Another Bruno Fernandes blank and The Pep Roulette struck again in game week 21 as three vital Man City assets were left on the bench. The quick turnaround to Game Week 22 means there is no time for regrets as the upcoming game week offers redemption.
With the deadline on Tuesday 2 February at 16:30 GMT, the best picks and differentials are provided here.
Goalkeepers
Ederson(£6.0m) stands alone as the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets (12) this season and faces Burnley who haven’t been at their scoring best this season. Liverpool-slayer, Ashley Barnes, remains out and significantly reduces Burnley’s threat but increases Ederson’s already high clean sheet potential.
Emiliano Martínez(£5.1m) is the highest-scoring goalkeeper in FPL this season (103 points) having kept 10 clean sheets and 66 saves earning him 13 bonus points. Although a clean sheet is not guaranteed against West Ham and Tomáš Souček(£5.3m), Martinez produced more points (10) than all my outfield players in GW 21 and not for the first time, should have rightfully been given the captaincy.
It was the Argentine’s fourth double-digits return in 19 games and indeed a tough call to captain a goalkeeper knowing he can concede many goals in the game. However, I would be looking to select him as captain in the coming weeks. Fingers crossed it doesn’t backfire
Defenders
Ben Chilwell’s(£6.1m) surprise omission meant Marcos Alonso(£5.6m) was given a recall by Thomas Tuchel after not appearing for four months and given 90 minutes in his best position. The Spaniard duly scored a sensational half-volley and must now be fancied by FPL managers if Chelsea stick to the back-three against Tottenham.
Needless to say, Alonso holds a fine individual record against Spurs and it would be no surprise to see an FPL legend score again should he start on Thursday.
Aaron Cresswell(£5.5m) is currently the highest-scoring defender on FPL (96 points) including 11 bonus points as West Ham have risen up the table. Should David Moyes’ men score against an equally defensively solid Aston Villa, Cresswell is on set piece duties as his team have scored the most from dead balls this season.
Midfielders
Harvey Barnes(£6.9m) scored in the defeat against Leeds to continue his rich vein of form. He was assisted by James Maddison(£7.3m) and it is imperative to have one of the Leicester assets with Jamie Vardy injured.
Mo Salah(£12.6m) returned to his sharp best as Liverpool finally ended their poor run of barren form in successive trips to Tottenham and West Ham. The Egyptian netted a lethal brace against the Hammers and is an instant hot pick for game week 22, in part due to the absence of many big hitters.
Opponents Brighton have conceded the most penalties this season (eight) and Salah is indeed responsible for the most goals(15) and shots on target(31) at Liverpool.
Raheem Sterling(£11.6m) is primed to step up with points against Burnley after getting a rest against Sheffield.
Among Pep Guardiola’s triple rotation in GW 21, Cancelo(£6.0m) is also expected to be back against The Clarets and is a go-to for attacking and defensive returns.
Strikers
Callum Wilson(£6.7m) is extremely reliable with 10 goals from 15 shots this season. The 28-year-old hit a brace against Everton to get Newcastle’s first win in 11 games and his assist in the previous game against Leeds puts him on course for the game against Crystal palace.
Ollie Watkins(£6.2m) missed some good chances against Southampton and is due a big points haul soon having ended a recent unfortunate goal drought. The striker looks set to profit from the likes of Jack Grealish(£7.6m), Ross Barkley(£5.9m), or Bertrand Traore(£5.9m) against West Ham.
