Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 23

The Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 23 begins with a heads-up about Gameweek 24 – the deadline is Tuesday 18:30 GMT – don’t forget to set your team for the first Double Gameweek of the season after this weekend.

However, we have another round of fixtures to consider before then. And plenty of team news, analyses and captaincy decisions to ponder. You’ll even discover why Joe’s transfer plans involve him going “Choudhury deep”. Yes, it does sound very wrong. 

Given Lateriser’s headline success of Vardy to Aguero last week, the Scoutcast trio of Joe, Sam and Lee asked the question: is it time to sell Vardy?

Lee’s concern, as someone who has owned him since early in the season, would be the amount of value lost. Especially if you want to buy him back later on. Joe countered that for him it’s “points not pounds” that count – he doesn’t care about losing value but he does worry about losing points. Leicester face Burnley and West Ham next.

Sam cautioned that given Vardy is likely to be highly captained this week, not owning him could hurt. Indeed, the former England international is currently second in the captain poll. 

Encouragement for handing Vardy the armband was to be found in David’s Captain Sensible article: 

The expected data paints an even more damning picture for Burnley ahead of hosting Vardy, who may feel he has a point to prove after failing to shoot against Southampton. The Clarets’ expected goals conceded (xGC) score from their last four stands at 7.70, the third-worst in the league.

– David

However it’s Kevin De Bruyne who leads the poll and was described as “the safe bet” in the Gameweek 23 Captaincy Video. He is a player who is overperforming – he hasn’t had a big chance since Gameweek 9 but has scored five goals in that time – but as Neale observed

That doesn’t mean [De Bruyne’s] returns are unsustainable, of course. As we have pointed out before, the so-called ‘better’ players tend to … convert a higher proportion of their chances (or have teammates who more reliably convert their key passes).

– Neale

And with so many of his teammates in fine form, assists are perhaps a more likely source of points. Pro Pundit Tom Freeman is leaning towards handing the Belgian the captain’s armband. 

Resurgent Saints

Tom was one of many to talk up Southampton assets this week. David labeled their defence as “FPL-investment-ready” following his in-depth examination of their credentials. Tom agreed, pointing out that their expected goals conceded over the last ten matches is second only to Liverpool. He highlighted goalkeeper Alex McCarthy and defender Jack Stephens as potential bargains.

McCarthy is Andy’s favoured option to replace the stricken Fabianski. The face of Let’s Talk FPL discussed goalkeeper replacements earlier this week. 

And fellow Pro Pundit Zophar drafted in McCarthy as part of a mini-Wildcard (three transfers for the cost of four points). He’s one of two Saints players added to his squad, the other being Danny Ings. Assessing the in-form striker, Zophar enthused:

No forward has scored more goals (five), taken more SiB (19) or landed more shots on target (SoT) (11) than the Englishman over the last five Gameweeks.

– Pro Pundit Zophar

Saints fan Differential (c) brought us his insights into the turnaround in Southampton’s fortunes this season, noting that a settled back four has been a key component of their upturn in form. Once again McCarthy, Stephens, and that man Ings were given special mention. 

For the third transfer of his mini-Wildcard Zophar decided to play “Pep Roulette” in an effort to climb the ranks. 

Riyad Mahrez put pen to paper for the six-time top 5,000 manager. A move Pro Pundit Sam – currently in the top 10,000 – considers fraught with peril. Adding that Man City don’t play Aston Villa every week and a look at this site’s fixture ticker reveals they are bottom over the next ten Gameweeks.

Nonetheless, Zophar feels the Algerian has done enough to become a regular starter and found comfort in the words of Guardiola:

You see his legs it is impossible to be injured because he has no muscles. The final third he has something special, always I have the feeling he can score a goal.

– Pep Guardiola

Mahrez is included in the predicted line-up for the Sky Blues. And the Citizens top the latest DS stats, fixtures and clean sheet odds provided by G-Whizz.

