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Fantasy Premier League Planner – Week 6

By Fantrax Staff
Ryan Fraser Gameweek 28 Waiver Wire

The Premier League season is long, dark and full of terrors for draft fantasy soccer managers. The grind of staying current on injuries and anticipating squad rotation on a week-to-week basis is tedious, and often confusing thanks to a hefty dose of conflicting reports and misleading quotations.  While flipping a coin to pick to decide between players is an effective strategy about 50% of the time, if you’re looking for long-term success in draft fantasy soccer, Fantrax has you covered with the Fantasy Premier League Planner for Week 6.

This season, the Fantasy Premier League Planner will serve as your one-stop shop for everything you need to know going into each round of matches. No need to guess on a rotating fullback, FPLP has the inside scoop. Unsure about a player with a knock? FPLP will touch on that too. Rather than pandering on and on with more examples, let’s get down to business.

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Fantasy Premier League Planner – Week 6

Fulham vs Watford

Fulham, unsurprisingly, left the Etihad Stadium empty-handed last weekend. Although none of their players hit double-digits in Fantrax leagues, Marcus Bettinelli did put in another substantial shift in between the sticks. Bettinelli was called up to the England squad during the international break and seems to have usurped the starting role from Fabri, making him a target in deeper draft fantasy soccer leagues. Tom Cairney is closing in on full fitness, but a start is unlikely in Week 6. Manager Slavisa Jokanovic has just one selection dilemma to resolve this week, with Ryan Sessegnon and Luciano Vietto vying to operate on the left wing. We’re expecting Sessegnon to get the nod, though Fantrax managers should make sure they have an alternative option at their disposal. Aleksandar Mitrovic’s three-match scoring streak came to an end last weekend, but the numbers suggest he’ll get back on track against Watford.

Watford dropped their first points of the season last weekend in a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Manchester United. Despite the loss, manager Javi Garcia is under no pressure to alter his line-up. Gerard Duelofeu is on the mend and looks set make the match-day squad at Craven Cottage. Duelofeu offers a unique dimension to Watford’s attack and should have a role to play once he’s entirely fit, making him a worthy addition for draft fantasy soccer managers in deeper Fantrax leagues. Will Hughes, one of six Hornets featured in our weekly ranks, is the player we’re backing in this one. Hughes scored a goal and provided 15.5 fantasy points in his lone away outing back in Week 2 against Burnley.

Match Forecast:  Fulham has conceded at least two goals in each of their matches this season, and Watford is the joint fourth highest-scoring club in the Premier League with ten goals in five games. There have been more than 2.5 goals scored in each Watford’s match this season. We’re expecting goals from both sides and backing Aleksandar Mitrovic to get on the scoresheet.

Burnley vs Bournemouth

Burnley is still without a win after losing 1-0 to Wolverhampton in Week 5. Johan Berg Gudmundsson made an unexpected return from a hamstring injury last time out and will continue in his usual left-midfield role here. However, this weekend will come too soon for long-term absentees Robbie Brady and Steven Defour to return. Manager Sean Dyche will make a couple changes for the visit of Bournemouth. In defense, Matthew Lowton and Stephen Ward should come back in for Phil Bardsley and Charlie Taylor in the full-back spots. Up front, Chris Wood will return after being dropped against Wolves. Dyche could be tempted to hand Matej Vydra his first start of the season with the Clarets having gone goalless in their last two matches.

Bournemouth visits Burnley with a full head of steam after a convincing 4-2 victory over Leicester City last weekend. Ryan Fraser was the consensus man of the match with two goals and an assist in Week 5 and is now the highest-scoring midfielder after his haul of 32.5 fantasy points. Another to shine was Joshua King, whose total of 23.5 points was third best amongst all forwards last round. Manager Eddie Howie is poised to name an unchanged line-up following the club’s third win of the term, meaning Diego Rico will continue at left back with Charlie Daniels listed as doubtful.

Match Forecast:  Burnley has allowed a league-high total of 20.5 shots per game and conceded ten goals in their last four matches. Bournemouth has scored least two goals in four of their five games and is averaging a goal every 5.9 shots per match. Based on the numbers, Bournemouth is a very appealing pick this weekend.

