Pascal Groß leads our FPL captain picks for Gameweek 6 after becoming the highest-scoring player of the season so far. Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Bruno Fernandes and Erling Haaland complete the ranking.
The international break has changed the captaincy picture. Saka returns to Arsenal after scoring twice for England, Palmer and Fernandes must be monitored for fitness, while Haaland faces Liverpool away after carrying a heavy workload for Norway.
The Gameweek 6 deadline is Saturday, 10 October at 11:00 BST, 90 minutes before Arsenal host Leeds United. Managers should wait for Friday’s press conferences before confirming their captain.
Latest update – 8 October 2026: Groß moves to the top after collecting 31 points across his last two Gameweeks. Saka is the leading premium alternative, while João Pedro and Alexander Isak are omitted because of injury concerns.
Last updated: 8 October 2026.
FPL Gameweek 6 Captain Picks
| Rank | Player | Opponent | Captaincy category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pascal Groß | Sunderland (A) | Best overall pick |
| 2 | Bukayo Saka | Leeds United (H) | Best premium pick |
| 3 | Cole Palmer | Bournemouth (H) | High-upside option if fit |
| 4 | Bruno Fernandes | Tottenham Hotspur (H) | Penalty-backed alternative |
| 5 | Erling Haaland | Liverpool (A) | Fixture-proof premium |
The fixtures and kick-off times have been checked against the official Premier League Matchweek 6 schedule.
5. Erling Haaland – Liverpool Away
Erling Haaland has scored five goals and collected 39 FPL points across the opening five Gameweeks. His 20 shots, 19 attempts inside the penalty area and nine big chances all lead the Premier League.
Those numbers would usually make him the automatic captain. The problem this week is a combination of fixture and workload.
Manchester City travel to Anfield, where Liverpool have kept clean sheets against Fulham and Bournemouth in their last two league matches. Haaland also played extensively for Norway during the international break, scoring three times before asking to be replaced after 67 minutes against Portugal.
Norway manager Ståle Solbakken indicated that the substitution was related to Haaland’s workload rather than a serious injury. He is still expected to be available, but Pep Guardiola’s press conference should be checked.
Haaland can score against any opponent and his ownership makes him dangerous to oppose. Nevertheless, an away match against Liverpool provides a reasonable opportunity to captain somebody with a more favourable fixture.
4. Bruno Fernandes – Tottenham Hotspur at Home
Bruno Fernandes has 31 points from five appearances, although that total requires some context. All three of his goals and his only assist came during Manchester United’s 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town in Gameweek 2.
He has blanked in the other four Gameweeks. That inconsistency prevents him from ranking higher despite an appealing home fixture against Tottenham.
Fernandes still possesses several qualities required of an FPL captain. He takes penalties, controls most of United’s set pieces and is usually trusted to complete 90 minutes. Tottenham have also started the season poorly, failing to win any of their first five league matches.
The concern is his fitness. Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus revealed that Fernandes had been managing a physical problem during the international break. The midfielder continued to feature for his country and is expected to face Spurs, but his condition should be confirmed before the deadline.
If fully fit, Fernandes is a legitimate captain. Managers unwilling to take that risk could consider Bryan Mbeumo as a cheaper route into the same fixture.
3. Cole Palmer – Bournemouth at Home
Cole Palmer has registered two goals, two assists and 28 FPL points this season. Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat at Brentford was a setback, but a home match against Bournemouth offers an immediate opportunity to respond.
Bournemouth remain without a league win and will also be missing Alex Scott, who suffered a significant thigh injury while playing for England. Palmer’s penalty duties and ability to earn bonus points give him the highest FPL ceiling among Chelsea’s available attackers.
His fitness keeps him below Groß and Saka.
Palmer withdrew from the England squad because of a minor muscular issue and did not take part in the international matches. Reports suggest he expects to be available against Bournemouth, but Chelsea have not yet provided definitive confirmation that he will start.
That uncertainty makes him a conditional captain rather than a safe early selection. If Xabi Alonso confirms Palmer is fully fit, he could reasonably move above Saka in the final ranking.
João Pedro is not included this week. The Brazilian missed Gameweek 5 with a knee problem, withdrew from the Brazil squad and remains doubtful for the Bournemouth match.
