Watchlist

The FPL players on the Watchlist ahead of Gameweek 21

We pick out the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players who are the best medium-term targets in each position based on fixtures, form and value.

Seven-time top 10k finisher and Scout regular Zophar is taking the reins for this series in 2021/22, producing a fortnightly piece and discussing the rankings by position, and talks us through our latest update here.

ABOUT THE WATCHLIST

Our regularly updated Watchlist, which is visible on the sidebar, ranks players in each position for the month ahead – or rather, the next four Gameweeks.

This allows site users to get a longer-term view on recommended players beyond the weekly Scout Picks.

Players are selected according to factors such as FPL’s form rating*, club injuries, club morale, forthcoming fixtures and whether or not the player in question is likely to be a bargain in FPL.

The table displays the player name and club, along with the abbreviation for the factors that played a part in their ranking. A key for these factors can be found below the player in the table and looks like this:

Arrows before the name indicate whether a player has climbed or fallen in our reckoning since the previous update or if they are a new entry into the tables.

*points divided by a club’s matches played over the last 30 days

The Watchlist: Best FPL Goalkeepers

David De Gea (£5.2m) jumps to the top of the Watchlist with a great run of fixtures over the next six Gameweeks. Defensive solidity is a concern for the Red Devils but, with two fixtures pending a reschedule, he’s a great option for the long-term with saves and bonus point potential to top up any clean sheets.

Aaron Ramsdale (£5.1m) drops to second with a tough run of fixtures and a couple of blanks coming up for the Gunners in Gameweeks 25 and 27. His north London counterpart Hugo Lloris (£5.4m) comes in at third, Spurs also have a lot of fixtures to reschedule and have been a lot tighter defensively under Conte.

Jordan Pickford (£4.9m) is a new entrant, as Everton are top of the fixture ticker for the next six Gameweeks and he should bring some clean sheets and saves at a decent price. The Toffees also have a Double Gameweek 21.

The Watchlist: Best FPL Defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.3m) and Joao Cancelo (£6.9m) retain their top two spots but there are changes down below. Both Chelsea wing-backs drop out due to injury and a difficult run of fixtures with Sergio Reguilon (£5.4m) taking up third. The Spurs defender pick was a tough one; Reguilon has already been a victim of rotation but his on-pitch attacking numbers are vastly superior to Emerson Royal‘s (£4.9m).

Ruben Dias (£6.2m) would have probably been a bit higher on this list but the lack of potential Double Gameweeks for Manchester City in the short term see him at fourth.

Luke Shaw (£5.0m) is a new entrant following a great display against Burnley. Though he failed to register a clean sheet, the left-back showed enough to indicate that he could be first choice for that spot over Alex Telles (£5.0m).

With injury doubts surrounding Tino Livramento (£4.4m), Ben Johnson (£4.0m) – whose West Ham side double in Gameweek 21 – takes his spot as the budget defensive option.

The Watchlist: Best FPL Midfielders

With Mohamed Salah (£12.9m) facing Chelsea and then two likely blanks when away at AFCON, the Egyptian King drops out of the Watchlist for the first time this season. His teammate Diogo Jota (£8.1m) leaps to top spot with assured minutes during this absence.

Jarrod Bowen (£6.6m) has emerged as the West Ham United attacker of choice over recent weeks and, with a great run of fixtures on the horizon and a Double Gameweek 21, he occupies third on the Watchlist.

The preferred Man City midfielder is Phil Foden (£8.1m). There are always rotation concerns around their attackers but he appears to have the best upside at a more affordable price than the likes of Raheem Sterling (£10.7m).

Raphinha (£6.5m) is also a riser, with Leeds United having a favourable schedule and their Covid postponements hopefully out of the way. Demarai Gray (£5.5m) has a great run of fixtures starting this weekend and the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.9m) should enhance his prospects. James Maddison (£6.9m) drops to eighth because Leicester City’s fixture against Norwich City has been postponed.

