.
Defence:
Trent gets the nod in defence with a great fixture against Wolves and his attacking threat it’s hard to ignore him.
Gabriel makes it in. He also has a great fixture and his threat from corners makes him both an attacking and defensive asset.
Lewis is my final choice – his price makes him irresistible and he may be tasked with helping fill in the midfield hole left by Rodri. There’s the risk of rotation and as a young player he could have his minutes managed.
Midfield:
Diaz over Salah primarily on price. It’s hard to pick between them but the price gap is so big it makes the decision for you.
Mbeumo of Brentford has a great fixture. West Ham have been poor defensively and Mbeumo is the main attacking threat. A bargain and has been so consistent already…and that’s before he’s had any penalties.
Bournemouth host South Coast rivals Southampton. Semenyo is the pick of the bunch, having already scored well and his involvement in shots and shot creating actions is so high that you’ve got to back him against bottom of the table Saints.
Saka feels like a no-brainer with the fixture but also his form. A shout for captaincy this week but only gets my vice-captaincy.
Forwards:
Calvert-Lewin and Wood have been discussed above. They represent great value and fixtures this week really favour them. A great week to have either…or both.
Haaland gets the captaincy and while I expect Newcastle to be no pushovers, Erling just looks unstoppable.
As nearly always, I’d love to include Watkins. Unfortunately his price just squeezes him out. There’s always ways but a compromise elsewhere as required.
Get your thoughts over to us, tell us what you plan to do and any questions you want answering to @FPLwithStu on X.