Richarlison and Rashford updates

The surprising news from Friday’s press conferences came from Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti: 

“We are without for this game Richarlison. He had a little problem yesterday in training and will not be available for the game. I hope he will be available on Tuesday. Little problem on his knee, he had a little twist but nothing special. Minor problem but unfortunately will not be available tomorrow. We are without Sigurdsson, he has minor groin issues.”

– Carlo Ancelotti

How their absence will impact Everton’s creativity is anyone’s guess. Of particular interest to fantasy managers is Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has taken 14 shots in his last four matches. David wrote of him in Captain Sensible:

Calvert-Lewin is a player who boasts considerably better individual underlying statistics since Gameweek 19 than De Bruyne and Vardy – and faces an opposition whose defence is arguable worse than Crystal Palace or Burnley’s.

– David

Pep Pig backs the 22-year-old to find the back of the net at the London Stadium.

Marcus Rashford was subbed off shortly after coming on in Man United’s FA Cup replay against Wolverhampton Wanderers, giving owners cause for concern. At yesterday’s press conference manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer failed to reassure, stating only that Rashford was receiving “checks and treatment”.

Perhaps the bigger worry for FPL bosses is not the match against leaders Liverpool but rather the midweek game at home to Burnley.

Sam urged us not to ignore teams with only one match in Double Gameweek 24: 

Double Gameweeks are a gift for us FPL managers but my experience of dealing with them is to not let them blindside you into forgetting about the single Gameweek players.

– Sam

In addition to the Clarets trip to Old Trafford, Watford’s fixture against Aston Villa also appeals:

Watford play Aston Villa, who have only won twice in their last nine games. In the reverse fixture, Watford won 3-0.

– Sam

Neale’s Big Numbers article showed us just how good the Hornets have been of late: 

21 chances created by Gerard Deulofeu (£6.1m) and Troy Deeney (£6.2m) combined since Nigel Pearson first took charge of Watford in Gameweek 17. The pair are first and joint-second respectively for key passes among FPL forwards over the last six Gameweeks.

– Neale

Deeney’s leadership since his return from injury an important factor, with Ismaïla Sarr another to thrive under the new manager.

Liverpool and Enablers

Liverpool assets continue to dominate our thoughts ahead of their two fixtures next Gameweek. Reds-fan Lee feels that ignoring the 40%-owned Mané could ruin his season given that many are likely to captain him.

While Joe has devised a plan, which involves switching to a 4-3-3 formation and acquiring the £4.3m-rated Hamza Choudhury, in order to get Mané and play his Triple Captain chip on him. 

We’ve had a couple of articles attempt to map out the Blank and Double Gameweeks later in the season, and devise a chip strategy. Both Neale and Lord – Blaming it on Rio feel that Gameweek 24 could be a good time to use the Triple Captain chip, although it’s difficult to say if a better opportunity won’t present itself further down the line.

Meanwhile, considering her Liverpool trio, Sam feels a more balanced approach is the way to go. For her, the cheaper Firmino and Martial – with his home fixture against Burnley – is a good combination. Against Tottenham last weekend, the Brazillian scored his seventh away league goal of the season (more than Mane and Salah combined) and drew praise from Klopp:

When I went to him and wanted to give him a hug after the game, he wanted to stop and talk first. He said, ‘I know I should have scored more goals’. It was absolutely not what I wanted to say! Yes, a super player, super. I don’t say this for the first time and will hopefully not say it for the last time. Pretty impressive.

– Jurgen Klopp

David added to the growing confidence in Liverpool’s number nine in his members-only assessment: 

Both over the last four matches and his last four away trips especially, the Brazilian has produced some incredibly encouraging underlying statistics.

– David

For those favouring double Liverpool attack, cheap enablers are needed.

Picked out as differential by Joe on the Scoutcast, Tom Freeman in his differentials article, and Andy in the Community Q&A videoLeandro Trossard is tipped to fit the bill. Brighton face Aston Villa next – no team has conceded more goals away than Villa and with Trossard’s next four games all against teams near the bottom of the table, he has the potential to do well. 

