158. GW6 Recap: When Clever Gets Expensive

Average of 58. Coventry demolished Newcastle 4-1. Chelsea hammered Bournemouth. And I captained Harvey Barnes. Haaland next week. Default settings restored.

The average was 58. I did better than that. But I am disappointed with myself, and it comes down entirely to my captain choice.

I knew Isak and Gakpo were injured, so I moved them both on. I thought Fulham would do well, so I brought in Gonzalo. In midfield I had options. I wanted Saka, but I already had Odegaard and three Arsenal players in total. I thought about Mbeumo but talked myself out of it because the fixtures put me off. Same with Morgan Rogers. The fixtures looked good now but I was not convinced they would stay that way.

So I looked at Newcastle versus Coventry. I thought Coventry were not convincing yet and Newcastle were on and off. Their last result was a surprise. If this was an on weekend for them, I thought Harvey Barnes would benefit. So I brought in Harvey Barnes and made him my captain.

We all know how that ended. Coventry hammered Newcastle 4-1. Harvey Barnes scored nothing. Sven Botman scored what might be the goal of the weekend. I could have gone with Joao Pedro or Haaland, which is what I would ordinarily have done. This week I am going back to default settings. Haaland is my captain. This is what happens when you are too clever.

Bournemouth came back from the international break looking like they needed another holiday.

GW6 Match Highlights

Coventry 4-1 Newcastle

The highest-scoring match of the weekend and the one I had to wait nearly three days to see. My captain did nothing.

Coventry scored early with a penalty. Cherif got a brilliant goal after that. Then Nico Gonzalez gave the assist to Sven Botman and Botman rifled it in. It ended 4-1. I did not sleep well.

Van Ewijk, Silva, Thomas Andre, and Cherif had the assists. Rushworth had four saves and earned a bonus. Cherif took three bonus points. Nico Gonzalez two. Tzimas one.

Newcastle made the same kinds of mistakes they made a couple of weeks ago and were punished for it. I have now targeted Coventry twice and failed twice. I am done targeting them. They are at the turning point.

Fulham 1-2 Ipswich

The most disappointing match of the gameweek. Fulham in theory are playing promoted sides. In theory this should be manageable. Maybe it would have been with their old manager. I have raised concerns about Arbeloa on this podcast before, and when I have concerns about managers I tend to be on the right side. He is looking like the first manager to go.

I brought in Castagne thinking he would perform in this game, but he did not even play. Then Sessegnon scored a really good goal and everything looked fine. Until the 88th minute, when Ouattara scored a screamer. Both Ouattara's goal and Sessegnon's goal were genuinely excellent. Botman's is still better, but these would be two and three for goal of the week. Ouattara hit a beautiful long, powerful, driven shot. Then from a set piece O'Shea scored from a Jack Clarke assist.

O'Shea took three bonus points. Ouattara two. Iwobi one.

Fulham were wasteful in front of goal. Ipswich also missed chances. But here I am thinking: I should be targeting Fulham. I should be targeting Spurs. I am done targeting Ipswich.

Liverpool 0-3 Manchester City

Liverpool were understaffed. If they have their full squad available for the return leg, they will fare better. With what they had, I cannot even remember the striker's name. Koumas. Jason Koumas. Whoever he was, Liverpool tried and were not good enough.

We thought Man City might come in rattled from everything that surfaced during the international break. Instead they were ready. Haaland opened the scoring in a strange play, but he opened it. Doku came on for Ndiaye and did what he always does: cuts in from the left, gets onto his right foot, and puts in a beautiful curler. Cherki's goal was just magic. Brilliant patience, brilliant composure. He sliced and slid it in.

Gvardiol and Anderson had the assists. Haaland then scored 115 seconds after Gravenberch was sent off for a second yellow. Clean, correct. Not like the Man United situation, where Luke Shaw somehow stayed on while Bentancur at Spurs was sent off for reacting to being pushed. That result was justice. Bentancur should have done what Neymar does: rolled, waited for the red card to come out, and then returned calmly. Instead he reacted.

Liverpool were second best and understaffed. Doku took three bonus points. Cherki two. Donnarumma one, with six saves.

Other Results

Chelsea hammered Bournemouth, which came out of nowhere for me. I was convinced Man City would win that day and did not expect the Chelsea scoreline. Bruno Fernandes left his boots in Portugal.

Brighton continue to impress. De Kuyper and Gross combining saved my weekend.

