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Fantasy football scout tips gameweek 6: Nicolas Pepe, Moussa Djenepo, Nicolas Otamendi and more

How many of our picks are in your team?

Mark Critchley
Friday 20 September 2019 17:48 BST
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Nicolas Pepe

Arsenal’s record signing has failed to hit the ground running, with one meagre assist in his first five games, but it is surely only a matter of time before Pepe begins to pay back his £72m fee.

Aston Villa’s visit to the Emirates is an opportunity for a player who scored 22 goals in Ligue 1 last year to catch light. Pepe is cheaper alternative to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for Arsenal’s favourable run of fixtures and is owned by less than 4% of managers.

Nicolas Otamendi

Yes, we are tipping the same Nicolas Otamendi who calamitous defending led to Norwich City’s third goal last weekend. Why? Because he is the only fit centre-half that Manchester City have left.

Despite last Saturday’s horror show at Carrow Road, the City defence is among the most dependable in the top-flight and has generous run of games coming up, starting with Watford’s trip north on Saturday.

Moussa Djenepo

Despite being eased into his new surroundings at Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton after his £14m move from Standard Liege this summer, Djenepo has scored twice in just 123 Premier League minutes.

Can he keep it up? The 21-year-old is certainly an enticing prospect at just £5.4m and with a miniscule ownership. A visit from Bournemouth’s porous defence should not put any prospective buyers off.

Ashley Barnes

After four goals in his opening three games, Barnes drew a blank against Brighton last weekend. It was the second time in two weeks he had failed to find the net, but we are keeping the faith.

Norwich are Burnley’s visitors to Turf Moor this weekend and though Daniel Farke’s side can be thrilling, they lack a degree of control. Barnes will fancy his chances against the Premier League’s leakiest defence.

Serge Aurier

Tottenham Hotspur kept their first clean sheet of the season last time out with a sub-£5m attacking full-back who forced an own goal. If he can keep his place once Juan Foyth returns from injury, Aurier could be a steal.

A trip to the King Power this weekend may not appear promising but Leicester are struggling for attacking fluency under Brendan Rodgers, with too much safe possession play and not enough penetration.

Honourable mentions: Vicente Guaita, Lucas Digne, Todd Cantwell, Richarlison, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

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