In this blog, we break down the standout performers, analyse the latest transfer trends, and reveal the early must-have picks for the upcoming Gameweeks of the 2025/26 FPL season.
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As shown in the image below, Dorgu tops the Custom Stats xFPL table for Gameweek 22 with a score of 10.4. The 21-year-old took two shots in the box, landed both attempts on target, one of which was classified as a 'big chance' by Opta.
B.Fernandes delivered FPL returns for the second consecutive week since his return from injury, the Portuguese international attempted six assists, four of which were classified as 'big chances' created by Opta and notched an xFPL score of 10.1. This is impressive considering that he did not attempt a single shot in the penalty area.
Liverpool’s trio of Gakpo, Szoboszlai and Ekitiké were joint-top for shots, with six apiece. However, they created just two ‘big chances’ between them, and none registered an xFPL score above 5.0.
Wirtz continued his hot streak with a well-taken goal. The German international had two shots in the box and attempted three assists, finishing the match with an xFPL score of 9.9.
Mbeumo is one to keep an eye on. The Cameroon international operated in an ‘out of position’ centre-forward role, attempting three shots — two of which were classed as ‘big chances’. He recorded an impressive xFPL score of 8.6.
xFPL is calculated primarily using expected goals (xG) and expected assists (xA), which combine to form expected FPL involvements (xG + xA = xI), along with expected clean sheets (xCS). These values are based on underlying statistics — for example, shot type and location determine the probability of scoring, which contributes to xG. xFPL then combines these metrics, factoring in appearance and bonus points to produce an overall expected FPL point score.
As shown in the Transfer Analytics tool below, B.Fernandes is the most transferred-in player ahead of Gameweek 23, with nearly 300,000 FPL managers adding him to their teams at the time of writing.
Man United assets are the flavour of the week with Mbeumo and Dorgu both seeing over 100,000 FPL transfers in, while Thiago is the most transferred in forward despite his blank against Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Foden's half-time substitution and consecutive blanks have seen him become the most sold player this week with nearly 300,000 FPL managers getting rid at the time of writing.
Similarly, other midfield assets like Saka, Cherki and Rogers are being sold after blanks over the weekend.
Guéhi missed out for Palace with his move to Man City now confirmed, the England international could slot straight into the Champions' starting lineup so perhaps over 140,000 FPL managers have been too hasty.
As the above image from our top 10 midfield transfer combinations shows, Foden → B.Fernandes (27.1%) is by far the most popular transfer this week, with Saka and Cunha also making way for the Portuguese international. Rice, Semenyo, Palmer and Enzo are also popular.
Looking at the top 10 forward transfer combinations, Ekitiké → Thiago (11.3%) is the most popular, with Bowen → Thiago in second. João Pedro's goal against Palace has also seen his popularity soar, while budget forward Kroupi.Jr is also being bought, presumably to free up funds for midfield transfers.
The transfers in defence are limited this week with Keane and O'Reilly on the chopping block for FPL managers. Chalobah, Dorgu and Mukiele are the popular picks being bought.
Downgrading Saka to Rice is a popular move this week with FPL managers seeking funds to bring in B.Fernandes.
As the above image from our Player Heatmaps feature shows, Rice (39) has outscored Saka (24) by 15 FPL points over the last six Gameweeks with just 50 minutes of extra game time.
Saka has massively underperformed his underlying numbers. He is ahead of Rice for every attacking metric except 'big chances' created (two vs three).
He has taken more shots (17 vs eight), attempted more assists (11 vs nine) and is significantly ahead for Expected Goals (2.09 vs 0.87). However, the statistic that would most concern FPL managers is that he has failed to find the back of the net over the aforementioned period.
Furthermore, Saka’s minutes are being carefully managed due to Arsenal’s involvement in multiple competitions, with Madueke eating into his game time. This, perhaps even more than the underlying numbers themselves, should prompt FPL managers to seriously consider replacing him with the much cheaper Declan Rice.
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