FPL Gameweek 6 Review: Alderete Shines as Tough Week Continues
Alderete’s 17-point defensive masterclass leads second consecutive challenging gameweek as only 16.1% of players hit 5+ points.
Gameweek 6 extended the recent trend of compressed returns, with managers facing a second consecutive challenging week. Our live FPL tracker analyzed all 310 players and confirmed that only 16.1% achieved 5+ points, marginally lower than GW5’s 16.7%. However, standout performances from Alderete’s defensive excellence and Haaland’s continued form provided bright spots. Here are the essential insights for navigating consecutive difficult gameweeks and optimizing your FPL captain picks.
Top Performers by Position
Elite returns remained scarce, but those who delivered provided exceptional value for their managers.
Goalkeeper: Roefs (10pts)
Roefs continued his impressive form with another 10-point clean sheet, his second double-digit return in recent gameweeks. Consistent goalkeeping from defensively solid teams continues to offer reliable value in compressed scoring weeks.
Defender: Omar Alderete (17pts) ⭐
The performance of the gameweek. Alderete’s exceptional 17-point return was the highest individual score in Gameweek 6, demonstrating the explosive potential of defenders from teams keeping clean sheets with attacking contributions. This performance showcases why premium defensive assets from in-form teams remain essential for fantasy premier league managers, even when overall scoring is compressed. A must-watch player for FPL tools users seeking differentials.
Midfielder: Sean Longstaff (15pts)
Newcastle’s Longstaff delivered an impressive 15-point return despite his team’s 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal. This performance demonstrates that elite midfield returns can come even in defeat when players are central to their team’s attacking play. A valuable lesson for managers selecting midfielders based on underlying involvement rather than just team form.
Forward: Erling Haaland (16pts)
Haaland delivered another elite return with 16 points in Manchester City’s 3-1 home victory over Burnley. After his 13-point haul in GW4, the Norwegian is finding consistent form and reminding managers why he remains one of the most explosive FPL captain picks available. His reliability at home against mid-table opposition makes him essential for serious managers.
Team Performance Analysis
Best Performing Teams
Sunderland (5.85 average) ⭐
The Black Cats topped the gameweek with a 5.85 average following their impressive 1-0 away victory at Nottingham Forest. Their defensive solidity combined with efficient attacking play makes them an intriguing differential option for FPL tracker users. After averaging 5.73 in GW5, Sunderland’s consistency suggests their assets deserve serious consideration in favorable fixtures.
Brentford (5.39 average)
The Bees bounced back dramatically from their GW5 collapse (2.19 average) with an excellent 5.39 average in their 3-1 home victory over Manchester United. This performance demonstrates the extreme volatility that characterizes this season and why chasing form can be dangerous. Their assets become interesting again but require careful fixture analysis using fantasy premier league tools.
Manchester City (5.20 average)
City’s 3-1 home victory over Burnley delivered a solid 5.20 average, led by Haaland’s 16-point explosion. The champions are showing improved consistency, making their premium assets increasingly reliable for managers seeking safe captain options in favorable home fixtures.
Crystal Palace (5.01 average)
Palace’s 2-1 home victory over Liverpool (5.01 average) was an impressive result, showcasing their ability to compete against top-six opposition at Selhurst Park. Their home form makes them worth monitoring for fixture-specific selections.
Teams to Avoid
Nottingham Forest (2.01 average) ⚠️
Forest suffered the gameweek’s worst performance with just a 2.01 average in their 1-0 home defeat to Sunderland. After averaging 2.01 in GW4 as well, Forest’s defensive vulnerabilities at home are a major concern. They’re becoming prime targets for opposing FPL captain picks rather than a source of assets.
Chelsea (2.09 average)
The Blues’ heavy 3-1 home defeat to Brighton resulted in a disappointing 2.09 average. Their inconsistency continues with consecutive poor performances (2.40 in GW5, 2.09 in GW6), making their premium assets increasingly difficult to justify despite their quality on paper.
Burnley (2.28 average) & Manchester United (2.28 average)
Both teams averaged 2.28 points after away defeats. Burnley’s 3-1 loss at City was somewhat expected, but United’s 3-1 defeat at Brentford is more concerning given their investment. United’s away form remains problematic, averaging just 2.10 (GW5) and 2.28 (GW6) in consecutive away games.
Fulham (2.83 average)
The Cottagers’ 3-1 away defeat at Aston Villa saw them average just 2.83 points. After a promising 5.30 average in GW4, Fulham have regressed with consecutive poor performances.
Key FPL Statistics - Sustained Difficulty
Of the 310 players who featured in Gameweek 6:
- 30.0% (93 players) returned more than 2 points - down from 34.1% in GW5
- 16.1% (50 players) achieved 5+ point returns - marginally lower than GW5’s 16.7%, and far below GW4’s 25.2%
These statistics confirm a sustained period of compressed returns. Two consecutive gameweeks with under 17% of players achieving 5+ points represents the toughest spell of the season. The data emphasizes why using comprehensive fantasy premier league tools to identify the elite performers becomes even more critical. Premium assets from in-form teams (Haaland, Alderete) separated from the pack while template picks struggled.
Notable Results & Talking Points
Crystal Palace Upset Liverpool
Palace’s 2-1 home victory over Liverpool (3.56 average) was the upset of the gameweek. Liverpool’s away struggles continue, making their assets less reliable in road fixtures. Palace’s home form at Selhurst Park could offer differential value against the right opponents.
