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. HD7
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Fab, Keane
    C) Pickford, Coufal

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

      B, could see higher potential personally

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

        I think I'd probably go Dawson over Coufal due to the risk of rotation in that second game.

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

    Think I'm going Son(C) over Bowen. Can see him tearing Watford a new one

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

      That sounds doubtful! And brave. Go for it.

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

        Really? Interesting you say it's doubtful. Watford are woeful at the back and concede a lot of chances. W Ham just battered them 4-1 and traditionally W Ham don't score buckets of goals. I think Bowen is a great option (and will have him and Antonio) but I can see Son banking 15+ pts

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

      The last time they played it was 1-0 wasn't it and that was at Tottenham, a goalkeeping error too.
      A lot has changed obviously in that time but I'd personally still go the DGW choice.

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

        I mean yeah that was August when Watford didn't look this appalling and Kane was early sulk and playing DM.

        I see the logic in two bites at the cherry but I have done this will success in the past. Relies on Bowen not going bananas but I do own so probably wouldn't be too harmful if it goes against

    3. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Bowen has a much higher expected return in 2 smashing fixtures than Son has in 1. But sure, go for it.

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

        Not according to me he doesn't, but that's the game isn't it? It's for each to absorb interpret and move for any advantage they perceive

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

          Simple as this, to me at least

          Son could easily haul but he could also easily blank (would be very frustrating while watching Bowen cappers getting his second game, in which he could potentially already have something like 10p from.

          Bowen can haul two times

          Son = 2 x total points
          Bowen = 4 x total points
          (Not really but kind of 😉

      2. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        1 smashing fixture

    4. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Struggling with this choice myself. If Norwich was the first fixture, I’d have gone Bowen. But since it’s two weeks away, a lot can happen by then like Covid, injuries, etc.

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

        I'd agree with that. If Norwich was first, Bowen coming off a great performance against a team that are hopeless. As you say, nothing is guaranteed with that second fixture

      2. I Must Break You
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I think this is a legitimate point.
        Good luck, whatever you guys ended up doing

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

    Trying to figure out how to get some decent DGW players in without a hit, and without selling someone I’ll want back right away. 2FT —any suggestions welcome.

    Sanchez Bachmann
    TAA Cancelo Alonso Davies Livra
    Salah Son Gallagher ESR Brownhill
    Ronaldo Pukki Dennis

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

      Seems like my best option is going to be to sell Salah to find funds but I really don’t want to

      1. I Must Break You
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Why would you hold on to Salah at this point?

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

          I I guess I was thinking I have a lot of money tied up in his value but he’ll probably drop quite a lot over the next three weeks, won’t he?

    2. L S P
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Gallagher->Bowen/Gray depending on funds

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

        This is where I’m stuck. Nothing in the bank so I could get Gray but he’s not exactly exciting me

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

    Worth doing a minus to get James out and picking up a dgw def?

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

      May as well imo, since you aren't going to have the luxury of available transfers anyway and he's a problem you'll need to sort. Better sooner rather than later

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

      Yes. He’s out for a while and with two matches it shouldn’t be that hard to make up the 4 pts

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

        Who do you guys think will pay off then? Choices seem slim

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

          Maybe a Brentford defender? They have a couple of decent fixtures.

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

            Cheers man, will need to think more before bed time aha

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

      Yep.

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

    So far -

    DDG
    Cancelo, TAA, Johnson, Reguillon
    Jota, Foden, Bowen
    Ronaldo, Antonio, Watkins

    Foster, Gundogan, Martinelli, Alonso
    1.9itb, 0ft.

    a/ Watkins > DCL (-4)
    b/ Martinelli > Gray (-4) (bench Reguillon)
    c/ Both?!
    d/ Neither

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

      D

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

        Thanks - I feel like I know that’s the right answer and I should go to bed and sleep through the deadline.

  6. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    New year, new luck

    Bowen (TC) confirmed!

