Tips

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

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 23 ahead of today’s 11:00 GMT deadline.

The big news is the announcement of more Double Gameweeks in 24 and 25. Legomané updated his ticker, which includes non-Premier League matches.

Manchester City, Everton, Burnley, Fulham, Southampton and Leeds are the six teams to benefit from an extra fixture. 

There will also be a double in Gameweek 26, but which teams play twice depends on the FA Cup results in midweek. The winners will have their Gameweek 29 matches shifted to 26.

The other outstanding fixtures yet to be rescheduled are: 

  • Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
  • Aston Villa vs Everton
  • Manchester City vs Southampton
  • Fulham vs Tottenham

Six and the City

The Man City backline continues to dish out regular six-point returns thanks to their incredible run of clean sheets. Provided, that is, your selected defenders make the starting XI.

John Stones (£5.2m) returned to the starting XI against Burnley but with Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) fit and available there’s now the risk of a benching, as happened against Sheffield United.

Some on site, such as Camzy, are considering switching to one City defender and two attackers. And, whisper it softly, on the Scoutcast Karam even suggested selling Ilkay Gündogan (£5.9m) for those who want to stick with two at the back.

The reason is Raheem Sterling (£11.6m):

I started to like someone else, he’s not performing at £11.6m just yet, but if I want to move away from defence and I want to stay in attack, then I think I would take a risk on Sterling … his expected goals is 2.31, the most of any City asset over the last four Gameweeks … for me – as someone who is struggling now with the rank – the fixtures are there for scoring goals, I think Sterling is worth a shout. Now I know Gündogan is crazy value, which I agree, but if you need that element of taking a risk – and we know that Sterling is capable of braces, and he looked good against Burnley.

– Karam

Seb added:

The only thing on Gündogan is … he’s created nine chances in the last three but only had three shots – two of those were goals. In the last match he had an xG of 0.03 … I’d just keep an eye on if things are shifting or how City are playing against a deep defence, whether Gündogan is the goalscorer. For me that would just be the difference whether I captain him or not – not whether I have him or not.

– Seb

David noted the impact of Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m) over the last two matches, his presence in the City team does stop Gündogan from shooting as often.

But the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder remained a creative force, fashioning two big chances for Sterling and creating five goal scoring opportunities in total – the most of any player at Turf Moor.

Another factor in the German’s favour is that his ‘expected minutes’, something Career Hall of Fame No 1, Fábio Borges, places great importance on, is high:

Gündogan has less competition to worry about and seems to be in the form of his life so I’m hoping he will play both matches [over the Double Gameweek]. The fact that he could be on penalties and is ridiculously priced at £5.9 million makes him a much better pick than Sterling in my opinion … if I didn’t already have Dias and Gündogan in my squad, they would definitely be my main transfer targets from Guardiola’s team.

– Fábio

Fábio talked through his transfer targets for the upcoming small Double Gameweeks in his latest FFScout contribution. Nick Pope (£5.5m) or a Burnley defender were high on his list of priorities given their favourable fixtures.

While fellow Pro Pundit Lateriser touted Luke Shaw (£4.9m) in his recent article:

With Shaw, you are not just dependent on clean sheet points. He’s become incredibly vital to the Red Devils and is a ball progressor and an attacking outlet on that left-hand side. In the last six Gameweeks, Shaw has created 19 chances, which is top amongst all defenders. Shaw is also top for big chances created (five) in the same period and is on some set pieces and corners.

– Lateriser

And the highest ranked of our elite contributors, Andy, who climbed another 200 places to 479th overall after Gameweek 22, reviewed his season so far, reflecting on what has worked well for him

This year I’ve made a conscious decision to always have who I believe is the best captain each week, even if that means transferring out a big hitter. This sounds simple, but often FPL managers will forgo the best captain because they don’t want to sell a big hitter … I’ve sold Salah, Son, and Kane twice already this season and I’ve found not having value wrapped up in them makes my decisions much easier knowing I can just buy them back as there’s no money “lost”.

– Andy

Captaincy Debate

The armband for Andy this week is firmly on Son Heung-min (£9.7m) ahead of an encounter against West Brom’s obliging defence. 

However, Captain Sensible writer, Jan, does not necessarily agree:

Despite receiving plenty of attention in the captaincy debate for Gameweek 22, I do not think Son is necessarily as strong a candidate as some might think.

– Jan

Jan notes the slump in form for Tottenham Hotspur along with the poor underlying statistics for Son in particular – his total of 15 touches in the box over his last four matches is bettered by 33 Premier League players.

So while West Brom have conceded two goals in each of their last seven matches, could a defensive approach from Sam Allardyce frustrate an off-colour Spurs?

Bruno Fernandes (£11.5m) and Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) are alternatives from a buoyant Manchester United side, and West Ham’s Michail Antonio (£6.7m) could prosper against Fulham. 

Fernandes is my top captaincy pick for Gameweek 23. Given that his underlying statistics are continuously impressive and his Manchester United colleagues are back in their groove, he could easily repeat the haul he achieved the last time Manchester United faced Everton.

