The team selection and captaincy pick for Gameweek 22 is not the most straightforward. Liverpool and Chelsea play each other, Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne are back from injury, and many such factors are giving Fantasy Premier League managers a headache. We have analysed the performances of various players in recent games and come up with some must-have players for Gameweek 22. A list of best captain picks as well as some differentials for Gameweek 22 have been mentioned below.
Kevin De Bruyne is one of the top captaincy candidates for Gameweek 22. The Belgian international made his return from injury on 7th January 2024 against Huddersfield in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. De Bruyne managed to assist a goal just 17 minutes into his return, He followed this up with a goal and an assist against Newcastle United. De Bruyne came off the bench to inspire Manchester City to a 3-2 comeback against Newcastle United.
Kevin De Bruyne 4 g/a in 3 games after coming back from injury. Poetic. pic.twitter.com/2Ef33XMam7
— ¹⁷ BruyneKev✨ (@KevRole) January 27, 2024
De Bruyne has started on the bench for all three games since returning from injury but now that he has got a few minutes under his belt he seems poised to start against Burley. Burnley is struggling in the relegation zone, and it should be a relatively easy game for Manchester City. De Bruyne will likely give good Fantasy Premier League returns this week and this matchup makes him one of the best captaincy picks for Gameweek 22.
Credit: The Independent
Jarrod Bowen has a favourable home fixture against Bournemouth in Gameweek 22. Bournemouth have conceded seven goals in their last two Premier League fixtures. Although Bournemouth were on a very good run, they are starting to look shaky at the back. West Ham and Bowen will be looking to take advantage of this and will try to get as many goals past Neto as possible.
Credit: Arsenal
Bukayo Saka has been quite underwhelming in recent weeks when it comes to Fantasy Premier League returns. Saka has provided just 1 goal involvement in his last six Premier League games. While this is a very troubling statistic, we have good reason to recommend him as a captain pick for Gameweek 22. Arsenal and Bukayo Saka will be facing Nottingham Forest. Forest has managed to keep just three clean sheets in the Premier League this season. Saka will likely get a goal contribution against Forest.
Despite Saka having just one goal contribution in his last six Premier League games, his underlying numbers are very good. Saka ranks 4th among all players for shots taken in the last four Gameweeks. It will not come as a shock if his efforts finally end up earning him a haul against Nottingham Forest.
Diogo Jota has been filling in perfectly while Mohamed Salah is away at AFCON. Liverpool normally turns to Salah for goal contributions but in his absence, Diogo Jota has been a revelation. Jota has had three goals and three assists in his last three Premier League games. While Jota has a relatively tough fixture against Chelsea, he cannot be excluded from this list given the form he is in. Jota is a must-have for Fantasy Premier League players and will make for a very good captain pick for Gameweek 22.
⚽️⚽️ 2 goals
🅰️ 1 assistA stunning return from Diogo Jota in Gameweek 21 🌟#FPL pic.twitter.com/4niSGewg4C
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) January 25, 2024
Credit: The Independent
Phil Foden has three goal involvements in his last four Premier League games. Along with his form, he also has a very favourable home fixture against Burnley. If you combine both these factors, Foden comes out as one of the best picks for this Gameweek. With De Bruyne back to provide assists, it is very likely that Foden will find himself on the end of those crosses and can very easily haul against Burnley in Gameweek 22.
James Maddison made a return from injury when Tottenham Hotspurs played Manchester City on 27th January 2024 in the FA Cup. The English midfielder came off the bench in the 73rd minute to make a first appearance since early November. While James Maddison was present in most Fantasy Premier League teams before his injury, he is only owned by 8.3% of managers now. Maddison can be a very good differential for Fantasy Premier League managers if they are ready to punt on him and get him in early.
After a long injury lay-off, James Maddison is back 🙌 pic.twitter.com/8ofsHOvdOQ
— 90min (@90min_Football) January 26, 2024
Credit: Times Of India
Rasmus Hojlund has finally started to catch some form at Manchester United. Hojlund has three goal involvements in his last two games. Manchester United play Wolves next in the Premier League. United have scored right goals in their last games. It is likely that United will score against Wolves and it might as well be Rasmus Hojlund who does that. With just 3.6% ownership, Hojlund can be a very good differential for Fantasy Premier League managers.
ALSO READ: Cristiano Ronaldo Net Worth 2024
Credit: The Athletic
Eberechi Eze is one of the key players for Crystal Palace. Palace looks to find Eze in almost every attack and therefore it is very likely that he will be involved if Crystal Palace scores. Palace play Sheffield United who currently sit at the bottom of the Premier League. At £6 Million, Eberechi Eze is a fantastic differential pick to have against this relegation-threatened side.
.@KevinDeBruyne and @JeremyDoku return from injury in our 5-0 FA Cup win over Huddersfield! 📺 pic.twitter.com/9or59IUAv5
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 8, 2024
Jeremy Doku is another Manchester City player who has only recently returned from injury. Jeremy Doku was running circles around Premier League defenders before he got injured. Doku is owned by just 2.6% of Fantasy Premier League managers despite being priced at just £6.5 Million. Manchester City face Burnley in Gameweek 22. This game will serve as a chance for Doku to try and regain his form and haul against Burnley.
Credit: Sky Sports
Ivan Toney is one of the top strikers in the Premier League. He was banned from playing after being found guilty of breaking the Football Association’s betting rules. His suspension ended on 17th January 2024. In his first game after the ban ended, Ivan Toney scored a direct freekick and inspired Brentford to a 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest. Ivan Toney is owned by just 4.5% of Fantasy Premier League managers. His ownership will surely rise in the coming Gameweeks and he will be a very good differential to have in Gameweek 22.
For more news and updates on Fantasy Premier League, keep reading GutshotMagazine.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Telegram.
Guransh Machra is a sportswriter at Gutshot Magazine. He covers football news from local leagues like the Indian Super League as well as international leagues like the Premier League. He follows various sports like Football, Cricket, Formula 1, and Tennis. Apart from sports, Guransh is also enthusiastic about reading and gaming.
First deposit on PlayerzPot
Offer: Get 100% bonus up to ₹10,000 Register
4% commission on friends' deposits
Offer: Sign-up & get ₹500 FREE Register
Sign-up Now
Offer: Get ₹50 FREE Register
Download the app
Offer: Get ₹1,500* FREE Register