Liverpool vs Southampton

Liverpool’s impressive start places them second in the table with a one-goal difference between them and leaders Chelsea. Jürgen Klopp’s side is unbeaten in all competitions after putting in a definitive performance in a 3-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Klopp could be tempted to rotate some of his regulars following the midweek outing, so draft fantasy soccer managers in deeper Fantrax leagues should consider adding Daniel Sturridge, Nathaniel Clyne and Joel Matip. Roberto Firmino, who came off the bench to net the winner on Tuesday, should return to the starting XI while Naby Keita could also get the nod after going an unused substitute.

Southampton has no injury concerns coming into the clash with Liverpool. However, manager Mark Hughes will be without the services of loanee Danny Ings, who is ineligible to face his parent club. The absence of Ings is a significant blow to the attack considering the striker has scored three goals in his last four matches. Charlie Austin could come in alongside Shane Long up front, with Manolo Gabbiadini the other option.

Match Forecast: Southampton has conceded two goals in three of their last four matches. If you remove Ings from the equations, the Saints rank 12th in shots per game and 18th in goals scored. We’re backing Liverpool for a win and a clean sheet at Anfield.

Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United

Any discussion of Crystal Palace must begin with Wilfried Zaha. With three in four appearances, the Ivory Coast international has been responsible for 75% of Palace’s goals. Manager Roy Hodgson has settled on a preferred back-four and front three, so we’re expecting him to field a relatively unchanged line-up following the win over Huddersfield Town. Jordan Ayew, who returned ten points in Week 5, represents a streaming option for draft fantasy soccer managers in deeper Fantrax leagues. Another name to consider is Max Meyer, who could make his first start at the expense of James McArthur.

Newcastle is still searching for their first league victory following a 2-1 loss to Arsenal. Rafa Benitez looks set to stick with a 4-4-1-1 formation when they travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday. Captain Jamaal Lascelles is doubtful after picking up an ankle injury in Week 5. If Lascelles does miss out, then Ciaran Clark is favored to replace him. Salomon Rondon and Kenedy are pinned for starts while Jonjo Shelvey could also return after recovering from a muscular problem.

Match Forecast:  Newcastle enters the match 19th in the table having earned just one point in the first five matches. The Magpies have scored once and conceded twice in two games on the road, while Crystal Palace failed to score in each of their outings at Selhurst Park. We’re predicting a 1-1 draw with goals from Zaha and Rondon.

Leicester City vs Huddersfield Town

Leicester City is coming off their worst performance of the season, after sinking to a 4-2 away defeat at Bournemouth. Despite being torn open on the counter-attack, manager Claude Puel has stated he won’t be altering the formation for the visit of Huddersfield Town. When asked about changing the system, Puel said: “It is not my concern or my thought at this moment because we made mistakes and we know why we made them. I think it is important to be responsible and correct them.” The comments suggest that will see Puel’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation with fullbacks Ricardo Pereira and Ben Chilwell once again given license to get forward. Regarding the lineup, there will be one change with Jonny Evans projected to come in for the suspended Wes Morgan. Elsewhere, we could see Marc Albrighton recalled on the wing following his consolation goal off the bench last weekend.

Huddersfield Town travels to the King Power Stadium having scored just two goals in five matches following a 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace. Manager David Wagner’s side looked sharp in a 3-4-3 formation last weekend, so it’s likely will see the same approach here.  Terence Kongolo is expected to return after missing Week 5 due to a knock, but central midfielder Jonathan Hogg remains unavailable through suspension.  Ramadan Sobhi and Erik Durm are listed as doubtful, though the latter has a decent chance of making the match-day squad.  Aaron Mooy and Steve Mounie remain the only Terriers commanding starting value in Fantrax draft fantasy soccer leagues.

Match Forecast:  Huddersfield will set up to defend so we’re expecting Leicester to dominate possession and send lots of shots towards goal. We’re backing Leicester to win and Jamie Vardy to score.

Manchester United vs. Wolverhampton

Manchester United has rattled off three straight wins in all competitions since falling 3-0 to Tottenham in Week 3.  Paul Pogba and Diogo Dalot shined as the Red Devils defeated Young Boys 3-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Romelu Lukaku has scored four goals in his last four appearances.  Fred will return to the starting XI with Nemanja Matic suspended after his dismissal against Watford last weekend and Ander Herrera unavailable through injury.  Jose Mourinho could restore Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young at the fullback spots after leaving both out in midweek.

Wolverhampton has kept back-to-back clean sheets, but a third will be a significant task when they travel to Old Trafford on Saturday.  Nuno Espirito Santo could name an unchanged line-up for the sixth straight match with his side unbeaten in their last three.  Draft fantasy soccer managers who invested in Adama Traore will hope the winger finally gets a start after four successive substitute cameos.  Since Traore is averaging 12 points per match off the bench, he remains an option in Fantrax leagues.

