Holly Shand from Fantasy Football Community returns with captaincy corner and her three player picks in three positions for Gameweek 6.
Gameweek 5 provided yet more pain for myself and many other managers, with another captaincy blank. Sterling failed to deliver in a seemingly shining fixture against Norwich and De Bruyne barely made it onto the pitch. Fortunes were a bit better for those that went with Kane and Aguero, with Salah ending up the standout performer. He grabbed a goal and swept in to grab all three bonus points in Liverpool's game against Newcastle.
We come to an important stage in the season, as attention for our top six sides turns to their respective European competitions. Sides are in action across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with Manchester City in Ukraine on Wednesday night and Arsenal in Germany on Thursday. It's a quick turnaround for some and a warning for anyone who's tempted to use an early transfer. Things aren't any better in the midweek after Gameweek 6, with sixteen sides involved in Carabao Cup third round action: only Burnley, Newcastle, Norwich and Crystal Palace failed to progress.
Captaincy Corner
The shield pick is likely to be the most captained player of the week, allowing you to play safe and keep pace with the pack. The sword pick will be a less popular selection: if they perform it can shoot you up the overall rankings, but the risk from failure is higher.
Shield Pick: Raheem Sterling vs Watford (H)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 4/7
Sterling remains the highest owned attacker in the game, and despite a pair of blanks, he's likely to be the most captained once more heading into Gameweek 6. A home game against bottom of the league Watford is a mouth-watering prospect: Sterling hasn't turned into a bad player overnight, we saw how on form he was during the international break, and more fantasy returns should be just around the corner. The five goals from the opening three gameweeks seems like a distant memory now, but Watford are still struggling defensively despite a change in personnel. Sterling has the record against the Hornets too: in fact he hasn't blanked in four home games against them. It's five goals and one assist, including a hat trick in this fixture most recently in 2018/19. Will you play safe with the Shield Pick?
Sword Pick: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs Aston Villa (H)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 8/13
Aubameyang has gone under the radar this season, behind premiums Sterling, Aguero, Salah, De Bruyne and Mane in terms of either FPL points or popularity. However, it could be a wise move to give him the armband this weekend. His record so far this season is incredible, 100% returns in every game; with five goals and one assist to show for his exploits. It's a favourable fixture at home to Aston Villa, who at the last count had conceded the most shots in the Premier League. With Lacazette out for the foreseeable, Aubameyang is guaranteed gametime in his favoured position, front and centre of goal. He's managed 16 shots in five games, with nearly half of those hitting the target. Hopefully he will be rested midweek in the Europa League ahead of this game so that he's fresh and raring to go. As always, keep an eye on those Europa League minutes. Are you going to take a risk in selecting the Sword Pick?
Holly's Hopefuls
I share my top three players for each Gameweek, selecting one defender, one midfielder and one striker. These are players that I'm tipping for the FPL Dream Team and they could also make intriguing differential captain decisions for you to consider too.
DEF: Kyle Walker vs Watford (H)
During Pep's reign at the Etihad, Manchester City have conceded just three goals home and away to this Watford side and they certainly look the best bet for an assist this weekend. It's been a mixed start for the Champions from a defensive perspective, with just two clean sheets from five and Laporte's injury came as a hammer blow for them. That remarkable defeat at the hands of Norwich will certainly ensure Pep get's his backline whipped back into shape, and Walker looks to be a promising route into this defence. He's had two shots and five attempted assists this season, chipping in with an assist back in Gameweek 1 away to West Ham.
MID: Sadio Mane vs Chelsea (A)
Sadio Mane certainly looks like a force to be reckoned with again this season and it's tough work for fantasy managers to choose between him and Salah for the long-term. While many may be put off by the upcoming schedule, particularly this week, I'd recommend the Senegalese striker in this game. Klopp can't afford to rotate in such a big game and Mane is in blistering form: it's four goals and one assist from four starts, with a perfect record in away fixtures. This is certainly a positive for Liverpool, as Mane was less than convincing in away fixtures last season. Chelsea's defence isn't anything to write home about right now: Rudiger is seemingly injured again, with Emerson a doubt too and they've conceded 11 goals so far which is second only no Norwich.
FOR: Sergio Aguero vs Norwich (A)
There's a rumour that the Barnes train has derailed but there's still hope for more fantasy returns. Promoted Norwich are visiting Turf Moor, having conceded 12 goals in their opening five games: that's the most of any Premier League side. Despite putting up a tremendous effort against Manchester City last weekend, they won't have the home crowd to pull them through this one. Norwich are conceding three goals per game on the road this season. Barnes will be looking for a similar performance to the one in Gameweek 1, where he bagged a brace at home to Southampton. More of the same this weekend will be appreciated, as he looks to build on the four goals he's scored already.
Until next time…
Good luck!
Holly
Find even more Fantasy Premier League Tips over on Holly's website: Fantasy Football Community
