We just finished our first set of midweek fixtures and the league table seems to be shaping up nicely. I guess we could say the same thing is happening in the Hive FPL mini-league, as we're seeing some teams establish themselves at the top of the log.
The 5th game week offered us a lot of exciting fixtures that gave us a lot to ponder over as we prepare our teams for the new game week. Here are some players that you should keep your eye on in the coming set of fixtures in the 6th Game week.
Everton vs Liverpool
Game week 6 kicks off with a derby as the Mersyside teams go up against each other in Goodison park. Both clubs have had very different fates in recent seasons as Liverpool struggles for top honours while Everton has been fighting the drop.
Derby days often brings out the best and worst of a team, and form is often a footnote of the spectacle that borders pride and banter superiority. Alas, winning the Merseyside derby could determine the mood at the workplace on Monday, and both teams know how important it is.
In recent times, Liverpool has dominated the fixture and a certain Mo Salah(13.0) has been instrumental in that period. If you're among the 52.9% of managers that have stuck with him throughout the season, you're probably going to be rewarded for the faith you placed in Mohammed.
Firminho(8.0) is also looking like an interesting attacking outlet to consider as the forward stakes his claim for the starting berth, particularly as Nunez returns from suspension. I expect the Brazillian forward to continue in the lineup and I think he will be among the goals.
I expect Pickford(4.5) to be very busy on the day and any chance of a smash and grab for Everton will rest on the shoulders of Gordon(5.5) and Iwobi(5.5) slotting in passes from deep. ** Harvey Ellio(5.0)** is also another differential option that you can add to your team as the young midfielder gets a run of games.
Brentford vs Leeds
Brentford and Leeds are two solid teams that have largely impressed so far this season. I expect a low scoring cagey affair with brentford slightly edging Leeds because of their home advantage.
The injury to Rodrigo(6.4) will definitely not make for good reading for the 20.7% of managers that still have him in their team. His injury could pave the way for Patrick Bamford(7.3) who had a 14-minute cameo against Palace. Jack harrison(6.1) will most likely be spamming crosses towards Bamford due to his Aeriel prowess.
For Brentford, it will be service as usual with the usual suspects involved in the game. The home side will be looking to take the game to Leeds, so most attacking plays will revolve around Toney(7.1). In any case, I don't think there will be too many chances in the game and I expect Raya(4.5) to keep a clean sheet at the end of the day.
Chelsea vs West Ham
Chelsea will be looking to bounce back from their midweek heartbreak against the Saints. Raheem Sterlings'(10.0) goal was not enough to save the Blues from the midweek blues. A visit by the struggling Hammers who recently strengthened their squad through the addition of Pacqueta() could be an opportunity for Chelsea to spark some life into their season.
I expect Sterling to be among the action in the misfiring Blues attack that has fielded the very underwhelming Havertz(7.1) in attack. Alas, the addition of Aubameyang(9.0) to the Chelsea squad will offer Tuchel an option that he is fairly familiar with and give Reece James(6.1) a better target for his crosses.
West Ham, on the other hand, will be looking to improve their own poor start to the season that sees them sit just one point above the relegation spots with only 4 points.The hammers were able to snatch a draw against Spurs at home, thanks to a fine combination between the very hardworking Antonio(7.2) and Tomas Soucek(5.4)
West Ham could count themselves unlucky in a fixture where they had numerous opportunities to actually snatch the victory but couldn't take their chance. Declan Rice(4.9) and Fornals(5.4) had opportunities to put the Hammers ahead and they will once again the very involved in any attacking move that West Ham make.
Newcastle vs Crystal Palace
Newcastle and Palace are two teams that have the capacity to give any team a run for their money. Both teams have been at the cusp of upsets against both Liverpool and City this season and now they have to face each other in what I expect to be a one of the hottest fixtures of the week.
New signing, Isak(7.0) hit the ground running as he grabbed a 38th minute goal that was latter canceled out by Liverpool. The Swedish forward seems to have slotted in quite nicely to his new surrounding as Newcastle fought valiantly against Liverpool without injured pair Saint Maxime(6.5) and Callum Wilson(7.3) in the lineup.
The injuries in the Newcatle side will offer opportunities for Ryan Fraser(5.3) to stake his claim for the starting berth on the left while Almiron(5.0) continues to supply from the right wing.
Speaking of the wing, Michael Olise(5.5) was a constant threat for the 79 minutes he featured for Palace in their 1-1 draw against Brentford. He was hooked before the Brentford equaliser, so he got the cleansheet but I think he is due some attacking return.
WIlfred Zaha(7.2) was once again Palace's goalscorer as the Ivorian winger gets his tally up to 4 goals this season. If fit, expect Zaha to put up another impressive performance with Eze(5.5) supplying from midfield.
Spurs vs Fulham
Who would have thought that after 5 fixtures of Premier league football, we'll have Fulham going strong and only three points away from the Black Horse of the title race. Mitrovic(6.8) was once again caught in goal mouth action as he continues his impressive goal scoring record that spans all the way to Fulham's time in the championship.
The Serbian has already scored 5 goals in 5 matches that includes goals against Liverpool and Arsenal. Despite playing away from home, I won't write him off in this fixture against a Spurs backline that hasn't exactly looked tight at the back.
