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Welcome to Gameweek 22, Rotoballers! This season, we are expanding our soccer coverage to include the great game of Fantasy Premier League. So, if you are a seasoned veteran, or a rookie navigating your first campaign, we will set you right as we look to acquire those weekend-making green arrows and avoid the doom and gloom of a red arrow.
The action kicks off at 3 pm Eastern on Friday, Jan. 14, with the defensively-stout Brighton hosting up-and-down Crystal Palace. Therefore, our lineups will lock at 1:30 pm Eastern, and then we strap ourselves in for (hopefully) 14 games of FPL magic across six days because of the Double Gameweek. In Gameweek 22, the following eight teams will play two matches: Brentford, Brighton, Burnley, Chelsea, Leicester, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Watford. As a result, players from those rosters should be a high priority before the deadline.
Also, be sure to check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the team gets you all set for every English Premier League and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS perspective.
RotoBaller FPL Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 22
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the mind of our FPL staff. Our top soccer writers - Euan Leith, Jamie Steed, and Phil Goyette - will answer questions each Gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So without further ado, let's kick off Gameweek 22!
How was the first Gameweek of the New Year?
- Euan Leith: I don't think I could've wished for anything better. I gave the armband to Jarrod Bowen, and he came back with 42 points across his double Gameweek. Plus, I kept the faith in Mohamed Salah, and he converted a world-class strike against Chelsea. Seventy-nine points and sitting at 127k Overall Rank.
- Jamie Steed: A modest 56 points scored after the midweek fixtures (bonuses yet to be added). As I expected, my FOMO of not captaining Bowen came to roost.
- Phil Goyette: Big week! 87 points all out, green arrow up to 47k OR
It's Double Gameweek bonanza time right now. Wildcard? Free Hit? Taking hits for transfers? What's the play?
- Euan Leith: Like Natalie Imbruglia, I'm tornnnnnnn. The Free Hit chip is incredibly tempting, but the Double Gameweek fixtures do not overly entice me. I think a -8 is in the cards to bring in James Maddison and either Harry Kane or Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Jamie Steed: I'm just looking to maximize my two free transfers on players with a double-header. The teams with two games don't have more than one matchup I'd consider worthwhile sacrificing points or wildcards on. And who is to say some more games don't get postponed and any bonus used is wasted?
- Phil Goyette: I feel like the decisions this week can be a real separator. I'm currently between taking a -8 to bring in Ronaldo, Maddison, and Dennis OR cashing my first FH this week. I still think it makes the most sense to use a FH for a blank gameweek or a big injury crisis, so I am leaning toward taking the two hits.
- Euan Leith: Diogo Jota is the man of the hour right now and should be racking up the points in his teammate's absence. I also believe Harry Kane has to turn his season around at some point. He leads the game in the difference between his Goals+Assists (5) and expected Goals+expected Assists (10.3). Regression is coming for the Englishman!
- Jamie Steed: Diogo Jota seems the obvious choice. With Liverpool short in the attacking areas, he should be a regular starter, is currently the fourth-highest scoring midfielder in the game, and has a pretty soft schedule over the next few weeks.
- Phil Goyette: If you don't have James Maddison in your squad, that's the obvious move. Also, Jarrod Bowen spearheading the WHU attack but being listed as a midfield is another great option.
The January transfer window is heating up. So who's been the best addition to the EPL for FPL purposes?
- Euan Leith: Phillipe Coutinho is (probably) the correct answer, but I'm intrigued by Everton's Lucas Digne leaving Goodison Park and moving to Aston Villa. I think he has the chance to flourish under Steven Gerrard and could be a perfect fit in this system.
- Jamie Steed: It's still early days, and Philippe Coutinho has the potential to be a star signing if he can get back to his old form. Newcastle adding Kieran Trippier could be a shrewd signing, and his set-piece ability does have some appeal, but they're such a mess right now it's hard to trust any of their players in FPL.
- Phil Goyette: Phil Coutinho to Villa is an interesting option at his price of $7.0m. I'm not bringing him in yet, but Villa has a great run of fixtures coming up.
Who's keeping a clean sheet this week?
- Euan Leith: Wolves goalie Jose Sa tops my list against Southampton, with Liverpool's Alisson Becker a close second.
- Jamie Steed: Wolves seem like the best bet. They struggle to score but have the league's second-best defensive record and will host a Southampton team ranked tied-15th in goals scored.
- Phil Goyette: Either Liverpool or United vs. Brentford. Their attack is in shambles right now.
Which defensive player is providing an attacking return?
- Euan Leith: Sergio Reguillon and Emerson Royal will be popular picks at the back for Spurs. However, I'll provide a differential here and nominate Eric Dier. He hasn't found the back of the net this season, but he'll have two chances to change that in Gameweek 22.
- Jamie Steed: The aforementioned Trippier gets to make his Newcastle EPL debut at home to a Watford team still without a clean sheet this season. If he does take on set-piece duties, an assist is very possible. Otherwise, any centre back facing Leicester City (I'm looking at Ben Mee this week) given their league-high number of goals conceded from set-pieces.
- Phil Goyette: Emerson Royal for Spurs. He's not technically very good, but he's physical, fast, and gets himself into good positions. Maybe the ball deflects in off his ass or something this week.
- Euan Leith: YER A WIZARD' ARRY (Kane)! Please show us some magic.
- Jamie Steed: I might take a punt on Jadon Sancho, who has started Manchester United's last two games and gets Aston Villa and Brentford in a double gameweek. Jota is the only other midfielder priced at £8m+. I'd back getting more points than Sancho this gameweek.
- Phil Goyette: I don't like any of the premium mids this week, so give me a well-rested Ronaldo with a DGW.
What are your transfer plans heading into this Gameweek?
- Euan Leith: If (and a big if at that) I don't Free Hit, I have to get Maddison and Kane in the squad. They may not be the highest priorities with Salah, Son, and Reece James all out, but I can't resist the potential points.
- Jamie Steed: Looking at maximizing the total number of games with eight teams having two matches scheduled, but not taking any minus points as it's still far from a given all the games will go ahead as planned.
- Phil Goyette: I think I am taking a -8 to bring in Ronaldo, Maddison, Dennis. That is my priority order for the top 3 guys this DGW.
Who's getting the Captain's armband?
- Euan Leith: Harry Kane will lead the lads out this Gameweek.
- Jamie Steed: I've mentioned Sancho, but Harry Kane probably makes the most sense given he has two games, one of which is against a Leicester City team he has 15 goals in 12 games against.
- Phil Goyette: A well-rested Ronaldo with a DGW.
Finally, what's your bold prediction for this week?
- Euan Leith: Ronaldo and Kane have at least one double-digit haul apiece. Plus, Chelsea upset Man City to keep the title race interesting.
- Jamie Steed: Chelsea picks up at least a point away at Manchester City on Saturday, only to drop points at Brighton on Tuesday.
- Phil Goyette: Jorginho is the best Chelsea asset for the DGW (remember, he's on pens, and they have two games!)
Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on Twitter @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