Arsenal versus Leeds was competitive. Leeds were leading 1-0 at one point and unlucky not to take something from it. It ended 2-1 to Arsenal.

Man United versus Tottenham was terrible to watch. Both teams are dreadful in front of goal right now.

Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace drew 1-1. Yeremi Pino scored for Palace: his first Premier League goal in 19 games.

Stats of the Week

Barry has missed the most big chances this season: 10 of 13.

In their previous games, Hull had conceded nine big chances across five gameweeks. Against Everton, they conceded eight in a single match. That is the disruption that comes when a team loses rhythm after the international break.

Chelsea's attacking trio of Joao Pedro, Palmer, and Morgan Rogers is the second best right now. Ahead of them only is Gordon, Rafinha, and Yamal with 23 goals and 13 assists. Chelsea have 15 goals and 12 assists. Third is Harry Kane, Olise, and Diaz with 15 goals and seven assists. Fourth is Real Madrid: Bellingham, Vinicius, and Arda Guler with 10 goals and seven assists.

In the Man United match, it took Bruno Fernandes 23 minutes to complete his first pass against Tottenham. The longest he has ever waited to find a Premier League teammate.

Gross was the most transferred in player this gameweek and delivered six points. Joao Pedro has been involved in eight goals in five games. He might be Chelsea's lucky charm.

Solanke has scored four goals against Manchester United. Three of them have been at Old Trafford.

Both of Bruno Fernandes's goals this season have come from outside the box and both from the foot of Rice.

McGinn has scored or assisted in each of his last three games.

Yeremi Pino scored for Crystal Palace: his first Premier League goal in 19 games.

Brentford have been behind for just five minutes and 36 seconds this entire season. Every time they concede, they score within five minutes.

Since the start of May, no Premier League player has been involved in more goals in all competitions than Morgan Rogers. Six goals, seven assists.

Bobby Thomas is the only Premier League player to make 50 or more clearances this season. He made 52.

Joao Pedro has scored with five of his 13 shots this season, a conversion rate of 38.5%. The best of any player with at least five shots taken.

Jeremy Doku was the first substitute to score a goal, complete five dribbles, and win three fouls in a Premier League game since Iniesta did it in 2016 against Spurs.

Man City now have six straight wins, a run they also managed in 2021 and in the 2023 to 24 season.

Manchester United are the first side to play back-to-back Premier League games against bottom-of-the-table sides and fail to win both since West Brom in December 2017.

Since a goalless draw between Liverpool and Man City in October 2018, the 15 subsequent Premier League meetings have produced 46 goals, averaging 3.1 per game. This one finished 3-0.

Jordan Henderson scored two goals and one assist against Bournemouth. At 36 years and 115 days, he is the oldest Chelsea player to be directly involved in three or more goals in a Premier League match. The oldest for any side since Cristiano Ronaldo did it against Norwich in April 2022 at 37 years old.

Pascal Gross is the oldest player to provide an assist in three consecutive Premier League games since Ryan Giggs did it in February 2012 at 38 years and 68 days.

Only Emil Heskey against Derby County in April 1998 had previously opened with both a goal and an assist inside two minutes in a Premier League game. Henderson did it in 2 minutes 29. It is also the earliest Chelsea have ever been 2-0 up in a Premier League game.

Rice scored from outside the box for Arsenal. Since his Premier League debut in 2022, only James Maddison at 31% has scored a higher proportion of their league goals from outside the area. Rice is at 28.1%, nine of 32. Maddison is nine of 29.

Man United had 0.09 xG against Spurs. Spurs had 0.07 xG. They rank 17th and 20th respectively in the Premier League for xG per shot. That explains why it looked the way it did.

Arsenal and Leeds recorded eight offsides in total in the first half, five for Arsenal and three for Leeds. The most in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League game since Man United versus Aston Villa in 2023, which also had eight. Pure lack of sharpness.

Arsenal had six English outfield players: Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, Steve Bould, Tony Adams, Ray Parlour, and Steven Hughes. The first time since February 1999.

Player Performances: GW6

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

FPL Global Picture

Captain Choices

Best captains this gameweek: Joao Pedro, Palmer, then Haaland. Not the order most people expected.

Haaland has now extended his run as the number one captain choice to 39 consecutive gameweeks, even after 1.5 million managers dropped him as captain this week. On a day like today, when I gambled on Harvey Barnes, maybe it really is just better to stick with Haaland.

The top performer globally was Goran JK with 131 points. They used their triple captain on De Kuyper, who hauled 45 points with the armband on. No risk, no reward.

