Captains Picks Game-week 23 FPL Fantasy Premier League
GW23 Captaincy selection gives some interesting alternatives to the normal “big two”, Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero. While the aforementioned are decent options in any week, as they have proved to be fixture-proof, there are some attractive looking fixtures for other in-form players, which may reward FPL managers who are prepared to look outside of the box and risk not going with the two outstanding strikers of the division.
So let’s have a look at the options in store for us this midweek GW23.
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Wilfried Bony
With six goals in his last five games in all competitions, Bony appears to be now showing the form that persuaded Swansea to pay a club record £12mln in the summer and a home fixture vs relegation threatened Fulham could persuade some to hand him the armband this week. The Cottagers have conceded 22 goals in their last seven games in the league and despite Swansea having a small midfield injury crisis with De Guzman, Michu and Shelvey all expected to miss the game, it would be a surprise if Bony didn’t receive a few chances and with him in hot form, you wouldn’t bet against him continuing his great run of scoring.
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Luis Suarez
Not a lot needs saying about the league’s top scorer – 21 goals and 13 assists in 17 league matches for Liverpool this season means Suarez is a permanent fixture in this article. Couple that record with the return of strike partner of Daniel Sturridge, means it’s a brave (or mad) manager that looks beyond the Uruguayan. Some doubters will point out that this fixture ended goalless last season – I would point out that Suarez was not playing due to suspension and he has only failed to score in one Merseyside derby in which he has featured.
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Eden Hazard
Hazard is Chelsea’s inform midfielder in the league and has scored three goals and assisted once in his last five league matches. Having seen the midfield headlines stolen away by Aaron Ramsey in the first half of the season, Hazard is now vying with Yaya Toure to be FPL’s top midfielder. With nine goals and sixteen assists already this season, the Belgian will be confident of adding to that tally at home to a poor and demoralised West Ham, who are stuck in the relegation zone and haven’t won at the Bridge since 2002.
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Samuel Eto’o
Injury and rotation has limited Eto’o to just 718 minutes of league action this season, but with Torres injured, Ba seemingly forgotten and a hat-trick against the Champions in the last league game under his belt, West Ham could be on the receiving end of a proper battering on Wednesday night. With the likes of Hazard, Oscar and Willian providing for Eto’o, he could just be a cheeky selection that could push a brave FPL manager up the rankings.
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Adam Johnson
The Sunderland midfielder is in a rich vein of form, well, that’s if you call two games a rich vein of form. Anyway, Sunderland have scored six goals in two games, with Johnson scoring four of those and assisting the other two, suggesting everything the team does going forward under Poyet involves him. With Stoke conceding 15 goals in their last five league games, more Sunderland (and Johnson) success looks a fair bet, although it may be worth considering that Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic who missed those five matches, has now recovered and made an impressive return in the Cup loss to Chelsea at the weekend. Even so, with a passionate crowd behind him and the team on the up, Johnson could prove an inspirational choice as skipper.
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Sergio Aguero
Like Suarez, Aguero needs little introduction or write-up as we are all well aware of his capabilities and City’s dynamic form, especially in front of goal, which has already seen the team net over 100 goals in all competitions this season. But the class of Aguero continues to dominate the proceedings – since his return from injury, the striker has scored six goals in just four games and netted a 2nd half hat-trick in the weekend Cup comeback against Watford. Whilst an away trip to Tottenham may not, on paper, suggest another goal fest is in store, we all remember City demolishing the north London outfit 6-0 in November with Aguero scoring twice and assisting once and with a record of 13 goals in his last 11 eleven league games, its likely City will trouble a Spurs defence that has, in fairness, kept clean sheets in their last two home games.
Other notable mentions include:
Daniel Sturridge – three goals in three games since his return from injury, the England striker is the perfect foil for Suarez – 11 goals and 3 assists in just 14 league matches tells you all you need to know – when he’s fit he delivers. Has already scored vs Everton this season.
Christian Benteke – two goals in his previous two games, gives Benteke fans optimism that the big striker has rediscovered his touch in front of goal. A home fixture vs a struggling West Brom suggests more chances for Benteke. A gamble that may pay off.
Oscar – often over-shadowed and out-scored by his midfield mate Hazard, Oscar scored a match winning free kick vs Stoke at the weekend and with Mata on his way, increased game time for the Brazilian may result in increased returns for Oscar. Home to West Ham seems an ideal place to recapture his league form.