The Watchlist: Best FPL Forwards

Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m) justified his spot at the top of the forward rankings with a haul against Burnley and his rotation risk concerns have been largely alleviated by him playing twice in this short span.

Harry Kane (£12.2m) is a big mover up to second. The England captain has finally shown signs of getting back to his best and was very unlucky to not register a brace against Southampton.

Watford have a great run of fixtures once the Spurs game is out of the way and, with his planned exit for AFCON now shelved, Emmanuel Dennis (£6.1m) joins Joshua King (£5.8m) in the forwards’ Watchlist.

Alexandre Lacazette (£8.4m) also makes an appearance due to Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang’s (£9.6m) exile ensuring him consistent minutes in a prolific Arsenal side. The difficult fixtures and blanks are off-putting though.

Also worthy of consideration is Odsonne Edouard (£6.4m), having temporarily lost competition for the Crystal Palace starting XI with the imminent AFCON departures for Wilfried Zaha (£6.8m) and Jordan Ayew (£5.8m).

READ MORE FPL CONTENT FROM THE FANTASY COMMUNITY HERE

331 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Coufal
    B) Reguilon
    C) Dawson

    1. Going To Win This Year
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Reggie

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Dawson

    3. michudagawd
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Dawson

  2. Going To Win This Year
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    CR7 or Kane
    Have Son.

    1. Mozumbus
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'm on Kane. But it's a tough decision. Have Son.

      1. Going To Win This Year
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Indeed. I'm on WC. Kane would be more of a differential for sure but Ronaldo gets goals even when He/United are poor

    2. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      cr7

  3. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else going to activate the FH if Chelsea v Liverpool is postponed?
    Also, anyone got a proposed FH team should this not go ahead?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      i m 90% certain to play fh regardless

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Interesting, I won't unless as I mentioned this game gets postponed.
        Quite content with my side as it sits.

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          just having a bit of fun 🙂 i dont own any spurs players and fancy them doing well v watford so will go for kane son and moura.

          fabianski
          keane jansson cancelo
          son moura bowen gray
          kane antonio dcl

          captain bowen or antonio nor sure

          1. Gabbiadini
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Yes, I too don't own any Spurs players.
            Interesting, no Liverpool players?

            1. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              maybe will switch taa for jansson actually

          2. Gabbiadini
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Yeh, I was thinking something like this,

            Pickford
            Cancelo | WHU | BRE
            De Bruyne | Son | Bowen | Gray
            Kane | Antonio | DCL

            GK | Foden | Cash | Tsimikas

            1. Gabbiadini
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              In a outside scenario that Chelsea v Liverpool is postponed*

            2. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              looks v nice. gl 🙂

              1. Gabbiadini
                • 6 Years
                2 years, 2 months ago

                maybe kdb to sterling and then brentford defender to reg also an option.

    2. enrico.palazzo
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I will. But what chance really is there?

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I don't believe with their squad and injuries they are close to the threshold so the rumoured covid outbreak would have to be quite large.

        1. enrico.palazzo
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Hmm interesting. Would be a good free hit week

    3. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Would just be short Jota, TAA and Alonso and already benching Alonso.
      Not a big deal if this game is cancelled - might take a hit to get another dgw player in for Martinelli.

  4. Junglist95
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Set?

    I spent 8 already so done I think unless another 4 maybe for Keane in for James but then who sits?

    DDG
    Livra Cancelo TAA
    Son Bowen(c) Gallagher Jota Salah
    Antonio Broja

    Steer King Alonso James

  5. akhilrajau
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    De gea,
    TAA, Cash, Cancelo,
    Jota, Son, Bowen, Maddison
    Watkins, CR7, King
    Bench: Bachmann, White, Douglas Luiz, Davies
    Bank: 1.7m, FT: 0

    FH or any hits?

  6. markyg
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    going for it this gw
    my team

    fabianski
    arnold, jansson, keane, pinnock
    gray,bowen(capt),salah
    antonio,calvert,toney

    only 2 players without 2 games so hopefully covid doesn't mess things up

    1. markyg
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I have bernado silva and raphina on the bench if the liverpool game doesn't go ahead.