Brighton Demolish Chelsea
Brighton’s commanding 3-1 away victory at Chelsea (4.57 average vs 2.09) showcased the Seagulls’ quality. Brighton are developing a pattern of strong away performances, making their attackers interesting options in favorable road fixtures for best FPL tools users.
Multiple Draws Compress Scoring Again
Four matches ended in draws (Bournemouth 2-2 Leeds, Tottenham 1-1 Wolves, West Ham 1-1 Everton, Leeds 2-2 Bournemouth), continuing the trend of compressed returns. These stalemates severely limited attacking returns and clean sheet points, contributing to the low percentage of 5+ point scorers.
Arsenal Edge Newcastle Battle
Arsenal’s 2-1 away victory at Newcastle (4.66 average) was hard-fought, with Longstaff’s 15 points in defeat highlighting that individual brilliance can emerge even when teams lose. This reinforces the importance of selecting players with high involvement regardless of team result expectations.
Tactical Takeaways for FPL Managers
1. Premium Defenders Offer Elite Upside
Alderete’s 17-point haul is the highest individual return since Zubimendi’s 16 points in GW4. Premium defenders from teams keeping clean sheets with attacking threat continue to offer the best ceiling in compressed gameweeks. Don’t overlook investing in quality defensive assets from in-form sides.
2. Haaland Remains Essential
With returns of 13pts (GW4) and 16pts (GW6), Haaland is demonstrating consistency that separates him from other premium forwards. His home form against mid-table opposition makes him the safest FPL captain picks option when City have favorable fixtures at the Etihad.
3. Extreme Volatility Continues
Brentford’s swing from 2.19 (GW5) to 5.39 (GW6) exemplifies ongoing volatility. Chelsea dropping from 7.01 (GW3) to 2.09 (GW6) shows how quickly premium teams can disappoint. Use FPL tools to analyze multiple gameweeks rather than reacting to single performances.
4. Home vs Away Form Diverging
Liverpool’s struggles away from home (3.56 vs Palace, 4.93 at Burnley) contrast with their home performances (5.75 vs Arsenal GW3). Similarly, Palace excel at home but struggle away. Consider venue-specific strategies when selecting assets and captains.
Looking Ahead: Transfer Priorities
Based on Gameweek 6 data and sustained patterns, consider these strategic moves for your FPL squad:
Priority Targets
Manchester City’s Haaland remains essential (16pts, consistent form), Alderete if available after his 17-point haul, Arsenal assets with favorable fixtures (4.66 average), Sunderland defensive coverage (consecutive strong performances: 5.73, 5.85), and consider Roefs for goalkeeper reliability (back-to-back 10-point returns).
Consider Offloading
Chelsea assets given their collapse (7.01 to 2.09 over three gameweeks), Nottingham Forest players after consecutive 2.01 averages, Manchester United’s away form is concerning (2.10, 2.28 in consecutive road games), Liverpool assets for away fixtures only, and Fulham after regression from 5.30 to 2.83.
Differential Options
Brentford attackers after bouncing back (5.39 average), Brighton’s away specialists (4.57 average at Chelsea), Crystal Palace home assets for favorable Selhurst Park fixtures (5.01 average vs Liverpool), Aston Villa showing improvement (4.84 average), and Newcastle’s Longstaff after his 15-point return.
Monitor Closely
Tottenham continue underwhelming (3.20 average with another draw), Leeds showing resilience with consecutive 2-2 draws, Bournemouth’s attacking output in high-scoring games, and Wolves’ defensive stability (two consecutive 1-1 draws). Wait for clearer trends before investing heavily.
Survive Difficult Spells with FPL Pulse
Two consecutive gameweeks with under 17% of players hitting 5+ points proves that FPL success requires more than luck. FPL Pulse provides the comprehensive live FPL tracking and analysis you need to identify the elite performers like Alderete (17pts) and Haaland (16pts) who separate from the pack.
From tracking form volatility (Brentford: 2.19 to 5.39) to identifying home/away splits (Liverpool, Palace) and monitoring consistent performers (Sunderland’s 5.73, 5.85 averages), our suite of fantasy premier league tools helps you navigate the toughest gameweeks. Make data-driven decisions when others are guessing.
FAQs
- Who were the top performers in FPL Gameweek 6?
- Omar Alderete delivered the gameweek’s best performance with 17 defensive points. Erling Haaland led forwards with 16 points in Man City’s 3-1 home win over Burnley, while Sean Longstaff returned 15 midfield points. Roefs kept another clean sheet for 10 goalkeeper points.
- Which teams had the best average points in GW6?
- Sunderland led with a 5.85 average following their 1-0 away victory at Nottingham Forest. Brentford (5.39) and Manchester City (5.20) rounded out the top three in another compressed gameweek for team averages.
- Why have FPL returns been so low in recent gameweeks?
- Gameweek 6 continued the trend from GW5, with only 16.1% of players achieving 5+ points. Multiple tight contests, draws, and fewer dominant victories have compressed scoring. This pattern emphasizes the importance of selecting premium assets from in-form teams using FPL tools.
- Should I transfer in Sunderland or Brentford players after GW6?
- Both teams showed strong form with Sunderland (5.85) and Brentford (5.39) delivering solid averages. Sunderland’s clean sheet away at Forest and Brentford’s impressive 3-1 home win over Manchester United make their assets worth considering, particularly as differentials.