Scout Picks
16 January 2026 292 comments
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Following the Scout Squad submissions of Marc, Sam, Tom F and Neale, we have finalised our Scout Picks for Gameweek 22 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

As usual, we are limited by certain restrictions.

  • An £83.0m budget for our starting XI
  • An overall squad limit of £100.0m
  • No more than three players per team

GAMEWEEK 22 SCOUT PICKS

GOALKEEPER

Big Numbers: 22 stand-out stats for FPL Gameweek 12

The betting money wouldn’t be on a goalfest at the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland and Crystal Palace among the division’s lowest scoring teams in 2025/26. Robin Roefs (£4.9m), who has kept two clean sheets in his last three home matches, is currently averaging more points per match (4.5) than any other goalkeeper this season.

DEFENDERS

FPL pre-season: Wirtz assists, Frimpong OOP + £4.5m def brace

If you’re looking for attacking returns from your defenders, Gabriel Magalhaes (£6.7m) and Jeremie Frimpong (£5.7m) are among the first names that come to mind.

Gabriel has amassed 30 points over the last three Gameweeks since returning from injury, thanks to two goals, two clean sheets, three bonus and two defensive contribution (DefCon) points. The Brazilians’ penchant for goals from corners could be key this week, with opponents Nottingham Forest among the worst four teams for set-piece goals conceded (10) in 2025/26.

As for Arsenal, they boast the most shut-outs (10) and fewest expected goals conceded (xGC, 15.2), so Gabriel has the potential to earn points at both ends of the pitch.

Meanwhile, we’re backing Frimpong to torment Burnley at Anfield in Gameweek 22. Liverpool have kept three clean sheets in their last six matches, with the Dutchman contributing three assists during that spell. Also on target in the FA Cup win over Barnsley on Monday, Frimpong should be afforded plenty of license to bomb forward from full-back.

There’s admittedly a bit of hesitancy towards picking Tottenham Hotspur players right now, but opponents West Ham United have failed to score in three of their last five matches, which bodes well for Micky van de Ven (£4.6m). The Hammers are also joint-bottom for set-piece goals conceded, another route to points for the Dutch centre-back. Boosted by the arrival of Conor Gallagher (£5.5m), it’s worth noting Spurs have ground out two clean sheets since Boxing Day, ranking fourth for xGC over the last four Gameweeks.

MIDFIELDERS

FPL notes: Calafiori ban + Rice the top-scoring midfielder
 

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292 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. jonnybhoy
    • 13 Years
    7 hours, 58 mins ago

    Best Keane replacement?

    A) Senesi
    B) Cash
    C) Mukiele

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 hours, 17 mins ago

      i have senesi and like him but not really to play every week given their away form. if you can rotate senesi now and again him. at least he carries some serious attacking threat to make up for the current lack of cs even in the easier fixtures

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      7 hours, 11 mins ago

      C

  2. F4L
    • 11 Years
    7 hours, 57 mins ago

    villa selling/loaning malen not abit odd? esp with europa matches coming up

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      7 hours, 11 mins ago

      Did similar with Jhon Duran last season too

  3. Heavy Cream
    • 10 Years
    7 hours, 57 mins ago

    Bowen or Foden? Have Semenyo.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      7 hours, 14 mins ago

      Foden

  4. OptimusBlack
    • 12 Years
    7 hours, 56 mins ago

    Who to get instead of Cunha if u have
    Foden Cherki Saka ***
    Haaland Thiago Watkins
    A- Rogers
    B- Wirtz
    C- Wilson
    D- Gakpo
    *Specially for this GW*

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      7 hours, 14 mins ago

      B for this GW

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 hours, 13 mins ago

      wirtz

  5. jeffa79
    • 12 Years
    7 hours, 53 mins ago

    Pick 3 from:

    A) Chalobah
    B) Senesi
    C) Tarkowski
    D) Andersen
    E) Richards

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 hours, 14 mins ago

      abc

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      7 hours, 14 mins ago

      ABC

  6. Miguel Sanchez
    • 9 Years
    7 hours, 51 mins ago

    Going in on Cunha to Palmer….

    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      7 hours, 9 mins ago

      Yeah he’s playing and scoring loads this season!

