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. artvandelay316
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Better to have:
    A) Foster, Laporte, Raph (-4)
    B) Foster, Tierney, Bernardo (free)
    C) Laporte, Raph (free)

    Cheers.

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      C unless you really need to dump your keeper

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

    Any BUR defender worth getting for -4?

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

      Nope!

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

      I own Lowton but leaving on the bench.

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Lowton triple captain?

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

    I have a lovely question.

    Cathcart or Kamara?

    I need to get a cheap defender in FanTeam to fund Salah. There are no good defenders less than 4.6m so these are my choices for this week.

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

      Kamara

    2. james 101
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      K maybe

  4. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is Dennis and King too much Watford?

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

      No

    2. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

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

      yea, go for dennis

    4. james 101
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No as king is an easy bench after

      1. Reacher
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        This

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

      fine for Watford, not good for FPL

    6. SharkyT
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  5. No Kane No Gain
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is Toney to Watkins -4 and to play him over Bowen worth it in anticipation of a villa double?!

    The FT gone on gray to Raph...

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Play Bowen

  6. james 101
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    2 questions:

    Who will score most this week (in what order)?

    A. King (dgw)
    B. Robertson
    C. Raphina

    And who would you start

    1. Laporte
    2. Robertson

    (DGW or they’d both play. Currently have Robbo on the bench but feels like a coin toss)

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      CBA 2

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

    People selling Ron or Antonio to get a Watford attacker, even a second one at that … madness 🙂

    1. Reacher
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Antonio looks tired and poor last few games, plus if those selling own Bowen then it makes sense to me

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        This. Bowen enough West Ham for me atm.

    2. james 101
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Both of those look bad right now

      I think it’s more people are using the chance to sponsor improvements in their mids

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

      Selling Antonio makes sense.

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

        free scoring Hammers and with Antonio having 4 returns in the last 5 and this week up against a leaky Man U defence that has conceded in the last 5 against New, Burnley, Wolves, Villa & Brentford … just as WHU fixtures turn peachy

        dgw madness 🙂

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

          That's greatly overstating it. His performances have been in decline a while, he has no DGWs coming up and doubling up with Bowen over spreading the risk among teams with doubles makes him one of the most disposable attackers.

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

            100% facts though

            I can’t imagine looking at team next game week with Dennis and King in it … a transfer to get one in and a transfer to get one out again 🙁

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

              I don't want both. One will do! But if your frontline is say Ronaldo, Watkins, Antonio. Doing Antonio > King/Dennis makes perfect sense imo.

    4. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I would sell Ronaldo to get Locadia right now. Holding him is madness

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

      I need sell Kane for a hit anyway to fund Salah. Broja and Idah are the other possible alternatives. I am also changing formation to 4(3)-5(4)-1(2) hybrid.

  8. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    What to do here guys, 1 FT 3.2 ITB...upgrade a defender maybe? or take a hit to get watkins in for dcl too?

    DDG Bach
    taa cancelo johnson cucurella livra
    jota esr foden bruno bowen
    antonio dcl dennis

    1. Sun God Nika
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Upgrade def while keeping money spare to get salah back in one ft later on

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

        yea that's my thinking.. johnson/livra to digne/cash??

        1. Sun God Nika
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          digne

  9. tissae
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Good to go and bank a transfer? Thinking of Gray -> Raphinha, however I have Maddison as a starter already.

    Foster
    TAA Cancelo Tierney
    Jota Bowen Bernardo Maddison
    Ronaldo Dennis (C) Watkins

    DeGea Cash Gray Livramento

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

      GTG

  10. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Move Antonio to Watkins with FT in anticipation of a DGW being announced after deadline?

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

      go for it

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

      You need to take chances. It is a good move anyway, if they don't have. DGW, they will a week or two after.

  11. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Hopefully Watford swallow up a log of captaincy picks 😆

    All going to end in tears this one

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

      Dennis will probably score 1 tonight. 2 a possibility. 3 and you're crying.

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

      I am used to it. Did it last gw.