  7. Cruiser23
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Fabianski (Ramsdale)
    Alexander-Arnold, Cancelo, Cash, Reguilon (Alonso)
    Foden, Son, Bowen, Jota (Fred)
    Ronaldo, Antonio (Locadia)

    0 ITB & 1 FT

    Been planning on either using the Bench Boost or Free Hit GW22, will depend on who gets the DGW’s. Moves looking to make this week for -4:

    Alonso -> (a) Coady / (b) Ait Nouri / (c) Lamptey / (d) Marcel
    Fred -> Gray

    Will wait to see Foden’s status, but thoughts on the a-d options?

    1. LarryDuff
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Coady is solid, can get bonus points on occasions

  8. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    How does this Free Hit look?
    Fabianski, (fernandez)
    Jansson, Coleman, Reguilon, (Cash, Maguire)
    Son, Bowen, Gray, Sterling
    Antonio, DCL, Toney

    1. LarryDuff
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Nah sterling to Benrhama and switch keeper, id suggest pickford or brentford bloke

      1. LarryDuff
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Also with sterling money upgrade Toney

      2. RogDog_jimmy
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Benrahma will only play one game - going to AFCON.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      nice

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        but i would kane up front.

        ps: benrhama goes to AFCON I think

  9. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Captain:

    a) Bowen
    b) Antonio

    1. LarryDuff
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A but worried

      1. Mozumbus
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        What's the cause of worry?

        1. Murder on Zidane's Flo…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Son probably?

          1. LarryDuff
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Played a hella lot of footie recently but has a decent gap between games I suppose

    2. NorCal Villan
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Bowen

  10. Moose™
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    James Brownhill Watkins > Johnson Bowen© Antonio

    (-8)

    Y. Yay
    N. Nay

    Really don't want to get rid of Watkins. His fixtures are plum tbh

    1. yeahbuddy
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Could just keep Watkins and do the other 2 trades. I'm personally holding Watkins expecting a double soon as well

  11. LarryDuff
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Pickford
    Veltman, Cancelo, TAA
    Bowen, Benrahma, Son, Gray
    DCL, Kane, Antonio

    On a FH, thoughts?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      why veltman???

      benraham goes to AFCON I think

      1. LarryDuff
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Ooh second game? Facepalm

    2. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I don't think DCL will get those minutes to impact.
      Get either Coufal / Dawson for Veltman.... Defenders in DGWs has a history of scoring big...

      1. LarryDuff
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        They really need him to play

      2. LarryDuff
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Coufal is in too thanks

    3. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Get Toney in as a punt pick.... Could pay off ..... 90 min man

      1. LarryDuff
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Bit sick lol

  12. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth taking -8 for these DGW player transfers?

    James / B.Silva / Davis >>> Dawson / Bowen / Toney

    Final team will be:
    Ramsdale
    TAA / Cancelo / Dawson
    Salah / Jota / Foden / Bowen / Son
    Antonio / Toney

    Bench:: Foster / Dennis / Livra / Duffy

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Simple answer is no

  13. markyg
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    going for it this gw
    my team

    fabianski
    arnold, jansson, keane, pinnock
    gray,bowen(capt),salah
    antonio,calvert,toney

    bernardo silva and raphina on bench incase liverpool game doesn't go ahead.

    only 2 players without 2 games so hopefully covid doesn't mess things up

  14. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    DDG
    TAA Cancelo Alonso
    Jota Son Bilva Foden Bowen
    Ronaldo King

    Foster Livramento James Davis

    1FT, 0.0itb (plan to FH22)

    James Foden (if covid) Davis >> Dawson Gray Antonio [-8]

    Good moves or…??

    1. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      yep

  15. jia you
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Happy with my team despite the sole DGWer...just ignore it seems the best option I guess

  16. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Dead zone, I’m very drunk what to do with this lot lads?

