The 2026/27 Premier League season returns after a three-week international break, with FPL managers facing a fresh set of decisions ahead of Gameweek 6.
Arsenal have an opportunity to respond against Leeds United after their 3-0 defeat to Brighton, while Manchester City travel to Liverpool for one of the biggest fixtures of the weekend. Chelsea also welcome Bournemouth, and Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur in a game that could have significant consequences for both sides.
However, the international break has brought fresh injury concerns for several clubs. With the FPL Gameweek 6 deadline set for Saturday, October 10 at 11:00 BST, here are the key fixtures, players and team news to consider before finalising your squad.
FPL Gameweek 6 Fixtures
All times BST
Saturday, October 10
- Arsenal vs Leeds United (12:30)
- Aston Villa vs Brentford (15:00)
- Chelsea vs Bournemouth (15:00)
- Ipswich Town vs Fulham (15:00)
- Sunderland vs Brighton & Hove Albion (15:00)
- Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur (17:30)
Sunday, October 11
- Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest (14:00)
- Hull City vs Everton (14:00)
- Liverpool vs Manchester City (16:30)
Monday, October 12
- Coventry City vs Newcastle United (20:00)
Injury Updates, Suspensions and Key Team News
The extended international break has left several Premier League sides dealing with fresh fitness problems. Managers should check the final press conference updates before making transfers or selecting their starting XI.
Arsenal have suffered significant setbacks in attack, with Kai Havertz facing around four weeks out and Christos Tzolis expected to miss two to three weeks after picking up a hamstring injury on international duty.
Ezri Konsa is also a doubt, although Martin Odegaard has received more encouraging news after his international scare. Bukayo Saka remains an attractive FPL option, but managers should check the latest team news before committing to Arsenal’s other attacking assets.
Manchester City have received a positive update on Erling Haaland. The Norwegian was substituted during international duty, but the decision was planned to manage his workload rather than respond to an injury.
Nico O’Reilly’s availability is less certain after withdrawing from the England camp. Haaland remains a premium option, although Liverpool away is a tougher fixture than Man City’s recent home matches.
Liverpool have their own concerns. Alexander Isak is a doubt after suffering a minor issue while representing Sweden, while Cody Gakpo is expected to miss several weeks. Jeremy Jacquet has also reportedly picked up a hamstring problem. Managers should monitor Isak’s status before making a final decision on Liverpool’s attacking options.
Chelsea’s fitness picture also needs attention following their 3-0 defeat to Brentford. Cole Palmer missed international duty for workload management, while Joao Pedro, Reece James and Moises Caicedo have also been subjects of fitness concerns.
Their availability should be confirmed before the deadline, particularly for managers considering Chelsea’s attacking players.
Manchester United are dealing with further problems after Patrick Dorgu suffered a hamstring injury with Denmark. Noussair Mazraoui also picked up a back injury, while Bruno Fernandes has been managing an issue of his own.
Fernandes could still feature, but his fitness makes it important to monitor the final update before backing Man United’s midfield.
Tottenham have concerns of their own. Pedro Porro is expected to miss the trip to Old Trafford due to a hamstring injury, while Jan Paul van Hecke has a foot injury. Micky van de Ven’s hand issue appears less serious, giving Spurs some hope of retaining defensive stability.
Elsewhere, Bournemouth will be without Alex Scott for a prolonged period after his injury worsened while on England duty. Sunderland have also lost Brian Brobbey and Dan Ballard to injuries sustained during the international break.
Keep an eye on the final press conferences before the FPL Gameweek 6 deadline. With so many players returning from international duty, a late update could make the difference between a valuable transfer and an avoidable blank.
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Must-Have FPL Picks
The opening five gameweeks have provided a clearer picture of which players can deliver consistent returns, but the international break means form must be considered alongside fitness and fixture difficulty.
Arsenal’s home meeting with Leeds United stands out as one of the strongest opportunities of the round. Bukayo Saka (£9.6m) is a leading option, particularly given his goal threat and penalty responsibilities.
Brighton’s Pascal Gross (£5.9m) has been one of the standout performers of the early season, collecting 47 points across the opening five gameweeks. His set-piece involvement and strong attacking returns make him an attractive option against Sunderland, although the fixture is away from home and Sunderland’s defensive absences could influence the game.
Manchester United’s home fixture against Tottenham offers potential attacking value. Bryan Mbeumo (£7.9m) and Cunha (7.9m) have shown a greater goal threat than Bruno Fernandes in the early statistics, making him an option worth considering if Fernandes’ fitness remains a concern. However, Man United’s own injury problems mean managers should avoid assuming that their attack will operate at full strength.
Nottingham Forest’s trip to Crystal Palace gives Morgan Gibbs-White (£8.0m) another opportunity to deliver. He has been more productive away from home this season, collecting 21 points across his two road fixtures. Murillo (£5.5m) is another option, with Forest’s underlying defensive numbers suggesting they have been unfortunate not to keep more clean sheets.
Newcastle’s visit to Coventry City also brings Harvey Barnes (£6.1m) into consideration. The winger has registered a goal and three assists over the last three gameweeks, making him an appealing mid-priced midfielder. Lewis Hall (£5.3m) offers another route into the Newcastle defence, with his attacking potential adding to his clean-sheet appeal.
Everton’s trip to Hull City could be useful for managers looking for defensive value. James Tarkowski (£6.2m) has started all five gameweeks without blanking, combining a goal, an assist, clean sheets and bonus points. He is an option for those seeking a reliable starter rather than another high-risk attacking transfer.
Finally, Erling Haaland (£15.6m) remains difficult to ignore despite Manchester City’s trip to Liverpool. He has scored in each of the last four gameweeks, and his goal threat makes him capable of returning points against any opponent.
For FPL Gameweek 6, prioritise players with secure minutes, strong underlying numbers and favourable fixtures. Avoid making transfers based purely on international-break performances, particularly when a player’s fitness or club role remains uncertain.
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FPL Captaincy Picks
The FPL Gameweek 6 captaincy decision is particularly interesting, with Arsenal enjoying a favourable home fixture and several premium options facing tougher opposition.
- Bukayo Saka – (Arsenal vs Leeds United)
- Erling Haaland – (Liverpool vs Man City)
- Pascal Gross – (Sunderland vs Brighton)
- Bryan Mbeumo – (Man Utd vs Tottenham)
- Morgan Gibbs-White – (Crystal Palace vs Nott’m Forest)
- Harvey Barnes – (Coventry City vs Newcastle)
Extra Time Notes
FPL Gameweek 6 is a reminder that the best decisions are not always the most obvious ones.
The Liverpool-Manchester City clash could produce attacking returns, but it also carries more uncertainty than some of the other fixtures. Haaland remains capable of delivering, although managers should weigh his price and the strength of their alternatives before handing him the armband.
The international break has also made team news particularly important. Isak, Palmer, Fernandes and several other key players need close monitoring, while injuries to Havertz, Tzolis, Gakpo, Scott, Brobbey and Ballard have already changed the outlook for their respective clubs.
Check the latest injury updates before the 11:00 BST deadline. Build around reliable starters, resist unnecessary transfers and make your captaincy decision based on both fixture quality and individual form.
Apply these FPL Gameweek 6 tips carefully, and you will give yourself a strong foundation for the next round of Premier League fixtures.
Good luck!
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