Andreas Pereira(4.6) is another interesting option in the Fulham lineup that offers decent attacking return for his price. Expect Leno(4.5) to be very busy in goal, as Spurs will be looking to bounce back from their poor showing against West Ham.
For Spurs, it is the usual suspect in Harry Kane(11.4) who has already scored 4 goals in five appearances for the North London white. Son(11.7) continues to search for his first goal and with only one assist all season, owners will be looking to cut their loss at some point. Kulusevsky(8.2) seems like better value for money, if you must stick with a Spurs attacker.
Wolves vs Southampton
Wolves position in one of the relegation spots doesn't tell the entire story of their season so far. There have been bright spots in this team that struggles to score but despite sitting in 17th, still has one of the best defences in the league.
Wolves' issues in front of goal continue from last season despite the best intent of some talented outlets like Neto(5.2), Jimenes(6.9) and Guedes(6.0). All the points have been skewered towards the Wolves defence and it is a trend I expect to continue in the fixture against the Saints because the Molineux is an almost impregnable fortress after conceding just one goal against the very impressive Newcastle United.
The Saints will be buoyed by their surprise victory against Chelsea and should be feeling positive about going up against a team that has only managed to score 2 goals in 5 game weeks. The Saints have only failed to score in match so far and I reckon they will be looking to grab another goal in this fixture against WOlves' stingy backline.
It will not be easy for the likes of Ward-Prowse(6.5), Aribo(5.5) and Adam Armstrong(5.5) to find a way through the Wolves backline. I reckon a setpiece might be route but don't write out Walker-Peters(4.5) and (Djenepo's(5.0) creativity from the full back position.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
There's no nice way to put it, so I'll just say it bluntly, Aston Villa are in for a home drubbing at the hands of Champions. The villains were completely outplayed by Arsenal at the emirates and now they face an even more lethal proposal from the visit of last season's Champions.
Haaland(11.9) is fresh off an incredible back to back hatrick that took his tally to 9 goals for the season. To put it into context, Haaland has scored more goals than pretty much every team in the bottom half of the league table.
The Pep roulette took KDB(12.2) out of the squad for the midweek fixture but I reckon the Belgian maestro will be back in the lineup for this away fixture. Julian Alvarez(6.2) and Mahrez(7.7) got rare starts where they both had goal contributions.
There's just so much quality in the City side and it makes it difficult to actually select starters. However, we know for sure that Cancelo(7.1) will definitely be involved and despite how City have conceded goals this season, the over 45% of managers that held on to the Portuguese fullback were rewarded for their patience.
Brighton vs Leicester
The Seagulls had their wings clipped by Fulham in their midweek fixture and they face a Leicester side that sits rock bottom of the league and bereft of all confidence. The Foxes are still winless this season, managing just one draw in their opening 5 games. It is safe to say that things haven't really been going according to plan for Brendan Rogers men.
Despite the loss at Fulham, Brighton will still be in good spirit as they slug it out in the top 4 of the league. It is still early days, so we know there's a lot more to come and we know for sure that Pascal Gross(5.9) will be a part of it.
Another Brighton player with a lot of potential is goalkeeper Sanchez(4.7) who finds himself in 17.6% of FPL teams. He will be quite busy against this Foxes side that is looking to bounce back from all their losses.
James Maddison(7.9) is on setpiece duties and has a wicked freekick in his locker. He was unlucky not to score against Manchester United and should be looking to be among the goals.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
Old rivals reunite again for this blockbuster of a fixture between two huge institutions in the Premier league. The first leg of the fixture will be at the Theatre of dreams and will see both teams come into the fixture in relatively good form.
As far as the form guides go though, Arsenal have the edge with their 100% win record after 5 games. There are no easy games in the premier league but Manchester United is a different gravy from all the teams that Arsenal has faced so far this season.
Buoyed by a new manager and some impressive additions to their squad, United will be not only looking to end Arsenal's record but also get closer to them in the log. Despite it being early stages, these fixtures are very important, especially considering that both teams will almost certainly be slugging it out in the top 6 positions by the end of the season.
For Manchester United, Rashford(6.3) looks to be back to his best and with Arsenal being one of his favourite customers, you shouldn't bet against him to be amongst the action. Sancho(7.3) also looks to be coming of age and his combination with Rashford can be lethal.
The addition of Antony(7.5) will bolster United's ranks but I reckon that the Arsenal game might be too soon for him. Casemiro(5.0) will most likely start ahead of either McTominay(4.9) or Eriksen(6.3) so you might want to keep an eye out on those ones.
For Arsenal, we should expect a largely unchanged squad from the one against Aston Villa. Odegard(6.6) and Ben White(4.5) are being assessed, and their absence might see Tomiyasu(4.3) and Smithe-Rowe(5.7) fill the void.
Gabriel Jesus(8.3) will have a lot on his hands as he will have to deal with Lisandro Martinez(4.4) for 90 minutes. However, I think the inform Martinelli(6.4) might be a bit too much for Dalot().
Bukayo Saka(7.8) might not be hitting the heights of last season but he has still contributed 3 assists so far. When the going gets tough, Arsenal has proven to be a threat in setpieces so Gabriel(5.1) and Saliba(4.8) are potent threats.
One thing for sure is that we're in for yet another set of feisty fixtures that will certainly get our pulses racing. Are you set for the game week? Have you made your transfers? Which fixture are you looking forward to?
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