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Optimal Squad 2026-01-14

GW22 Scout’s Selection: The Data-Driven Optimal 11 Built on Points, Form & xGI

FPL Admin

FPL Elite Analyst

Introduction

Gameweek 22 is the perfect time to zoom out and let the numbers do the talking. Using only the provided shortlist of top-performing assets by position, here’s an Optimal 11 on paper—built around points, form, value, and the underlying indicators that hint at what’s still to come.

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GW22 Optimal 11 (3-5-2)

A 3-5-2 makes the most of the standout midfield pool while still securing elite forward output.

Goalkeeper

Robin Roefs (Sunderland) — £4.9

95 points (best of the GK list)
Form: 4.4 (joint-best)
ICT: 63.2 (highest among listed keepers)
Ownership: 12.4% (strong differential profile)

Why he’s in: Best blend of points + price + ICT among the goalkeepers.

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Defenders (3)

Gabriel dos Santos Magalhães (Arsenal) — £6.7

112 points (top defender)
Form: 6.2 (best in the DEF list)
xG: 1.56 / xA: 0.76 (attacking threat on top of baseline points)

Jurriën Timber (Arsenal) — £6.3

104 points with Form: 4.8
ICT: 97.0 (elite)
xG: 4.06 (huge for a defender—ceiling pick)

James Tarkowski (Everton) — £5.7

100 points with Form: 5.2 (excellent)
ICT: 88.5 (strong all-round involvement)
xA: 1.06 adds assist potential to his goal threat

Why this trio: Two Arsenal defenders provide a high-upside core, while Tarkowski brings form + ICT at a steady mid-price.

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Midfielders (5)

Declan Rice (Arsenal) — £7.3

122 points (top midfielder)
Form: 7.2 (best MID form)
ICT: 132.8 with xG: 2.66 / xA: 3.78

Antoine Semenyo (Man City) — £7.6

120 points with Form: 6.2
ICT: 151.4 (monster)
xG: 6.69 signals consistent goal threat

Bruno Guimarães Rodriguez Moura (Newcastle) — £7.2

117 points and Form: 7.0 (near-elite)
ICT: 139.2
xG: 3.88 / xA: 2.51 = balanced attacking involvement

Bruno Borges Fernandes (Man Utd) — £9.1

106 points despite Form: 3.5
ICT: 179.3 (highest ICT of the entire MID list)
xG: 7.07 / xA: 5.09 (elite xGI profile)

Harry Wilson (Fulham) — £5.9

102 points at a bargain cost
ICT: 114.9 with xG: 3.77 / xA: 2.44
Offers value to fund premiums elsewhere

Why this five works: Rice + Semenyo + Bruno G provide form and points, Fernandes brings the best underlying attacking data, and Wilson is a budget enabler with real output.

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Forwards (2)

Erling Haaland (Man City) — £15.1 (C)

163 points (top overall)
ICT: 200.4 (best on the entire slate)
xG: 18.47 = the strongest scoring expectation by far

Igor Thiago Nascimento Rodrigues (Brentford) — £7.1 (VC)

120 points with Form: 7.6 (best form across all forwards)
ICT: 161.8
xG: 12.59 at a mid-price is premium-level output

Why this pairing: Haaland is the clear captaincy cornerstone, while Igor Thiago offers a devastating points-per-pound profile.

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Bench & Near-Misses (from the same data)

If you’re rotating or looking for alternative balance:

Jordan Pickford (Everton, £5.6)90 points, Form: 4.4
David Raya Martín (Arsenal, £5.9)86 points, but huge 33.6% ownership
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace, £5.3)105 points and ICT: 83.9
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea, £5.5)102 points but Form: 2.2
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham, £7.7)90 points, ICT: 123.1, with xG: 4.50 / xA: 1.60

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GW22 Captaincy

Captain: Erling Haaland — unmatched xG (18.47) and ICT (200.4)
Vice-Captain: Igor Thiago — elite form (7.6) and xG (12.59) at a fraction of the cost

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Conclusion

This GW22 Scout’s Selection is built to win on both fronts: proven points and repeatable underlying numbers. The structure prioritises a midfield packed with production, keeps a high-upside Arsenal defensive core, and anchors everything with the most reliable captaincy pick available.

If you’re looking for the “perfect team on paper” from this dataset, this is it: form, value, and xGI all pointing in the same direction.