Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 22

You’ve got to hunt for opportunities” declared Pro Pundit Lateriser in his Meet The Manager interview with Joe.

The Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 22 is here to help you do exactly that. But first a reminder that we have a Friday 19:00 GMT deadline in FPL, so don’t forget to make those crucial transfers and captain decisions.

Starting with the team news headlines courtesy of Neale and Rotation’s Alter Ego: Pulisic is out for a few weeks, De Bruyne and Maddison are both declared fit following knocks in their League Cup matches, and Pukki will miss the trip to Old Trafford.

Spurs confirmed that Harry Kane will undergo an operation to repair a ruptured tendon in his left hamstring. The striker is expected to return to training in April. Is there an opportunity here?

Pro Pundits Lateriser and Sam both examined the options. Lateriser analysed which Spurs players profited when Kane missed the end of last season, while Sam – currently the highest-ranked Pro Pundit – gave her thoughts in a Community Q&A video

Her feeling is that Aubameyang might be the better option to the potentially explosive Aguero. In one of several members-only articles over the last ten days, Neale delved into Arsenal’s improvement under new manager Mikel Arteta. Encouragingly for those considering Aubameyang he discovered that the Gabon international is one of the chief beneficiaries: 

Aubameyang has registered more penalty box touches, attempts on goal, shots in the box, efforts on target and big chances than any of his teammates.

– Neale

However Lateriser is finding himself seduced by Aguero with an enticing encounter against Aston Villa up next. 

The three-time top 5,000 manager opened his interview with Joe explaining that you need to find your identity as an FPL manager. He sees himself as someone who isn’t afraid to go against the crowd, citing his recent decision to captain Martial in Gameweek 19 as an example of this. 

And there may be another opportunity this week. David notes that the captaincy debate for Gameweek 22 is not as simple as Fantasy Premier League managers are hoping.

Jamie Vardy once again leads the captain poll and given that the Leicester City forward registered a season-high 20 points against Southampton in Gameweek 10 it is easy to understand why. 

However Southampton’s defence has been considerably better in recent weeks. Lateriser revealed that “only Liverpool have conceded fewer big chances than Southampton in the last four Gameweeks,” and the Reds only played three times. David agrees with the Pro Pundit that Aston Villa present a good opportunity for owners of Manchester City players:

Any side bottom of the league for shots conceded in the box heading into a meeting with Manchester City are always going to be in for a tough time. However, the issue comes from trying to pinpoint which of Guardiola’s men can do the most damage, primarily because of rotation.

– David

If the risk of “Pep-tation” is too much for you, Chelsea and Manchester United offer exciting alternatives. The two teams are second and third behind Manchester City in the latest DS stats, fixtures and clean sheet odds provided by G-Whizz.

And both sides are tipped for 3-0 wins by Pep Pig in his Preview and Predictions article. Strikers Tammy Abraham and Marcus Rashford are his players to watch. The latter is also selected in this week’s Scout Picks:

Marcus Rashford (£9.2m) has scored five goals and registered one assist in his last six league matches at Old Trafford and we expect such a run to continue against Norwich. The Canaries last kept a clean sheet away from home in Gameweek 13.

– Scout Picks

Let’s not forget Liverpool, who face a Spurs side unable to keep a clean sheet – just one since Mourinho took charge in Gameweek 13. 

Much of the talk surrounding their players is about which three to own for Double Gameweek 24. Upside-chasing Lateriser is very much in the Salah, Mane, Alexander-Arnold camp, whereas Az feels that owning both premium-priced midfielders is a step too far, given the structure of his team:

Overall, I’m just not convinced that major surgery is needed. I know Salah is an incredible player, and looks to be getting back to his best… but the damage it may do to my team if I did go for him may be irreparable. Would I captain him anyway, with Mané being in such good form alongside him? I doubt it.

– Az

Along with Joe and Karam, Az debated Liverpool’s upcoming Double Gameweek on the Scoutcast. They pointed out that with the two matches just under a week apart it could well be a good time to use the Triple Captain chip. They also highlighted which players perform better in away matches, given that neither game is at Anfield.

Firmino stands out as a differential to the costlier Mane and Salah for those who prefer to go with two Liverpool attackers. Indeed Reds-fan Lee backed his potential in a guest appearance in Sam’s Q&A.

The Scoutcast also debated players from Watford and Everton, given their recent managerial changes. The Hornets in particular have improved their attack, as David highlighted in his members-only piece.

