As the Champions League and Europa League fixtures get underway, the challenge of getting the captain pick right each week increases. All of last seasons top six are involved midweek, with Spurs travelling to Inter Milan and Liverpool hosting PSG. Rotation is inevitable during this period, although Chelsea and Arsenal may be safer picks since they're unlikely to use their strongest lineup in the Europa League. As ever, it's important to keep an eye on minutes during midweek, including any early substitutions and potential injuries. This article has been written ahead of European fixtures, which may clear up or confuse matters further: look out on Twitter for the very latest information.🏆| Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd and Spurs are all involved in Europe before Gameweek 6. If you are able to, hold on to those transfers until Friday. https://t.co/l4N2QJXVsP#FPL pic.twitter.com/VeqLr6GB8d
— Fantasy Football Community (@FFCommunity_) September 16, 2018
Shield Pick: Sergio Aguero vs Cardiff (A)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 11/20With the highest ownership in the game, plus the most captained last time around, Sergio Aguero looks to be the most popular option going into Gameweek 6. He's the only player with an ownership over 50%. An away match against newly promoted side Cardiff, who are struggling against big sides, sounds enticing. But with Aguero currently yellow flagged with a knock, the risk of rotation is even greater than normal. He's had a fantastic start to the season, amassing 3 goals and 4 assists across the opening 5 games: but none of those returns have come away from the Etihad. Penalty duties could boost his output, particularly since Cardiff have conceded 3 penalties this season. Cardiff have tried to adopt a more positive attacking style against the bigger sides, but have conceded 7 goals in 2 games, in their match ups against Arsenal and Chelsea. There may be a risk involved, but will you join the masses and opt for the shield pick?Aguero 'could' feature in the Champions League. #MCFC https://t.co/4Fq6aAtYk7
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) September 16, 2018
Sword Pick: Mohammed Salah vs Southampton (H)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 8/15Salah has suffered a slump in ownership, but appears to be the standout captain option for Gameweek 6. He's scored in back to back home games, and as the key player for Liverpool, his chances of being rotated are slim. He could be a relative captain differential this weekend and has an excellent record against Saints: he managed 3 goals and an assist across the two games last season, including a brace in the home fixture. Are you going with the sword pick?GW6 @OfficialFPL captaincy next week will be a fascinating three-way race between Aguero (at Cardiff); Salah (home to Southampton) and Hazard (at West Ham). All could play in Europe midweek so long way to go but will be a difficult decision. #FPL #FPLCommunity pic.twitter.com/c7eL4r77Be
— Knish on Footie (@KnishOnFootie) September 15, 2018
Form Pick: Eden Hazard vs West Ham (A)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 19/20Eden Hazard has had a fantastic start to the season, and is the only player in the Premier League with 100% success rate of returns. He has 5 goals and 2 assists from 5 games, including double digit totals in each of the last two games. He also has penalty duties and faces a leaky West Ham defence. West Ham are finally on an upwards trajectory, after a tricky opening start to the season, but they've yet to keep a clean sheet. Traditionally, Hazard has a greater output at home but he will be a very popular option off the back of that hat trick last weekend. Will you select the form pick?The only #FPL player to return in every Premier League game this season... pic.twitter.com/qfVIh4OKb7
— Fantasy Football Community (@FFCommunity_) September 15, 2018
Fixture Pick: Sadio Mane vs Southampton (H)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 21/20Those managers who ditched Mo Salah in favour of Sadio Mane and some spare cash, will be feeling apprehensive ahead of this weekend. Giving Mane the armband could be a useful strategy to try and cover any potential Salah haul. His ownership is similar and he's started the season strong, with 4 goals in 5 games. Despite a blank last weekend, his underlying statistics are encouraging: he amassed 5 shots, including 3 on target and 2 attempted assists. A home game against his old club looks like an enticing proposition, although Mane has failed to hit the target against his former employers over the last 2 seasons. Are you going with the fixture pick?No goals, but Sadio Mane was in the thick of the action for #LFC on Saturday 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/BUw0mN4dsx
— Football FanCast (@FootballFanCast) September 17, 2018
Punt Pick: Theo Walcott vs Arsenal (A)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 10/3Another player facing his old club this weekend is Theo Walcott. The Everton man has managed some attacking returns this season, with 2 goals and 1 assist in 5 games, but many fantasy managers feel trolled by his recent slump in form. However, the Everton side will be boosted by the return of Richarlison following a ban. The Arsenal defence looks far from solid, having conceded 9 goals in 5 games and failing to keep a clean sheet. Will you take the punt?SCOUT: Theo Walcott was the most-sold midfielder of GW5 - over a third of the Everton winger's owners transferred him out#FPL #EVEWHU pic.twitter.com/0Qv14xj13W
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) September 16, 2018
Park the Bus Pick: Andrew Robertson vs Southampton (H)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 11/1 Clean Sheet Odds: 5/6With 3 clean sheets already, including in back to back home games, the Liverpool defence looks the safest bet for a shut out in Gameweek 6. Robertson hogs the bonus points and his attacking output remains intriguing: he has 2 assists, 6 attempted assists in the home games, plus he hit the crossbar last weekend. Interestingly, Liverpool kept clean sheets in their home and away games against Southampton last season. Are you brave enough to captain a defender?FEATURE 🔴 📝 by @jacklusby_ of @thisisanfield How Andrew Robertson emerged from the shadows to become Liverpool's secret weapon 💪 ➡️ https://t.co/MjwZxfHJBR#LFC pic.twitter.com/rUjIe5iqw4
— FourFourTwo ⚽️ (@FourFourTwo) September 14, 2018
Clueless Husband Pick: Josh King vs Burnley (A)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 9/4My Clueless Husband is putting his faith in King this weekend, off the back of an 11 point haul last weekend. It was a steady start for King, but he's now got penalties boosting his score, converting 2 spot kicks already. 2 shots on target last weekend is an encouraging sign and the Burnley defence are still struggling, having conceded 10 goals in 5 games. Will you side with my Clueless Husband? Until Next Week… Good Luck! Holly and her Clueless Husband Follow fplbet for weekly fantasy features... Follow @fplbet[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_6" layout="1_6" spacing="" center_content="no" hover_type="none" link="" mer_position="all" padding="" dimension_margin="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no" element_content=""][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]38 – Josh King has been directly involved 38 Premier League goals for Bournemouth (31 goals, 7 assists), 14 more than any other player. Regal. pic.twitter.com/WG1cottJcs
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 25, 2018