Gameweek 6 Squad Secrets: Barnes, Belloumi & A Shock Captaincy Call You Can't Ignore

Welcome to your Gameweek 6 briefing! Everything you need to sort your squad before Saturday's 10am deadline - transfers in, transfers out, differentials, and a captaincy call that might just surprise you. Let's get into it.

Before we get into the transfers, here are the key fitness concerns you need to be aware of heading into Gameweek 6:

The GW6 deadline is Saturday 10th October at 10am. Get your moves in early.

Barnes is in red-hot form and is arguably the standout transfer target of the week. In Gameweek 5 he played the full 90 minutes against Hull City, grabbed two assists, and racked up 9 points. On the season he has 3 assists already, with total season points of 28. His expected points for Gameweek 6 sit at 7.7 - and the fixture is very kind. Newcastle travel to Coventry City on Monday 12th October, which looks extremely manageable. Over 150,000 managers have already brought him in this gameweek, and a price rise looks likely. At £6.1m with that form and that fixture, he's close to essential.

Verdict: Essential. Get him in before his price rises further.

Virgil is the premium defensive pick this week and it's not difficult to see why. He kept a clean sheet against Bournemouth in Gameweek 5, played the full 90 minutes, and banked 8 points. He now has 3 clean sheets already this season with 25 total season points. His expected points for Gameweek 6 come in at 7.3. Yes, Liverpool host Man City on Sunday 11th October - a tough fixture on paper - but Liverpool's defensive record has been rock solid all season. At home, in a big game, Virgil is exactly the kind of player you want in your squad. Bonus points are a real possibility given his commanding displays.

Verdict: Good buy. Premium defensive value with a home fixture against City - and he doubles up as the captaincy pick this week (more on that below).

Belloumi is the budget gem of the week. He has the best points-per-game return in our data this week at 6.2 - remarkable for a £5.1m asset. On the season he has 2 goals and 2 assists, plus 3 clean sheets. In Gameweek 5 he contributed an assist and played 82 minutes. Hull face Everton at home in Gameweek 6, which is a favourable matchup. Over 70,000 transfers in this gameweek show managers are beginning to wake up to just how good value he is. If you need budget cover in your squad that actually delivers, Belloumi is your man.

Verdict: Good. At £5.1m, Belloumi is a budget gem with the fixtures to back it up.

The most important sell of the week. Bruno blanked in Gameweek 5 - nil points contribution and just 2 FPL points for the full 90 minutes. Nearly 200,000 managers have already sold him this gameweek, and a price drop has already hit. Man Utd face Spurs in Gameweek 6, which could go either way, and the schedule beyond that doesn't look obviously kinder. At nearly £12m, the capital tied up in Bruno could fund serious upgrades elsewhere in your squad. The writing is on the wall.

Verdict: Sell if you haven't already. The £11.9m is better spent elsewhere.

Man City conceded three goals against Sunderland in Gameweek 5 - a nightmare for anyone with Donnarumma in their squad. He managed just 2 points. While he has 2 clean sheets on the season, Man City's defensive frailty is now a real concern. Gameweek 6 brings the Liverpool away trip - one of the toughest fixtures going. A blank is very possible. Almost 30,000 managers moved him out this week and the direction of travel is clear.

Verdict: Sell. Upgrade to a keeper with better clean sheet prospects - Trafford at Leeds (28 points, 10 in GW5) or A.Becker at Liverpool (8 points in GW5) are worth considering.

Mainoo is doubtful with an unspecified injury - a 75% chance of playing is not the certainty you need when deadline day is just days away. He only returned 4 points in Gameweek 5. With Bruno also struggling and Man Utd facing Spurs in Gameweek 6, the Man Utd midfield is simply not the place to be right now. Free up that £5.5m and invest it somewhere with clearer returns.

Verdict: Sell. The injury doubt alone is enough reason to move on.

These are the picks that could separate you from your mini-league rivals. All under 10% ownership - high risk, high reward.

The ultimate differential this week. Kamada has flown completely under the radar all season but has already racked up 3 assists. Crystal Palace kept a clean sheet in Gameweek 5 and host Nott'm Forest on Sunday 11th October - a very winnable home fixture. His expected points sit at 5.3. At just 0.5% ownership, he's your best bet if you're chasing the green arrow this week.

Van Hecke scored a goal in Gameweek 5 - his second of the season - and earned 6 points. He also has 2 clean sheets on the season. Spurs travel to Man Utd in Gameweek 6, and with Man Utd's form looking shaky, there's every chance of Spurs keeping things tight. At £4.9m, you get a budget defender with genuine attacking upside. Worth a look.

Mitchell is remarkable value at £4.5m. He has scored 2 goals this season as a defender - an outstanding return for that price. In Gameweek 5 he played the full 90 minutes, kept a clean sheet, earned a bonus point, and bagged 7 points. His expected points for Gameweek 6 are 7.7 - identical to Barnes. Crystal Palace's home fixture against Forest looks very promising. If you want the cheapest route into Palace's defence, Mitchell is your entry point.

The standout captaincy pick for Gameweek 6 is Virgil from Liverpool. Yes, Liverpool host Man City - it sounds daunting - but consider this: Liverpool have been one of the most defensively solid sides in the league, Virgil has 3 clean sheets in 5 games, and he earned 8 points last week against Bournemouth. At home, in a top-of-the-table atmosphere, bonus points are very likely given his commanding performances. If Liverpool shut out City, the armband on Virgil could be a game-winning move.

The shock? Most managers will look at the Man City fixture and reach for an attacking option - but Liverpool's defensive record makes Virgil a genuinely compelling armband choice.

Keep a close eye on the Bournemouth versus Chelsea fixture this gameweek. Chelsea were torn apart by Brentford in Gameweek 5, losing 3-0. If Chelsea's defensive problems continue, Bournemouth players could become very attractive assets in the coming gameweeks. It's one to monitor as you plan your transfers beyond GW6.

That's your Gameweek 6 briefing wrapped up. Good luck with the deadline - and remember, it's Saturday 10th October at 10am. Don't leave it to the last minute!