Welcome to the Gameweek 22 insights!
What a quick turn around. Next game week starts less than 48hours after the conclusion of GW21.
The Pride of London’s Fantasy Premier League expert, Alani, is back with top-notch tips and analysis to help you climb the ranks.
The second half of the season is where FPL magic happens—Double Gameweeks, Blank Gameweeks, and strategic chip usage can make or break your season. Let’s dive into the key decisions for GW22.
State of Play for GW22
Chelsea’s festive struggles continued in GW21 with a disappointing home draw against Bournemouth. Despite creating several good chances to seal the game, the Blues faltered once again, with Nicolas Jackson among the culprits.
• Winless Streak: Chelsea have now gone five league games without a win—their worst run this season—and have failed to score in two of those matches.
• Scoring Stats: The Blues are tied third with Arsenal for goals scored (41), trailing Liverpool (48) and Spurs (43).
• League Position: Chelsea have slipped to fifth in the Premier League, two points behind fourth-placed Newcastle.
Chelsea's Opponent – Wolves
Wolves head into GW22 after being blown away by Newcastle’s relentless attack in GW21 at St. James’ Park. They remain in the relegation zone, sitting 18th in the league.
• Form: Wolves have lost their last two games by 3-0 scorelines. Nine of their last ten matches have seen over 2.5 goals, while four have seen over 3.5 goals. Wolves have conceded the most goals this season (48).
• Goals Scored: Wolves have scored 31 goals this season (11th), more than 3rd-placed Nottingham Forest. Seventeen of these goals have come away from home, but they’ve also conceded 25 goals on the road.
Head-to-Head
Chelsea and Wolves have met 21 times in the Premier League:
• Chelsea Wins: 11
• Wolves Wins: 6
• Draws: 4
In these encounters, Chelsea have scored 47 goals, while Wolves have netted 22. Wolves have won three of the last five meetings between the two sides.
The last two league games between Chelsea and Wolves produced 14 goals, and with both teams struggling defensively, goals are likely to flow again this Gameweek.
Transfer Tips for GW22
Note: Cole Palmer (69% ownership) is not included in these tips, as he should already be a staple in your team by now. His inclusion is non-negotiable, especially with Saka’s injury and Foden’s inconsistent performances.
Player to Hold
Nicolas Jackson
Jackson’s FPL returns have been frustrating, with just five points in GW21. He wasted key chances and picked up a yellow card, much to the annoyance of his owners.
Despite his struggles, Jackson remains Chelsea’s primary striker under Maresca. His ownership has dropped to 19.7%, but his underlying stats make him worth holding:
• Points: 6th among forwards
• xG (Expected Goals): 4th
• xGI (Expected Goal Involvement): 4th
• ICT Index (Influence, Creativity, and Threat): 4th
• Shots: 4th
With favourable fixtures ahead, holding Jackson for at least this Gameweek is a sound strategy. However, if you don’t already own him, there’s no urgency to bring him in. If you do, don’t sell him either. Jackson is a hold—no buy, no sell!
Player to Monitor
Reece James
Reece James made his first league appearance since GW11, coming off the bench to score Chelsea’s equaliser against Bournemouth.
James offers more attacking threat than any other Chelsea full-back, but he’s just returning from injury. The last thing you want at this stage of the season is to bring in a player who gets injured again after one or two games—it would waste a valuable free transfer.
While risks can bring rewards, caution is key. Monitor James over the next few Gameweeks before making a move.
Captaincy Picks
Cole Palmer remains a standout captaincy option alongside Isak, Haaland, and Salah. He’s currently the third-favourite for the armband behind Isak and Salah for GW22.
Deadline
The transfer deadline for GW22 is Saturday, 18th January, at 11:00 GMT.
Final Thoughts
With Double Gameweeks and potential Blank Gameweeks on the horizon, it’s wise to save transfers and plan ahead to maximize chip usage. This is the time to think strategically and climb the ranks—make every move count!