Not everyone is set on double attack as Greyhead discovered in his latest look at The Great and The GoodCareer Hall of Fame number one, Sean Tobin, has opted for a defensive double-up in the shape of Robertson and Alexander-Arnold. 

Chelsea’s Big Chance

Two Chelsea players are included in this week’s Scout Picks – Tammy Abraham and Reece James make the cut.

Part of the reason for their inclusion is the strength of the team they are facing:

Newcastle defence that has conceded the second-highest number of big chances over the last four Gameweeks.

– Scout Picks

The importance of looking at Big Chances was highlighted by AK this week, who found them to be the best indicator of goals alongside expected goals.

Good news then for owners of Abraham. Pep Pig felt he was unlucky not to score more than once against Burnley.

To view all our discussions please visit our Hot Topics page, and if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.

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Community Competitions

For an update on all FFS Mini-Leagues and Community Competitions, please click here to read the latest round-up.

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 23 can be found below:


Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

2,577 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Dendoncker or Rico?

    1. Klip Klopp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Worst top comment ever I admit it

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dendock

    3. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dendo

    4. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dendo

    5. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Both will concede. Flip a coin.

      1. kamdaraji
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Donkey not a defender

        1. AzzaroMax99
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I know. He can score but Rico can make an assist. Maybe Dendo because he can’t get neg points for goals conceded.

  2. andymck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pick one to bench

    A) Martial (liv)
    B) Grealish (bha)
    C) Cantwell (BOU)

    1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Martial

    2. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      a

    3. Lazerball
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I have the same conundrum and have gone with A

    4. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

  3. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is Ward back for Palace?

    Was planning to get Guaita & Stephens next week but maybe MCarthy & Ward is a better/cheaper combo?

  4. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Team G2G? Planning on saving my 1 FT for GW24

    Mccarthy Gaz
    Soy Lund TAA
    Maddison KDB(C) Mane Salah
    Ings Vardy Jiminez

    Bench: Gaz, Rico, Dendoncker, Kelly

    1. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rico or Donkey 1st sub?

  5. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is Grealish still the best midfield option under 6.5m?

    Sorry repost

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Even with Villa's horrific form, I'd still say he edges out others around that price point.

      But I'm very much keeping my eye on Trossard. If he starts scoring, I'll be on him in a flash

      1. Rash
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        He seems to be either on the bench or brought off early though

        1. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Hence the 'keeping my eye on....'

    3. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sarr at Watford.

  6. Ando
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Lucas Moura or Sarr on WC?

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sarr for me and use funds elsewhere, only spurs player I'd want is Son

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lucas imo

    3. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sarr

  7. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    G2g guys.... Need some opinion....

    McCarthy
    Sidibe/ TAA/ Lundstram
    Salah/ KDB(vc)/ Alli/ Cantwell
    Vardy(c)/ Ings/ Connolly

    Bench:: Button/ Traore/ Rico/ Kelly

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      G2G, but I'm on KDB captain. Best player in the league at this moment and City are resurgent

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  8. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Grealish or Cantwell?

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      cant

  9. drughi
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    So jimenez and traore >

    A. DCL/maupay and Grealish
    B. Abraham and Noble

    1. Lav
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A with dcl

      1. BENOIT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        A, Maupay

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B for me

  10. Lav
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    GTG?

    Guaita
    TAA Soy Holgate
    Mane Salah KDB(vc) Grealish Cantwell
    Vardy(c) Ings

    4.0 Jimenez Lund 4.0

  11. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    team gtg, bench order etc?
    McC
    TAA, Dunk, Lund
    Mane, Salah, Kdb, Mahrez, Cantwell
    Ings, Vardy
    Button/Green, Tanga, Williams

    thx

  12. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Captain

    A) vardy party
    B) mancity party btw today is pep birthday

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

  13. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best captain pick ??

    A. KDB
    B. Vardy
    C. Ings
    D. Salah

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      a

  14. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Tomori or Lundstram?