Most selected globally: Haaland | Most captained: Haaland | Most vice-captained: Raya

The overall standings after six gameweeks are tight at the top. Jake Crow Sliced Jam leads on 545 points, with just 27 points covering the entire top 16. Nobody has pulled away yet. Everything is still to play for.

The world number one is Jake Crow Sliced Jam, managed by Jasper Selvaraj. Seventy-seven points this week with zero transfers. Palmer as captain with 16 points, De Kuyper delivering 15, and O'Shea chipping in with 11. A calm, structured team sitting at the top of the world.

Top Transfers In

Top Transfers Out

I am keeping Schade close because it seems like a shoulder injury but I am not sure whether it is soreness or something more serious. I am watching before I decide.

Our League: GW6 Breakdown

Top Performers This Week

SAMBA BOYZ used their bench boost this gameweek. Their squad:

Fourteen points from the bench. They would still have been our top performer without the boost. Honest, balanced team.

Bottom Performers This Week

Chyullu Hills scored 19 points. This is an unmanaged team. Sifunamentals were the lowest active team with 30 points.

Boaz Ogallah got 31 points. Harry Potter 32. Santi Mark Uzamarki 33.

Most Points on the Bench

Amos Langat of Bees in the Trap left 25 bench points untouched: Verbruggen, De Kuyper, and Sangari all sat unused. Painful.

Transfers and Rank Movers

Eight wild cards were used. One bench boost. 117 transfers taken in total.

Biggest risers: Vibhav Naik +38 · xavinho stars +38 · Emmanuel Ogbogu +33 · The Unseen +31 · Brian Rutere +29

Biggest fallers: Fesko FC -42 · Ctrl Alt Dele -42 · David Mbugua -40 · Tomi Oladipo -37 · Charles Osano -36

Penalty points (most transfers): Edwin Aor -12 · Patrick Kaiser -12 · Wilson Ding -8 · Caleb Mundi -8 · Anton N -8

Most Owned Players in Our League

Captaincy in Our League

I was one of the Harvey Barnes two. I know.

Team Values

Highest:

Lowest:

Our Overall League Table

A new number one. Peter Kimmani leads on 463 points. SAMBA BOYZ made the most dramatic move, jumping 26 positions into the top ten. The gap between first and 96th is around 97 points. If you are sitting inside that gap, do not give up. We are on gameweek six with 32 weeks left to go. There is time.

GW7 Match Previews

Before the fixtures: there is Champions League and European football this week. Many of our teams have midweek games. Before you make hasty moves, especially if you are thinking about Haaland or Bruno, wait until Thursday or Friday. What happened to Brobbey and Gakpo during the international break can happen to players in Europe this week.

Everton vs Chelsea

Everton drew 2-2 with Hull. They created chances and could have done better. Chelsea took their chances and beat Bournemouth convincingly. In the last five, Everton have won twice and drawn three times: unbeaten in five. Chelsea have lost twice, won twice, and drawn once.

Chelsea are now in what feels like their 21st game without a clean sheet. But they are averaging 2.5 to 2.8 goals per game in the last five. Expect both teams to score.

From Everton: Barry, Tarkowski, and Dewsbury-Hall. From Chelsea: Rogers, Joao Pedro, and Palmer. If you have two Chelsea players, remove Palmer. Barry has missed the most big chances this season. If he finds his shooting boots, this could be the game.

Brentford vs Liverpool

Liverpool were hammered 3-0 by Man City but before that had won three and drawn once. Brentford are unbeaten in five with two wins and three draws. Head-to-head: Liverpool have won four, Brentford drawn one. If history holds, it is Liverpool's game. Recent form points to Brentford. Schade may be missing with a shoulder injury.

From Brentford: Thiago, Lewis Potter, and Yarmolyuk. If Schade is available, Schade. From Liverpool: Barcola, Wirtz, and Munoz. But do not captain from this fixture.

Fulham vs Hull

I have changed my view completely on this one. I initially got into Fulham players. Now I think Fulham are the side to prey on. Hull have started their season impressively and should be slight favorites.

From Hull: Gelhardt, Belloumi, and Grimes. From Fulham: Garcia, King, and Bobb. If King and Bobb stop being wasteful, they can score. Sessegnon scored a good goal. He could also be considered.

This fixture has historically seen only one team score in six of the last ten meetings. It has the makings of a low-scoring game. But Hull are playing better football right now and that is who I am backing.

