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. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Antonio or Bruno
    Bruno or Antonio

    Can´t make my mind up

    1. rdpx
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Difficult. Bruno if he keeps getting lucky pens

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

      Maybe A but B is an option

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

    Which one should I play?

    A. Stones
    B. Targett
    C. Holding

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  3. Stevie G
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play one

    Digne
    Dias

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

    Really considering Foden captain. This is the week for a differential I feel.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't but if you have that feeling

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

      !!!!

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

    Because its annoying me, the WHU forum is not saying Antonio should be rested.

    1 or 2 posters said that. Some agreed, but most want their strongest XI to push on and get up the table.

    Source: Somebody who has actually read the forum posts.

    There is no reliable source who has said he'd be rested.

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I personally think he needs a 90 min rest

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

        "think" != 'want"

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

        Would moyes do that in 5th spot 2 points off top 4? Now isn’t exactly the time to rest players, he doesnt have that luxury. Who is the striker that plays instead?

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

          Lingard false 9 😆

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I believe in you and keeping the c on Antonio

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

    This mad season has got me playing 5 at the back...the end is nigh

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

    Bench 1?

    A) Justin
    B) Cancelo
    C) Dallas
    D) Cresswell

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

    Madison or Wilson?

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

      Maddy

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

    Antonio or Son for (C)?

    1. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      son

    2. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’ve just flicked through West Brom’s goals conceded and switched from Bruno to Son.

  10. dylano21
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1 FT 4.7 ITB

    Gtg, bench correct ?

    Martinez

    AWB James Cancelo
    Grealish Son Bruno Rashford
    Bamford Antonio(c) Watkins

    Areola Coufal Gundo Stones

  11. GE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Martinez or Messlier?

    (Already playing Dallas)

    1. dylano21
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Martinez

  12. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start

    1) Dallas
    2) Dias

  13. Heisenberg W. W.
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    All done

    Pope
    Dallas-Coufal-Stones
    Mo-Bruno-SonC-Soucek
    DcL-Bam-Antonio

    McCarthy-Gundo-Konsa-Holding

    Picked DCl over Gundo

    Decided to roll FT instead of getting Rudiger or Mee to play instead of Stones

    Captaining Son as it was always part of the plan regardless of recent form.

    Good luck!

  14. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    SON(C) 😀

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

      Very good

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

      +1

    3. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Watch Salah score 2 now 😉

    4. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good luck

    5. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeeoow

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

      Same!

  15. JamieC180
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench One:
    A) DCL
    B) Soucek
    C) Grealish
    D) Wilson
    E) Maddisson

    Bench one:
    a) Mee
    b) Dias

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

      BB

      1. Nolberto Solano
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        AB

  16. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Awful benching and captain headache...FAIL is imminent (even without table)

  17. AIRMILES
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which player don't you have that you most fear this GW?

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

      oddly Son.

      1. AIRMILES
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I've currently got him as captain, but only because their opponent is WBA. I think if it was any other opposition, I wouldn't have the armband on him.

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I don't fear any player. if they do well and I didn't have them so be it. I should have got them

      1. AIRMILES
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Okay, so which player do you think has the best chance of a high score that might be commonly owned that you don't have?

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

      Soucek.

      1. AIRMILES
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I had him before it was cool to have him, then took him out right before his brace. Typical of my season.

    4. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone ive not got but cant have them all

    5. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      James f***** Justin

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

    Shaw or Cancelo???

    1. Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo

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

    Been on Antonio (c) all wk. How true is these bench rumours?

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

      Forums telling...fake news maybe or maybe not

    2. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      All I have heard is fans debating on forums whether he should be rested

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        From what I’ve read, a lot think he should be rested. No one thinks he will be.

  20. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play one:
    a) Alioski
    b) Coufal
    c) Justin??

  21. GROBARI
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one
    A)Dallas
    B)Stones

  22. Dont give a fuchs
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Son captain. Bring it on

  23. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Those starting Leeds defenders ahead of city defence, Leeds last kept a CS was GW16
    Leeds also concede plenty of chances of set pieces, something palace are good at

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I don't have Dallas for the clean sheets.

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

      I’m starting Cancelo but also giving Salah the armband

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

      No Zaha though seriously blunts palace attack!

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not every week vs Palace without Wilfred. Have you seen Palace without? Not putting my sock on a cs but a Leeds stands a good chance. If Liverpool are close to TOP 11, then City going to get problems.

  24. Super Nashwan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Pope v bha or Martinez v ars?

  25. Ibracadebruyne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play DCL or Gundo?

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

      Both ideally but Gundo has penalties

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

        I was bench gundo but now changed to DCL last minute!!

    2. Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo

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

    RE RE Post,

    jeez always trying to help others but never get responses ... 🙁

    " Cheers! I really need some help on this. Any suggestions?

    Meslier - Nyland
    TAA - Rüdiger - Creswell - Justin - Holding
    Salah - Son - Bruno - Gündo - Madders
    Antonio - Bamford - DCL

    Squad Value : 104.4m
    In the bank : 3m

    Had 2 FTs and brought in Rüdiger for Mitchell yesterday.
    I'd really like to get rid off Salah and get Soucek into the team but It feels exrtemely odd to have 10.1m in the bank.

    What should I do? Pls. help me out "

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Teams fine. Best rolling that other transfer given you only have a minute anyway.

  27. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench two!

    A) Dias
    B) Stones
    C) Mee
    D) Coufal
    E) Dallas.

    1. Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      AD

  28. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench DCL or Gundo?

    1. Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL

  29. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Justin or DCL?

  30. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play dias or digne?
    Already have cancelo playing

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dias