In this blog the Top Five Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Key Players for Gameweek 6 are discussed. Every FPL Gameweek, picks will be in the below format:

1x Defender or Goalkeeper

2x Attackers less than £8.5m

2x Attackers £8.5m or over

Headliner – Erling Haaland (NFO)

Haaland’s goal against West Ham made it seven for the Norwegian international in just five matches, he is top amongst all players for shots (29), shots on target (SoT) (16), ‘big chances’ (BC) (12), ‘Expected Goals’ (xG) and goals (seven). As the below image from our Fix heatmaps feature shows, he has averaged 9.0 FPL points per game this season. Man. City have scored 14 goals with only Brighton (15) being more prolific. The reigning Champions are top for shots in the box (SiB), BC (19) and xG (12.93). Their visitors Forest have conceded seven goals this season and have kept only one clean sheet. The Nottingham side are ranked eight for ‘Expected Goals Conceded’ (xGC) (7.34). Our Fix Algorithm currently projects a point score of 8.8 for Haaland.

Use a range of pitch maps to help inform your transfers.

Mohamed Salah (WHU)

Salah has delivered FPL returns in every game this season and the Egyptian international trails only Maddison (10) for SoT (eight) amongst midfielders. Meanwhile, only Rashford (2.81) and Mbeumo (3.90) have notched a higher xG than this 2.75. As the below image from our Stats Sandbox feature shows, he has also shown his creative skills with the 31-year-old top for BC created (six) amongst all players. Liverpool have scored 12 goals and only Spurs (13), Man. City (14) and Brighton (15) have been more prolific. Their total of 16 BC is bettered only by Brighton (17) and Man. City (19). Their visitors West Ham have kept no clean sheets this season and only Sheff. Utd. (114) have allowed opponents more shots than their 101. The Hammers are ranked 16th for xGC (10.17). Our Fix Algorithm currently projects a point score of 6.6 for Salah.

Evaluate players with Opta statistics.

Eberechi Eze (FUL)

Eze has been unfortunate not to register more FPL points this season, as the below image from our Match Stats feature shows, he is top amongst Palace players over their last five matches for attempted assists (13) and second for both xG (2.1) and SoT (seven). Palace have scored just six goals but are ranked fifth for SoT (29) and seventh for SiB (55) which indicates that the goals are around the corner. Fulham's numbers give plenty of reason for optimism, only Wolves (11) and Burnley (12) have conceded more goals than the Cottagers (10) and the London side are bottom for xGC (12.62). Our Fix Algorithm currently projects a point score of 4.2 for Eze.

Bryan Mbeumo (EVE)

Mbeumo’s four goals see him top the midfielder FPL rankings with 35 points, the 24-year-old is also top for xG (3.90) and BC (six). Brentford have scored eight goals and are ranked fourth for BC (15). As the below image from our Transfer Analytics feature shows, he is the third most transferred-in player this week with nearly 200,000 managers bringing him in. The London side are ranked seventh for xG (10.04). Their visitors Everton have conceded nine goals and are yet to keep a clean sheet. The Toffees are ranked seventh for SiB conceded (43) and 11th for xGC (8.26). Our Fix Algorithm currently projects a point score of 5.0 for Mbeumo.

Evaluate transfer analytics to see which players are popular with other managers.

Kieran Trippier (shu)

Trippier has yet to register an assist this season but his underlying numbers remain strong. His 12 chances created is top amongst defenders while only Young (34) and Digne (42) have attempted more crosses than his 33. No defender has managed more successful crosses than his 13. Newcastle have conceded seven goals and have kept just one clean sheet this season but it is worth remembering their tough fixture run, in which they faced Villa, Man. City, Liverpool and Brighton, is now past them. Despite that run, the Magpies are still ranked fifth for xGC (5.87). Their hosts Sheff. Utd. have scored only scored five goals in as many matches with Bournemouth, Burnley (four each), Luton and Everton (two each) the only teams performing worse. Burnley (3.54), who have played a game less, are the only side to have registered a lower xG tally than the Blades (4.01). Our Fix Algorithm currently projects a point score of 4.4 for Trippier.

Use predictive FPL statistics to increase your Gameweek points.