– Jan

However for David – who enjoyed a successful 17-Gameweek captain run back in 2018/19 – Antonio is his favoured armband selection from this week’s Scout Picks.

The in-form West Ham striker has hit attacking returns in four of his five last games. With the highest expected goals rating of any forward in the last six Gameweeks, we are backing Antonio to continue his impressive form against a Fulham side whose recent defensive improvements have stuttered.

– Scout Picks

Team News

In the Team News, Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) is set to return following his hernia operation, while Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) could be a useful asset in the absence of Timothy Castagne (£5.7m) over the coming weeks.

And Wilfried Zaha (£7.2m) has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

While from Pep Guardiola’s Friday press conference, we received confirmation that Sergio Aguero (£10.3m), Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) and Nathan Aké (£5.4m) are still on the sidelines with their respective issues.

Community Competitions and Head-to-Head Fixtures

RedLightning rounded-up the latest Community mini-leagues and competitions

Pro Pundit Andy’s youtube.com/letstalkfpl mini-league is currently the Best League in FPL based on the average score of the top five teams, taking over from our Community Members League, which slips to third.

For those participating 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

2,746 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dannyb
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gtg?
    Mart
    Cancelo Stones Trent
    Soucek Salah Raphina Bruno Barnes
    Bamford Antonio(C)
    (Cavani, Bellerin Holding)

    1. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would sell ARS deneder to Mee and bench Stones

      1. Dannyb
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        For a hit?

        1. yakirh
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          No way. G2G then

    2. Forcella Boys
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You not concerned having 2 City defenders and Salah?

      I’m considering whether to drop Dias or Salah to maximise points (hopefully).

  2. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Brewster & Holding > Mee & Bamford (2FT)

    Yay or Nay?

    (Will leave me with a front 8 benching nightmare - DCL bench this week - but more DGWers)

    1. Shultan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yep!

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Look like good moves

    3. SharkyT
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes good moves

  3. YEAH PITCH!
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sanchez to Pope?
    Double in mind.

    1. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not this week

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This

  4. Harmonica1967
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start one:

    1. Martinez
    2. Meslier

    Bench two:
    A. Targett
    B. DCL
    C. Cancelo
    D. Barnes
    E. Gundogan

    Thanks!

    1. Shultan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1
      Ac

      1. Shultan
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Sorry AB

  5. soup natsi
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sell one for Pope
    A. McCarthy - CHE, lee in gw25 but Pope has WBA
    B. Johnstone - BHA, NEW vs Pope’s tot, ARS but plays for WBA

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm keeping McCarthy (and bringing in Pope) as Sot'on can have few doubles from GW26-28

    3. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers lads

  6. Cojiro
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed
    Play Trent, Stones or Justin?

    1. 2hotty
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      justin

  7. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start one please?

    A. Justin (wol)
    B. DCL (mun)
    C. Adams (new)

    1. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

    3. Shultan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

    4. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  8. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Earlier today I asked who people are captaining between Bruno and Antonio and got a 5-5 split.

    Doing a new vote here to see if anything’s changed. Go!

    1. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Check out the captain poll, it’s a larger sample

    2. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bruno from these two

      but I'm on Son myself

    3. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bruno

    4. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ant

    5. 2hotty
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio for me pick to many captains this season worrying about ownership that hasnt paid off

      1. 2hotty
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        picked

    6. PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio

  9. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hope I have the playing 11 right!

    Martinez ¦ Forster
    Cancelo Maguire Coufal
    Bruno Rashford Barnes Grealish
    Jesus Ings Wilson
    ¦ Saka Lowton Holding

    Should I promote someone from the bench?

    1. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lowton over Coufal for me

  10. Salah_Fingers
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one:

    A - Dallas
    B - Justin
    C - Coufal

    1. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

  11. LanMi
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Villa fans, any chance Traore is going to start today?

  12. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed sorry

    Guys have 2 ft..

    A) Bissou and kwp to rashford/son and mee and bench dcl and digne
    B) just bussou to ras/son and start digne and save one ft..

  13. Park the bus
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Saka or Soucek?

    1. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Soucek

    2. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Soucek

  14. 2hotty
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone think Cancelo might get benched tomorrow especially if Mane and Salah both play as Pep is gonna want pacey full backs playing and has been known to keeps thing quite tight when going to Anfield?

    1. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Unlikely

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo isn't slow

    3. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think it'll be same as Burnley. Lopsided with Laporte on the left and Cancelo RB/CM hybrid

    4. Kasper the ghost keeper
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Are you suggesting Cancelo isn't pacey? Surely the faster pair is Cancelo and Walker at full back

      1. 2hotty
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes ur prob right just dont think he would match Cancelo up against Salah. Think walker will deffo play right side

    5. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I don't think so. Cancelo has played so well this year, but I do see where you are coming from.

  15. TVPlugSockets
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wood/DCL -> Antonio?

    I don’t want to risk not having Antonio this week, but also not ideal getting rid of one of those two prior to the DGW. What do you think?!