[Watford] only scored nine goals in the first 16 matches of the 2019/20 campaign, a period which saw them managed by three different men, Javi Gracia, Flores and Hayden Mullins. By contrast, in the last five matches, Pearson’s men have found the net eight times, a drastic improvement.

– David

Midfielder Ismaïla Sarr was given a ringing endorsement by both Az and Karam, while goalkeeper Ben Foster currently finds himself in Joe’s team.

In fact, goalkeeper moves were all the rage this week with McGovern joining Joe’s team as a back-up in a typical dullard move, and Brighton’s Mat Ryan snapped up by Az. In an act of generosity, the Australian announced on Twitter that he was raising money for the Wildfire Rescue Emergency Fund:

I’ll be donating $500 for every registered save by all @premierleague goalkeepers this weekend.

– Mat Ryan

Let’s hope all our shot-stoppers put in great performances in Gameweek 22.

Pro Pundit and former FPL winner Simon March brought us another enjoyable and thought-provoking read, drawing analogies between FPL and the investment strategies of Warren Buffett. It includes ideas such as contextual value and explains why diversification, or spreading the risk in your FPL team, isn’t always a good idea. 

Finally thank you to luketownsend1997 who looked at which players have been providing value in different positions. Part One reviewed defenders and goalkeepers with part two looking at forwards and midfielders.

To view all our discussions please visit our Hot Topics page, and if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.

If you’re a member and are yet to get to grips with the custom statistics tables, you can view this movie for an explanation of how they work. Also, remember to tag them so that people can find the tables with ease.

Fantasy Football Scout Memberships are now available for a reduced price of £9.99 for the remainder of the season. Rolling monthly subscriptions are also available for £2.99 per month. Click here to sign up or upgrade your account.

Last Chance to enter Last Man Standing

This season’s competition has proved extremely popular with over 5,000 taking part and 1,000 managers still standing.

You just have time to join them – the deadline for final entries is 8pm today (Friday 10 January). However you must pass all previous safety scores to qualify – read TorresMagic’s recent article for more information.

The winner will receive a free Fantasy Football Scout Membership for the 2020/21 season.

Community Competitions

For an update on all FFS Mini-Leagues and Community Competitions, please click here to read the latest round-up.

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 22 can be found below:

Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,325 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Would an idiot do that?
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Chances of Aguero starting this week?

    1. Would an idiot do that?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Swap to Salah worth a hit?

    2. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      100%

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Good

    4. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Hope so - just made him captain

  2. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ing or Lundstrum????

    HELP!!!!!!

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lundstram

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ings!!! easily

      1. BrockLanders
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        NOOOOOOOO

        1. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Go with Lund then, but you'll regret it! I own both btw

    3. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      You nave to start them both. Surely there's someone else you can bench

    4. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Both

    5. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ings

  3. jorgenoj
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ramsdale (4.6) to who?

    A) Ryan (4.8)
    B) McCarty (4.3)
    C) Henderson (4.9)
    D) Keep

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Fabianksi?

    2. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

  4. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Captain one:

    A) Salah
    B) Martial
    C) Rashford

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rashford

      1. beetlejuice
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        This

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

    3. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C

  5. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    KDB cappers not worried he will play deep?

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      2 assists would be nice.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Wont be required to play deep vs them

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I dont buy into all these KDB playing deep bs. Most city attacks run through him and he's going to be involved in large chunks of goals city score.

      If you watch city games you will see kdb has free advanced role. Its a myth people believe without really understanding pep tactics

    4. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No, can still provide assists and has been shooting well from range recently

    5. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      That would be my worry too

    6. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Just got flashbacks of the Sheffield United game where he was deep as fook

    7. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      - KDB Great form with 9 attacking returns in last 9 gws. (5 goals 4 assists)

      - Plays aston villa who has conceded most goals in last 8gws (17 goals)

      - Plus Aston villa has conceded 2nd most big chances in last 4 gws (73 big chances)

      With injuries to key players like Heaton Targett McGinn and Wesley villa are their for the taking and the ceiling is very high for KDB

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        *2nd most shots with 73

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Arrghhh Mane or KDB, still deciding mate haha!

      2. El Matador
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I'm convinced

    8. JRD
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      the guy is everywhere

    9. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      his big returns, bar that one crazy week, have all been from the central midfield slot, so I'm not worried

  6. Kip
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Jimi(c) anyone? Surely the jummiest fixture

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nice pick

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      moi, usually goes tits up when going too far from the crowd but fingers crossed

    3. Goro Majima
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yep, been debating it all day but decided to go for it!

