The Scout's panel of experts answer 10 key questions in Fantasy Premier League, offering advice which is particularly helpful for managers who are using their Wildcard chip and picking a brand new squad in Gameweek 6.
Should you sell Salah to buy Saka?
Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily): Managers who sold Bukayo Saka (£10.0m) for Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) a few weeks ago will likely now be wondering how to bring Saka back into their team. Arsenal's fixtures are excellent for a long run now and Saka has returned in every match so far this season.
Arsenal's next three fixtures
| GW | Opp. | FDR* |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Leicester (H) | 2 |
| 7 | Southampton (H) | 2 |
| 8 | Bournemouth (A) | 2 |
*Fixture Difficulty Rating: 1 = easiest possible fixture, 5 = hardest possible fixture
Selling Salah is never going to be an easy thing for managers to do, especially with a leaky Wolverhampton Wanderers defence up next. I would keep Salah for Gameweek 6 and then look to sell him for Saka after that - but only if there is no other route to getting him. Selling Salah should be the final option.
Who’s the better pick for Arsenal’s fixtures - Saka or Havertz?
Ben Crabtree (@FC_CrabDogg): I think both are worth aiming to own for the next three Gameweeks, but if only one can be picked I'd go for Kai Havertz (£8.1m). Despite Saka's assists in recent tough fixtures, I expect Havertz to be more prominent in the games Arsenal are likely to dominate. It's a close call, but the £1.9m price difference tips me towards Havertz.
Is Trent Alexander-Arnold a must-have?
Gianni Buttice (@GianniButtice): Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.1m) is one of three players who I think should be owned in EVERY team, alongside Erling Haaland (£15.3m) and Morgan Rogers (£5.2m). Liverpool look more defensively sound under Arne Slot and four clean sheets in five backs this up. But it's in attack which really makes the investment in Alexander-Arnold worth it. In the games where he produces a clean sheet AND an attacking return, bonus points are almost guaranteed. It is his likelihood of bonus points and assist points which makes his high price tag worth the spend.
Who to pick up front alongside Haaland?
Utkarsh Dalmia (@ZopharFPL): It makes sense to have forwards in two price brackets alongside Haaland - one budget and one mid-price. As a budget forward, I would suggest Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) - he plays 90 minutes, is on penalties and Everton now have a great fixture run. For the mid-priced forward, I like Nicolas Jackson (£7.7m). He's established himself as Enzo Maresca's No 9 at Chelsea and is in the top three players for Expected Goal Involvement (xGI) so far.
Who to target from Brentford for their strong fixtures?
Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily): Despite the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford actually played reasonably well. As expected, everything now flows through Bryan Mbeumo (£7.2m), particularly in Yoane Wissa's (£6.0m) absence. I had my eye on Kevin Schade (£5.4m), who is classified as a midfielder in FPL but is someone who a lot of managers have expected to play up top for Brentford. However, I thought he lacked energy when he came on against Spurs and Brentford's press wasn't as effective, so I don't think you can cover Mbeumo with Schade.
Brentford's next eight fixtures
| GW | Opp. | FDR | GW | Opp. | FDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | West Ham (H) | 2 | 10 | Fulham (A) | 3 |
| 7 | Wolves (H) | 2 | 11 | Bournemouth (H) | 2 |
| 8 | Man Utd (A) | 3 | 12 | Everton (A) | 3 |
| 9 | Ipswich (H) | 2 | 13 | Leicester (H) | 2 |
Fabio Carvalho (£4.8m) is an option. He could offer more than others in that price bracket. For example, he has more attacking threat than Leicester City's Harry Winks (£4.5m) for just £0.3m more. If I was going to pick another Brentford asset to go alongside Mbeumo, it would be him.
Who’s the best budget midfielder?
Nick Harris (@WGTA_Nick): Rogers rewarded patient FPL managers with TWO assists at the weekend. He was in many managers' teams already for a reason, and that's because of the exciting attacking threat that he offers. At only £5.2m and with Ipswich up next, he looks the best budget pick. Players such as AFC Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo (£5.6m) and Fulham's Emile Smith Rowe (£5.8m) are worth mentioning as well. They are both priced at under £6.0m and have also started the season strongly, with 22 and 30 points respectively.
Who’s the best £4.0m defender?
Pranil Sheth (@lateriser12): The best £4.0m defender is Jacob Greaves as he is the only one who is seemingly nailed on with his starting place. He is also good on set-pieces, and Ipswich have a good run of fixtures which could see incoming clean sheets.
Ipswich's next five fixtures
| GW | Opp. | FDR |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | AVL (H) | 3 |
| 7 | WHU (A) | 2 |
| 8 | EVE (H) | 2 |
| 9 | BRE (A) | 2 |
| 10 | LEI (H) | 2 |
At £4.0m, you want someone who is nailed on to step in and, while I'd be tempted by Sepp van den Berg (£4.0m) from Brentford, I don't think he's quite nailed when Brentford will switch to four at the back in the relatively easier matches they have coming.
Who’s the best £4.5m defender?
Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily): The £4.5m defender bracket offers exceptional value for money this season. Ipswich's Leif Davis (£4.5m) offers good attacking threat and Ipswich have the fixtures to return a number of clean sheets in the coming weeks. With 18 assists in the Championship last season, we know Davis has the existing pedigree. Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa (£4.5m) also looks good value for money. Like Davis, the fixtures are nice, and Konsa showed he has attacking threat with his goal in Gameweek 5. I also really like Ola Aina (£4.5m) at Nottingham Forest.
Should you consider any Man City players other than Haaland?
Pras (@Pras_FPL): After Haaland it's hard to pick a clear Manchester City choice. We wish it was last season's Player of the Season Phil Foden (£9.3m), but he just doesn't seem to get a start. At a point when there will be midweek games every week, it feels an unnecessary risk for £9m+. Savio (£6.5m) could be an outside punt. He has started every match so far in the league. However, my favourite second pick is Rico Lewis (£4.7m). After the Rodri (£6.4m) injury, I think there will be several matches where City will need him to invert into central areas, and at £4.7m he is quite easily affordable as the fourth or fifth defender. Apart from Lewis, Josko Gvardiol (£6.0m) remains the most nailed defensive option.
Should you invest in Chelsea’s attack?
Holly Shand (@HollyShand): Chelsea attackers are great investments in my mind, with 11 goals scored so far this season - only Man City have more. Cole Palmer (£10.6m) is the one to go for if you can justify the funds. He is the talisman, he's on set-pieces and he has midweeks off from Europe. I also like Jackson and am considering doubling up on my Wildcard this week. He has six goal involvements this season.