Man City vs Ipswich

Europe is happening. Wait before you move. A lot of people want to triple captain Haaland for this game. It might be right. It is up to you to decide how easy you think Ipswich will be beaten, but Ipswich have not been pushovers.

Man City are unbeaten in the Premier League this season. Ipswich have won two and lost three in their last five.

From Man City: Haaland, Cherki, and either Doku, Semenyo, or Gvardiol. I am captaining Haaland. From Ipswich: Enciso, Leif Davis, and Emersonn.

Newcastle vs Aston Villa

I do not know what to expect here. Aston Villa have won three, drawn one, and lost one in their last five. Newcastle were beaten handily last time out and remain inconsistent. Their last five results: draw, win, loss, win, loss. Maybe the next game is a draw. It is evenly poised.

From Newcastle, you have Harvey Barnes, Wissa, and Gonzalez. Or Sven Botman, who scored a worldy last time. On the Villa side: Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson, and McGinn.

Bournemouth vs Sunderland

Both teams lost last time. They are of a similar level and both underperforming relative to last season. The difference is Sunderland kept their manager and Bournemouth did not. Bournemouth are also in Europe, so wait before committing.

Last five: Bournemouth won two, lost two, drawn one. Sunderland won two and lost three. When they played last season: one draw and one Sunderland win.

From Bournemouth: Evanilson, Tavernier, and Kluivert. From Sunderland: Isidor, Enzo Le Fee, and Angulo. He always looks like he is doing something. One of these days it will turn into actual points.

Brighton vs Crystal Palace

Brighton have won four of their last five. Outside Man City, they are the best team in England. They beat Arsenal 3-0. De Kuyper, Gross, and Verbruggen are their best players over the last three gameweeks.

Crystal Palace have won two, lost two, and drawn one. From Palace: Yeremi Pino, one of the wing backs, and Wharton Kamada. I am not using head-to-head here because the managers are too new to make history meaningful.

Leeds vs Man United

Leeds get the slight edge here, especially since they will have rested. Man United are currently losing to Atletico Madrid as I record this. They have lost two, drawn two, and won one in their last five. Leeds have the same record. Leeds played a very competitive game against Arsenal and were unlucky not to draw. Man United drew with ten-man Spurs and it was unwatchable.

From Man United: Cunha, Mbeumo, and Bruno. Though Bruno is too expensive right now for what he is giving. From Leeds: Bogle, Justin, Gudmundsson, and Calvert-Lewin.

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal

I am so disappointed with Nottingham Forest. I keep forgetting it is Glasner and not Espirito Santo. Different manager, different mindset, totally different output.

Arsenal have won four of their last five, losing only to Brighton. Forest have won one, drawn two, and lost two. Arsenal are heavy favorites. From Arsenal: Rice, Calafiori, and Saka. From Forest, if you must: Ndoye, Delap, and Gibbs-White.

Tottenham vs Coventry

The biggest trap fixture of the gameweek. It looks like the game Tottenham finally come back. It might look that way on paper. But on the ground, Coventry are the better team right now.

Fulham, Tottenham, and Bournemouth are the bottom three. Coventry sit 14th and have just had two impressive wins in a row. Tottenham looked decent against Man United until the sending off. Coventry demolished Newcastle.

From Coventry: Rudoni, Cherif, and Van Ewijk. From Spurs: Solanke has to score eventually. Tonali is an option. Kinsky if you believe in a clean sheet. Given recent form, I am backing Coventry.

Captain Picks: GW7

1. 1
   Everton vs Chelsea — Rogers, Joao Pedro, or Palmer from Chelsea. Or take a punt on Barry if he finally finds his shooting boots.
2. 2
   Brentford vs Liverpool — Do not choose a captain from this fixture. If you must: Thiago or Barcola.
3. 3
   Fulham vs Hull — Belloumi could really surprise you here. King or Garcia if Fulham finally wake up.
4. 4
   Man City vs Ipswich — Haaland. That is my choice and I am sticking with it.
5. 5
   Newcastle vs Aston Villa — Manzambi or Nicolas Jackson from Villa. On Newcastle, it is a gamble. Harvey Barnes could score two or they could get hammered 4-1 again.
6. 6
   Bournemouth vs Sunderland — Tavernier or Evanilson from Bournemouth if you are choosing from this fixture.
7. 7
   Brighton vs Crystal Palace — Gross, then De Kuyper, then Kostoulas. From Palace you can gamble with Strand Larsen or a wing back. But choose Gross over anyone from Crystal Palace.
8. 8
   Leeds vs Man United — Cunha, Mbeumo, or Bruno. Or gamble on a Leeds defender. A defender always seems to score in this fixture. Calvert-Lewin is also worth a look.
9. 9
   Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal — Calafiori is a great shout. Then Saka or Odegaard. Maybe Havertz if he is coming back. Do not choose a Forest captain.
10. 10
    Tottenham vs Coventry — If you are going with recent form, choose Cherif or Solanke. Coventry are my pick. They are either going to win or draw.

