With Gameweek 23 on the horizon managers should balance safe, high-floor options with a handful of budget differentials. For those using a two-keeper rotation, Robin Roefs (£5.0m) of Sunderland is the standout short-term pick; he is the game’s second highest-scoring stopper and faces West Ham United (A). Brentford’s Caomhín Kelleher (£4.6m) looks appealing against Nottingham Forest (H), who arrive tired after a midweek defeat to Braga. Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m) offers slightly better value than Bernd Leno (£4.9m) for the Fulham v Brighton meeting, while David Raya (£5.9m) remains a set-and-forget despite an awkward clash with Manchester United (H). Arsenal’s defence continue to be the strongest in the division by some distance.

At the back, Gabriel (£6.9m) is essential after 38 points in the last four gameweeks, and pairs well with Jurriën Timber (£6.3m) or William Saliba (£6.0m) for those wanting an Arsenal double-up. Chelsea begin a favourable run with Crystal Palace (A), making Trevoh Chalobah (£5.6m) a compelling pick. James Tarkowski (£5.7m) has three clean sheets in his last five and could reward managers against Leeds United (H). Budget defenders Omar Alderete (£4.1m) and Nordi Mukiele (£4.4m) have clean sheet potential away at London Stadium, and Micky van de Ven (£4.6m) gains appeal versus Burnley (A) after a positive Champions League result for Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester City face Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) on paper but recent defeats to Man Utd and Bodø/Glimt are a concern; Rayan Cherki (£6.7m) is a cost-effective route into their attack, having scored two in his last three matches in all competitions, while Antoine Semenyo (£7.6m) remains a riskier pick. Declan Rice (£7.4m) combines defensive returns with goals and is the highest-scoring midfielder. Cole Palmer (£10.4m) should be fit for Chelsea’s trip to Selhurst Park but Enzo Fernández (£6.6m) is the smarter, cheaper alternative. Harry Wilson (£5.9m) is exceptional value against Brighton.

Up front, Erling Haaland (£15.1m) stays essential for most squads. Hugo Ekitiké (£8.9m) could threaten at the Vitality Stadium after a lively display against Marseille despite failing to score (well, an onside goal at least). Brentford’s Igor Thiago (£7.2m), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) and budget option Eli Junior Kroupi (£4.6m) are all listed as weekend differentials with immediate upside.

Domestic cup action provided a brief mental break for Fantasy Premier League managers, but focus returns for Gameweek 22. The round opens with the Manchester derby at Old Trafford and finishes with a south coast battle on Monday night.

Goalkeepers on the radar include Robin Roefs (£4.9m) of Sunderland, who faces Crystal Palace (H); Palace are winless in nine matches and low on confidence after their FA Cup exit to Macclesfield Town. David Raya (£5.9m) remains a safe option given Arsenal’s knack for clean sheets as they travel to Nottingham Forest (A). Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m) offers a budget route between the posts after the Seagulls kept clean sheets in their last two home matches and now host Bournemouth (H).

At the back, Arsenal defenders stand out. Gabriel (6.7m) is essential for his clean sheet potential and attacking returns, having produced 30 points in the last three matches following two goals and a shutout. Jurriën Timber (£6.3m) provides a sensible double-up for extra Arsenal coverage. Matty Cash (£4.8m) is attractive for Aston Villa at home to Everton (H), offering attacking potential with three goals and two assists in the league this term. Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk (£5.9m) is a short-term punt against Burnley (H). Cheaper defensive options include Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven (£4.6m) versus West Ham (H) and Sunderland’s Nordi Mukiele (£4.4m) and Omar Alderete (£4.1m).

Midfield looks lively. The Manchester derby is made more interesting by the return of Bruno Fernandes (£9.1m), who is described as fixture-proof and could thrive playing further forward under Michael Carrick. Rayan Cherki (£6.8m) is Manchester City’s standout midfield option, with seven goal contributions in his last 10 games across all competitions. Antoine Semenyo (£7.6m) could be worth the gamble after an excellent start to life at the Etihad. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (£10.2m) and Declan Rice (£7.3m) are both options at the City Ground, with Rice offering arguably better value. Florian Wirtz (£8.2m) has 34 points from his last five games and is the Liverpool midfielder to consider for Burnley. Enzo Fernández (£6.4m), Bruno Guimarães (£7.2m), Harry Wilson (£5.9m) and Morgan Rogers (£7.7m) are other midfield names to note.

Among forwards, Erling Haaland (£15.1m) remains essential despite recent form and has a strong Manchester derby record: eight goals and three assists in nine previous meetings with Man Utd. Hugo Ekitiké (£8.9m) returned from injury with a goal and assist in the FA Cup and has eight goals and two assists this season, making him a strong pick against 19th-place Burnley. Igor Thiago (£7.1m) has scored five goals in his last two games and is on 16 Premier League strikes this term. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) and Raúl Jiménez (£6.2m) are both recommended for the potentially high-scoring meeting at Elland Road.

The Boxing Day sequence leaves Fantasy Premier League managers choosing carefully ahead of Gameweek 18. Several goalkeeper and outfield options stand out given the fixtures and recent form.

Alisson Becker (£5.4m) remains a contender despite Liverpool not keeping many clean sheets this season; Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored only nine times in 19 games. Caoimhín Kelleher (£4.5m) is an alternative after Bournemouth were held by Everton and Chelsea earlier this month, and Burnley conceded just once in their most recent match. Bernd Leno (£4.9m) is an attractive differential for Fulham at home against West Ham United.

Joško Gvardiol (£6.0m) is recommended as Manchester City aim to extend a run of successive clean sheets against Nottingham Forest, and his attacking output offers additional upside. James Tarkowski (£5.5m) could provide value for Everton against Burnley, who are among the lowest scorers in the division. Piero Hincapié (£5.5m) has been collecting points in Gabriel’s absence and should feature this week.

On the attacking side, Morgan Rogers (£7.2m) is under-selected by FPL managers and could offer an edge given his role in a high-performing team. Mason Mount (£5.9m) is a budget midfield option to consider while Bruno Fernandes will miss out on Boxing Day through injury, placing creative responsibility elsewhere. Anthony Gordon (£7.3m) arrives off recent double-figure hauls for Newcastle United and poses a direct threat to Manchester United.

Erling Haaland (£15.1m) remains the premium forward for many squads, having scored almost half of his team’s goals and ranking behind only Phil Foden for current form; 74.1% of FPL players own him. Hugo Ekitiké (£8.9m) has been scoring regularly and benefits from Alexander Isak being out injured. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.8m) is the budget forward option after 22 points across the last two gameweeks and a favourable match-up with Sunderland.

The GW18 deadline for FPL is at 6:30 p.m. GMT (1:30 p.m. ET, 1.:30 a.m. PT) on Friday, Dec. 26.