Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 23?

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have plenty of choice for the Gameweek 23 captaincy, and as per usual, the Captain Sensible article is here to highlight which assets have the best chance of hauling.

First, we will assess the fallout of the Gameweek 23 captain poll, before then analysing the best options, Rate My Team (RMT) and the Premier Fantasy Tools ratings ahead of Friday’s 18:30 GMT deadline.

THE CAPTAIN POLL

In one of the closest captain polls of the season so far, Kevin De Bruyne (£12.1m) is the current leader, with just over 17% of total votes from our users at the time of writing.

Just behind in second is Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis (£6.1m), who is backed by 15.79%, ahead of his home tie against relegation-threatened Norwich City.

Despite underwhelming in Double Gameweek 22, Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m) occupies third place with just over 10%, followed by Raphinha (£6.5m) and Bruno Fernandes (£11.7m), with 8.34% and 7.58% respectively.

KEVIN DE BRUYNE

Kevin De Bruyne has now started each of Manchester City’s last six Premier League games going back to mid-December, when he returned from Covid.

During that time, he has featured in midfield rather than as a false nine, producing four goals and an assist, earning 47 FPL points.

However, he’s managed just nine shots in the box over that period, with most of his goal attempts arriving from range (see below), but his creative output remains excellent, having created more chances per 90 minutes than any other player in 2021/22.

Above: Kevin De Bruyne’s xG shot map – last six matches

Above: no player has created more chances per 90 minutes than Kevin De Bruyne this season

As for Man City, Pep Guardiola’s side are seeking their 13th consecutive Premier League victory in Gameweek 23, having scored 34 and conceded only seven in their previous 12 matches, ahead of Saturday evening’s trip to Southampton.

A 3-1 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ last time out halted a four-game unbeaten run for the Saints, who have lost just one of their 10 Premier League home matches this term.    

SOUTHAMPTON AT HOME 2021/22:     
MetricTotal
Played10
Goals conceded9
Clean sheets3
Mins per non-pen xGC97.4

Alternative options at City are Phil Foden (£8.0m) and Raheem Sterling (£10.7m), who are compared along with De Bruyne below. If Ralph Hasenhuttl opts for a back-three/five system, however, we could see City’s wingers stay wider in an attempt to stretch the play, which isn’t exactly where we want them from an FPL perspective. That leaves Joao Cancelo (£7.0m), a defender who looks comfortable in all areas of the pitch, with his 11-point return against Chelsea last weekend a timely reminder of his ability to hit double-digit hauls, especially with many ‘free-hitting’ him out of their XI’s.

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 23? 2

Above: Kevin De Bruyne v Phil Foden v Raheem Sterling key attacking stats – last six matches


TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD / DIOGO JOTA

Salah's role one to monitor in FPL as Alexander-Arnold continues forays infield 2

658 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Reacher
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Antonio to Dennis & Richardson to King with Son remaining benched are now my DGW23 moves

  2. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Dennis triple captain now a no brainer ? 🙂

    1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      way too risky

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Just get King and JPed for a double front 3.

    2. Gubby-Allen
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Tempting

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

      Hotdogs for breakfast a no brainer?

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I am ordering.

      2. Dammit_182
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        It’s a differential breakfast pick…

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

      Close the app and log off, for the best...

  3. TheAbear53
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Hi guys,
    Who do we like the most out of Laporte, Tierney and Digne ?
    Thanks

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      L or T

  4. TMF86
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Have I benched the right players?

    Sa
    TAA/Dias/Cancelo/Robertson
    Coutinho/Bowen/ODegaard/Saka/KDB
    Dennis

    Bench: Foster/Watkins/ASM/Digne

    1. Gubby-Allen
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I would PLAY Foster

  5. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I have Lowton already but don't really want to play him despite the DGW.

  6. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Jota captain?
    Ronado
    Foden?

    1. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      KING

      1. Salarrivederci
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I'd buy him and captain him too

  7. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    May just use a FT to only do Ronaldo > Dennis/King FFS

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Actually maybe Keane > Cancelo too

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Kane to King, Keane to Cancelo (-8) now... I don't love it tbh, but since Kane and Keane need to go and to get Salah back costs 4 pts anyway, better bite the bullet now. Gray to Raphinha on cards also, but perhaps that can wait.

    2. Harvey_27
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      If it also creates budget for bringing Salah back in 24 or 25, I think it's a winner (and am probably gonna do it myself)

  8. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I capped Dennis in gw22, epic fail. Try one more time?

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      g4it

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Time for another one!

  9. DGW 23 Captaincy discussion
    FPLShakenBake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    With the DGW confirmed for Watford and Burnley, Dennis and King must be the favourites to take the captains armband this week. Watford even have nice enough looking fixtures to potentially risk the triple captain chip?

    Anyone else considering it?

    1. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn’t touch TC considering there will be plenty more DGW for better players. Good captaincy options though

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

        Agree there will be plenty more gameweeks, but how many will be against two of the weakest teams in the league?

        I know Dennis has blanked in his last couple, but he's still the joint 4th highest scorer in the league

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

          Not to mention he's against the leakiest defence in the league, who are without their first choice keeper....

          I'm talking myself into a trap aren't i? 😀

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely not TC. But King for captain makes sense if that's the only DGW.

    3. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      TC Denis or King? With the amount of games left to be rescheduled?

    4. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Captain Dennis. Saving TC as assume many would captain one of the two due to the Double fixture

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        TC Dennis now or Salah in 2 gameweeks? Decisions, decisions.

    5. Diamondgeezer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Looking at the Xg figures Watford's Xg looks terrible over recent weeks. I think this is the real reason for Dennis losing form, it is not him, it is the team.
      Admittedly Norwich have a very poor Xgc but Burnley figures are actually quite good.
      I can see Watford scoring against Norwich, but I think Burnley will be though.
      These could be nervy games for Watford, I think not losing will be their first priority. Imagine they lose to Norwich, I would expect Ranieri to be sacked if they did. He will know that also.

