Pras answers FPL gameweek six dilemmas, including what to do with Joao Pedro

BBC Sport's Fantasy Premier League expert Pras answered managers' key dilemmas ahead of gameweek six in an article published on 2026-10-09. He addressed whether to keep Chelsea forward Joao Pedro, captaincy choices and transfer targets for the coming fixtures.

Pedro was the most sold player during the international break but remains in roughly 65% of squads, and Pras noted that "from a points-per-million point of view he remains one of the best picks in the game" while Chelsea have an "excellent" long-run fixture list. On Pedro he advised: "Unless manager Xabi Alonso rules him out completely, I would hold and use the bench."

Pras described captaincy as a difficult call this week, listing Erling Haaland away at Liverpool, Cole Palmer at home to Bournemouth, Bukayo Saka in a Saturday lunchtime home game with Leeds and Bruno Fernandes at home to Spurs. He said "Fernandes has the best fixture and the best chance of a big score, but not many own him," and added: "I am leaning safe and sticking with Haaland." He also stated, "Even in a tougher game, if Man City score he should be the one involved."

On alternatives to Haaland he said: "If I wanted to be different, I would look at Saka or Palmer, both at home." He explained his reservations, saying: "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," and: "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."

Regarding an Arsenal defender under consideration, Pras offered cautious guidance: "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." He added: "I would not sell him if I already owned him though - he still represents excellent value," but advised that "on a wildcard, or with a free transfer though, there are better defenders in the £5m price bracket, in my opinion."

On budget and differential options he highlighted Fulham's fixtures against the three promoted sides and recommended Gonzalo Garcia at £6m, noting he "may be on penalties, and the underlying numbers have been better than the FPL returns suggest." He discussed Josh King, citing a 0.44 xGI and that King has posted 90 minutes in three of the first five games, and outlined role concerns under Andoni Iraola: King is "playing as an eight, not as a 10, and not at right-back," leaving mainly set pieces and occasional long-range shots for attacking returns. He concluded on King: "I would not rush him out though. Close to it, at the price."

Pras also pointed to a Brighton midfielder who remains priced under £6m, plays 90 minutes regularly and has accrued 47 points, which he said "explains why he is the most-transferred player this week," with ownership around 30%. He noted the player's upcoming fixtures include Sunderland away then Crystal Palace at home and described him as "an easy set-and-forget midfielder who keeps playing 90 minutes and keeps trickling points in."

Pras, who wrote "I won FPL last season - here are my five best tips," offered further team analysis under the heading "Who to pick, who to avoid - your team's FPL assets analysed," directing managers to those recommendations as they finalise decisions for gameweek six.