Fantasy Premier League was back with anything but a bang after the international break as some of the most popular players struggled for points.

With a season-low gameweek average of 44 points, FPL players were left scraping the barrel for returns in their team as the likes of Son Heung-min, Marcus Rashford, James Maddison and Ben Chilwell all blanked.

But a new gameweek brings new opportunity and there are favourable fixtures this weekend for the likes of Brighton, Manchester City and Manchester United, however the North London derby and Liverpool’s game against West Ham may provide some difficulty in selection.

After assessing all the major talking points in FPL, Mail Sport is back with three top tips ahead of the GW6 deadline.

Fantasy Premier League managers endured a tough week in gameweek five, with popular players such as Son Heung-min failing to return

Ben Chilwell was another highly-owned player to miss out, coming on as a substitute for Chelsea before being booked

What we learned in GW5

It’s always a risk to captain against Haaland

Erling Haaland has been somewhat of a permanent captain for many fantasy managers this season after his record-breaking campaign in his debut Premier League season last year.

Selected by 92.3 per cent of teams, the Manchester City forward regularly provides reward for his owners, especially those who captain him to receive double points.

Many took the risk last week in going against him and giving Son the armband at home to Sheffield United, and escaped punishment when the South Korean failed to return. He may also now move back out wide with Richarlison proving his worth, scoring and assisting after coming off the bench. 

Haaland scored only six points against West Ham but missed a number of big chances, so a big let-off.

Erling Halaand (left) scored again for Manchester City despite missing several big chances

No one is safe from Brighton rotation

Seagulls boss Roberto de Zerbi likes to use his squad and that will likely only happen more as European football starts up, with it currently anyone’s guess who will line-up for the side against Bournemouth.

A number of FPL managers had bought Pervis Estupinan, not only because of his attacking threat but because he seemed nailed for selection.

Despite not seeming to have an injury, the Colombian was left out of the squad for Brighton’s 3-1 win over Manchester United. It’s thought that it was due to the travelling he endured during the international break, but it shows not even he can be relied on from Brighton in FPL.

Brighton continued to rotate their team under Roberto de Zerbi (left) against Manchester United on Saturday

Pervis Estupinan, the most highly-owned defender, was left out of the squad for the match at Old Trafford

Chelsea continue to struggle in front of goal

Chelsea were the talk of the town after their 3-0 win over Luton in GW3, with a number of managers bringing in Raheem Sterling while Ben Chilwell and Nicolas Jackson also remained popular picks.

But the Blues have failed to score in both games since, losing 1-0 to Nottingham Forest before a 0-0 draw with Bournemouth, leaving owners scratching their heads.

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And with Jackson picking up yet another yellow card on the south coast, he’s not just one more booking away from suspension. 

Cheslea’s struggles continued in front of goal, with Raheem Sterling (left) and Nicolas Jackson (right) again blanking

Top tips for GW6

Captain Haaland and don’t think twice

For those who went against Haaland last week, don’t this week.

He has Nottingham Forest at home in GW6, one of the worst away sides in the league, and the forward remains lethal at the Etihad, scoring a hat-trick against Fulham in his last home league match and returning 20 points. 

Alvarez is the in-form attacker

With those around him struggling to return last week, Julian Alvarez continues to tick over, notching nine points against West Ham thanks to two assists and a bonus point.

Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez is the in-form attacker, picking up two assists last week before scoring twice in the Champions League on Tuesday

He scored twice in mid-week against Red Star Belgrade, and Pep Guardiola branded him ‘almost undroppable’ last week. He’s said that before and not stuck to his guns – think Nathan Ake at the back end of last season – but City’s attacking injuries mean Alvarez is almost certain to play against Forest.

Time for Newcastle’s defence

Not many fantasy managers invested in Newcastle’s defence to start the season due to the Magpies’ tough run of fixtures, but, after a clean sheet at home to Brentford, their run now looks a little nicer.

Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier and Fabian Schar all picked up bonus points in GW5 and their run now sees games against Sheffield United, Burnley, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Wolves.