What to do with Joao Pedro? FPL gameweek six dilemmas

A graphic showing Chelsea player Joao Pedro

Published42 minutes ago

BBC Sport's Fantasy Premier League expert Pras gives his answers to some of the biggest dilemmas facing managers heading into gameweek six.

What should I do with Joao Pedro?

Despite being the most sold player of the international break, Chelsea forward Pedro is still owned by about 65% of FPL managers. From a points-per-million point of view he remains one of the best picks in the game, and Chelsea's fixture run is excellent for a long stretch. Unless manager Xabi Alonso rules him out completely, I would hold and use the bench.

Who should I captain this week?

This is a tough week for captaincy. Erling Haaland is away at Liverpool. Cole Palmer is home to Bournemouth. Bukayo Saka has the Saturday lunchtime kick-off at home to Leeds. Bruno Fernandes is at home to Spurs.

Fernandes has the best fixture and the best chance of a big score, but not many own him. Of the rest, you can talk me into any of them. I am leaning safe and sticking with Haaland. Even in a tougher game, if Man City score he should be the one involved.

If I wanted to be different, I would look at Saka or Palmer, both at home. What puts me off Saka is the possible Havertz injury that will impact their attack, plus an early kick-off straight after a long break. What puts me off Palmer is Joao Pedro. If he is not fit, the Chelsea attack suffers, as we saw in gameweek five against Brentford.

Image source, Fantasy Premier League

Is it too late to buy Ezri Konsa?

For a new buy, yes. The Arsenal defender has a slight niggle from the England camp. Cristhian Mosquera is fit, and William Saliba is on the mend as well, albeit with an unclear timescale for his return. I would not sell him if I already owned him though - he still represents excellent value.

On a wildcard, or with a free transfer though, there are better defenders in the £5m price bracket, in my opinion.

Any Fulham picks worth looking at?

Fulham play all three promoted sides in the next three games. Gonzalo Garcia at £6m is the one I like. He may be on penalties, and the underlying numbers have been better than the FPL returns suggest. Josh King is the other option. His data (0.44 xGI) is strong and the minutes have been good with 90 minutes in three of the first five games.

Is Dominik Szoboszlai a sell?

Not an urgent sell, although there are concerns there from an FPL point of view with his role.

Under Andoni Iraola he is playing as an eight, not as a 10, and not at right-back. That is the worst of the three for route to points. No real attacking threat from the 10 spot, no defensive contribution from full-back. What is left is set pieces and the odd shot from outside the box. I would not rush him out though.

Is Pascal Gross a must-buy?

Close to it, at the price. The Brighton midfielder is still under £6m, he plays 90 minutes, and 47 points already explains why he is the most-transferred player this week.

Ownership is about 30%. Sunderland away, then Crystal Palace at home, is a decent run of fixtures. He is just an easy set-and-forget midfielder who keeps playing 90 minutes and keeps trickling points in.