As we approach Fantasy Football Matchweek 22 of the Premier League, scheduled for January 18, to January 20 it’s essential for FPL managers to strategise effectively to maximize their points.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to assist you in making informed decisions for your squad.
Fantasy Football Matchweek 22 Fixtures
The Fantasy Football deadline for this weekend is Saturday, 18 January, 11:00 GMT.
Saturday, 18 January
- Newcastle United vs Bournemouth (12:30 GMT)
- Brentford vs Liverpool (15:00 GMT)
- Leicester City vs Fulham (15:00 GMT)
- West Ham United vs Crystal Palace (15:00 GMT)
- Arsenal vs Aston Villa (17:30 GMT)
Sunday, 19 January
- Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur (14:00 GMT)
- Manchester United vs Brighton Hove & Albion (14:00 GMT)
- Nottingham Forest vs Southampton (14:00 GMT)
- Ipswich Town vs Manchester City (16:30 GMT)
Monday, 20 January
- Chelsea vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (20:00 GMT)
Injury Updates to Note
- Luis Diaz (Liverpool): Arne Slot has confirmed that Luis Diaz is ill, and missed Thursday’s training session. He is however expected to attend training today and may be a part of Liverpool’s Brentford fixture.
- Diogo Jota (Liverpool): Diogo Jota, the man of the hour in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest, has reportedly sustained a muscle injury. It is yet to be confirmed whether the Portugal international will miss this weekend’s fixture.
- Timo Werner (Tottenham): Tottenham’s Timo Werner sustained a hamstring injury, missing the London derby on Wednesday. His return date is still unknown.
Top Transfer Targets
- Amad Diallo (Manchester United): If you did not bring Amad Diallo (£5.4m) into your Fantasy Football squad for the previous gameweek, his first career hattrick in the dying minutes of Manchester United’s 3-1 win against Southampton should kill all prior doubts.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta (Cyrstal Palace): Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.3m) has scored in two consecutive league games – Chelsea and Leicester City. Crystal Palace play West Ham this weekend in what is expected to be an evenly matched game. Mateta who has made a habit of finding the back of the net makes for a promising purchase.
- Kevin De Bruyne & Phil Foden (Manchester City): Manchester City, although still shaky are finally starting to display some – emphasis on some – stability. Kevin De Bruyne’s (£9.4m) much-missed brilliance is on display again, and Phil Foden (£9.2m) is back in goal-scoring form. With Pep Guardiola’s men set to face Ipswich, the Belgian and Englishman may file in some goal contributions.
- Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest): Anthony Elanga and Chris Wood are not the only Nottingham Forest outfield stars to pick from. Defender Ola Aina (£5.2m) is the most in-form defender in the Premier League, and with Forest facing Southampton, a clean sheet is in sight.
- Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest): The league’s most in-form goalkeeper comes from none other than Nottingham Forest. Former Clearlake-owned Strasbourg goalkeeper, Matz Sels (£5.0m) has been a strong signing for Forest and is likely to earn a clean sheet this weekend.
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Players to Hold/Bench
- Luis Diaz & Diogo Jota (Liverpool): FPL managers may be tempted to sell the Liverpool pair, however, considering their fine form, it may be wise to hold on to Diaz and Jota for this Matchweek as the football world awaits updates from the club.
- Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea): Trevoh Chalobah was loaned out to South London club Cyrstal Palace at the start of the season. However, as of this week, Chalobah is back at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea have recalled him. Having had limited time with Enzo Maresca, Chalobah is an unlikely pick for the Italian this weekend. An appearance off the bench, or in the following fixture seems possible though.
Captaincy Picks
- Alexander Isak (Newcastle): The Premier League’s most in-form striker is Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. The Swede racked up a total of 16 points following Newcastle’s 3-0 win against Wolves, with two goals and an assist. Although Bournemouth does not promise to be an easy opponent, Isak’s form speaks for itself.
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): Despite underwhelming stats following Liverpool’s Nottingham Forest draw, Salah remains a good pick for captaincy. Brentford will be quite the task, however, Salah will be looking to prove himself as the club aims to claim a stronghold of their lead in the league.
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea): Fantasy Football managers are spoiled for choice this Matchweek as Cole Palmer is back as a worthy captain pick. Those who captained the Chelsea midfielder earlier in the week will go into this round of fixtures confident in him. Chelsea face Wolves, although Maresca has stated that he is unsure of Palmer’s availability.
Strategic Considerations
Monitor Press Conferences: Last-minute injury updates and team news can significantly impact your decisions. Stay informed to make timely transfers.
By staying updated on the latest news and being strategic with your Fantasy Football transfers and captaincy choices, you can navigate the challenges of Matchweek 22 and boost your FPL performance.