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. gooner_112233445566
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Captain who...

    A) vardy
    B) kdb
    C) salah

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

      There is a poll

      This question is asked 10 times a page

      1. gooner_112233445566
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Calm down dragon

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

          He is always likely to be fiery

    2. Our Man Charlie
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C. going with Mo

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

        Mo has 0 goals and 0 assists vs United historically - that’s putting me off him

      2. gooner_112233445566
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Tough one. Been on kdb all week, all of a sudden on vardy but now don’t know whether to change to salah.

    3. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ings

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

    Asked earlier but checking again. May have to do my GW24 transfers this week in case thete are price changes. 2FT 0.5ITB

    McCarthy
    TAA Soyuncu Lund
    Salah KDB Maddison Martial Grealish
    Vardy Ings

    Button Greenwood Rico Kelly

    1. Kelly to Williams
    2. Soy and Grealish to Robertson and Noble
    3. Soy and Grealish to VVD and Doucoure

    What do you think?

  3. Heiro
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Have seen KDB play very deep in quite a few games. Not recently but if Aguero Jesus sterling Mahrez play. Or a combination, KDB could play in that deeper role again...

    Have him captain but not sure it's the right call over Vardy.

    Thoughts?

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

      Its 50-50, nobody knows the right pick. Both might blank, both might score well.

    2. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      But previous game he is also playing deeper but still 2 assist right?

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

      Yeah that's troubling me too. But I hope that with Sterling back, Mahrez will be back to the right wing and KDB will play in that false striker role (won't happen probably tho lol)

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Anw i think today will be sterling mahrez aguero , bsilva dsilva and kdb?

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

          Hard to say really. I'm afraid Pep will try to play both Aguero and Jesus again. Aguero is doing very well playing alongside Jesus

  4. 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..

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

      Kelly & rash ➡ Robbo & dcl/maupay.

      Either way, get in some pool for next week.

  5. wildnothing
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Gtg?

    McCarthy
    TAA Dunk Sidibé
    KDB Salah Maddison Willian
    Vardy Firmino Maupay

    Henderson Traoré Söyuncu Lundstram

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

      Yup. Soy over sidibe, but not by much.

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

    A) capt. Vardy kdb mane maupay
    Currently vardy

    B) start tarore or sidibe
    Currently traore

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

      Maupay
      Sidibe

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

      Vardy
      Sidibe

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

    Bench 1
    A. Soy
    B. Lundstram
    C. Dunk

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

      LUN

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

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

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

    Foster / Traore / Lund / Williams

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

      Cheers for the help guys!

    2. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      U think mahrez will start? Feel like captaining him

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

        I might have gone for him but he’s the one that i think is more likely to be rested.

        1. Letsgo!
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          End up i jus go with capt kdb

  9. aborg
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any points assumptions for these M&M’s today ? 🙂 :

    A) Maupay
    B) Martial

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      12
      1

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

      7
      2

    3. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A) 8
      B) Martial doesn’t play today so 0 - but on Sunday 2 points

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

        You right... Martial tomorrow. Thnks

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

      They'll both definitely play. 😉

    5. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      9
      0

    6. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      2 & 2

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

    Thinking of taking a last minute hit ...

    Currently have Traore in the team and Zaha on the bench but unimpressed by both in recent weeks so would really like to get rid.

    A) do nothing, play Traore, don't take a hit.
    B) play Zaha, bench Traore, don't take a hit
    C) take a hit, buy Doucoure for either and play him
    D) take a hit, buy Sarr for either and play him
    E) take a hit, buy Cantwell for either and play him

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dont hit.
      Either could get you sm

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

      No hit. Play traore.

  11. Siggy Azalea
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Still have Sterling - worth giving him the armband?

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If chasing

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

      Maverick ... but I like your bravery.

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

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

    Guaita > Ryan. I Have 2FTs

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

      If nothing else to do

    2. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yaaah

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

      Henderson

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

        Dont love the double up with Lund

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

    Ramsdale will probably make it this week, and still has great fixtures upcoming. What to do?

    A) keep him
    B) transfer him out for
    - 1) Ryan
    - 2) McCarthy

    1. thegame983
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm in the same boat. If its not for a hit, do it

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

        It’s for free. Don’t really want to do a gk transfer, but can’t go another gw without a gk.

        Ryan or McCarthy btw?

  14. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one here

    A) Holgate
    B) Lundstram

    GL

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      A

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

      A

    4. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers

  15. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Captain?

    A. Vardy
    B. KDB
    C. Salah

    Helpppp. thank you in advance.

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ings

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

      Toss a three sided coin? LOL

  16. Areyouthereyet
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bench fodder to Cantwell for -4? To cover Rashford in case he is out. Have Williams Kelly on the bench

  17. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Start Grealish or Rashford?

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

      G

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

      Grealish

  18. Popcornharen
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    G2G? Correct captain and benchorder? Grealish on bench doesn't feel great

    Ryan
    TAA Soy Robbo
    Mané KDB (V) Maddison Cantwell
    Abraham Vardy (C) DCL

    Bench: Grealish Lundy Rico

  19. Dr. Agabuse
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    This quote on Mahrez tho

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      sounds like his spot to loose now hey?

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

    Who should I get ?

    A) Webster
    B) Stephens ( double up with McCarthy)

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

      A

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

      A

    3. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I bought in Webster for Aurier this week... do it

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

      Thanks guyz

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

    Leicester is the 3rd worst team in the xG conceded in the last 6 GWs!? Wow quite unexpected

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

      Have faced Liverpool and city tbf

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

        Ah yeah forgot about that. Thanks

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

      Yeah, probably due to tough fixtures but I'm reconsidering my double defense

  22. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Lundstram or Holgate?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lund

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

      Lundstram.
      But would you play Lundstram or Martial if I may ask? Coz I have this dilemma.

  23. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who should I play?

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

      3 defenders, 4 mids and 3 forwards

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

    Play Leno or Ryan?

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

      Anyone?

  25. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Worth doing Henderson to Ryan or McCarthy for free?

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

      No

  26. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2FTs
    Rashford > Ings
    Traore > Mahrez

    Should I ? Brought Rash at 8.4

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

      Need Rash next week

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

    Martial to Mahrez for -4?

    1. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No way.

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

      Wont you want martial next week?

  28. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Would like to see some analysis of how often the captain poll picks the right player

  29. Sid1891
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Start Jimi or Cantwell?

    Thanks

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

      Canty

      1. Sid1891
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

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

    Play

    1. Aurier
    2. Lund

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Aurier