Gameweek 22: Thiago Essential, Ekitiké Injury Crisis & Early Derby Deadline

Welcome to your detailed Gameweek 22 briefing! Thanks for subscribing to Who Got The Points. With the Manchester derby kicking off early Saturday at 12:30pm, we've got crucial transfer decisions to make before the 11am deadline. Let's dive into the essential moves, injury concerns, and tactical insights you need to dominate this gameweek.

Before we get into transfers, here are three crucial updates that could affect your Gameweek 22 squad:

Ownership: 34.3% | Transfers In This Week: 400,000+ | GW21 Points: 12 | Total Points: 120

The Brazilian baller bagged a brace in Gameweek 21 against Sunderland, taking his season tally to an impressive 16 goals and 1 assist. Those are elite numbers for a forward under £8m. While Brentford face Chelsea away on Saturday (not ideal on paper), Thiago has 6.0 expected points for the fixture and the Bees are in decent attacking form.

Verdict: Essential. Get him in if you haven't already. At £7.1m with 16 goals this season, he's absolutely essential at this price point.

Ownership: 21.6% | Transfers In This Week: 287,000 | GW21 Points: 11 | Total Points: 117

Bruno delivered an 11-point haul in Gameweek 21 with a goal and assist in that thriller against Leeds. That brings his season total to 8 goals and 5 assists from midfield - premium returns from a mid-priced midfielder. Newcastle travel to Wolves on Sunday, and Bruno has 6.0 expected points against a shaky Wolves defence.

The Magpies are flying and Bruno is their creative heartbeat. For a mid-priced midfielder at £7.2m, he's offering premium returns without the premium price tag.

Verdict: Essential. One of the best value picks in FPL right now.

Ownership: 3.0% | Transfers In This Week: 94,000 | GW21 Points: 13 | Total Points: 89

Collins hauled 13 points in Gameweek 21 with an assist, clean sheet, and two bonus points against Sunderland. That's outstanding for a £5.0m defender with 1 goal and 2 assists this season. He's got 8.0 expected points for Gameweek 22.

Brentford face Chelsea which isn't a great fixture, but Collins is a threat from set pieces and the Bees have kept clean sheets this season. At this price with attacking potential, he's a solid differential if you need defensive cover.

Verdict: Good option, especially if you're chasing in mini-leagues and need a budget defender with upside.

Ownership: 26.0% | Transfers Out This Week: 291,000

The hamstring injury is the obvious concern here. Zero minutes in Gameweek 21, marked as doubtful with only a 75% chance of playing, and Arne Slot won't rush him back with Liverpool's fixture congestion. Even if he's passed fit for Burnley at home, there's significant rotation risk.

With so much quality in the forward line at similar prices, you can't afford passengers at £8.9m. The 291k managers who've already shipped him out are making the smart move.

Verdict: Sell. Too much uncertainty and capital tied up in an injured player.

Ownership: 34.1% | Transfers Out This Week: 300,000+

Foden managed just 2 points in Gameweek 21, playing 72 minutes in that 1-1 draw with Brighton. While he's got 7 goals and 2 assists this season (decent), City's form is patchy and Pep Guardiola's rotation is a nightmare for FPL managers.

He has 4.3 expected points for the Manchester derby, but United at Old Trafford is tough. At £8.7m, you're paying premium money for inconsistent returns.

Verdict: Sell if you need funds. Hold if you're using him as a City asset and can't afford Haaland.

Ownership: 2.5%

Ødegaard played 77 minutes in that goalless draw with Liverpool, picking up just 3 points for the clean sheet. He's got only 1 goal and 3 assists all season. For £7.8m, that's nowhere near good enough.

Arsenal face Nottingham Forest away on Saturday evening (tricky fixture), and Ødegaard simply isn't delivering the attacking returns you need from a midfielder at this price. There are better Arsenal assets like Gabriel or better midfield options elsewhere.

Verdict: Sell. Poor value for money.

Looking to separate yourself from the template? These three differentials offer genuine upside with low ownership:

Ownership: 4.6% | Expected Points GW22: 6.7

The Brazilian started and played 72 minutes in Gameweek 21 and has strong expected points for the derby against United. With 7 clean sheets this season plus 4 assists from defence, he's a genuine attacking threat. If you need a City defender and want to be different, Nunes offers route one access at budget price.

Ownership: 9.6% | GW21 Points: 13 | Expected Points GW22: 6.8

Massive 13-point haul in Gameweek 21 with a clean sheet and bonus point. He's making saves, keeping Brentford tight at the back, and at £4.5m, he's budget-friendly with serious upside. While Brentford face Chelsea (not ideal), Kelleher could easily grab save points.

Ownership: 6.0% | GW21 Points: 10 | Expected Points GW22: 5.5

10 points in Gameweek 21 with a clean sheet and three bonus against Arsenal. Liverpool face Burnley at home on Saturday, and Burnley are struggling. Alisson should be good for a clean sheet. At £5.4m with Liverpool's favourable fixtures coming up, he's a premium goalkeeper worth considering.

The captain pick this week: Thiago (Brentford)

While away at Chelsea isn't perfect, Thiago is in red-hot form with 16 goals this season, and Brentford are scoring for fun. With 6.7 expected points and proven consistency, he's the safe captain pick for this gameweek.

Don't forget: The Manchester derby kicks off Saturday at 12:30pm, meaning the Gameweek 22 deadline is 11am Saturday morning. If you're planning moves around City or United players, don't leave it late Friday night. Get your transfers locked in with time to spare!

Here are other players who caught our attention in Gameweek 21:

That's your comprehensive Gameweek 22 briefing! Remember that early deadline and make those transfer decisions count. Good luck, and may your captain haul big!