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lundstram

  15. BENOIT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Maupay captain for the real heroes out there

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ings would be a better punt if that's what you're looking for....

    2. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I can do it but i will play safe took too much captaincy risks in last gws and all faailed miserably

  16. SoShy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Really can't decide who to bench out of
    a) Maupay
    b) Grealish
    c) Martial
    d) Jimi
    e) Maddison

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C

    3. Lazerball
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Has to be C or E for me. Very tough decision

  17. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Are you guys playing The Lord?
    Want to bench him (playing Soy, Trent and Dunk) but not sure, after all Shef play Ars..

    1. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely a chance of a return at either or both ends. Would say probably play over soy would be my preference

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers mate

  18. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Gazza
    Robbo/Soy/Lund
    KDB(c)/Mane/Maddi/Cantwell
    Vardy(v)/Ings/DCL

    Button/Grealish/Rico/Kelly

    GTG?

  19. TyroneGAA
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How long does today have to go in after the game updates before I start regretting my wild card team?

    McCarthy
    Taa Gomez Mendy
    Kdb mane Grealish Cantwell
    Aguero Abraham Vardy

    Button lord capoue Reid

    Nothing in the bank .. wanted aguero chasing points as 80 behind mini league .. thoughts?

    1. Pedersen
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Right about now...

  20. YouReds
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which do you prefer?

    A) Aguero, Maddison, Grealish, Gomez
    B) Ings, Mane, Mahrez, 4.3def tbc

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

  21. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    got 1ft and 5m (!!) itb

    Ryan
    Taa • Lundy • Aurier -- Rico Zaba
    Kdb • Salah • Martial • Grealish -- Stephens
    Vardy(c) • DCL • Ings

    A: Martial >> Mane this gw and hope no injuries/suspensions
    B: Save FT and do A in gw24
    C: Martial >> Sterling/Mahrez (c) and then do Sterling/Mahrez > Mane in dgw24

  22. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Think it's that time of the year where I stop being able to take this game even vaguely seriously

    McCarthy
    Hanley, Cresswell, TAA, Robbo, Lord
    Mooy, KdB, Sterling (C), Maddison
    Vardy

    (DCL, Rashford, Martial)

    See you on the other side of 100 points

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Simply your team or did it take mega hits to achieve it?

  23. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    1 FT, 1.1 ITB. Help greatly appreciated!

    Ryan
    TAA, Holgate, Lundstram
    Salah, Mane, KDB, Cantwell
    Vardy, Ings, Rashford*

    (Woodman, Traore, Kelly, Simpson)

    A) Traore -> Sarr (keep Rashford)
    B) Rashford -> DCL (Kelly & Traore -> Son & Williams next week)
    C) Save FT

    Small risk of not fielding 11 if I save FT (likely playing Kelly away to City). Edging towards saving the FT and seeing how Son, DCL & Sarr do today before doing A or B (will be priced out tomorrow)

    Cheers.

  24. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Gtg? Son (c) to risky?

    Martin
    Taa, Soyuncu, Lundstram
    Son(c), Mane, Kdb, Traore
    Abraham, Vardy, Ings

    Pope, Dendoker, Rico, Kelly

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yes. Watford a decent side. Would go KDB or Vardy.

    2. Cookie Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Watford defence looking good.

      High-risk...high-reward

      I’m on Salah which is enough risk for me 🙂

  25. Cookie Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Correct to start Lundstram (ars) ahead of Rico (nor)?

    1. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      correct

  26. liboo
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Start
    Pope (lie H)
    Or
    Martin (EVE H)
    ??

  27. Union_Jacks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Seriously tempted by (C)antwell

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Risky week with good fixtures for City and Leicester. Defo worth a start though, on great form.

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      It's your funeral...

  28. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Captain vardy mane kdb maupay

    Start sidibe or traore

    1. Cookie Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy

      Sidibe

  29. Origi-nal
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do Richarlison to Cantwell this GW to raise funds with the view to do Martial to Salah next GW?

  30. Puzzle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Start Aurier or Lundstram?