Match Forecast: Manchester United to win, but both clubs to score.

Cardiff City vs Manchester City

Manchester City will be without Benjamin Mendy for the third straight match, but Sergio Aguero is fit after overcoming a minor ankle problem.  Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte and John Stones went 90 minutes in the Champions League defeat to Lyon on Wednesday, meaning Nicolas Otamendi and Vincent Kompany could start if Pep decides to rotate his defense.  With Mendy ruled out, we’re expecting to see a 4-3-3 formation against Cardiff.  Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane are primed to flank Aguero, while Bernardo, Fernandinho and David Silva could operate in midfield.

Match Forecast:  Cardiff City has failed to win their last five league matches, and Manchester City will be looking to make a statement following their Champions League defeat.  All signs point towards a comfortable victory for Pep’s side.

Brighton vs Tottenham

Don’t sleep on Brighton.  Chris Hughton’s side upset Manchester United 3-2 at the Amex Stadium in Week 3 and then impressed in a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool. If not for a brilliant save by Alisson to deny Pascal Gross from point-blank, the Seagulls would have left Anfield with a point. Brighton has also come from two goals down to draw in each of their last two matches, drawing 2-2 with Fulham and Southampton.  Although the club remains without Pascal Gross, striker Glenn Murray has scored three goals in his five games this season, including three in two at home. Draft fantasy soccer managers will want to start Shane Duffy and Murray, as well as Anthony Knockaert here.

Tottenham has been in a slump since beating Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford at the end of August.  Spurs lost 2-1 to Watford and Liverpool in their last two league outings before dropping their Champions League opener against Inter Milan on Tuesday.  Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris will miss the trip to Brighton as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury, but Dele Alli is back in contention after returning to full training following a hamstring injury.  Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld are also expected to return to the lineup after missing the midweek defeat.

Match Forecast: If I had to pick an upset this week, Brighton would be my choice.

West Ham United vs. Chelsea

Marko Arnautovic was forced off in the 3-1 win at Everton and could miss out in Week 6.  Speaking ahead of West Ham’s match against Chelsea at the London Stadium, manager Manuel Pellegrini said: “Marko finished with a problem behind his knee. He’s having some treatment, and we’re hoping he will be fit for Sunday.” If Arnautovic does miss out, Lucas Perez could start up front with Javier Hernandez still recovering from illness.  Mark Noble, Pedro Obiang and Declan Rice will start in midfield with Jack Wilshere ruled out for around six weeks after undergoing ankle surgery.  Last but certainly not least, Andriy Yarmolenko will keep his place following his brace at Goodison Park last weekend.

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Chelsea began their Europea League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Greek outfit PAOK on Thursday.  Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Olivier Giroud and Eden Hazard should return to the starting XI after being rested on Thursday, replacing Zappacosta, Christensen, Morata and Pedro (doubtful) respectively. Mateo Kovacic picked up a knock in the win over Cardiff.  Cesc Fabregas made his first start of the season against PAOK and could get another if Kovacic is held out.

Match Forecast: West Ham is still without a clean sheet, and Chelsea has scored at least two goals in each of their five matches this season.  We’re backing The Blues.

Arsenal vs Everton

Arsenal has just two injury concerns after Lucas Torreira and Henrikh Mkhitaryan picked up knocks in the 4-2 win over Vorskla in the Europa League on Thursday. Manager Unai Emery is expected to recall Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette and Aaron Ramsey, while Sokratis, Nacho Monreal and Aubameyang will likely remain in the starting XI on Sunday. If Torreira is unable to go, Matteo Guendouzi will partner Granit Xhaka in midfield.

Everton is without Yerry Mina, Michael Keane, Seamus Coleman and Andre Gomes for the trip to Arsenal. Marco Silva will deploy a backline comprised of Jonjoe Kenny, Mason Holgate, Kurt Zouma and either Lucas Dinge or Leighton Baines.  Richarlison will return to the lineup following his suspension to join Sigurdsson, Walcott and Cenk Tosun on the attack.  Kenny is an option for draft fantasy soccer managers in deeper Fantrax leagues following his assist in the defeat to West Ham.

Match Forecast:  Arsenal has scored at two goals in four of their last five matches.  Given Everton’s list of absentees, Arsenal should have no trouble taking all three points.

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