Four gameweeks in quick succession have made for a busy couple of weeks in Fantasy Premier League (FPL).
With the festive season keeping many managers busy, it will have been easy to miss much of the action, so we&#8217;ve taken a look at the <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta">stats</a> between Gameweek 18-21 and picked out a few talking points.
FPL now takes a mini-break until Saturday, January 17, with the FA Cup third round ties to be played as well as the Carabao Cup semi-final first legs.
<h3>🤖 Hub AI quick summary 🤖</h3>
Simplicity and speed are among Fantasy Football Hub&#8217;s core values, so many of our articles this season will come with a quick &#8216;Hub AI&#8217; summary for those who want the answer &#8211; fast.
Read the full article for the detailed picture &#8211; and listen to an audio summary 👇
<ul>
<li>🔥Igor Thiago top scores, with Kevin Schade and Bruno Guimaraes a single point behind</li>
<li>📈Guimaraes is the league&#8217;s biggest expected points over-performer but Wolves (A) next offers a chance to continue a remarkable run</li>
<li>👀Budget forwards Mateus Mane and Eli Junior Kroupi could see improved minutes and offer savings up front</li>
<li>🥅Benjamin Sesko has had the most shots of late and new management could further boost his potential</li>
</ul>

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<h2>FPL Gameweek 18-21 highlights</h2>
<h3>Thiago top scores &#8211; and Schade close behind</h3>
Igor Thiago scored five in four games and also recorded an assist, earning him 36 FPL points.
It&#8217;s been a disastrous period for those who sold him for Hugo Ekitike, who managed just a single assist, while an injury kept him out of Liverpool&#8217;s last two.
Brentford&#8217;s Brazilian forward notched a hat-trick in the 2-4 win at Everton and scored a brace in the 3-0 victory over Sunderland, however sellers were a little unlucky given his over-performance.
The 24-year-old&#8217;s five goals have come against an expected goals (xG) tally of 3.33 &#8211; and he&#8217;s scored around nine FPL points more than the <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a> suggest he should have.
<div id="attachment_75845" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-75845" class="size-full wp-image-75845" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2243379134.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="699" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2243379134.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2243379134-300x205.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2243379134-768x524.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Igor Thiago. Picture by Getty Images</div>
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His rate of goalscoring over the season &#8211; 16 goals from an xG of 12.17 &#8211; indicates a slowdown is likely. Brentford&#8217;s <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fixture-ticker">fixtures</a> toughen between Gameweek 24 and 26 too.
But there&#8217;s no doubt he provides excellent value at £7.1m and when Brentford score, there&#8217;s a good chance he&#8217;ll be involved. No Bees player has had more big chances than his 26.
The next closest in that regard is Kevin Schade, who&#8217;s had 12 big chances this season. Three goals and two assists since Gameweek 18 put him a single point behind Thiago.
The German&#8217;s recent xG has been slightly better than his teammate at 3.64, meaning he has slightly under-performed and could be an alternative option come Gameweek 27.
<div id="attachment_76974" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-76974" class="size-full wp-image-76974" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Thiago-v-Schade-GW18-21.jpeg" alt="Igor Thiago v Kevin Schade" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Thiago-v-Schade-GW18-21.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Thiago-v-Schade-GW18-21-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Thiago-v-Schade-GW18-21-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" />Igor Thiago v Kevin Schade</div>
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<h3>Guimaraes&#8217;s continued over-performance</h3>
Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is another player who managed 35 points over Christmas and New Year, scoring three and assisting two.
Over the season, he&#8217;s now up to eight goals and five assists, adding six defensive contribution points to demonstrate his all-round appeal.
Only Antoine Semenyo and Declan Rice have more FPL points among midfielders and it&#8217;s not gone unnoticed by the FPL community.
<div id="attachment_76975" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-76975" class="size-full wp-image-76975" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/playerstats-Bruno-G.-bordered-1.jpeg" alt="Bruno Guimaraes's stats" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/playerstats-Bruno-G.-bordered-1.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/playerstats-Bruno-G.-bordered-1-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/playerstats-Bruno-G.-bordered-1-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" />Bruno Guimaraes&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></div>
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Guimaraes is in around 21% of teams and the third most popular transfer in since the Gameweek 21 deadline passed.
But buyers should be wary of the fact the Magpies man is the biggest over-performer of his expected points, by a massive margin of 42.9.
He&#8217;s 14th for expected points among midfielders, behind Bryan Mbeumo who has been at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Like Thiago too, his immediate run of prime fixtures is coming to an end. Wolves (A) next could provide more opportunities for points though.
Guimaraes scored a penalty late in the 4-3 win over Leeds this week with Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade off the pitch.