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

        Yea, no news 😉

  12. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    who to captain? currently on Foden but open to suggestions...

    DDG Bach
    taa cancelo johnson cucurella livra
    jota esr foden bruno bowen
    antonio dcl dennis

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

    Chances of ESR starting on Sunday? 50%?

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

    Ronaldo and Silva to Dennis and kdb for a hit ? Or just Ronaldo to Dennis for free. Cheers

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

      Im thinking of doing Ronaldo, Mount to King, KDB -4 not sure though cause its a hit

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

    https://twitter.com/FPLMate/status/1484472126706962437?s=20

    Watford- Burnley should be the only double according to this

  16. andre_c
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Alonso to Laporte? or else I have to start him

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  17. The FPL Units
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A. Play White
    B. Reg to Laporte and bench White

  18. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Surely PL checked if Burnley has a squad prior to this announcement.

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Guess they are taking a punt that they’ll have players fit by then.

      I’m certainly not investing in Burnley or Watford. King solo it is.

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

    Could Burnley have their first game called off due to lack of players ?

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

      It is the most likely match to go this weekend, but I think it is more than 50% probably on.

      There was a suggestion that Burnley had requested it be postponed.

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

      Burnley and Arsenal have least amount of 1st team players. So it is in biggest risk atm.

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

    There are a few Amazon Prime games to reschedule. I don't know if Aston Villa V Leeds was one, but they are not going to want their rescheduled matches on FA Cup (or probably Champions League) days when nobody would watch.

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

      It is one I think. I don't think that game is gonna happen in GW23. They're running out of time to announce anyhow.

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

        PL has said ckearly that Watford vs Burnley us the only dgw match.

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

          Sorry for typos 🙁

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

    Buying Keane for a hit for his double seemed like a good idea and I still have him … ain’t gonna be done like that again in another rubbish dgw any time soon 🙂

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Keane to Lowton?

  22. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    1FT. 0.8m ITB.
    Antonio >> King? Or Save FT?

    Foster
    TAA. Cancelo. Tierney
    Bruno. Jota. Bowen. Martinelli
    Kane. Antonio. Dennis
    (DDG, Gray, Dalot, Reguilón)

  23. SharkyT
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Who to bring Dennis in for:

    A) Ronaldo
    B) Antonio
    C) Roll FT

    A would leave me the funds to bring in Salah next week without a hit but B leaves me much stronger this week

    Foster
    Cancelo TAA Dalot
    Tross Bowen Jota Raph Martinelli
    Kane Ronaldo
    (DDG Antonio Dawson Livra)

  24. KANTEnders
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Start de Gea or foster?

  25. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Antonio+ Gray -> king + foden (-4)?

  26. aardvark22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bench White or Trossard?

  27. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Save my FT or Pickford > Foster and bench Sa?

    Sa
    TAA,Cancelo,Lowton
    Jota(vc),Fernandes,Bowen,Odegaard
    Kane,DCL,Dennis(c)

    Pickford,Gray,Reguilon,Dawson 0.7m itb 1 FT

    1. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      You could just have Sa as set and forget for the rest of the season. If no other fires to put out then maybe Pickford to Foster and possibly play this week over Sa as has 2 fixtures.

      Or, may be useful to bank the FT due to length of time before next GW.

  28. And nothing else Mata'…
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is worth it to have -4 Edouard to Dennis?
    i have King already

  29. Baberto
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I still got Salah cause used FH last week.

    A - Keep him benched for this week? Captain King and hope Salah starts next week. Will
    be left with only Dawson on bench.

    B - Take a hit. Go for Kdb(C). Already got Foden. Bench Grey.

    Thank you.

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

      I'm going Salah > KDB this week and get Salah back in 23
      I've got 2FTs this week so won't be taking a hit and will use 2FTs next week

  30. kiseklund
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    What about Pope? Is he back and will start? If yes, DGW this week and several more to come?

    1. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Well for this DGW Watford have better fixtures and Foster available at 4.1 compared to Pope at 5.4.