We have had six games of FPL now – 15% of the season is gone. So, the focus of this review will be on what we know from those six gameweeks. I’ll be looking at each position and seeing who has scored the most points and what that means for a gameweek 7 wildcard before doing a quick gameweek 6 review.
Top scoring players
Top 5 goalkeepers for the season so far (and some others)
| Player | Points | Price | Notes |
| Pope | 36 | 5.1 | Excellent upcoming fixtures |
| Sa | 35 | 5.0 | |
| Henderson | 31 | 4.7 | Bad team, bad fixtures |
| Sanchez | 28 | 4.7 | |
| Pickford | 25 | 4.5 | HOW? They’re so bad! |
| The others | |||
| Ederson | 23 | 5.5 | |
| Mendy | 17 | 5.0 | Possibly injured |
| Ward | 8 | 4.0 |
As ever, the most expensive goalkeepers are not performing as well as the cheaper ones. It’s because they don’t get save points (Ederson) or their defences have been poor (Mendy, Alisson).
Newcastle’s defence have been excellent so I’m not shocked to see Pope in the top five. You can say he got 12 from his last game and say that’s a freak incident, but that’s his value. He can get save points and even bonus points unlike these “premium keepers.” His short term fixtures going forward are the best in the league right now. Likewise, Henderson has 10 points from penalty saves which is huge, again you might think this is not repeatable but his record suggests otherwise.
Sa and the Wolves defence have been underrated (by me too). Going forward their fixtures are very bad though. Pickford got an assist which is how he sneaks in here. I’d definitely avoid though. He can get save points like Pope and Henderson but the chances of a clean sheet are low as the defence in front of him are woeful.
Sanchez is a bit frustrating. He could get five clean sheets in the next ten. Or none at all.
Ward is a bastard. He tricked me. Or maybe I was an idiot for thinking the Leicester defence could get close to a clean. Glad I’m on Pope now.
Top 5 defenders for the season so far (and some others)
| Player | Points | Price | Notes |
| Cancelo | 33 | 7.1 | |
| Trippier | 30 | 5.2 | Excellent upcoming fixtures |
| Saliba | 29 | 4.8 | |
| Collins | 28 | 4.5 | |
| Gabriel | 27 | 5.1 | |
| The others | |||
| Perisic | 25 | 5.6 | Rotation concerns |
| Trent | 24 | 7.5 | Underperforming stats |
| James | 23 | 6.0 | Missed one game, underperforming stats |
The clearest thing here is that the defenders are not performing as well as we all might have expected. Five big defenders at the back feels bad to me. Grab Neco Williams and use him as bench fodder (never start him because Forest are appalling).
Cancelo sits top of this list but his underlying stats are a bit rubbish. If you moved off him for that reason I wouldn’t blame you. I would hold him, if only for structural reasons, but also because I still think he is one of the best defenders in FPL.
Trippier is super good. The Newcastle defence is solid, he’s on loads of set pieces and they have great fixtures. He is my key target for this week. I don’t regret selling him for what we thought were the hardest fixtures in the game but I do want him back.
Saliba and Gabriel benefit from a solid defence and both sneaking an attacking return off a set piece but fixtures turn bad relatively soon and Partey is injured. Again, I underrated Wolves defence and that’s how Collins makes it up here.
Perisic has just too few minutes otherwise I think he would be in the top five. With the fixture pile up I think we just have to get out. I was definitely a fool for moving James to him.
James and Trent are both under performing their attacking returns. James missed one game and Trent got subbed so their points totals should be a bit higher.
Top 5 midfielders for the season so far (and some others)
| Player | Points | Price | Notes |
| Gross | 42 | 6.0 | |
| Rashford | 40 | 6.5 | Out of position forward |
| MacAllister | 39 | 5.6 | |
| Rodrigo | 38 | 6.3 | Injured |
| Salah | 38 | 13 | |
| The others | |||
| Martinelli | 36 | 6.5 | |
| KDB | 35 | 12.2 | |
| Zaha | 31 | 7.2 | Out of position forward |
No 8.0 mids in the top five despite all the hype pre-season and these cheap guys have been outperforming the defenders too.
I’m still not very trusting of Brighton, I don’t understand how they are doing it. Gross and Trossard are the better options. MacAllister has snuck in here because of penalty returns but its not sustainable, especially given how deep he plays.
