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Welcome to Gameweek 6, Rotoballers! Just like the previous campaign, we are continuing our soccer coverage to include the great game of Fantasy Premier League. So, even if you are a seasoned veteran or a rookie navigating your first 38 gameweeks, we will set you straight. We're here to provide the advice to help you snag those weekend-making green arrows and avoid the doom and gloom of a red arrow.
Gameweek 6 kicks off less than 48 hours after Gameweek 5 ends, making for a hectic FPL landscape. The weekend starts with the Merseyside Derby as Liverpool tries to grab another three points from their rivals. Next, Aston Villa and their manager Steven Gerrard will try to stop the tidal wave of Erling Haaland goals as they welcome Manchester City. Finally, the gameweek ends with a historic rivalry entering a new chapter as Arsenal pays a visit to Manchester United.
The Gameweek 6 deadline is 6:00 am Eastern on Saturday, September 3. Also, check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the team gets you all set for every English Premier League and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS and betting perspective.
RotoBaller FPL Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 6
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the mind of our FPL staff. 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!
How did your teams fare during the madness of the first-midweek gameweek?
- Euan Leith: It was my best gameweek of the season, thanks to a particular Norwegian goal-scoring god. As my Captain, Haaland's 34 points helped me to 86 points and halved my overall rank.
- Jamie Steed: Pretty well. With Thursday's' game (and Sancho in my team) still to play, I got 82 points despite leaving Martinelli on the bench. That's' propelled me into the top 500k overall.
- Mark Kieffer:
- Brandon Wampler:
We've got five weeks of data to work with now. Which trend has you most hopeful or concerned about moving forward?
- Euan Leith: If Cancelo didn't score a goal with a 0.05 expected goals rating, I think the alarm bells would still be ringing for FPL managers. He was even subbed off! I'll watch how he and the City back line shake out with Champions League football coming to town.
- Jamie Steed: Last year's' joint top-scorers (Salah and Son) not firing is a worry, although thankfully, I haven't' rostered either. I'm' most hopeful that Newcastle's' solid defense, which began in the second half of last season, is continuing into this season, making a stack of Nick Pope and a defender a solid play most weeks.
- Mark Kieffer:
- Brandon Wampler:
- Euan Leith: I'm a big fan of Ivan Perisic, Keiran Trippier, and Neco Williams. They're all £5.5 million or below and have excellent underlying stats for attacking returns.
- Jamie Steed: As mentioned, Newcastle have been tight defensively, with only Manchester City, Liverpool, and Tottenham scoring more than once against them in 2022. You also have Wolves who continue to play out low-scoring games, so they should pick up regular clean sheets, and both have an abundance of sub-£5m options.
- Mark Kieffer:
- Brandon Wampler:
Erling Haaland is dominating in his first five games of Premier league life. Do you consider him a must-have right now?
- Euan Leith: If you want a chance of winning your mini-league, then yes. Haaland is on another planet now, and this City offense is dedicated to putting him in goal-scoring situations. Kane will get more minutes throughout the season, but Haaland scored six goals in 70 minutes between the last two games. How do how not bring him in?!
- Jamie Steed: Yes. As much as I hate going along with such a high consensus, you'll' probably find that 90% of teams in the top 500k places will have Haaland in their lineups, so you're' in danger of slipping away in the early season if you don't' have him rostered.
- Mark Kieffer:
- Brandon Wampler:
What was the most notable deadline day signing for you, and will you be bringing them into your FPL squad?
- Euan Leith: It was a little tame for a deadline day, but I am excited to see how Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fits into the Chelsea side. His tenure with Arsenal ended on sour terms, so I'm sure he'd love to return to London and show his former employer that he can produce.
- Jamie Steed: Antony at Manchester United is someone ten Haag knows well and could shine. Although, I'm' holding off on Manchester United players not named Jadon Sancho for now. Aubameyang at Chelsea is intriguing if he can recover his form as Chelsea desperately needs a main striker. And under the radar, Leander Dendoncker moving to Aston Villa could be a shrewd move. If he's' a regular starter, he can chip in with some goals and, at under £5m, is an excellent option if you go big elsewhere.
- Mark Kieffer:
- Brandon Wampler:
Who's keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 6?
- Euan Leith: Leicester looked a lot better in the second half against United, but it took a scuffed shot and an own goal from Fulham to beat the Brighton defense on Tuesday. Give me Sanchez to collect his fourth clean sheet of the year on Sunday.
- Jamie Steed: I've' already mentioned them, but both Wolves and Newcastle at home are solid options. I still struggle to see Everton scoring goals, and even at home to Liverpool, it's' hard to think the away side doesn't' win with a clean sheet to boot.
- Mark Kieffer:
- Brandon Wampler:
Which defensive player is providing an attacking return?
- Euan Leith: It's time for Andy Robertson to break out of this funk. Darwin Nunez will return for Liverpool and provide a target for both wingbacks. However, Everton has allowed the most chances down their right flank (Liverpool's left), and I believe the Scotsman will surprise the managers who've sold him recently.
- Jamie Steed: Kieran Trippier is someone I like each week. He's' on set-piece duties, already has a free-kick goal to his name, and at home to Crystal Palace, I'd' expect him to have some opportunities for a goal and/or assist.
- Mark Kieffer:
- Brandon Wampler:
- Euan Leith: If Haaland starts on the bench, then his teammate Kevin De Bruyne should be the odds-on favorite to lead the gameweek in FPL points.
- Jamie Steed: It's' hard not to keep returning to Haaland, given his form. I also think Salah is poised for a big game. After contributing nothing in their 9-0 victory against Bournemouth, he picked up an assist in midweek and has scored three times in his last two visits to Everton.
- Mark Kieffer:
- Brandon Wampler:
If you could bring in any player you don't have on your team for this gameweek, who would it be and why?
- Euan Leith: It's KDB. I'm still considering swapping him with Salah, to be honest, but the fixture against Everton is probably too tasty to pass up.
- Jamie Steed: Salah for the above reasons. There aren't' any real standout games where I think someone is primed for a big performance, and with the European Competitions starting next week, I'm' a little anxious about how certain teams might rotate their squads this weekend.
- Mark Kieffer:
- Brandon Wampler:
Who's getting the Captain's armband?
- Euan Leith: I said it on my podcast earlier this week, but I feel that Luis Diaz will thrive in the Merseyside Derby environment. However, if I chicken out and play it safe, I'll probably go with Mo Salah.
- Jamie Steed: I've' got to stick with Haaland. I don't' have any other options I like, except maybe Luis Diaz, so the safe play seems the best this weekend. However, I might pivot to Trippier if I feel a bit frisky on Saturday morning.
- Mark Kieffer:
- Brandon Wampler:
Finally, what's your bold prediction for this weekend's slate of games?
- Euan Leith: Mitrovic outscores Harry Kane in terms of FPL points.
- Jamie Steed: Arsenal drops their first points of the season at Manchester United. West Ham split the points away at Chelsea. And none of the six games that kick off at 3 pm on Saturday are won by the away team.
- Mark Kieffer:
- Brandon Wampler:
Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on Twitter @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