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

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

    1. S3
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Keane

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

        Thanks

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

    Who should I sell for Bowen?

    A. Saka
    B. BSilva
    C. Foden (covid rumor)

    1. S3
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Bilva

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

    Issue with getting any DGWer is benching someone with decent fixture, sigh... Will probably have to bench Dennis and Bernardo.

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

      Gundogan, Martinelli and Alonso for me - so not the worst situation I bet some are in.

    2. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Can always BB

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

        Already used in GW2

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

          Use the second BB chip we were all given....

  10. vova
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    James/Foden > Johnson/Son -4 yay or nay?

    Can get Coufal instead of Johnson but saw some West Ham fans say he is as nailed if not more in the short term.

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

    Best Wham Everton defensive combo?

    A) Pickford Coufal/Dawson
    B) Fab Keane

    1. L S P
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B

  12. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Have Bowen and Antonio.

    Dawson or Keane?

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

      K

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

      Same situation. Think I might go Everton just to avoid tripling up on any team.

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

    As things stands..
    Which player would you chose in your wildcard?

    A) Foden (rumours of covid?)
    B) Maddison (should be fit) + 1+2M

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

      Madd

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

      Maddison for sure.

  14. Cruyff's Eleven
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Would you take a - 4 to go Foster to Fabianski, if you already have DDG?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Will Palace score at home?

      1. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Only need one CS to break even no? Add a few save points and I'm in the money...

        Or am I missing something?

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Of course, but you'd want to be in credit.

          I'm avoiding West Ham defensively.

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

      Nah

  15. squ1rrel
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    GTG? Anything worth a hit here? Bench order right?

    DDG
    TAA - Cancelo - Alonso - Williams - Goode
    Salah - Jota - KDB - Foden - Bowen
    Watkins - Dennis

    Steele - King - Williams - Goode

    0.0 ITB, 0 FT

  16. S3
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Guaita
    Cancelo, TAA, Davies,
    Jota, Foden, Bernado, Bowen(C) Son
    Ronaldo, Dennis,

    Foster, Rudiger, James, Gelhardt
    0.1 ITB. 1FT

    A. James to Dawson
    B. Bernado to Gray
    C. James/Gerhaldt/James to Johnson/Antonio/Gray (-8)

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

    I am on
    Sanchez/Ramsdale
    Lamptey/Lvramento/James/Cancelo/Dalot
    Bowen/Jota/ESR/KDB/Foden
    Watkins/Kane/Dennis

    1FT 0.7 ITB
    Im dumping James for probably Coufal
    Thinking about moving ESR to Gray for a -4

    Anything else jump out? Im not excited about any Brentford options nor anyone beyond Gray for Everton.

    Will listen to any convincing arguments for Antonio.

    Thanks for any suggestions everyone!

    1. S3
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Remember what Antonio did to Norwich a couple of seasons ago?....never know

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

    Bernardo or Foden to Gray?
    This Foden rumour made the choice difficult. If we sell Bernardo and he hauls or if Foden isnt ill and hauls...

    Fab
    TAA Rudiger Keane Cancelo
    Son Bernardo Foden Bowen
    Antonio Watkins

    Steer Livra, Saka, Scarlett

  19. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Everyone in the UK will be hitting any streams for that untelevised West Ham v Norwich game in 12 days time.

    I'm punting on Lanzini with Antonio and Bowen.

    Is James to Reguilon worth a - 4 hit?

  20. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Hey friends, would you pick Coady or Lamptey on a WC with an eye on potential DGW22?

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

      Coady

      1. Ragabolly
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks Holmes

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Lamptey is a good long term squad option.

      Wolves good defensively.

      Both played 18 so have as many games to play, depending how the doubles fall.

      1. Ragabolly
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks mate, appreciate it

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          I'd go Coady for defensive returns, albeit he has a goal.

          Lamptey for attacking potential, albeit he has just 1 assist so far.

