FPL Gameweek 6: Fantasy Premier League tips, captain picks and transfer strategy for the weekend

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The Premier League machine grinds on with Gameweek 6, and it feels like the calendar has been deliberately designed to make Fantasy managers sweat. Brentford v Manchester United is the Saturday curtain-raiser, Newcastle v Arsenal headlines a heavyweight Super Sunday, and Everton v West Ham under the lights on Monday rounds it all off. For Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players, the storylines write themselves: can you dodge the early kick-off curse, resist the lure of too many Arsenal assets in a clash with Newcastle, and find the right captain in a week where both Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland stare you down?

The slate beyond those headlines isn’t shy either. Manchester City host Burnley at the Etihad, Liverpool make a tricky trip to Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest head to Sunderland with Chris Wood still trying to remind us why he’s worth the punt. The week looks like a mixture of obvious captaincy plays and sneaky differentials—exactly the kind of round where one bad decision can feel catastrophic, but one good one can see you vault up your mini-league.

Below, we’ll break down the fixtures, the standout players, the one transfer that makes sense for your squad, and the final XI we’re backing for the weekend.

Reading the fixtures and the FPL fixture difficulty

The fixture of the week for captaincy is undoubtedly Manchester City v Burnley. Haaland already leads the league for shots in the box and big chances, while Burnley have conceded more expected goals than anyone else (10.93). It feels almost cruel, but this is the kind of match-up that forces your hand.

Liverpool at Crystal Palace, however, is trickier. Palace have conceded just two goals so far, but Salah remains the central playmaker and finisher for a Liverpool side that top the league for goals scored (11). The armband here isn’t madness, but it’s certainly more about floor than ceiling.

Newcastle v Arsenal, meanwhile, is a clash of solidity rather than fireworks. Arsenal’s defence has been watertight, conceding just two all season, and Newcastle’s attack has stuttered with only three goals so far. If you were hunting for FPL differential picks, this isn’t the match to double down on.

Everton against West Ham is where things get more interesting. Iliman Ndiaye has become a steady source of returns at Goodison, while Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paquetá remain West Ham’s most reliable point-scorers. But the real value lies in West Ham’s backline: El Hadji Malick Diouf, with three assists already at just £4.4m, is as good a budget defender as you’ll find. His team-mate Dinos Mavropanos is quietly collecting defensive points too, making them genuine Fantasy football bargains.

Captaincy nerves: Salah, Haaland, and the temptation to punt

Let’s get straight to it: Haaland is the obvious captain this week. His numbers are absurd—20 shots in the box, 10 on target, six goals already—and he’s facing the team with the weakest defensive data in the league. The only wrinkle is the yellow flag for a back issue, but all signs suggest he’ll be available.

If that uncertainty makes you sweat, Salah away to Palace is the calmer option. He leads Liverpool in shots on target, has created more big chances than anyone else in his squad, and Liverpool remain the most prolific attack in the league. It’s a safer captain pick, though not quite as explosive as Haaland at the Etihad.

For those chasing rank, Chris Wood against Sunderland is the kind of rogue shout that either makes you a genius or a meme. He leads Forest for xG and shots in the box, but Sunderland’s defence has been robust so far. Proceed with caution unless you genuinely enjoy the chaos.

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Team analysis, key players and expected roles

In midfield, Salah is non-negotiable and Kudus is starting to look like the spark that can haul against anyone. His seven points last week underline why you keep faith. Enzo continues to tick over, and while his attacking ceiling is modest, his minutes security makes him a useful cog. Longstaff is never going to thrill, but his reliability is worth its weight in gold in weeks where rotation runs wild.

Defensively, Marcos Senesi is turning heads. Nine points last week remind us why he’s one of the best Fantasy football bargains in the game: steady defensive contributions, bonus potential, and occasional attacking involvement. Diouf is another gem, offering attacking returns from full-back at a rock-bottom price. Dorgu remains serviceable, while De Cuyper and Kayode are better left on the bench given their fixtures.

Up front, Haaland is the immovable object, while Chris Wood is still worth the gamble with Sunderland and Burnley next on the fixture list. The problem is Hugo Ekitike. His eight points last week looked promising—until he whipped his shirt off, earned a red card, and got himself suspended. Classic FPL cruelty.

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Injury notes and minutes watch

• Haaland: Yellow-flagged with a minor back issue, but expected to start.
• Ekitike: Suspended after last week’s celebration red. Needs replacing.
• Palmer: Groin issue keeps his minutes risky—best avoided for now.
• Frimpong: Still easing back; rotation risk.
• Cherki: Out, leaving Enzo safe for minutes.

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Chip talk: Bench Boost, Wildcard restraint and FPL deadline tips

This is not the week for a chip. Bench Boost doesn’t work when you’ve got Kayode, De Cuyper and Scott warming the pine. Wildcard feels premature with the squad largely intact and only one fire (Ekitike). Triple Captain Haaland is tempting against Burnley, but the yellow flag and future double gameweeks make it reckless. The best Fantasy football strategy here is restraint: fix the obvious hole and roll with your core assets.

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Our Fantasy League Current Team

The Goalkeeper Fix

Nick Pope continues in goal. He may not rack up clean sheets every week, but his save points and bonus potential make him reliable. Kelleher is bench cover only.

Defence: Senesi leads the line

Senesi is locked in after his nine-point return. Diouf starts again, offering attacking width and cheap stability. Dorgu fills the third slot. De Cuyper and Kayode remain benched.

Midfield: Salah wears the armband

Salah captains the side away to Palace. Kudus adds attacking invention, Enzo provides steady minutes, and Longstaff keeps his place. Scott sits on the bench as emergency cover.

Forwards: Haaland and Wood, with a new partner

Haaland stays vice-captain. Wood continues despite modest returns, because the fixtures are too kind to ignore. The suspended Ekitike is moved out—this week’s transfer brings in Richarlison, who faces Wolves and then Leeds in back-to-back fixtures. His form and shot volume make him the perfect replacement.

Bench Order and Weak Links

Bench: Kelleher, De Cuyper, Scott, Kayode. The weak spots are the budget defenders and fifth midfielder, but they’re there for cover only. The front three upgrade transforms the squad from fragile to competitive.

Suggested XI for Gameweek 6

Pope; Senesi, Diouf, Dorgu; Salah (C), Kudus, Enzo, Longstaff; Haaland (VC), Wood, Richarlison.

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Final Thoughts and FPL Tips

The transfer priority is clear: replace Ekitike with Richarlison. This gives you a front three that mixes explosiveness (Haaland), fixture upside (Wood), and differential potential (Richarlison). Senesi should be trusted to deliver steady points at the back, and Salah remains the standout captain with Haaland the obvious vice.

Fantasy football advice for your squad this week is simple:

• Captain Salah for safety, vice Haaland for upside.
• Play Senesi every week until further notice.
• Hold Wood through the next two fixtures.
• Keep Enzo and Longstaff as steady floor players.
• Don’t waste chips yet — patience will be rewarded.

If Salah blanks and Haaland smashes Burnley, you’ll curse the armband choice, but that’s FPL: equal parts strategy and suffering.

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