RADIO
Welcome to Gameweek 22, RotoBallers! This is our third year covering FPL, and we are bringing you more coverage than ever. We publish two weekly articles: a staff roundtable preview and our weekly rankings. Then, once a month, we have our newest report, The Watchlist, a review of the previous month and a look ahead to the upcoming fixtures.
Twenty-one gameweeks down, 17 to go. After a long Gameweek 21, we are finally in the swing of a semi-normal FPL gameweek. It takes place over three days but is a Tuesday through Thursday schedule. All eyes will be on Anfield on Wednesday night to see how Liverpool rallies around the news that Jurgen Klopp is leaving Anfield after nine seasons in charge.
The Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 22 deadline is 1:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30, when Nottingham Forest meets Arsenal at the City Ground. Also, look out for the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every English Premier League, Major League Soccer, and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS and betting perspective.
Find someone who loves you as much as @Baseball_Jimbo loves Alfie Doughty after his great call in this week’s @RotoBaller #FPL preview pic.twitter.com/lKVqx48H3y
— Euan Leith (@EuanFPL) December 27, 2023
Fantasy Premier League Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 22 Preview
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the mind of our FPL staff. Our top soccer writers 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!
Mohamed Salah will be out for the next 21-28 days. What are your plans for the Egyptian star?
- Euan Leith: I've held him since he left for the Ivory Coast, but it's time to get him out of my squad. With Kevin de Bruyne back in our FPL thoughts, the money I have invested in Salah can be used elsewhere for the next few weeks.
- Jamie Steed: I was going to hold on, especially as Egypt has struggled in the AFCON and could be out sooner than expected. But I suspect something is a bit amiss with this injury, and we don’t see him until March. Kevin de Bruyne sitting on my watchlist is too tempting, so that looks like my move this week.
Meanwhile, Erling Haaland has returned to training. What do you need to see from the Norwegian to bring him back into your FPL squad?
- Euan: Man City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed Erling Haaland will not be in the FA Cup squad to face Tottenham this weekend. That gives me the impression that Haaland can make the squad for Gameweek 22 but may not start against Burnley. If so, I'll wait a week to bring in the big man.
- Jamie: Nothing, as I never actually dropped him. The sunk cost fallacy sat in. I was prepared to hold him, given he’d miss two games that turned into another two, then more…… In the end, I’ve got by fine without him, so I don’t have the headache of having to tinker with the team so I can afford him again.
🚨 An update on Haaland from Pep 🚨
Does this change your plans for Gameweek 22? 👇#FPL pic.twitter.com/LgnpGzYw8s
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) January 25, 2024
Ivan Toney returned from suspension in Gameweek 21 and promptly scored a goal. Is the Brentford striker a good bet for FPL managers?
- Euan: Ollie Watkins is underwhelming, and it feels like a perfect time to jump on Ivan Toney. Brentford has a double gameweek in 25 and has a fixture in Gameweek 29. So Toney can improve our short and long-term prospects. Unfortunately, Watkins is an incredibly popular asset in FPL and could damage your mini-league standings if he hauls.
- Jamie: Absolutely. He’ll be playing with a chip on his shoulder and was one of the premium options last season. Being on free-kicks and penalties will help his goals tally. Even though I don’t know if Brentford has enough of a supporting cast to get the best out of him, Toney will still score double digits this season.
Arsenal scored five, but Bukayo Saka blanked. Are you keeping the faith with the ever-popular Gunner?
- Euan: I am keeping Bukayo Saka, but I don't feel great about it. The Arsenal midfielder was unlucky to come away with only three points against Crystal Palace, but the vibes still aren't great. A game versus Nottingham Forest is too good to pass up, but I would get rid of the Englishman if he were my only route to Kevin de Bruyne.
- Jamie: The Achilles issue is a concern, but his corner led to Gabriel’s second goal, later declared as an own goal. And that came after Gabriel missed a free header from another of his corners. Arsenal next face a Nottingham Forest side that’s conceded more goals from set-pieces than any other team. That alone is worth holding Saka for.
How do Bukayo Saka's #FPL stats compare to this stage last season? 📊@fplblackbox_az and @FPLFocal discuss his numbers on this week's Off The Bench podcast 🎧
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) January 24, 2024
The Blank and Double Gameweeks are starting to take shape. Do you have an early idea of when you will play your chips in the second half?
- Euan: Chip Strategy is so important in the second half of the season. A healthy Haaland or Salah for Double Gameweek 25 will see me activate the Triple Captain chip. The Free Hit chip may be needed in Gameweek 29 to avoid all the blank fixtures caused by the FA Cup. And I always like to Wildcard before a Double Gameweek to use my Bench Boost and have 15 players playing twice.