2. Bukayo Saka – Leeds United at Home
Bukayo Saka returns from international duty in excellent form after scoring twice during England’s 7-0 victory in Croatia.
He has also produced three goals and 32 FPL points across Arsenal’s first five league matches. His six big chances are the most among midfielders, while only a small number of players have attempted more shots inside the penalty area.
Arsenal need a reaction after losing 3-0 at Brighton before the break. A home match against Leeds gives Saka an opportunity to lead it, particularly if Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis remain unavailable.
Leeds should not be underestimated. They are unbeaten after five matches and have conceded only three league goals. This is a much stronger defensive record than normally associated with a newly promoted team.
Even so, Saka combines a favourable home fixture with secure minutes, goal threat and penalty potential. He is the safest premium captain in Gameweek 6 and the leading option for managers who prefer a proven name.
1. Pascal Groß – Sunderland Away
Pascal Groß takes first place after an exceptional opening five Gameweeks.
The Brighton midfielder has started every league match and collected 47 FPL points, more than any other player. His returns include 17 points against Coventry City and another 14 during Brighton’s 3-0 victory over Arsenal.
Groß has three league goals and four FPL assists, while remaining heavily involved in set pieces and penalties. Unlike many cheaper midfielders, he does not rely on one route to points.
Brighton’s attacking form strengthens his captaincy case. They have scored 16 goals in five league matches, including eight across their last two games. Sunderland, meanwhile, conceded five at Manchester City before the international break and have already allowed 10 league goals.
The only hesitation is that Groß does not carry the same long-term scoring reputation as Haaland, Palmer or Saka. Some of his early output may prove difficult to sustain.
Captaincy, however, is a one-week decision. Groß enters Gameweek 6 with the strongest combination of recent points, secure minutes and an accessible opponent. Managers comfortable captaining a mid-priced midfielder should place him at the top of the list.
Other Gameweek 6 Captain Options
Bryan Mbeumo provides an alternative to Fernandes for Manchester United’s home match against Tottenham. He scored for Cameroon during the international break and has started all five of United’s league games.
Morgan Rogers also scored for England and should start when Chelsea host Bournemouth. He becomes more appealing if Palmer or João Pedro fails a late fitness test, although he does not have the same penalty security.
Viktor Gyökeres scored in all four of Sweden’s matches during the international window. Injuries to Arsenal’s other attackers could create an opportunity for him against Leeds, but his recent Premier League minutes make him a risky captain.
Yoane Wissa scored twice for DR Congo and faces promoted Coventry City. Newcastle’s inconsistent attacking performances prevent him from entering the main five, but the fixture gives him differential potential.
Pascal Groß’s Brighton teammate Maxim De Cuyper is another option for managers willing to captain a defender. His attacking involvement has been excellent, although relying on a clean sheet away from home carries additional risk.
Players to Monitor Before the Gameweek 6 Deadline
- Cole Palmer: Confident of returning, but Chelsea should confirm his availability before the deadline.
- Bruno Fernandes: Has been managing a physical issue but continued to play for Portugal.
- Erling Haaland: Expected to be available after his early substitution for Norway, although fatigue remains a concern.
- João Pedro: Missed Gameweek 5 with a knee injury and remains doubtful.
- Alexander Isak: Returned early from Sweden duty with a thigh problem and also faces Manchester City.
The Premier League’s international-break round-up contains further details on the players who returned to their clubs with injuries.
Final FPL Captaincy Verdict
Groß is the best Gameweek 6 captain based on current form. He is the highest-scoring player in FPL, has started every match and faces a Sunderland side that conceded five goals immediately before the break.
Saka is the safer premium choice. His two goals for England, secure role and home fixture give him a strong case despite Leeds’ impressive defensive record.
Palmer could become the best high-upside alternative if Chelsea confirm his fitness. Fernandes offers penalties and a favourable home fixture but has blanked in four of five Gameweeks. Haaland completes the ranking because of his unmatched goal threat, although Liverpool away and his international workload reduce his appeal.
- Best Overall Pick: Pascal Groß
- Best Premium Pick: Bukayo Saka
- Best High-Upside Pick: Cole Palmer
- Penalty-Backed Alternative: Bruno Fernandes
- Ownership-Safe Pick: Erling Haaland
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