<div id="attachment_76976" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-76976" class="size-full wp-image-76976" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/FPL-over-performers.jpeg" alt="The top 10 over-performers of their expected points in FPL this season" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/FPL-over-performers.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/FPL-over-performers-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/FPL-over-performers-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" />The top 10 over-performers of their expected points in FPL this season</div>
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<h3>Budget forwards on the rise?</h3>
Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago are the only forwards in the top 20 points scorers this season.
It&#8217;s left many FPL managers questioning whether to go with Haaland and two cheap picks up top &#8211; and the pool of players may have got bigger.
Wolves have earned five points in three matches, with their upturn in form roughly coinciding with the emergence of teenager Mateus Mane.
Mane has scored two, assisted one and started four games in a row, playing 90 minutes in all but one, where he came off after 85 minutes.
After Wolves&#8217; first win of the season in Gameweek 20, where Mane was the difference maker, Edwards said:
<blockquote>&#8220;He&#8217;s just got to keep doing what he&#8217;s doing. He&#8217;s got a really good attitude but he&#8217;s affected games very, very well with his intensity and his selfless work but then real moments of quality and bravery, which I think has rubbed off on the group as well.&#8221;</blockquote>
The 18-year-old might not start every game but should get plenty of opportunities in a poor Wolves side. He&#8217;s priced at just £4.5m.
<div id="attachment_76978" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-76978" class="size-full wp-image-76978" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Wolves-Mane.jpg" alt="Mateus Mane. Picture by Getty Images" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Wolves-Mane.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Wolves-Mane-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Wolves-Mane-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Mateus Mane. Picture by Getty Images</div>
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Another forward whose expected minutes are on the rise is Eli Junior Kroupi.
A knee injury to Justin Kluivert and the sale of Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City should &#8211; January signings dependent &#8211; lead to more gametime for Kroupi.
The Frenchman started and scored against Spurs in Gameweek 21 and netted after coming off the bench against Arsenal in Gameweek 20.
He&#8217;s been getting more minutes than bench fodder forward Marc Guiu, although might his fortunes improve under Chelsea&#8217;s new manager Liam Rosenior?
<div id="attachment_76977" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-76977" class="wp-image-76977 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kroupi-gw1-21.jpeg" alt="Eli Junior Kroupi's stats" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kroupi-gw1-21.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kroupi-gw1-21-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kroupi-gw1-21-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" />Eli Junior Kroupi&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></div>
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<h3>Sesko&#8217;s shot volume</h3>
Manchester United frontman Benjamin Sesko has not been on FPL managers&#8217; radars this season &#8211; but he might be soon.
He scored twice against Burnley in Gameweek 21, taking his total to four league goals as well as two assists.
No player has had more total shots (19) or efforts on target (18) than Sesko since Gameweek 18, while only Ollie Watkins and Thiago have seen more big chances come their way.
Manchester City (H) and Arsenal (A) in the next two are not an ideal entry point.
But they provide a chance to see how United perform under Darren Fletcher or a new interim manager.
The Red Devils had 30 shots under Fletcher at Burnley, the most they&#8217;ve recorded in a league match since 2016 according to Opta.
A switch to a back four could create competition in attack once United&#8217;s AFCON players return.
With Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha all to be squeezed in, one could play up front at times.
But if Sesko looks like he&#8217;ll get consistent minutes, Gameweek 24-28 could be an ideal time to take a differential punt on the Slovenian striker.
<div id="attachment_76979" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-76979" class="size-full wp-image-76979" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Sesko-GW1-21.jpeg" alt="Benjamin Sesko's stats" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Sesko-GW1-21.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Sesko-GW1-21-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Sesko-GW1-21-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" />Benjamin Sesko&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></div>
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<h3>Watkins over Rogers?</h3>
There&#8217;s little to separate Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers in terms of goal involvements.
Both Aston Villa attackers have seven goals, with Rogers edging the assists totals by four to two.
There&#8217;s a significant gap in their expected data however, with Watkins&#8217; xG of 8.63 eclipsing the over-performing Rogers&#8217; 2.79.
Since Gameweek 18, Watkins has scored four, while Rogers managed just an assist.
Villa rank fourth on the <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fixture-ticker">Hub&#8217;s fixture ticker</a> up to Gameweek 28 and have two home games in their next three.
<div id="attachment_76980" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-76980" class="size-full wp-image-76980" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Watkins-v-Rogers.jpeg" alt="Ollie Watkins v Morgan Rogers" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Watkins-v-Rogers.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Watkins-v-Rogers-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Watkins-v-Rogers-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" />Ollie Watkins v Morgan Rogers</div>
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FPL festive fixture highlights: Thiago top scores, Sesko’s shots, budget forwards emerge

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