Jota doubt, Palmer to run riot, and more

As Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 22 approaches, managers are navigating a difficult landscape of injuries, suspensions and fluctuating form. Here’s a breakdown of the key updates and suggested picks for next week.

Injury and suspension updates

Several big players are ruled out or doubtful for this week:

• Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus, Bucayo Saka and Ethan Nuaneri are still missing from the Gunners squad.

• Liverpool: Joe Gomez remains unavailable, with Tuesday’s goalscorer Diogo Jota also a doubt with a knock. Luis Diaz, who was also doubtful, will likely be available, according to Arne Slot.

• Newcastle United: Harvey Barnes remains the only Newcastle player to be out for week 22.

Managers should keep a close eye on late injury updates before finalizing their squads.

Recommended Player Options

Goalkeepers

• Madge Sells (Nottingham Forest, £5.0m): Forest face bottom of the league Southampton at the City Ground.

• Robert Sanchez (Chelsea, £5.0m): Chelsea host struggling Wolves, who have conceded 6 goals in their last 2 away games, scoring 0.

Defenders

• Rhys James (Chelsea, £5.0m): After his last-minute foul on Tuesday, James could return to the starting line-up.

• Gabriel (Arsenal, £6.4m): Arsenal’s powerful defender is always a danger from set-pieces and could keep Villa at bay.

Midfielders

• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, £12.8m): Although Salah didn’t have his best game against Forest, he will be looking to add to his 31 G/A against the unlucky Brentford, who rarely keep a clean sheet.

• Amad Diallo (Manchester United, £5.5m): Fresh from his impressive 12-minute hat-trick against Southampton, Amad will once again look to impress the United faithful against an inconsistent Brighton side.

• Cole Palmer (Chelsea, £11.4m): Chelsea will look to bounce back against struggling Wolves, who were dismantled in the reverse fixture 6-2 in August, with Palmer providing 4 goals on the day.

• Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United, £7.7m): Gordon’s form and attacking presence make him a great budget option.

• Phil Foden (Manchester City, £9.2m): Foden looks to be returning to form after midweek.

Front

• Alexander Isak (Newcastle, £9.3m): The Newcastle forward is in top form, rated 9.8. Issac scored twice and set up Gordon’s goal against Wolves and will look to do the same at home to Bournemouth.

• Erling Haaland (Manchester City, £14.8m): City travel to relegation-chasing Ipswich Town on Sunday, against whom Haaland scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture.

• Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest, £6.7m): Wood will look to continue his electric form in front of goal against relegation favorites Southampton.

Teams on target

• Fulham: Fulham will look to bounce back away from home against Leicester City, who have lost 6 games in the Premier League.

• Manchester City: After the disappointing midweek result at Brentford, City will look to bounce back, helped by Erling Haaland’s renewed focus after his contract was announced, keeping him at the club until 2034.

• Chelsea: Without a win in 5, the home clash with struggling Wolves gives Chelsea their best chance of getting back on the winning foot.

Beware of large groups

• Aston Villa: Tough game away to Arsenal, who will be looking for revenge against Villa after last year’s defeat which arguably cost them the league.

• Brentford: Face leaders Liverpool at home, who will be looking to return to winning ways after dropping points in back-to-back games for the first time this season.

• Tottenham Hotspur: Tottenham have shockingly picked up just 5 points from their last 27 available as they travel to Goodison Park, where David Moyes will be looking for his first win since returning as Everton manager.

Luminaires for monitoring

• Chelsea vs Wolves: This could be a score-fest, with Wolves arguably worse for wear. Be on the lookout for Chelsea’s forwards, especially Cole Palmer (who we’d recommend as captain for the week).

• Newcastle v Bournemouth: While on paper Newcastle are the more up-to-date team, Bournemouth have a target, as evidenced by their resilient midweek performance away to Chelsea.

• Nottingham Forest vs Southampton: Double down on Forest’s forwards, with their scintillating form and boosted in confidence following the draw with Liverpool in midweek.

FPL managers will need to balance proven assets against calculated differences as the game week progresses. Careful team planning and attention to late updates will be key to securing the Green Arrows.