  7. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    7 hours, 49 mins ago

    Raya
    Virgil, Gabriel, Hall
    Enzo, Wilson, Foden, Saka, Anderson
    Ekitike, Haaland (c)

    Dubravka, Andersen, Rodon, Guiu

    4ft 2.5itb

    Start?

    A Anderson
    B Rodon

    1. JoeSoap
      • 12 Years
      7 hours, 7 mins ago

      Toss of a coin though might play Andersen instead

  8. Moneymar
    • 3 Years
    7 hours, 49 mins ago

    Should I do Cunha and Guehi to Rogers and Konate for free?

    1. JoeSoap
      • 12 Years
      7 hours, 9 mins ago

      I am keeping Guehi and playing Cunha for 1 last week 2 keep transfers.

  9. JoeSoap
    • 12 Years
    7 hours, 49 mins ago

    No bench cover

    A. Keane>Cash/other (4.9m to spend)
    B. Save and hope the remaining 11 all start

    Verbruggen
    Mukiele, Timber, Gabriel,
    Saka, Bruno G, Foden, Wilson, Cunha
    Ekiteke, Haaland,
    Dubravka, Guehi, Guiu, Keane

  10. Three Badgers on a Shirt
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    7 hours, 49 mins ago

    Tarkowski to Cash for 1 remaining free transfer or hold? (As we know Guehi now won't be in the Palace squad this week.)

    Sanchez (Dubravka);
    Gabriel, Senesi, Guehi*, Van de Ven (Tarkowski);
    Saka, Rogers, Foden, Rice (Gomez)
    Haaland, Ekitike (Guiu)

  11. Tinmen
    • 12 Years
    7 hours, 49 mins ago

    Cherki to Wilson or save guys?

    Cherki benched in a lot of predicted line ups I see

  12. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 hours, 48 mins ago

    City are after strengthening yet again. Arsenal without any signings must be concerned but to be fair have some players returning from injury and great depth too. Going to be interesting. Majority are expecting Arsenal to crumble

    1. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      7 hours, 30 mins ago

      Man City still have to go to Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd away from home

      Don’t think we crumble unless we get a big injury

  13. Aye
    • 13 Years
    7 hours, 48 mins ago

    Who would you drop for Rice?

    Cherki or Foden?

    1. JoeSoap
      • 12 Years
      7 hours, 2 mins ago

      Cherki though both could go

  14. henrysquire
    • 7 Years
    7 hours, 40 mins ago

    Saka or Rice? I own Saka but I don't know if he's worth it nowadays with Madueke in waiting.

  15. Junks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    7 hours, 40 mins ago

    *repost*
    2FT 0.9ITB
    Kelleher Dubravka
    Cash Gabriel LewisPotter Keane Alderete
    Rogers Wilson Wirtz Foden Garner
    Woltemade Haaland Ekitike

    A. Keane to Lacroix / Chalobah / VanHecke / Richards??
    B. Roll & start Alderete (3fts next GW to downgrade Wolt and upgrade Garner and Keane)

  16. FPL Sanky
    • 2 Years
    7 hours, 39 mins ago

    What should I do with this lot? 0.4 ITB

    Raya
    Gabriel Timber Alderete
    Foden Gordon Wilson Rogers
    Haaland Thiago Ekitike

    Bench- Dub LeFee Senesi O'Reilly

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 hours, 55 mins ago

      Nothing

  17. damiang2233
    • 16 Years
    7 hours, 38 mins ago

    Start two of the below?

    1. O'Reilly
    2. Alderete
    3. Wilson
    4. Anderson
    5. Chalobah

    1. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      6 hours, 59 mins ago

      3 & 5

    2. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 hours, 59 mins ago

      3 and either 2 or 5

      1. damiang2233
        • 16 Years
        6 hours, 56 mins ago

        We thinking Chalobah keeping a clean sheet against Thiago?

        1. Boxwoods
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 hours, 54 mins ago

          No, but defcons and attacking threat. I don't own Chal, but playing Alderete over O'Reilly.

          1. damiang2233
            • 16 Years
            6 hours, 47 mins ago

            Ya thinking of playing Alderete too as Crystal Palace lack a scoring threat.

