Teams to target: Tottenham & Manchester City
Tottenham vs. Brentford
It’s no coincidence that Tottenham’s form has picked up with key personnel returning to full fitness.
Spurs have won four of their last six league games, including three in a row in front of their home supporters.
In GW22 they host a Brentford side who have lost seven of their last nine league matches, although they are able to call upon key man Ivan Toney once again.
Despite some impressive home results, Spurs have under-performed their xG at home and you’d fancy them to score a few on Wednesday evening.
James Maddison is fit again, but will likely have his minutes managed, whilst Son Heung-Min is at the Asian Cup with South Korea.
As a result the two stand out picks from the Spurs team are Pedro Porro and an in-form Richarlison. Both of who would be in most free hit sides this week.
Manchester City vs. Burnley
The plumb fixture of the week from an FPL perspective see’s champions Manchester City entertain Burnley.
Burnley have put up some better numbers on the road than at home this campaign; however a trip to the Etihad is as difficult as it comes.
A return is near for Erling Haaland and he is expected to get minutes in GW22, but it’ll likely be as a substitute.
Kevin de Bruyne should make his first start since his own injury and will be a strong captaincy pick in GW22.
It’d be hard to go against a Manchester City triple up here and alongside De Bruyne, another attacking option is a must, with Phil Foden edging out Julian Alvarez on current form.
Defensively Kyle Walker appears the most secure of a spot in the side and he’s the safe bet.
Opposition to target: Sheffield United & Newcastle United
Crystal Palace vs. Sheffield United
Both sides are bottom of the form table, collecting just one win and six points each from their last 10 matches.
The pressure is on Crystal Palace here though and a bad result could spell the end of Roy Hodgson’s second managerial stint with the club.
A home fixture with Sheffield United is as good at it comes though, with the Blades the only side in the division without a win on the road, claiming just two points from a possible 30.
Sheffield United have scored just five goals away from home, comfortably the lowest and have also conceded more than any side too.
I wouldn’t want to double up on Palace options given their own form, but Dean Henderson is perhaps the stand out keeper selection this week.
Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United
Another one where I feel selecting just one player from a favourable fixture is enough.
Aston Villa have the best home record in the league, whilst Newcastle have the second worst record on the road, winning just once away from home all campaign.
Newcastle have lost their last five on the spin away from home and their poor form has them in the middle of the Premier League.
Returns for Ollie Watkins have dried up massively of late, but I’d gamble on him in a free hit side.
Watkins scored twice in the meeting last season and faces a side that conceded a record high xGA in their last away fixture.
Other options
Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal
A trip to the City Ground represents a difficult fixture for Arsenal, with Forest losing just nine of their 29 games home matches since returning to the top flight.
Arsenal were defeated in the fixture last campaign, but they desperately need a result this time around having gone three away matches without success.
Bukayo Saka has struggled for returns in recent weeks and as a result I’ve a slight preference to select Gabriel Martinelli, whom bagged twice off the bench in GW21.
Luton Town vs. Brighton
Two Brighton players make it into my GW22 dream team, despite a trip to Luton being a difficult fixture.
Luton sit 18th in the league, but have done better than most envisaged this campaign and despite six home losses, no side has had it easy at Kenilworth Road.
Pervis Estupinan is back from injury and has looked impressive in recent weeks, whilst Joao Pedro’s goal return this season has been superb, even if 70% of them have been penalties!
GW22 Dream Team: Henderson; Estupinan, Walker, Porro; Martinelli, Jota, Richarlison, De Bruyne (C), Foden; Watkins, Pedro