Rashford in my mind is the interesting one. If he keeps playing out of position striker then I want him. He is an excellent player and we noted him at the start of the season. As long as Ronaldo isn’t starting and United carry this form on then we should be looking here. He’s probably one of my targets soon. Zaha is also playing out of position striker and is more nailed on than Rashy.
Rodrigo is injured so not interested. Leeds other players, I’m not super convinced. I’d like some more information.
Martinelli is the most essential midfielder in the game in my mind, even though he sits just outside the top 5.
Salah vs. KDB is an interesting debate. See Joe’s piece from yesterday.
Top 5 Forwards for the season so far (and some others)
| Player | Points | Price | Notes |
| Haaland | 67 | 12 | God tier |
| Toney | 45 | 7.2 | Inconsistent |
| Kane | 40 | 11.4 | |
| Mitrovic | 39 | 6.8 | Consistent |
| Jesus | 33 | 8.1 | |
| The others | |||
| Watkins | 24 | 7.3 | |
| Mbeumo | 22 | 6.0 | |
| Isak | 9 | 7.0 | If he played all games at current rate, would have 27 points |
You can only have three but look at these returns.
Haaland is essential. I hate saying that anyone is essential but he is. He is outscoring everyone by a long way.
Kane could be a Salah replacement. I don’t hate that. But when you look at the value here in Toney, Mitro and Jesus I don’t see how you fit Kane in.
There is some talk of the ideal front three being Haaland, Toney and Mitro. I just don’t see how you don’t have Jesus in there. I think he’s a better player than Toney and Mitro. Plus, Toney’s returns are certainly less consistent than Jesus. So, I still favour a Haaland, Jesus, Mitro/Toney attack. I will change Toney to Mitro when Brentford’s fixtures get worse and Fulham’s improve.
Team structure
Firstly, looking at formation, it seems clear that five at the back has been a mistake. Too many forwards and mids are delivering so the optimal formations are more likely 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 3-4-3 or 3-5-2. Classically, 3-4-3 was the formation that we would all go for so its quite nice to see that be very viable again.
I am personally most in favour of 4-3-3 at the moment. I feel like it leaves me with 3-2-2 players who are excellent and one slot each to jump on the flavour of the month.
Secondly, looking at price points. This is hard because basically everyone is affordable. But, let’s assume you have two premium players in midfield and/or forwards and Trent and Cancelo. Basically everyone else who is worth owning is in that 5.0-7.5 range. You don’t need 8.0 mids, 10.0 mids or 10.0 forwards. At the back, you can even spend less than 5.0 and find value.
I don’t want to join everyone and moan a lot about prices again but there have been some pricing mistakes in FPL towers that make this viable.
If I was looking to wildcard, I would definitely have three up top. I think I would play 4-3-3 and my team would be:
Pope – Ward
Trent – Cancelo – James – Tripper – Neco Williams
Salah/KDB – Rashford – Martinelli – Andreas – Bailey
Haaland – Jesus – Toney/Mitro
That’s affordable to me and looks like this with prices (taking the most expensive where there is an option).
5.1 – 4.0
7.5 – 7.1 – 6.0 – 5.1 – 4.0
13 – 6.5 – 6.5 – 4.5 – 4.7
12 – 8.1 – 7.2
Total – 101.1
Quick notes from Gamweek 6 games
| Brentford | v.s. | Fulham |
| Patience is a virtue. Ivan Toney delivered a hat trick for all those of us who owned him and were begrudgingly looking at Mitro. He’s a bit lucky but he had been unlucky in the last few weeks so it all comes out in the wash. This is what you should expect from less than premium asset.
Brentford defence still sucks.
Mbeumo okay as a cheaper forward.
| Mitro is good.
Pereira is cheap and okay as your first bench player.
No other options. | |
| Forest | v.s. | Bournemouth |
| Gibbs White putting in a lot of balls, on corners too. Could consider for good fixtures in a deep draft league.
Neco Williams very far advanced. Terrible defence though. Wouldn’t start him but like as a bench option.
No other options really.
| Billing shot was outrageously good. He was a good attacking asset for them in the Championship.
Solanke’s goal was also excellent. Everyone loves an overhead kick.