Fixture Difficulty: Next 5 Games

View the full fixture list →

My Assessment

The easy teams right now remain Man City, Brighton, Arsenal, and Chelsea. Get your players from those four and build supporting decisions around them.

Arsenal face Forest next, then Everton, Liverpool, Hull, and Newcastle. Hull and Everton could be awkward if disruptions continue, but this is a manageable run overall. Rice, Calafiori, and Saka remain the picks.

Aston Villa have Newcastle and then Man City. After that it opens up. I would look seriously into Villa after the Man City game. Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson, and McGinn are their best.

Bournemouth are a mess right now. The fixtures are good but they are not converting them. I am watching before I commit to any of their players.

Brentford have Liverpool first, which is not easy. Then Hull, Forest, Brighton, and Everton. A neutral run. One or two Brentford players would not be unreasonable if you have the space.

Brighton have Crystal Palace first, then Liverpool, Man City, Brentford, and Hull. It gets harder after Palace, but they just demolished Arsenal 3-0. I would not be dropping any Brighton players right now.

Chelsea face Everton, Tottenham, Man United, and Leeds. I need Morgan Rogers in my team. That is what it is looking like. If you have three Chelsea players, stay with them. They will concede but they will score.

Coventry have Tottenham, Fulham, Sunderland, Everton, and Crystal Palace. These fixtures look good given what they have been doing. I cannot fully name their key player yet, but by the Fulham game I think we will know. Cherif and Rudoni are the most identifiable right now.

Crystal Palace have Brighton, then Newcastle, Tottenham, Liverpool, and Coventry. I am not fully sold yet. I would wait until after Brighton and then look at the Newcastle and Spurs games as more manageable opportunities.

Everton face Chelsea and then Arsenal. Those are difficult games. I would not get into Everton players until after the Arsenal fixture. What comes after is better: Newcastle, Coventry, and Brentford.

Fulham need to win one of Hull or Coventry or I believe their manager will be sacked. If they cannot beat Hull and Coventry, they will not beat Aston Villa or Newcastle or Man City. If they do turn it around, Garcia, King, and Bobb are the picks.

Hull have Fulham, Brentford, Ipswich, Arsenal, and Brighton. Arsenal and Brighton are the toughest on that list. Everything else is manageable for them. Belloumi and Grimes are worth a look.

Ipswich have Man City first. Wait for that to pass. After that the run opens up. Enciso, Leif Davis, and Emersonn remain their best.

Leeds have Man United, Sunderland, Bournemouth, Tottenham, and Chelsea. I believe they can win four of those five. The Chelsea one is the only one that worries me. Bogle, Justin, Gudmundsson, or Calvert-Lewin are the options.

Liverpool have Brentford, Brighton, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, and Man United. Three or four of those could be difficult depending on how long the absences run. If they are long-term, I would not invest now.

Man City have Ipswich, then Aston Villa, Brighton, Forest, and Fulham. Fixture agnostic at this point. Choose your three and commit. Haaland, Cherki, and then rotate between Semenyo and Doku.

Man United have Leeds, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Liverpool. If you are on Bruno, get off Bruno. Downgrade to Mbeumo or Cunha and close your eyes.

Newcastle have Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, and Arsenal. Outside Arsenal, every one of those is winnable. But they are seesaw right now. They beat a team, they get hammered. They beat a team, they get hammered. Wait until they stop doing that.

Nottingham Forest have Arsenal, Ipswich, Brentford, Man City, and Bournemouth. I would not encourage you unless you firmly believe in Gibbs-White.

Sunderland have Bournemouth, Leeds, Coventry, Chelsea, and Aston Villa. They are hovering just above relegation. The Sunderland we are seeing this season looks like a team heading for the relegation fight, not the top half. They are in Europe too, which takes its toll.

Tottenham have Coventry, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Leeds, and Ipswich. Do not believe in them until you see something sustained.

Haaland is my captain. See you on Saturday.