FPL Gameweek 22 updates: Jota doubt, Palmer to run riot, and more

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

Injury and Suspension Updates

Several big-name players are ruled out or doubtful for this gameweek:

• Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Ethan Nwaneri are still missing from the Gunner’s squad.

• Liverpool: Joe Gomez remains unavailable, with Tuesday’s scorer Diogo Jota also a doubt due to picking up a ‘knock.’ Luis Diaz, who was also a doubt, will probably be available, as per Arne Slot.

• Newcastle United: Harvey Barnes remains the only Newcastle United player out for Week 22.

Managers must closely monitor late injury updates before finalizing their squads.

Recommended Player Picks

Goalkeepers

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

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

Defenders

• Reece James (Chelsea, £5.0m): After his last-minute freekick on Tuesday, James could be making a comeback to the starting lineup.

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

Midfielders

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

• Amad Diallo (Manchester United, £5.5m): Fresh off his sensational 12-minute hattrick over Southampton, Amad will once again look to impress United faithful against inconsistent Brighton.

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

• Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United, £7.7m): Gordon's form and attacking involvement make him an excellent budget option.

• Phil Foden (Manchester City, £9.2m): Fresh off his midweek brace, Foden seems to be getting back into form.

Forwards

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

• Erling Haaland (Manchester City, £14.8m): City will travel to relegation contenders Ipswich Town on Sunday, against whom Haaland scored a hattrick 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 to Target

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

• Manchester City: After mid-week’s disappointing result at Brentford, City will look to bounce back, aided by Erling Haaland’s renewed focus after his contract announcement, keeping him at the club until 2034.

• Chelsea: With no wins in 5, home fixture against struggling Wolves presents Chelsea their best opportunity to return to winning ways.

Caution on Big Teams

• Aston Villa: A tricky fixture away at Arsenal, who will be looking for revenge against Villa after last year's defeat, which argubly cost them the league.

• Brentford: Facing top-of-the-table Liverpool at home, who will look to return to winning ways after dropping points in consecutive fixtures for the first time this season.

• Tottenham: Tottenham have shockingly only picked up 5 points out of the last 27 available, as they travel to Goodison Park, where David Moyes would be looking for his first win since returning as Everton Manager.

Fixtures to Watch

• Chelsea vs Wolves: This could be a score-fest, with Wolves in all likelihood coming out worse for wear. Be on the lookout for Chelsea attackers, especially Cole Palmer (who we'd recommend captaining for the week).

• Newcastle vs Bournemouth: Although on paper Newcastle is the more in-form team, Bournemouth do have a goal in them, evident by their resilient mid-week display away at Chelsea.

• Nottingham Forest vs. Southampton: Double down on Forest attackers, due to their brilliant form and increased confidence after holding Liverpool to a draw midweek.

FPL managers should balance proven assets with calculated differentials as the gameweek unfolds. Careful squad planning and attention to late updates will be pivotal in securing green arrows.