- Jamie: I do, but I will have a clearer picture after the FA Cup fourth-round games this weekend. Although the fifth round doesn’t interfere with any FPL fixtures, it’ll give us a better idea of the possible quarter-finalists impacting Gameweek 29. My immediate concern is navigating Gameweek 26 (League Cup final weekend), which will only have eight fixtures.
Four teams blank in Gameweek 26 🚫
Plan accordingly 👨💻#FPL pic.twitter.com/sGvt2r6Upw
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) January 25, 2024
Who is keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 22?
- Euan: Brighton didn't keep a clean sheet for the first 19 weeks of the season, and now they've done it in back-to-back gameweeks. They'll make it three in a row versus Luton Town, and Pervis Estupinan managers will be working with a six-point floor this weekend.
- Jamie: Manchester City at home to Burnley looks like the obvious pick. But with so many attacking options, you’ll likely be unable to maximize that. I do like Wolves to shutout Manchester United this week. This is a United side with the fifth-lowest xG (10.9) on the road and failed to score in three of their last four away games. Wolves have kept back-to-back clean sheets in the league and conceded just seven goals in their previous eight home EPL games.
A favorable run for the Seagulls 🔵⚪️
Will you be adding any Brighton players to your side? 👥#FPL pic.twitter.com/vHumuX7Cjj
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) January 25, 2024
What defensive player is providing attacking returns?
- Euan: James Maddison is nearing a return for Spurs, which will raise this squad's offensive floor. It may also lower the ceiling of Pedro Porro, so let's cash out on him while he still has the set pieces all to himself. A London derby versus Brentford is a perfect spot for Porro to reward his managers with another attacking return.
- Jamie: I alluded to it earlier, but Arsenal’s Gabriel is in a great spot to find the net again. The team with the most set-piece goals scored faces the team with the most set-piece goals conceded. He did limp off during Arsenal’s 5-0 win against Crystal Palace, but the injury doesn’t appear set to side-line the Brazilian.
Who's a midfielder or forward rostered on less than 10 percent of teams that will grab us those FPL points?
- Euan: Ivan Toney (4.1 percent) won't be this low-owned for much longer. He came back from suspension and instantly got back on the scoresheet. Tottenham's attacking style of football leaves them vulnerable at the back, and the England forward is in a great spot to make it two goals in two games for Brentford.
- Jamie: Mohammed Kudus has been one of the most dropped players, given his involvement in the AFCON. Ghana’s shock early exit means he should be available for West Ham again next week, and with just one non-penalty goal scored in the two games he’s missed, they need him. He’s currently on just 3.2% of FPL squads. After scoring 34 points in his last three home games, I expect another big performance and one that’ll see him as a popular add in the coming weeks.
Returning from international duty 🔙
Will you be adding Mohammed Kudus back to your FPL squad? 👀#FPL pic.twitter.com/5HwKhaCS84
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) January 25, 2024
Who is one player you want to, but can’t, have for the Gameweek 22 fixtures in Fantasy Premier League?
- Euan: I already have three Man City players, so Kevin de Bruyne is not an option for my FPL squad this weekend. Even a 30-minute cameo is enough for the Belgian to accrue a double-digit haul. It'll be terrifying, but KDB will remain off my FPL squad in Gameweek 22.
- Jamie: By swapping out Salah for Kevin de Bruyne, I’m missing out on a couple of forwards I like. I’ve already mentioned Toney, but Julián Álvarez is also a standout option. Haaland won’t be rushed back, so I suspect Álvarez starts in the attacking role against Burnley, and if de Bruyne supports him, he could easily be the highest scorer in Gameweek 22.
Who’s getting the Captain’s armband?
- Euan: Phil Foden against Burnley is the Man City asset I trust the most in terms of minutes. Kevin de Bruyne has not played more than 45 minutes since his return. Erling Haaland hasn't seen the pitch since Gameweek 16, and Julian Alvarez will be affected by the return of the Norwegian. That leaves Foden as the guy playing all 90 minutes at home versus the third-worst defense over the last six games.
- Jamie: I’m putting it on Jarrod Bowen for now but may opt for Kudus or Saka. I expect West Ham to click into gear again, especially with the weekend off and Kudus returning. I’ll wait to hear about any news on Kudus’ condition before I make my final decision, but assuming he and Bowen are both fit, it’ll surely be on one of them.
Finally, what’s your bold prediction for Gameweek 22?
- Euan: The news of Jurgen Klopp's impending departure throws Anfield into a frenzy, and they brush aside Chelsea 4-1. Meanwhile, Brentford continues to improve with a point against Totenham and Wolves defeat Man United on Thursday evening.
- Jamie: Man City sticks five past Burnley, with six different players having goal involvements. They also account for the three highest points-scoring players this week. Luton Town beat Brighton with my man Alfie Doughty tallying another goal involvement.
Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on X @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