    1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      May be wood to antonio

    2. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think he might be rested

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Similar issue here, have Richarlison with a dgw coming up. I actually think Antonio could outscore players with dgw easily over next two.

    4. Hanz207
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I've gone with the DCL > Antonio transfer. Had the same issue re DGW but I can't see DCL scoring much v City tbh. I've risked it!

  16. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best transfer this week?

    Martinez
    Robbo Cancelo Taylor*
    Salah Son Bruno Soucek
    DCL Richarlison Bamford

    Ramsdale Holding Stones Anguissa

    A) Richarlison to Antonio
    B) Robbo to Tarkowski

    Will do Ramsdale to Pope this or next week.

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A for me.

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

  17. Steager
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wilson to:

    A) Antonio
    B) Ings
    C) Save

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  18. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any chance Antonio benched and rested for cup match v United on Tuesday?

    Wavering on captaincy a little....safer to go bruno?

    Thanks

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Very very slim.

      1. soup natsi
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Given his recent injury it’s not that unlikely

        1. Weak Become Heros
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Moyes declared everyone fit?

    2. 2hotty
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio will play 100% hes the only striker at the club. Do not fear get the armband on him i have

  19. El Lobito 10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    The mods are taking their time so: who is your captain and why? Why Bruno over Antonio, or vice versa, or why Son? Son has 7 blanks in 7 games v WBA. Bruno and Antonio both posting strong underlying stats of late

  20. Aaa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GTG here?

    Martinez
    Cancelo/Mee/Dallas
    Fernandes/Salah/Grealish/Gundogan
    DCL/Bamford(c)/Antonio
    (Johnstone/Justin/Targett/Pereira)

  21. ebb2sparky
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Holding or Stones?

    1. built_this_city
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Stones

  22. built_this_city
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play
    A) Dias
    B) DCL

    Already playing cancelo so would be a city double up v pool

    1. MMN
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  23. JenkoJunko
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Morning! Worried about how poorly Im set up for coming DGWs
    1FT 0.2ITB
    Martinez
    TAA Cresswell Cancelo
    Salah Sterling Bruno Soucek
    Antonio Wilson DCL

    Forster / Holding / Bissouma / Neco

    A. Hold and Roll and have 2FTs to sort for the double next GW
    B. Downgrade TAA - Dias, Mee, Lowton, Digne????
    C. B+ Upgrade Bissouma - Lookman, Gundo, Foden, Raphina???

  24. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What's the consensus been here in general? Bench DCL or Gundo?

    1. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo I reckon

    2. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm benching DCL

    3. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      “Consensus”

      1. Von Lipwig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        haha, I see it's indeed split

    4. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Most saying Gundogan, I think it's a close call

    5. MMN
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL

    6. ItsJonesy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm benching DCL and playing the latter.

    7. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL

    8. Mufc202020
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think a lot of people are benching DCL. I really can’t see why though! Can’t defo see Everton scoring a goal or 2 aganist united and if they do DCL with be part of it

    9. Hanz207
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL!

    10. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Defo bench DCL over Gundogan

  25. buttsy9
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Meslier (Leno)
    Dallas - Dier - Coufal (Cancelo, Stones)
    Bruno - Salah - Sterling - Soucek (Smith-Rowe)
    DCL - Wilson - Antonio

    A) Leno > Pope and play over Meslier
    B) Play Meslier and save FT
    C) Wilson > Bamford
    D) Smith-Rowe > Raphina for DGW next week
    E) Other?

    1. TVPlugSockets
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. buttsy9
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I'm not convinced Meslier will get a clean sheet against Palace whereas Pope v Brighton more likely plus Burnley have DGW next week.

  26. ElliotJHP
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    First sub?
    A) Mee (BHA)
    B) Gundo (Liv)

    1. SharkyT
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  27. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GTG?

    Forster
    Cancelo Chilwell Dallas
    Son(C) Salah Bruno Gundogan Soucek
    Antonio(vc) Bamford

    Martinez DCL Coufal Mee

  28. It's his Job.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I need to Bench 1 of these to make room for Gundogan?

    A-Watkins
    B-Wilson

    1. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Mufc202020
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  29. 7_Dan_7
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    feels like a daft question but start Dias (LIV) or James (shu)? (I need to get rid of James, I know)

    1. MMN
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      James ...

  30. GoonerSteve
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Struggling with bench and captain choice this week:

    Currently on:

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    Cancelo, Coufal, Justin (Stones, Mitchell)
    Fernandes, Son (c), Grealish, Gundogan, Salah.
    Bamford, Antonio (DCL)

    Any advice?

    1ft 2.4m itb

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good to me, hold the FT. Captaincy is tough this week, bit of a gamble - going for Bruno myself. Our teams very similar.

      1. GoonerSteve
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        On Son currently but also looking at Fernandes or maybe even Antonio.

        Tottenham look awful without Kane, but its West Brom...

        Feeling a little.uncomfortable about benching DCL. This is the problem with having a flexible squad, bound to pick the wrong ones!