Only to be considered in a deep draft league with a good fixture. | |
| Chelsea | v.s. | West Ham |
| Auba has a broken jaw. Unlikely he starts soon but should be first pick on your waivers in draft. Could be very valuable.
Bad defence. Only James should be considered and only because of his attacking output and glad to see him back at RWB. Can hold Cucurella for similar reasons but Chilwell minutes make him worse.
Sterling largely absent from the attack.
Havertz is too expensive for his (potential) returns.
Cannot believe RLC plays and Mount sits on the bench.
| Antonio finally scores but only because of shambolic defence.
Delighted to see Cornet play but need to see some consistency. Ridiculous that his goal was VARed off.
| |
| Spurs | v.s. | Fulham |
| Bad for Kulu that he missed a start. Don’t like that in an 8.0 option.
Son finally looked threatening. Of course he still didn’t score.
Richarlison could have had two returns but until he starts consistently we can’t buy him.
Kane is very good. But just not as good as Haaland.
| Mitro is just a ridiculous option. He basically scores every game. Super valuable if you need consistent returns to win a head to head league. Low ceiling as they didn’t create enough good chance for him.
| |
| Aston Villa | v.s. | Man City |
| OMG! How does Ramsey not get at least a shot off. Terrible touch. Watkins deserved an assist.
Leon Bailey is a troll. If you are on Wildcard, I don’t hate him as your 4.5 midfielder on the bench. Yes, he’s 4.7 but that’s not much difference. I wouldn’t start him though. Or any Villa assets right now.
| Kyle Walker should pass. He’s never been a good attacker despite being rapid. Feels like a waste of 5mn right now when you can have Trips who has a chance of an attacking return.
KDB and Haaland are good aren’t they? Crap goal keeping but still. | |
| Wolves | v.s. | Southampton |
| Szaladzjaic and Jimenez injured.
Neto missed. Shock.
Podence was in the box by himself and I genuinely thought he was going to miss. That’s how convinced I am of their terrible attacking form.
| Che Adams missed an open goal.
Nobody looked good or particularly interesting.
Perfectly apt descriptor of Saints in FPL. | |
| Everton | v.s. | Liverpool |
| Maybe Pickford is the best 4.5 GK?
I guess Maupay is okay in a deep draft league.
Patterson fine as a 4.0 bench fodder. | Yeah. This is concerning that they can’t breakdown this terrible team.
Trent off on 58 mins was disastrous for us. Robbo rotated. As I keep saying sell him if you own him.
| |
| Newcastle | v.s. | Crystal Palace |
| Pope was incredible.
Like this defence. Trips the obvious standout but would take Botman or Schar.
Isak looks great.
| Zaha was playing very wide. I didn’t like that for him as an FPL option. | |
| Man United | v.s. | Arsenal |
| Was shocked to see Antony start and even more shocked that he was good. Hated his OTT celebration.
Dalot looks great for 4.4.
I’m back in on Rashford. I’ve always thought he was great and wasted out wide. Hope he stays there and they don’t rotate for Europe.
I also love Eriksen but not yet convinced by his fantasy value. | Don’t love this defence without Partey.
Martinelli is elite. Shouldn’t have been VARed but probably a foul just not a clear and obvious error.
Still like Odegaard but he really fluffed one.
Jesus looked okay. Certainly enough for me to hold.
Saka was everywhere but he just doesn’t deliver enough value versus his team mates who are cheaper.
| |
| Brighton | v.s. | Leicester |
| Gross and Trossard again.
Estupinian missing so not an option anymore.
I don’t think March or MacAllister are worthwhile. They just play too deep and aren’t good enough. Can see why you might have Mac in a draft – he could be the new JWP.
Welbeck not good enough unless in a deep draft. Even then, he’s probably on your bench.
| Leicester defence is truly awful. The team looks like they hate each other.
Daka and Iheanacho start and deliver. |
My team
Number one target is Perisic out for Trippier but I will be waiting for European games. I could bring in James instead but I may as well wait until after the Liverpool game now, and its not like Chelsea defence is setting the world on fire. Odegaard out for Rash is tempting but I don’t think it’s a priority.
Captaincy currently on Haaland, vice on Jesus. As above we know Wolves has a solid defence so I just don’t love Salah this week. I will think about capping Jesus as they play everton who are appalling.