Which teams have the best FPL fixtures from Gameweek 22?
Using the Season Ticker from Fantasy Football Scout’s members area, we investigate which teams have the best FPL fixtures following this long January break.
Focusing on the schedule between Gameweeks 22 and 27 can help managers with transfers, captaincy and chip strategy decisions.
Best FPL fixtures
Manchester City
GW22-27 Fixtures: Burnley (H), Brentford (a), Everton (H), Chelsea (H) + Brentford (H), Bournemouth (a), Man United (H)
Now that the Double Gameweek 25 meeting with Brentford has officially been added, it’s no surprise to see the champions’ seven fixtures sit on top. Two of them will be against the Bees, alongside hostings of Burnley and Everton.
This is usually the time of year when Man City become relentless. For example, a 15-match run from last February to May brought 14 wins and a draw. If they plan on similar destruction, collecting at least one – possibly two – of Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez, fully-fit Kevin De Bruyne and almost-back Erling Haaland will feel essential.
However, clean sheets continue to be frustratingly rare. Just three from their last 18 encounters.
Aston Villa
GW22-27 Fixtures: Newcastle (H), Sheffield United (a), Man United (H), Fulham (a), N Forest (H), Luton (a)
Also a bit off-form is Villa forward Ollie Watkins. His ownership continues to hover around the six million mark but it’s out of fear, rather than his four-game goalless run. It even stretches back to one strike in seven.
Unai Emery’s side is understandably having a slight wobble, after a breathtaking first half of the campaign. They’re third in the league and superb at home, although they lost the reverse fixture versus each of their next three Villa Park visitors.
Then again, they destroyed Newcastle 3-0 at home last season and that was when the Magpies were good, not devastated by an injury crisis. Perhaps there’s more clean sheet potential for Ezri Konsa.
Brighton
GW22-27 Fixtures: Luton (a), C Palace (H), Tottenham (a), Sheffield United (a), Everton (H), Fulham (a)
As discussed in our early-January frisk of best FPL fixtures, Pascal Gross is Brighton’s leading midfield candidate while Kaoru Mitoma and Simon Adingra are hurt. The German has one goal and five assists from his last eight matches, ranking third throughout all of FPL for chances created (51).
But the Seagulls asset on everyone’s mind of late has been attacking left-back Pervis Estupinan. Over a million reacted to his three comeback matches by purchasing him, as two goals were joined by the team’s first league clean sheet of the season.
Cheap penalty-taking forward Joao Pedro also remains of interest for this promising run. He’s taken part in every game, although it includes a three-game and five-game spell of being limited to cameos.
Tottenham
GW22-27 Fixtures: Brentford (H), Everton (a), Brighton (H), Wolves (H), Chelsea (a), C Palace (H)
In the short term, Richarlison‘s great form makes him a strong asset. A mid-priced FPL midfielder playing as a centre-forward for one of the most attacking teams.
Six goals in six matches have restored the Brazilian’s confidence, although longer-term security could be in jeopardy once James Maddison and Son Heung-min return over the next few games. For those who’ve not yet sold Son, eyes will be firmly fixed on South Korea’s progress in the Asian Cup.
Meanwhile, the assists and bonus points of defender Pedro Porro keep arriving. Eight goals have been set up during these early months after his debut half-season yielded three goals and three assists. It’s enough to ignore Spurs keeping just one clean sheet in 12.
Crystal Palace
GW22-27 Fixtures: Sheffield United (H), Brighton (a), Chelsea (H), Everton (a), Burnley (H), Tottenham (a)
Finally, another London side lacking successful shut-outs of late. Crystal Palace kept four of them during their opening eight matches but only one since. With Sheffield United and Burnley soon coming to Selhurst Park, perhaps Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi are due some more.
They’re back to two strong options in goal though, as Sam Johnstone made his injury return in Wednesday’s FA Cup replay defeat. Yet to play in Gameweek 21, we can assess their trip to Arsenal to see if he and Odsonne Edouard go straight back into their league line-up.
Highly-impressive Michael Olise has a hamstring problem but fellow midfielder Eberechi Eze is around to take penalties.