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. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Another bench order question from Me please? Is this correct gundo, stones & holding ?

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

      I'd play Gundo, but yeah.

    2. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      why would you bench Gündo against Liverpool?

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        So you think he will get points ? I was playing DCL and Bowen instead but is that a bad move?

        1. Kay317
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I have similar issues. DCL currently first on bench but not sure, think he could get something at utd. Gundo on such good form though, as are city.

  2. nolard
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GTG?

    Mendy
    Dias Coufal Rudiger
    Bruno(c), Salah, Soucek, Grealish
    Lacazette, Wilson, Bamford

    --
    Havertz, Strujik, Stones

  3. freezin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    RMT 1ft
    McCarthy
    Cancelo/Coufal/Rudiger
    Soucek/Gundo/Bruno/Son/Salah
    Bamford/Antonio (C)

    Bench:Areola/DCL/Stones/Dallas

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

      Don't fancy the keeper.
      Otherwise fine team.

  4. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GTG?

    Pope
    Cancelo Dallas Coufal
    Sterling Salah Bruno(C) Gundo
    Antonio Bamford DCL

    McCarthy Lowton Justin Romeu

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

      Gtg

    2. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don't fancy Leeds to get a cleanie.

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Agree but Dallas is here more because he is mid and can get some attacking return.

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

          Thought about that yeah.

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

    Coufal or Dallas?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dallas

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Playing Dallas myself and benching Coufal

  6. nkhoughton
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who should I play

    A) Watkins
    B) Gundogan

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

      Gundo

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

      gundo

    3. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’m on Watkins

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

    A) Ramsdale to Pope and play over Martinez
    B) Save ft

  8. mdm
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to cap:

    A. Son (WBA)
    B. Bruno (EVE)
    C. Antonio (ful)

    Thanks.

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

      I’m going with Antonio

  9. Will
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which 3 to play?
    A Dallas
    B Stones
    C Dias
    D Justin
    E Coufal

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A, D, E

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

      ADE

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      CDE

  10. R Whites
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Selection headache. Play:

    Watkins or Gunds

    Mee or Justin

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

      gunds. justin,

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Watkins Justin

  11. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Bellerin or stones lads?

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

      Bellerin

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If doubling City def, Bellerin

  12. Redranger
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to play?

    A) McCarthy
    B) Martinez

    1) Mee
    2) Dallas

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

      B1

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

      B2

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

      Dallas plays as a CAM so attacking threat and palace are without Zaha which means strong clean sheet potential

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

        Yeah, fair point. Thanks all

    4. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B2

  13. Gazpilicueta
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you bench here please?

    Rudiger robbo stones dallas coufal
    Calvert lewin Bamford

    I need to bench 2!

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Robbo & DCL

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

      Stones & Coufal

  14. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Final decision:
    A. Play Chilwell, Coufal 1st bench
    B. Play Coufal (alongside Creswell)

  15. hazza44
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one? Thanks
    A. Coufal
    B. Cancelo
    C. Justin

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

    A) Bring in Alonso with Dias/Digne 1st Sub
    B) play safe and bring in Azpillicueta or Rudiger

  17. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Antonio bench rumours raises legitimate concerns for minutes played. I will just captain Bruno who plays 90.

  18. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start
    A: Justin
    B: Coufal

    Pretty similar clean sheet odds and Justin just had a 15 pointer so in mind

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I don’t see a cs for either so go for attacking threat. I know Justin scored but Coufal probably edges that with his crossing.

    2. N00B
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Coufal

    3. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  19. meechamspowders
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench Cavani or Salah?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Neither

      1. meechamspowders
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Orher options are Bruno, son, grealish, gundogan, Antonio & bamford.

    2. powahmonkee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’ve bench Salah. I have almost the same dilemma.

  20. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Does rank affect your captain pick? If so how

    1. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The pick affects the rank, depending on the effective ownership of the player If I'm not wrong.

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No, it's bloody difficult anyway to nail. Just potential for not blank (opponent weak enough) and high ceiling for potential explosiveness.

    3. Vlekz
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It might in the last 7-8 weeks. I can't be captaining my ML leader captain if chasing or I would try and keep mine and his captain same if I am defending

    4. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Need to use 1ft, which should be the priority?

      1) Forster > Pope
      2) Coufal > Mee
      3) Coufal > Shaw (Kinda punt)

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        1

    5. Bakerman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Have 2FT’s, need to use 1. Chilwell or Dier out? Both have good opponents (shu/WBA), but risk of being benched.

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

      So West Ham fans think Antonio will be rested for the United cup tie? Armband back on Bruno.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He will play both imo

    7. trinzoo
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Start:
      A) Martinez
      B) Pope

      1. DavidHopkin
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Pope

      2. N00B
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Pope

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

        Pope

      4. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        B is popular here, both will concede this week

    8. DavidHopkin
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Play gundo or DCL?

      1. N00B
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Gundo

    9. Oggle22
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Martinez
      Konsa Stones Cancelo
      Salah Son Bruno Soucek
      Bamford DCL Antonio

      Steele Mahrez Holding Mitchell

      Tempted to do Mitchell to West ham or Leeds defender?

      Play Konsa or holding

      save FT

      Cheers

      1. Natho79
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Konsa is injured no?

    10. N00B
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good to go?

      Pope
      Chillwell Dallas Coufal
      Salah Bruno Son Gundogan Soucek
      Bamford Antonio (c)

      Bench: Forster, DCL, Cancelo, Targett

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Gtg

      2. Bakerman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Chilwell benched?

    11. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Discussions around this time lead to ;last minute changes which lead to extreme joy or sadness. I will just log off.

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

      Start Dallas or Justin?

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Dallas

      2. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Justin

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

        im startingboth. who r others

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

          Cancelo and Mee

          Lineup is:

          Martinez
          Cancelo/Mee/Dallas
          Salah/Fernandes/Grealish/Gundo
          DCL/Bamford(c)/Antonio

    13. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Do you think that Kane will start vs West Brom?

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No