    6. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No

  10. Dammit_182
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Everyone took the morning off to chat about the DGW then?

  11. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Have Dennis, looks at other player from Watford & Burnley ... decides to save the transfer 🙂

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No love for king?

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        There is no way on this god's given earth that I am having double Watford attack 🙂

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Can honestly see them scoring a few in those games

          1. Stranger Mings
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Sorry meant Watford scoring a few

        2. TopBinFC
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Finally some sense, imagine having a double Watford attack, yuck

          1. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            you get a couple of injuries and fires to put out, then you need Salah back … and all of a sudden you are stuck with two blanking Watford forwards until GW 27 🙂

            1. TopBinFC
              • 2 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              Exactly

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

          This.

          It's a marathon, not a sprint. I'd rather drop a few places this week than have 67 percent of my forwards being Watford.

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

    Dennis captain.
    Yes or no?

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Seems so

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes if don’t own king

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      As of now, he is my target. Maybe one or 2 more doubles will be announced before deadline to change this.

    4. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Double seals it for me. Worth a shot

    5. Harvey_27
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Dennis shield, but King sword... 🙂

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Captained him last week. Hurts too much to fool myself so soon after.

  13. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    No villa Leeds double???

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Nope

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      The PL article says

      "Crucially, Watford and Burnley are the only two sides who are scheduled to play twice in Gameweek 23"

      so take that as you will.

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

        wonder how it works consulting Burnley, eg: could the Arsenal game get postponed due to too many outs but enough time for Watford game to go ahead given it's 2 weeks later

    3. Salarrivederci
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Even if they announce it after deadline they would have to put it in GW23 now.
      Can't move the deadline forward with Burnley - Watford playing the 5'th of february in GW23.

      Raphinha/Watkins could the (C) masterclass this GW, but only if the fixture is actually added!

  14. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    As things stand with just the one DGW fixture… would you captain:

    1. King (NOR, bur)
    2. Cancelo (sou)
    3. Ronaldo (WHU)
    4. TAA (cry)
    5. Jota (cry)

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      1

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      1

    3. Gubby-Allen
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      At the moment 1

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

      5, dont get lost in DGW hype

  15. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Antonio to king even though Dennis owner no brainer?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      And swap back next week ?

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Oh seems silly to do but yeh maybe - otherwise I go ronaldo to king but surely ronaldo does something this weekend

    2. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      West Hams fixtures are unreal after this GW

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Yeh big flaw in my plan! I do own Bowen though

        1. TopBinFC
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Why would you want double Watford attack, think about other GWs

          1. Stranger Mings
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Ok a lot to think about today

  16. GioTira
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Maddison —> KDB
    B) Gray/Martinelli —> Foden
    C) Gray + Reguillon —> KDB + 4.0 def
    D) save ft

    Ramsdale
    AAT Cancelo Dias
    Martinelli Bowen Jota Maddison
    Watkins Dennis Ronaldo

    DDG Gray Lamptey Reguillon

  17. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    1FT 4m ITB

    FOSTER
    taa Cancelo White
    Foden Jota Bernardo Bowen
    KING Watkins Antonio

    Guaita - Dawson Livra* Son*

    After double announcement, still bring Raph in for Bernardo/Son, cap King?

  18. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Dennis owners, are you bringing King in with an FT? If so, who to captain between the two?

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes thinking of getting both. Tricky to decide who to captain though !

    2. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe some Dennis owners are still cut real deep from the last 'DGW'

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Might do Antonio to King and keep alonso

    3. TopBinFC
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      2 Watford attackers? Time to log off for the day

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

      no chance for me
      Dennis vc and thinking about bringing in kdb to captain

  19. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Come on Dennis, get me those 4 points

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Aim for 8 as captain.

  20. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Why are people saying captain King?? I don't have Dennis or King but am bringing in one of them.

    Sell me King

    1. TopBinFC
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Dont go there, I bought into the hype of Watford attackers, very foolish.

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      It's those people who went King over Dennis.

      No chance I would captain King over Dennis, no matter the stats. The only stat that matters is king hasn't scored in 6 games

  21. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A Antonio
    B DCL
    C Ronaldo
    To
    1 king
    B Dennis

    For free

    Thanks 🙂

  22. Baron Penguin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I have Ederson and Foster - given Ederson's ceiling is 6 or 7 at most, does it make more sense to play Foster? If he ends up with 3 or 4 across the DGW (assuming he starts) I haven't lost much and even though it's Watford his ceiling is higher?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      And when Watford rotate their keepers ? 🙂

    2. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I played Foster in Watfords supposed last DGW over Ederson. About to make the same mistake twice.

  23. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Antonio, Coufal > (K)ing, Cancelo for -4?

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      yes

  24. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Will AS Villa have double game?

  25. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Roll the FT?

    Foster
    TAA Cancelo Thomas
    KDB Sterling Jota Gray
    Kane King(c) Dennis

    DDG, Bowen, Reguilon, Johnson

    1. Steiger
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Easy, and I'd play Bowen over Gray for sure.

  26. Gubby-Allen
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Do Watford or Burnley have any South American players?

  27. Kabayan
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Wood TC.

    Ohh wait....

  28. TMF86
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I'm on a WC. Madness bringing in Dennis AND King for the week?

    1. TopBinFC
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    2. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      remove those DGW goggles immediately

  29. Sterling Archer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    i rekon we get more DGW matches in 23!

    everyone was rolling FT's 5 minutes ago!

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Zero chance. Only one.

  30. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Wow. Late DGW hits home!