WAB have teamed up with Fantasy Football Scout to help bring you hints, tips and advice during the 2025-26 Fantasy Premier League season. And who else could we talk about heading into FPL Gameweek 22 than a man who holds a claim to being the greatest Brighton player of all time – Pascal Gross.
Der Kaiser made a surprise return to the Seagulls a little under 24 hours before the FPL Gameweek 20 deadline, when Brighton defeated Burnley 2-0 at the Amex to end a six game winless run.
His every touch after coming off the bench for the final 20 minutes was met with cheers. And it is not just Brighton supporters happy to see Gross back – FPL managers will be too, given his phenomenal points record during his first spell at the Amex.
Seagulls and City share spoils in entertaining draw
Brighton followed up that timely victory and clean sheet against the Clarets by picking up a fine draw at Manchester City.
Erling Haaland (£15.1 million) put the hosts in front and a defensive error almost gifted the Citizens a 2-0 lead. Fortunately for the Albion, Bernardo Silva (£6.2 million) could only hit the post with the chance given to him.
Not long after and Brighton equalised. Yasin Ayari (£4.8 million) picked out Kaoru Mitoma (£6.1 million). From outside the box, Mitoma positioned himself centrally to place a low, right-footed shot past the goalkeeper.
The Japanese winger then set up a tap-in for Diego Gomez (£4.9 million) that somehow did not end up in the back of the net.
Replays showed the Paraguayan was not quite able to angle his foot correctly, instead sending the ball backwards for one of the worst misses in the Premier League so far this season.
Towards the end and another Albion mistake at the back could have been punished by Haaland. Bart Verbruggen (£4.5 million) though made his third save of the night, earning an additional point for his FPL owners.
Similarly, Lewis Dunk (£4.5 million), Jan Paul van Hecke (£4.5 million) and Jack Hinshelwood (£5.1 million) were all rewarded for their total number of defensive contributions.
Brighton FPL Spotlight: Pascal Gross (£5.5 million)
Gross was credited a big chance at the Etihad Stadium on his first start since re-joining Brighton from Borussia Dortmund.
His early header was kept out by City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (£5.7 million), denying Gross the perfect way to mark his return to Sussex.
Gross initially arrived as a bargain 2017 signing from FC Ingolstadt. In eight superb seasons with the Albion, he helped Brighton stay in the Premier League before pushing them onto a sixth place finish and Europa League qualification. There were two FA Cup semi finals along the way as well.
Der Kaiser was also a fantastic player in the world of FPL. Gross ended three of his seasons with Brighton with at least 15 attacking returns and over 150 FPL points. His best two campaigns came when he was priced at just £5.5 million. The same figure he costs now, incidentally.
With 30 goals and 48 assists, Gross ended four seasons as the leading (or joint-leading) Albion player for such returns.
FPL Gameweek 21 best of the rest
The highest FPL points tally in Gameweek 21 belonged to Harvey Barnes (£6.1 million), whose brace included a dramatic late goal in the 12th minute of stoppage time as Newcastle edged out Leeds United 4-3 at St James’ Park.
It was the latest winning goal since Opta records began in the 2006-07 season. Barnes then netted twice more on FA Cup third round weekend when the Toon drew 3-3 against Bournemouth before going onto eliminate the Cherries on penalties.
In that same Premier League clash between Newcastle and Leeds, Peacocks player Brenden Aaronson (£5.4 million) scored twice and registered 14 points. That is now three goals and two assists in his last five.
Joining Brentford duo Caoimhin Kelleher (£4.5 million) and Nathan Collins (£5.0 million) on 13 points after Brentford beat Sunderland 3-0 was Benjamin Sesko (£7.2 million) – much to the frustration of those FPL managers who own his Manchester United teammate, Matheus Cunha’s (£8.2 million).
FPL Gameweek 22 players in demand
Speaking of the Bees, Igor Thiago (£7.1 million) was sold by almost 2.6 million between the deadlines of Gameweeks 16 and 20.
Yet his latest spurt of goals saw him bought 765,000 times before Gameweek 21. He continues to lead the way coming into Gameweek 22 with at least another 420,000 purchases at the time of writing.
By early January, Thiago has already broken the Premier League record for most goals in a season by a Brazilian. Overtaking the previous 15 held jointly by Cunha, Roberto Firmino and Gabriel Martinelli (£6.8 million).
The next two most-bought players heading into Gameweek 22 are also from Brazil. Bruno Guimaraes (£7.2 million) scored for a third consecutive time in Gameweek 21 and Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes (£6.7 million) was a stoppage time header away from doing the same.
Popular sales include Phil Foden (£8.7 million), Hugo Ekitike (£8.9 million) and new Manchester City signing Antoine Semenyo (£7.6 million).
FPL Gameweek 22 captaincy
Haaland ended a run of three blanks with his penalty against the Albion but still only managed to bring in six points from Gameweek 21.
A trip to Manchester United on Saturday, however, has a lot of potential. Haaland has eight goals in six league meetings against United, including two back in September.
If fit, Ekitike could be a nice alternative for those sticking with him. Liverpool are at home to struggling Burnley. Another option worth considering might be Bruno Guimaraes as Newcastle take on last-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.
You can pick up expert advice throughout the 2025-26 Fantasy Premier League season with Fantasy Football Scout