Semenyo Secures Spot in FPL Team of the Week

FPL Returns with a Key Decision for Managers

The Fantasy Premier League (FPL) has resumed after a brief hiatus, bringing with it a crucial choice for team managers regarding the highly anticipated Manchester derby this weekend. Most FPL squads typically feature a mix of Manchester City and United players, making this match a focal point for many.

Historically, matches between these two teams have been high-scoring, averaging 3.1 goals per game from the 2020-21 to 2024-25 seasons, with City triumphing 3-0 at the Etihad in the previous season. However, recent encounters at Old Trafford have seen two scoreless draws in the last five league meetings, raising questions about whether this upcoming match will deliver more goals. For managers optimistic about offensive plays, it may be wise to start key attackers from both sides.

Note: The team of the week is created considering existing FPL prices, adhering to the £100 million budget, as if using a Free Hit.

Week’s Team Performance Review

The previous week’s team saw commendable performances from Igor Thiago, who scored 12 points, and Bruno Guimaraes, who added 11 points to the total. This helped offset a disappointing -1 from Malick Thiaw and an own goal from Ayden Heaven. The team managed a respectable total of 54 points overall.

FPL Top Picks for Gameweek 22

Goalkeeper and Defense

1. Robin Roefs, Sunderland, £4.9m – Crystal Palace (Home)
   With Crystal Palace struggling to score, netting just one in the last four matches, Roefs stands out as an excellent choice, especially as Sunderland has conceded only eight at home this season.

2. Nordi Mukiele, Sunderland, £4.4m – Crystal Palace (Home)
   Mukiele complements Sunderland’s defensive lineup, showing a better performance record than his teammate, whose bonus points boost his value.

3. Micky van de Ven, Tottenham, £4.6m – West Ham (Home)
   Given West Ham’s recent goal drought, Van de Ven is a solid selection for Tottenham’s defense, showcasing attacking threat while maintaining a decent clean sheet count.

4. Gabriel, Arsenal, £6.7m – Nottingham Forest (Away)
   The Brazilian defender has performed well lately, accumulating significant points in his last games. Coupled with Arsenal’s strength from set-pieces against a poor Nottingham defense, he’s a smart pick this week.

Midfield Selections

1. Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.2m – Burnley (Home)
   Facing one of the weakest defenses in the league, Wirtz’s recent performances make him a player to watch, especially following successful outings in previous matches.

2. Bruno Guimaraes, Newcastle, £7.2m – Wolves (Away)
   With consistent point returns, Guimaraes is an obvious choice while Newcastle looks to capitalize on Wolves’ vulnerabilities, even on their turf.

3. Antoine Semenyo, Manchester City, £7.6m – Manchester United (Away)
   Semenyo is immediately integrated into the City squad, and his form suggests he will make a significant impact, especially in a derby match where City aims for goals.

4. Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea, £6.4m – Brentford (Home)
   Fernandez has proven to be effective in front of goal and high expected contributions make him the standout pick from Chelsea as they face Brentford.

Forward Recommendations

1. Erling Haaland (C), Manchester City, £15.1m – Manchester United (Away)
   With an impressive scoring history against United, Haaland is a prominent captaincy choice for those anticipating a high-scoring match.

2. Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool, £8.9m – Burnley (Home)
   Alongside Wirtz, Ekitike has strong potential for scoring against a defensively weak Burnley side.

3. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Leeds, £6m – Fulham (Home)
   With a remarkable goal-scoring efficiency, Calvert-Lewin remains a key pick as Leeds continues to create opportunities for him.

Substitute Bench

• Lucas Perri, Leeds United, £4.5m – Fulham (Home)
• Granit Xhaka, Sunderland, £5.2m – Crystal Palace (Home)
• Ezri Konsa, Aston Villa, £4.4m – Everton (Home)
• Maxim de Cuyper, Brighton, £4.3m – Bournemouth (Home)

Total team cost: £98.4 million

The selections illustrate strategic picks aimed at maximizing points while adhering to the constraints of the FPL budget, emphasizing both current form and favorable matchups.