            Anderson also comes up with defcons so cautious leaving him on bench too

            1. Boxwoods
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              6 hours, 37 mins ago

              I think Alderete's a great choice. For what it's worth, bookies say CHE > SUN > FUL on clean sheet odds (but not much separating CHE and SUN or SUN and FUL). https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2026/01/14/fpl-gameweek-22-best-clean-sheet-odds

  18. Bobkat
    • 3 Years
    7 hours, 37 mins ago

    Bench one-
    A Wilson
    B DCL
    C Semenyo
    D Foden

    1. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 hours, 56 mins ago

      Oof. Reluctantly, A.

      1. Bobkat
        • 3 Years
        6 hours, 55 mins ago

        Cheers. Keep going around in circles. Need the old all out attack chip

        1. Boxwoods
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 hours, 53 mins ago

          Yeah. Could get Pep'd of course. It's a tough decision.

          1. Bobkat
            • 3 Years
            6 hours, 52 mins ago

            Exactly. Currently benching Semenyo after he’s come in and played the last two but it just feels wrong

            1. Boxwoods
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              6 hours, 50 mins ago

              Yeah. As a non-owner, I'm interested to see what happens with him. Very close call between him and Wilson, I think.

              1. Bobkat
                • 3 Years
                6 hours, 45 mins ago

                Cheers, appreciate the input. Will be interesting to see Semenyo does get a run or is just rotated as much as the rest of them

  19. Hxnsey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    7 hours, 37 mins ago

    Bench Cunha or Kroupi Jr. For Morgan Rogers?

  20. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    7 hours, 33 mins ago

    2 ft’s..
    Would you do:

    A) Cunha & Gordon to Wirtz & Rice
    B) Cunha to Wirtz and hold Gordon for another gw
    C) Cunha to Rice

    Other mids are:
    Saka - Rogers - Foden

  21. sentz05
    • 9 Years
    7 hours, 31 mins ago

    Start

    A Wilson
    B Tiago

  22. Hxnsey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    7 hours, 31 mins ago

    Ekitike not a better captaincy choice?

  23. Gazzpfc
    • 9 Years
    7 hours, 30 mins ago

    Wildcard
    Verbruggen (Kelleher)

    Timber Gabriel Chalobah (Alderete Munoz)

    Enzo Wirtz Rice WIlson (Taverner)

    Haaland Thiago Ekitika

    1 Chalobah or Frimpong
    2 Wirtz or Bruno G
    3 Roefs Dubravka or Verbruggen Kelleher

    ???

  24. Flynny
    • 10 Years
    7 hours, 30 mins ago

    Hi...1ft and 0.3m. Am I good to save ft here?

    Richards can start if leaked that cherki/ foden benched. Thanks

    Raya
    Gabriel hall alderete (richards anderson)
    Saka foden cunha cherki anderson
    Haaland ekiteke (guiu)

    1. Bobkat
      • 3 Years
      6 hours, 43 mins ago

      All good

      1. Flynny
        • 10 Years
        6 hours, 40 mins ago

        Thanks

  25. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    7 hours, 28 mins ago

    FPL review this, FPL review that

    Really?

  26. damiang2233
    • 16 Years
    7 hours, 25 mins ago

    Start two of the below? Reasoning also please.

    1. O'Reilly
    2. Alderete
    3. Wilson
    4. Anderson
    5. Chalobah

    1. Bobkat
      • 3 Years
      6 hours, 41 mins ago

      Definitely start Wilson- on form attacker
      The other one is tricky though!

    2. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      6 hours, 39 mins ago

      2. Palace struggling and now have 2 big news items
      3. On form

  27. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    7 hours, 23 mins ago

    Do you think that Cherki will start?

    1. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      6 hours, 44 mins ago

      Yes

  28. jeffa79
    • 12 Years
    7 hours, 23 mins ago

    Bench one from:

    A) Senesi
    B) Andersen
    C) Kroupi Jr

    1. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      6 hours, 44 mins ago

      B

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        6 hours, 40 mins ago

        Probably yes

  29. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    7 hours, 21 mins ago

    Differential capt.
    Rice or saka or enzo?

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      6 hours, 40 mins ago

      Not Enzo for sure

  30. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    7 hours, 19 mins ago

    Aiming at 3FTs before GW24 so can use one this week, want to sell Cunha:

    1. Rogers as a long term option
    2. Wirtz for the next 2, maybe 3, weeks
    3. Semenyo punt

    Suddenly tempted by Wirtz…