          Brighton slightly better fixtures but blank in gw24.

          So Coady just.

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

        Lamptey looked great again this week. Only concern is minutes as he seems to get pulled after 60. Prior to DGWs in 21 I was doing James to Lamptey. Did Coufal instead. But still like him long term.

    3. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Coady for me. Reliable option in a good defensive team.

    4. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Thank you all

  21. ragsyboys
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Why are people not considering Benrahma here ? He has great fixtures to score .. I wud consider Antonio, Bowen and Benrahma triple up

    1. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Afcon after tomorrow

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

        Oh thanks Raga !

  22. nolard
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Capt:
    KDB
    Ron
    Bowen?

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

      C

      1. nolard
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thx. Am on him currently.

        Wolves rarely concede.

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

    Bench order G2G?

    Sanchez ¦ Steele
    TAA Cancelo Dawson Cash
    Foden Gray Bowen
    Ronaldo Kane DC-L
    ¦ Gallagher Livramento Martinelli

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

      Aren’t all bar Martinelli flagged?

  24. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    James > Keane a no brainer? FT.
    Bilva > Gray worth a -4?

    De Gea
    TAA, Cancelo, Dier
    Son, Bilva, Jota, Bowen
    Ronaldo, Antonio, Watkins

    (4.0, James*, Allan, White)

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

      I did those to and Gallagher to Bowen (c), which might backfire

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

        Cheers! Think I might just do James > Keane and leave the third Everton spot for DCL when I eventually get him. Fancy him to outscore Gray.

  25. AxeMinion
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Am I being a moron for not insta-captaining Bowen? I've owned him for a little while ahead of the crowd which was nice, but can't seem to shake the desire to captain Antonio for this one... is that madness??

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

      Either or is perfectly fine

  26. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Lads, could use some opinions

    DDG (Ramsdale)
    TAA Cancelo James* (Livramento) (Veltman)
    Son Jota Bernardo Foden (ESR)
    Ronaldo Antonio (Broja)

    A. James + ESR + Bernardo + Broja to Johnson + Bowen + Gray + DCL for -12

    B. James + ESR + Bernardo to Dawson + Bowen + Gray for -8

    C. James + Smith Rowe to Dawson + Bowen for -4

    Any thoughts ?

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

      In the end I don’t trust Everton and their fitness. (Plus fixtures aren’t super good).

      So I’d do C only. Which is pretty much what i did.

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

      I moved ESR to Gray, but already had Bowen. Agree on C. I did Coufal because cheaper and prefer a wingback on that team.

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

    A) Bernardo to Gray (-4)
    B) Foden to Gray (-4) - Covid rumour

    Fab
    TAA Rudiger Keane Cancelo
    Son Bernardo Foden Bowen
    Antonio Watkins

    Steer Livra, Saka, Scarlett

  28. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Er, been out the loop for a while, when did everyone ditch Salah?

    Am I the only one still with him?

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

      o/

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

        Selling next week once off to AFCON?

        I could really do with the funds

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

          Yep, will sell next week depending on what DGW fixtures are announced

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

            Agreed

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

      Last night. Everyone trying to sell before AFCON. I still have him — really don’t want to sell til the last second, just in case he doesn’t actually go. But it’s looking like I’ll have to, to get the DGW players I want

    3. rokonto
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'm thinking don't ditch if plan on getting hom back.... waste of 2 transfers

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

        So much money for maybe 3 x GW benched?

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

          I thought it was 2 gws

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

            3 if they make the final, I think

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

    Any chance Everton get a postponed game?

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

      Yes, every chance, FPL has become a ridiculous lottery of events

  30. SuperDan
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Yay or nay?

    Watkins > DCL (-4)

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

      nah, I would prefer Watkins this week

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

      Nah

    3. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I’m holding Watkins for now.

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

      no Watkins good matchup.
      DCL questionable playing time