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.

If you’re a member and are yet to get to grips with the custom statistics tables, you can view this movie for an explanation of how they work. Also, remember to tag them so that people can find the tables with ease.

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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. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Start? (currently on Hanley)

    A-Hanley

    B-Lundstram

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

      B

    2. Orion
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm on the same boat

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I can see Arsenal scoring though and Boremouth are awful...

        50/50...

      2. jayzico
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        WHo you thinking. I've 10 mins to hit the button. I hate playing with a 12.30 player too

        1. denial
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I'm on this too. Going lund just cos ownership

    3. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B.
      He will always punish you if you doubt him.

  2. jayzico
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Damn Cantwell or Sarr?

    Current odds.

    Sarr: 14/5
    Cantwell: 17/10

    My heart and gut say Sarr. Everyone else says Cantwell???

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

      If you think Sarr, go for it!

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Go Sarr then

    3. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Go w ur heart

    4. neiltaylor83
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'd back Cantwell but tough to ignore the heart

  3. soup natsi
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Do you guys think Ramsdale will play? Sounds 50-50

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

      It sounded more like 10-90

      1. soup natsi
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        10 being likelihood?

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

      Eddie Howe: "Aaron [Ramsdale]’s done some light training this week. You’re always wary when it’s a hamstring problem, how hard we push him. But he’s come through all the tests so far."
      It's 50/50.

    3. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I believe so. Check out the latest news from Howe.

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

    Alli better repay the faith today...

    1. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Same boat!

    2. Squeakybum99
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Bittersweet if he does. Coz waving him goodbye regardless. It will be fun conundrum at least.

  5. Dont give a fuchs
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    You gotta see this and tell me is it G2G?

    Leno
    Lundstram Soy TAA
    KDB (C) salah Cantwell martial
    Vardy ings Abraham

    Subs Ryan Traore B. Williams Kelly

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      You’re good to go. I’d rather start traore over Cantwell. But understand why you don’t.

      1. Dont give a fuchs
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. Fancy cantwell against Bournemouth this GW.

        Leno or Ryan this week?

        1. Big Al Stankovic
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Tough one. Actually Leno.

  6. tp1122
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bench Grealish or DCL?

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Same dilemma, on Grealish atm

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      DCL

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

    Traore to Cantwell for a hit?

    1. Dont give a fuchs
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No I would not

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nah

  8. Pique and De Bruyne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Morning all, team selection, captain and bench order about right for this week?

    Ryan
    TAA / Sidibe / Dunk
    Mane / KDB (vc) / Mahrez / Cantwell
    Aguero (c) / Vardy / Ings

    Foster / Traore / Lund / Williams

  9. YuvalFPL
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    god I hate picking captains. someone do it for me please.

    a) vardy
    b) kdb
    c) salah

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

      Salah

    2. Orion
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If leading A if Chasing C

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

      Mooooooooo

    4. Pique and De Bruyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I’d go for b.

    5. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm on a as cap and c as vice

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

        I’m on b

    6. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

    Captain?

    A.Kun
    B.Vardy
    C.KDB
    D.Mane
    E.Ings
    F.Martial

    1. Pique and De Bruyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A for me.

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

      C

  11. snowman
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    1.Vardy
    2.Salah
    3.KDB

    Who would you captain

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

      I have all three and going with Salah

    2. Pique and De Bruyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      From those i’d go 3.

  12. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you play (pick 2 from each!):
    A. maddison
    B. Sarr
    C. Cantwell

    1. Aurier
    2. Soyuncu
    3. Lundstram

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      AC
      23

  13. LordEllison
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2 FT and 0.0 ITB, was thinking Henderson > McCarthy and reassess
    Or just do rich and rashford > Mane and Greenwood or something else?

    Henderson Button
    TAA Kelly Soyuncu Dunk Lundstram 
    Salah Maddison KDB Richarlison Dendoncker
    Vardy Rashford Ings.

  14. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ings or KDB (c)?

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

      Ingsy

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

      KDB safer. Ings offers more rewards if successful.

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Chasing so Ings it is

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

    Captain one?

    A) KdB
    B) Vardy
    C) Son

    Bench one ?

    1) Soy
    2) Lund

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A2

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

      A2

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      b2

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

      A2

  16. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A. Rico/Aurier>TAA (bench Rico/Aurier )
    B. Play Aurier & save FT

  17. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    From mathematical point of view, do you think it is worth transfering Fabianski out for -4? FPL says expected back 29th Jan, so should play one game in the DGW24. If a transfered in goalie gets 2pts in GW23 I lost 2 points on that move. What do you think?

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

      If you expect him to start in double, then keep. I don't think he will return this month

      1. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah that's a good point and I have doubts too

    2. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He’s out for some weeks. So you’ll have to transfer him next week anyway. If you don’t have a reserve, then get him out now.

  18. Crunchie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    WC team

    McCarthy
    Taa, Digne, Lunds, Tanganga, Williams
    Salah, KDB, Son, Trossard, Fleck
    Vardy, DLC, Pukki (to Firmino (Free next week)

    Any good.

    Old team had Fabs, Zaha, Alli, Rico Kelly, (Grealish and Jimi) not too bad, but was dropping like a stone to 500k

    Dont like doing it this early needs much, and being 500k wanted something different.

    Any good?

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      DCL sorry lol

  19. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play one
    A) Gomez (MUN)
    B) Lund (ars)

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      a

  20. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Start DCL or Cantwell?

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      DCL (just)

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Cantwell

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      DCL (c)

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

    G2G?

    Hendo
    Taa Soy Webster
    Salah Mane Kdb Cantwell
    Vardy(C) Ings DCL

    Button Grealish Holgate Simpson

  22. Another Hoops
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Morning folks. Play Jiminez or Moura please.

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Tough one. Own Jimi myself, but would start Moura.

      1. Another Hoops
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks man

  23. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who to captain?
    Play Dunk or Lund

    Pope
    TAA Lundstarm Gomez
    Salah KDB Martial Moura
    Vardy Abraham Ings

    Button Dunk Kelly Guendouzi

    Cheers

    1. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm playing double Brighton defence today so if I was you I'd play Lundstram.

    2. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I went KDB but vardy a good choice as well

    3. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Arsenal without Auba??

  24. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    After these games Salah is on perma captain until gw 32

    1. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Him or mane yh

      1. Babit1967
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah I agree, unfortunately I don’t hav Mane but both as good as each other

  25. bangers and M*A*S*H
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pick one to play:

    A) Lundstram
    B) Soy
    C) Cathcart

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

      B

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

  26. Peteski29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pick 1

    A) Deeney
    B) DCL
    C) Maupay

    1. bangers and M*A*S*H
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

  27. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Need to play one?

    A) Martial (liv)
    B) Traore (sou)
    C) Lundstram (ars)

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A but with Auba out and Lundys potential to score he could be a nice differential this week with a lot of us looking to bench.

  28. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is Rashford out?

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Think so he couldnt walk Thursday

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Almost definitely

    3. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn’t be surprised if he starts on sunday. Didn’t look so bad on wednesday. OGS needs him desperately.

  29. neiltaylor83
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who do you think will get more points?

    Duelefeu at home to Spurs
    or
    Grealish away to Brighton?

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Grealish

  30. Ronny Sandstone
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Scraping the barrel this GW...
    Choudhury or Martial to start?

    Cheers

    1. Squeakybum99
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Tony

      1. Ronny Sandstone
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Done.
        Cheers