FPL gameweek six: Hold Joao Pedro, captain Haaland and back Pascal Gross, says expert

Fantasy Premier League managers face some tricky calls heading into gameweek six, and BBC Sport's FPL expert Pras has weighed in on the biggest dilemmas — from what to do with Chelsea forward Joao Pedro to the captaincy conundrum and the rise of Pascal Gross.

What should I do with Joao Pedro?

Despite being the most sold player of the international break, the Chelsea forward is still owned by about 65% of FPL managers. Pras advises patience: "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."

Pedro's importance to Chelsea's attack is underlined by earlier reporting: of the Blues' 10 Premier League goals this season, only one — Romeo Lavia's opener in a 4-3 win over Brighton — has not involved Pedro, Cole Palmer or Morgan Rogers as scorer or assister. Alonso himself has been full of praise, saying in September that Pedro is at Erling Haaland's level and "in many things, he reminds" him of 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema. That quality is exactly why selling now could backfire — as Pras notes, when Pedro missed gameweek five against Brentford, the Chelsea attack suffered.

Who should captain this week?

"This is a tough week for captaincy," Pras admits. Erling Haaland is away at Liverpool, Palmer hosts Bournemouth, Bukayo Saka has the Saturday lunchtime kick-off at home to Leeds, and Bruno Fernandes — with three goals and an assist in his first five Premier League appearances this season — 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."

For the differentiators, Pras would look at Saka or Palmer, both at home. What puts him off Saka is "the possible Havertz injury that will impact their attack, plus an early kick-off straight after a long break." Palmer's appeal, meanwhile, hinges on Joao Pedro's fitness.

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." Pras would not sell Konsa if already owned — "he still represents excellent value" — but on a wildcard or with a free transfer, "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 their 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 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, plays 90 minutes, and his 47 points explain why he is the most-transferred player this week, with ownership at 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."