Fantasy Premier League 2015-16: Players to pick for gameweek 22

ByAkilesh Radhakrishnan, SportsCafe Editor

01/15/2016

Well that wasn't very nice. Gameweek 21 was a low-scoring affair in FPL with an average global score of 35 - yet another example of reliable players proving to be a let-down, en masse. While there was joy for owners of Ramsey, Giroud, Payet and Ayew, the rest were largely starved of points despite all the goals that went. There is no time to dwell, however. On we march to gameweek 22.

Gameweek 22 fixtures

Spurs v SunderlandBournemouth v NorwichChelsea v EvertonMan City v Crystal PalaceNewcastle v West HamSouthampton v West BromAston Villa v Leicester CityLiverpool v Man UtdStoke v ArsenalSwansea v Watford

Player Picks

ForwardsLukaku (9.3) - Everton prepare to face a still-porous Chelsea defence that is yet to manage a league shutout at home in 3 attempts since Mourinho's departure. The Belgian striker should be among the goals should the Toffees render a 4th attempt unfruitful.

Diego Costa (10.7) - He is back among the goals, netting 4 times under Hiddink, and has largely avoided the sort of antics that marked a frustrating first half-season. When in this sort of mood, the Spaniard is generally fixture-proof.

Vardy (7.3) - This is more of a 'hold if you have' than a 'buy' suggestion. The Englishman deserves a chance against Villa away and Stoke at home before his owners decide he has to go for good. (Read: Who has been the MVP of the season – Ozil or Mahrez?)

Midfielders

Payet (7.8) - His goal-and-assist performance at Bournemouth is yet to inspire a significant price rise, and with a trip to Newcastle this weekend followed by games against shaky Man City and Aston Villa at Upton Park, the points won't be stopping any time soon.

Arnautovic (6.7) - His 22% ownership would have been pleased as he came up with an assist against Norwich. With Shaqiri set to miss out the visit of Arsenal, the onus is on the Austrian bombshell to produce the fireworks, just as he did for the visits of Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd.

Sigurdsson (7.0) - Those who missed the Ayew tip from lastgameweek could do worse than pick him up now or snap up Sigurdsson, who has scored in the last two games and has a decent schedule ahead.

Yaya Toure (8.7) - The team and the player himself have come under criticism lately. The Ivorian has been silently consistent in FPL however, delivering 40 points in the last 6 games. One of the best players to own in the premium range at the moment.

Willian (7.1) - Having added an assist to his tally against West Brom last night, the Brazilian should continue his purple patch against the 7th worst defence in the league. (Read: Leicester City: Atop the perch or slip-and-lurch?)

Defenders

Dawson (5.1) - With a trip to Southampton followed by home games against Villa and Swansea to come, the West Brom full back looks like a solid option for the coming weeks. Smith (4.1) - Adam Smith is cheap and provides decent attacking threat. With trips to Sunderland and Palace following the home tie against Norwich, the schedule could be worse for the Cherries full back.

Ivanovic (6.5) - If you have money to spare, look no further than Branislav Ivanovic to get you the points. The Chelsea full back is back to his marauding self with a goal and 2 assists helping the Serbian rack up 34 points in the 5 games post-Mourinho.

Keepers

Fabianski (4.7) - The weekend visit of Watford should be a far calmer affair than the midweek game, while the schedule upto mid-February isn't too untidy for last season's top saver (is that a term?).

Boruc (4.5) - With the Payet storm behind him, the aforementioned favourable schedule for Bournemouth makes Artur Boruc an attractive proposition between the sticks.

The Writer's Team