  7. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Toying with KDB captain over Vardy then... will I regret it? 🙂

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Look at his history.
      Probably not.

    2. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Keep the faith on Vardy

    3. toerag
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      😆 ive switched twice in the last hour on kdb now

    4. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Me to. Love to have my captain in the last game....but also have Aguero. Who to pick.

      1. HashAttack
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I'm going with Aguero - riskier but only 11% ownership ... last game the best one for captain pick, keeps that hope going until the last minute

  8. makivelja
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hey guys,

    Last question before gameweek. U think Sterling starts or he is gonna get rested?

    Thank

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Tough to predict. If you have him, keep but dont get

      1. makivelja
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I do but i dont know if i should switch to KDB...?

  9. Lebowski85
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Calvert Lewin or bring in Mahrez for a hit

    1. Sailboats
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Play dcl

      1. Lebowski85
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dom

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Play DCL.

    4. JabbaWookiee
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Why would you do the latter?? Am I missing something?

      1. Lebowski85
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        City playing Villa? Maybe you are

        1. JabbaWookiee
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          For a hit? When he’s due a rest? The dude does not abide.

          1. Lebowski85
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I concur. I brought DCL in for a reason...home to Brighton is as good a game as any I guess. I'll stick

  10. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any changes?

    Fabs
    TAA, Sidibe, Lundstram
    Salah, KDB(C), Maddison, Martial, Traore
    Ings, Vardy

    McGovern, Soyuncu, Maupay, Kiko*

  11. JRD
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    KDB (C)

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yup

  12. mattyb09
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Start Soy when I already have Schmeichel & Ings?

    Other options: Dunk & Rico.

    1. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dunk

    2. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      As an Ings owner starting Rico over Soy, no Ndidi is factor as well..

  13. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who will score highest of this lot this week?

    A) Mahrez
    B) Martial
    C) Richarlison

    1. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      in that order, depends on mahrez an pep roulette

  14. WillyP
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Evening all

    Stick with Fleck or transfer for Traore or Sarr (6.4m in bank)?

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      stick with fleck

      1. WillyP
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        that's what i was thinking. Cheers

  15. Totti
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    reposting looking for replies

    last decision

    first five will go with them

    1. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rico

  16. twaid
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Alli or Holgate?

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Gotta be Alli imo

    2. Totti
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      alii for sure

  17. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone on the Mane (C) boat?

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Not unless I can be convinced off of Vardy and then Jimenez

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Some are considering, whether they stick or not is different story 😀

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Now on KDB lol

  18. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Armband on Sterling or Vardy?

    Is Sterling gonna start?

    1. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ster

    2. makivelja
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I was asking the same question earlier...dunno if i should switch him for KDB or stay...

  19. LABILLETHEGOAT
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    50 points behind leader, don't know who to captain out of:
    a. vardy
    b. jiminez
    c, kdb
    d. abraham
    e. martial

    don't know if I should go for a differential or just play safe with vardy or kdb

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Don't worry about points difference just yet. Just go with who you feel will do best. KDB of those for me

    2. toerag
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      ho ho

      im on kdb but tammy is niggling me

  20. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    My month would be made if we get a repeat of the LEI SOU game but with Madderz taking Perez’s points 😆 🙂

    Slim to no chance though ahah

  21. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Donkey or Rico, first sub?

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I’ve got Rico

  22. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one:

    Grealish (MCI)
    Holgate (BRI)

    Thanks.

    1. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Play Grealish. Can even haul against City.

  23. Hantakun
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Start one out of Soy, Grealish, Alli?

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Soy imo

    2. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Soy

  24. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    thoughts please guys
    zaha to
    A sarr (few decent fixtures in next 5 gw)
    B martial nor & burn home in next 3
    C mahrez (gametime? villa palace sheff
    also willing to take a hit for ali to either of these to or keep for wat & nor
    cheers, good luck all

  25. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Sarr or Mahrez in?

  26. Totti
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    need your help guys

    first five will go with them

  27. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one:

    A. Soy
    B. Ings
    C. Lund

  28. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bench order correct?
    Rico Hayden Kelly

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      yes
      matpy be kelly before hayden

      1. Totti
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        maybe

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      yah

  29. Totti
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    play:

    A) wood
    B) rico

    1. Super Nashwan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sell wood buy dcl

      1. Totti
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        for a hit?

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      a

    3. WillyP
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      wood

  30. Super Nashwan
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Lundstram or ali?

    1. WillyP
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lundstram