    De gea
    TAA Cancelo Alonso
    Salah Son Foden Jota ESR
    Antonio King

    Steer Duffy Livramento Pukki

    1ft 0.1itb

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      ESR & Alonso to Bowen & dgw defender

    2. sulldaddy
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      alonso to coufal and esr to gray or Bowen

      Happy New Year!!

    3. CROWLEY NOT CRAWLEY
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      What the two above said ^. Bowen over Gray, easy. If you don't have the cash go Ben Johnson on defense.

  17. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    WC good to go?

    Pickford Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo Cash Coady Johnson
    Son Jota Bowen Gray Lucas
    Antonio Kane DCL

    Planning on doing Antonio>Dennis next week, especially if Watford get a DGW

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'd honestly WC if I had that team

  18. I am 42
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    assuming pool cfc game pp, any transfer another worth a hit?

    Sanchez
    Cancelo Dier Johnson
    Foden Gray Bowen Saka
    CR7 DCL Antonio

    Ramsdale TAA Jota Alonso

    1. I am 42
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      btw Coufal or Johnson + 0.7m?

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

      Is there a rumor it will be?

  19. The White Pele
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    James, Pukki, Odegaard to Coufal, Antonio, Gray (-8). good moves?

  20. Avinash_Y
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Coufal or Johnson for long term

    1. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Dawson best one IMO. Probably Johnson for value.

      1. kempc23
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Is Johnson actually first choice? I have no idea.

    2. I am 42
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      same question

      0.7m can make a lot of difference

  21. marpy016
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    On WC and think I'm settled on this lot:

    DDG - Pickford
    TAA - Cancelo - Reg - Targett - B Johnson
    Son - Foden - Jota - Bowen - Gray
    Kane - Antonio - Dennis

    Thoughts?

    1. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Foden to Maddison

  22. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Are any other teams trying to postpone matches this week?

    1. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Tuchel, but the size of their squad would make this unlikely, I'd say.

  23. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    (-4) here

    Ddg
    Cancelo reguilon trent
    Son foden maddison bowen(c) jota
    Ronaldo Watkins

    Foster cash livra davis

    G2G ??

  24. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Happy new year everyone!

    Any way to improve this WC team? 0itb

    Pickford Guaita
    Trent Cancelo Coufal Emerson Targett
    Son Foden Jota Bowen Gray
    Kane Antoni King

    Looks good to me. Whatcha think?

  25. 420king
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bernardo to Gray for -4?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Why not

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Because Foden could be out

        1. 420king
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          I got Foden on the bench anyway. Targett 2nd sub.

  26. Mozumbus
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Rudiger to
    A. Pinnock
    B. Jansson
    C. Digne
    D. Keane
    Would bench this GW covering for TAA.
    Already have westham triple up. Thanks.

  27. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    In the safety of needing to use the FH,

    Who do people think is the best WHU defender?
    Similarly, would you go a WHU defender and Pickford or an Everton defender, if so who, and Fabianski?

    Cheers.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      keane and fab for me

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Yeh, it's quite hard. I don't really rate Keane but maybe he is the most likely for an attacking return.

  28. IL Fantasista
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Play Ramsdale (MCI-H) or Bachman (TOT-H)?

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

      Ramsdale, at least he can make few saves

    2. Sun God Nika
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      None.. Jks
      I'd pick one most likely to get most saves

      Cs from either is unexpected

  29. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Best GK combo on wc?

    1. marpy016
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Same issue here (WC), FWIW I'm on DDG & Pickford without much conviction.

  30. HD7
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Whats with the love of Dawson over Coufal?
    Is t Coufal a wingback or Dawson has penalties and fks suddenly?

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

      Coufal may not be nailed with Johnson around

    2. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Dawson is a pretty good threat in the opponent's box but the main reason I would say is the rotation risk.
      Masuaku/Ashby could be used whereas there's not really any other CBs to Diop and Dawson at this moment.

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Fredericks is also an option but he's played just the 2 minutes this seaosn.