Following the conclusion of what seemed to be an exceptionally lengthy Fantasy Premier League game, a burst of midweek excitement awaits with a complete set of matches scheduled from Tuesday to Thursday in the form of domestic cups.
Gameweek 22 is set to kick off on January 30th, providing ample time for FPL managers to make crucial decisions, particularly in selecting their team captain. Let’s explore the top five captaincy picks in FPL that Fantasy Premier League managers have for the upcoming game.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Bukayo Saka, priced at £9.1 million in Fantasy Premier League, is a notable choice among the five captaincy picks in FPL, where Arsenal faces Nottingham Forest away.
Saka has showcased impressive performance this season, contributing six goals and eight assists, supported by a solid expected goal (xG) of 6.91 and expected assist (xA) of 6.82. Despite scoring just once in the last six game weeks, his underlying statistics reveal a stroke of bad luck, having registered an xG of 2.34 and an xA of 1.95 in that period.
The upcoming fixture against Nottingham Forest appears promising for Arsenal, as Forest has conceded 35 goals (sixteenth) with an expected goal conceded (xGC) of 30.4 (ninth). Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, boasts impressive attacking numbers, having scored 42 goals (fourth) with an xG of 40.95 (third). They are also the third-favorites to score 2.5 or more goals in Gameweek 22, with a probability of 38%.
Saka stands out as the key player for Arsenal, holding a significant 34% Goal Involvement. As the team’s talisman, he possesses the best underlying offensive statistics, is responsible for penalties, and poses a threat both in goal-scoring and assisting. With a favorable fixture, Saka is poised to build on his 14 attacking returns this season, making him a strong contender for earning significant points in the upcoming game and a top overall choice for FPL managers.
Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur)
Richarlison, priced at £6.9 million, has firmly established himself in the number nine role for Spurs, impressively netting six goals in the last six games. Since adopting this position from Gameweek 16, he leads the charts in both goals scored (six) and Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points earned (49).
In Gameweek 22, Tottenham faces Brentford at home, presenting an enticing fixture for Richarlison. Brentford’s recent form has been dismal, losing five of their last six games and conceding 14 goals (eighteenth).
Under the management of Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham has been prolific in attack, ranking second in goals scored (44) with an expected goal (xG) of 36.77 (seventh). This suggests the likelihood of goals when Tottenham takes on Brentford.
Richarlison’s track record is impressive, boasting 50 goals and 36 assists over the last six seasons, establishing him as a proven goalscorer. His recent statistics further support his form, with an xG of 6.5 and an expected assist (xA) of 1.0 in 13 starts.
As a consistent first-team player, Richarlison’s spot appears secure, especially with the new signing Timo Werner starting on the left in the previous game. Additionally, with Heung-Min Son absent, Richarlison is likely to be the primary penalty taker, adding to his appeal for FPL managers.
Also Read: FPL player price changes- rises, falls, and top transfers in Gameweek 22
Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)
Julian Alvarez, priced at £7.0 million, has been a standout performer for Manchester City this season, notching six goals and eight assists, supported by an expected goal (xG) of 7.3 and an expected assist (xA) of 4.8.
In Gameweek 22, Manchester City enjoys a favorable fixture as they host newly promoted Burnley at the Etihad Stadium. Burnley has conceded the second-highest number of goals (42) with an expected goal conceded (xGC) of 35.8 (fifteenth), setting the stage for a potentially challenging encounter for Vincent Kompany’s side.
Manchester City tops the charts in goals scored (48) and possesses the fourth-best expected goals (xG) in the league, despite having played only 20 games. The odds heavily favor City to score 2.5 or more goals in Gameweek 22, standing at an impressive 67%.
With Erling Haaland (£13.9m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£10.5m) sidelined for a while, Julian Alvarez is expected to continue getting significant minutes, whether playing as a number 9 or 10. Latest reports indicate that Haaland is still not fully involved in team training, and De Bruyne will require time to regain full fitness.
Given the favorable matchup, Alvarez is likely to have ample opportunities to score in this game, making him a strong contender among the five captaincy picks in FPL Gameweek 22.
Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)
Eberechi Eze, priced at £6.0 million, has displayed his prowess with three goals and two assists in 11 starts this season, showing promising form since his return from injury in Gameweek 17.
Crystal Palace is set to face Sheffield United at home in what is considered their most favorable fixture of the season. Sheffield United, having conceded the most goals (51) with an expected goal conceded (xGC) of 39.7 (nineteenth), presents a promising opportunity for Palace to create numerous goal-scoring chances.
Sheffield United, managed by Chris Wilder, currently possesses one of the league’s weakest defenses and is considered a favorite for relegation. Despite Crystal Palace’s less impressive attacking performances, this fixture positions them as strong favorites to secure a victory and find the back of the net.
Eze is expected to play a pivotal role as the team’s talisman, particularly with Michael Olise (£5.9m) likely to miss the game due to a hamstring injury. Eze, who also takes penalties, provides both goal-scoring and assist threat and is a guaranteed starter.
Having scored 10 goals and provided five assists last season, Eze has proven himself as a reliable Fantasy Premier League asset. With the upcoming favorable fixture, he becomes an appealing option among captaincy picks in FPL for Fantasy Premier League managers looking for a player with a strong potential for points in Gameweek 22.
Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Phil Foden, priced at £8.0 million, has been a standout performer for Manchester City this season, contributing five goals and six assists in 18 starts. Notably, he has played the second-highest number of minutes (1604) among City’s attackers, showcasing his importance to the team.
Phil Foden‘s reliability is underscored by the fact that he has completed the full 90 minutes on 13 occasions in the league, indicating a high level of trust from manager Pep Guardiola. The English midfielder has become one of City’s key players.
In the upcoming fixture against Burnley in Gameweek 22, Foden is expected to feature prominently, and the return of Kevin De Bruyne is unlikely to immediately impact his playing time. De Bruyne, despite making a notable impact with a 12-point haul (goal and assist) against Newcastle United from the bench, has acknowledged that he is not yet fully fit and can currently contribute for about 20-25 minutes.
The fixture against Burnley is particularly favorable for Foden, and he is poised to be one of the top choices for FPL managers in Gameweek 22, facing a vulnerable Burnley side. Given his consistent performances and potential for significant returns, Foden stands out as an attractive option for FPL managers looking for a strong pick in the upcoming game.
Also Read: FPL Experts: What to do with Bukayo Saka