Pep Guardiola lobbed a curveball at Fantasy Premier League managers earlier this week by confirming that Erling Haaland would be “selected” for City’s game against Burnley. Cue a frenzied rush to buy him out of pure FOMO.
Those who snapped Haaland up were not immediately rewarded as he returned just one point in City’s 3-1 victory over the Clarets in midweek, after being summoned from the bench 20 minutes from time. However, his ownership is steadily growing ahead of Saturday’s deadline.
It is probably no surprise that five of the eight most-sold players this week (at the time of writing) are forwards with bosses hastily rejigging their frontlines to incorporate last season’s top-scoring FPL player. With games against Brentford and Everton next followed by a double gameweek, interest in Haaland is understandable.
Haaland mania aside it looks set to be an intriguing gameweek with Arsenal vs Liverpool the pick of the fixtures. It is a particularly big game for the Gunners given their end-of-year wobble has seen them slip five points behind Jurgen Klopp‘s league leaders in the table. A defeat could leave them with too much work to do, while a win would throw the title race wide open.
i‘s top scorers in Gameweek 22
- Eberechi Eze – 14 points vs Sheffield Utd: The drunken master put on a spectacle at Selhurst Park with two sublime finishes in a crucial Crystal Palace win. Superb as Eze was he wasn’t even Palace’s top scorer in Gameweek 22; that title belonged to Michael Olise who earned 16.
- Diogo Jota – 8 points vs Chelsea: Liverpool’s in-form forward produced the goods yet again with the opening goal of their 4-1 dismantling of Chelsea at Anfield. Jota has now managed FPL returns in each of his last four appearances.
- Kevin De Bruyne – 7 points vs Burnley: A steady score from Man City’s returning playmaker in a routine win over Burnley. De Bruyne provided an assist for Julian Alvarez and managed to get 70 minutes of action under his belt as he builds up his match fitness.
Includes players selected in i‘s Fantasy Football newsletter
The Gameweek 23 deadline is at 11am on Saturday 3 January.
This is an extract of i’s Fantasy Premier League tips. Sign up here to receive the newsletter every week this season for our full 11-player team, advice on the best captain and more!
Gameweek 23 fixtures
Saturday 3 February
*3pm kick-off unless otherwise stated
- Everton vs Spurs (12.30pm)
- Brighton vs Crystal Palace
- Burnley vs Fulham
- Newcastle vs Luton
- Sheffield United vs Aston Villa (5.30pm)
Sunday 4 February
*2pm kick-off unless otherwise stated
- Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest
- Chelsea vs Wolves
- Man Utd vs West Ham
- Arsenal vs Liverpool (4.30pm)
Monday 5 February
- Brentford vs Man City (8pm)
James Maddison (Spurs)
It didn’t take long for James Maddison to make his mark on his first Premier League appearance in three months against Brentford as he helped himself to an FPL assist for Richarlison’s match winner.
Maddison was heavily involved attempting four shots and creating three chances during his time on the pitch and also managed to get the last laugh on Neal Maupay after the Frenchman mocked his trademark dart-throwing celebration. He won’t do that again in a hurry.
If you still have Mo Salah or Son Heung-min knocking about in your squad, a move to Maddison could be a good idea given Spurs’ favourable fixture run. Ange Postecoglou’s side face Everton (a), Brighton (h), Wolves (h) and Crystal Palace (h) in their next four games, although they also blank in Gameweek 26.
Price: £7.9m Points: 70 Gameweek 23 fixture: Everton (a)
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
You may question the point of including Ollie Watkins in this week’s tips given he is the third-most selected player in FPL, behind only Bukayo Saka and Erling Haaland so perhaps it would be better to interpret this as i‘s case to keep him.
Watkins is one of the most sold players ahead of this week’s deadline but that seems extremely hasty considering Aston Villa face the division’s leakiest defence next. Sheffield United have conceded 54 goals in total, which is nine more than any other club. Chris Wilder hasn’t yet managed to shore them up.
The England international has frustrated of late but looked lively against Newcastle, scoring a well-taken goal and having a second effort ruled out for a tight offside. Villa need to bounce back too after that disappointment.
Price: £8.8m Points: 128 Gameweek 23 fixture: Sheffield Utd (a)
Gonzalo Montiel (Nottingham Forest)
Gonzalo Montiel has been one of the main beneficiaries of Nottingham Forest’s managerial change in December having emerged as Nuno Espirito Santo’s first-choice right-back after being frozen out under Steve Cooper.
The Argentine World Cup winner has started all four of Forest’s league games under Nuno and his place looks to be even more secure with Serge Aurier set to join Galatasaray.
Montiel has delivered assists against Manchester United and Arsenal in the last four gameweeks.
Price: £4.4m Points: 19 Gameweek 23 fixture: Bournemouth (a)
Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)
Newcastle and Luton produced the two most impressive performances of Gameweek 22 which suggests Saturday’s meeting between the two could be a cracker.
An emphatic win over Villa was just what Newcastle needed after a poor run of results and while Fabian Schar was their surprise MVP, Anthony Gordon was a constant menace in attack, despite only earning one FPL point.
The Evertonian has enjoyed an exceptional season and been productive in home games where has combined six goals with five assists in 11 games. Of his 105 FPL points, 76 (72 per cent) have come in front of the Toon Army.
Price: £6.1m Points: 105 Gameweek 23 fixture: Luton (h)
Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea)
As if it wasn’t already clear Chelsea absolutely need Christopher Nkunku to be fit if the Mauricio Pochettino project is going to go anywhere.
Cole Palmer has a decent claim to the title but it could certainly be argued that Nkunku is the club’s most important player, which is saying something when he’s played fewer than 10 games.
Nkunku came on at half-time at Anfield and while he was unable to turn the game in Chelsea’s favour they looked a much better team with him on the pitch. The Frenchman scored with a smart finish to give the Blues hope and should have been awarded a penalty soon after for a clear foul by Virgil van Dijk.
Pochettino will want to keep him fresh for the upcoming Carabao Cup final, but with fans becoming increasingly discontented with his tactics and decision-making, can he afford to rest him?
Price: £7.5m Points: 15 Gameweek 23 fixture: Wolves (h)
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