FPL GW21 Review2025/26 GW21 Review how did you do?
Published · refreshed
Hero of the week1.2% owned
Barnes made the difference. The template did not.
Gameweek 21 proved to be a challenging one for many Fantasy Premier League managers, with an average score of 48 points. While the highest score reached an impressive 118, popular captaincy picks largely disappointed. The contrasting fortunes of highly-owned assets versus low-owned gems offer crucial insights for future gameweeks.
How the field scored
The average manager scored 48. Around 63 was a useful target for a green arrow; 78+ made it an elite week.
CRYHeroes and villains
- BarnesNEW · 1.2% owned15ptsInstrumental in Newcastle's thrilling 4-3 victory over Leeds.
Kelleher
BRE · 9.5% owned13ptsSecured a penalty save and a clean sheet in Brentford's dominant 3-0 win.
ThiagoBRE · 33.8% owned12ptsA midfield masterclass, contributing to Brentford's clean sheet and significant attacking returns in their 3-0 victory.
Foden
MCI · 34.8% owned2ptsA highly-owned attacker who failed to deliver in Manchester City's 1-1 draw, providing a meagre 2 points.
Van de Ven
TOT · 27.9% owned0ptsHis Tottenham side conceded three goals to Bournemouth, leading to a clean sheet blank and no returns.- Cucurella
CHE · 16.2% owned-3ptsReceived a red card against Fulham, resulting in negative points and a significant setback for his owners.
Three lessons
- 01
Captaincy: Ownership is Not a Guarantee
Haaland, Semenyo, Guéhi, and Foden, despite their high ownership, offered poor captain returns in GW21. Thiago, while popular, stood out with 24 points. This highlights that high ownership does not guarantee high returns for the armband; form and fixture analysis remain paramount.
- 02
Value in Defensive Foundations (and penalty saves!)
Brentford's Kelleher (13 pts) and Collins (13 pts) delivered huge hauls thanks to their 3-0 clean sheet, with Kelleher adding a crucial penalty save. This reminds us of the significant value clean sheets can provide, especially when combined with bonus points or unexpected contributions from less common picks.
- 03
Disciplinary Actions: A Costly Risk
Cucurella's red card resulted in a damaging -3 points for his owners, showcasing how quickly disciplinary issues can turn a player into a liability. Managers must factor in a player's disciplinary record and the potential for cards, especially in high-intensity matches.
Get the GW22 captain picks
Reviewing your own team's performance against the Gameweek data is crucial for informed decision-making. Utilise analytical tools to identify patterns and refine your strategy for future gameweeks.