Emmanuel Adebayor – three goals and three assists in his last four league matches, suggests Adebayor is back in love for the game….for now. Home to City is clearly a tough match, but it is worth noting that they have only kept two clean sheets in nine league games, which simply proves that they are human after all!
Whoever you choose, we wish you the best of luck. Be sure to chat on the boards, to ask for advice if you’re unsure of who to captain or want advice on potential transfers and also vote on our Captain’s Poll below.
This article was written by Cookie.
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RMWCT:
my current WC team:
Mannone (Boruc)
Kolarov, Ward, Koscielny (Bruce, Coleman)
Johnson, Eriksen, Hazard, Mata (Noone)
Agüero,Sturridge,Suárez
Bank: 0,6 M
I personally like to SAS combo even with the all the risks it poses. I believe Sturridge will outscore Bony in next 4-6 GW´s and eriksen can be as Spurs cover (no Ade). Had Coleman at the start so thinking him as season keeper. Mata can be too quick move. Alternative is Yaya and Coleman/Koscielny -> Azpi but I am not fancy to offload 3 MCI players with their upcoming Spurs/Chelsea matches.
Definitely get your point on City but I think you need midfield cover from them. Azpi has a slightly better chance of a clean sheet than Kos tonight but then those roles are reversed come the weekend.
I know that. If Mata isn´t starting today I will change him to Yaya. Annoyed at SIlva, had him like 3 times this season and everytime keep injuring :/
Hi Gents,
Please RMT
Mannone
Sagna, Ward, Ryan Bennet
Silva, Hazard, Mata, Ramsey
Suarez C, Aguero VC, Sturridge
Subs: Boruc, Noone, Dawson, Chester
0FT 0.0M in the bank
I know my defense is a bit light, hence looked more at cheapies to rotate around, also will address Chester next GW.
Else can always downgrade Sturridge to Adebayor and beef up my defense. thoughts?
Thanks
Looks good Shep. Like you mentioned the only thing I would say is Sturridge – Adebayor/ Bony and then try and get some Chelsea coverage at the back. I’d do this the week after next thou, address Chester then do something as Chelsea go to city next GW
Thanks AS93
As it stands I can do Adebayor and Azpil in for Sturridge and Chester, leaving me with 0.2M
So can do it next GW if i need to and just bench Azpil. Else the following GW
But SAS upfront is very tempting…
Very true mate. Alternatively, downgrade Silva to someone like Eriksen (get some Spurs coverage) and then use the funds from there to upgrade a defender? Just an idea
AS93,
he always produces for me… his basically one of my first FPL picks haha… emotional bond…
I just cant let Silva go
But Adebayor and Azpil in gets me Spurs attack and Chelsea defensive cover… Not losing Liverpool attacking.
That being said Sturridge and Suarez like assisting eachother…
It s a tough one
really strong team……Ramsey to get much gametime tonight???
Bennet/whittaker seems to be a rotation risk but you have plenty cover with Dawson and whoever you bring in for Chester,,,,,
Hi Daboyo,
I did the move more for getting them in my squad than for just tonight.
That being said, Ramsey i still feel is key to Arsenals attacking game, so he could do anything in any amount of game time.
How abut next GW Adebayor and Azpil in for Sturridge and Chester?
Bony would be my preference to Ade but ill be honest – I just don’t see Ade or Bony outscoring Sturridge if Sturridge stays fit…..
The way I see it with Liverpool – they play the bottom half teams all away from home and the top teams in Anfield…….it just screams goals to me TBH…..the bottom half teams have to go for points and Liverpool will score on the counter,,,,,,and in Anfield I just can’t see Liverpool being held scoreless (maybe Chelsea’s visit the exception given the way they play)
Daboyo,
Got to agree with you mate, and especially on the counter then they will basically assist eachother… so im covered haha
Cookie gave me a great idea of getting Bruce in for Chester (Hull and Cheap for Hull and Cheap)
Yes im taking his advice aswell if Whittaker doesn’t start tonight – we get to see the line-ups before we have to lock in thankfully…..
So you took the 8 point hit ?? 😮
Hi Brookyboy
Yeah i was impulsive… haha that and I wanted Mata and Ramsey in before I cant afford them anymore
very strong team Shep, I really like it
Cheers Cookie,
Think Adebayor and Azpil in for Sturridge and Chester is worth it?
Or should I find another way of sorting Chester out?
Shep, Adebayor is no substitute for Sturridge in my view – I would just get young Bruce in mate
Cookie,
Didnt see that, sounds like a plan next GW, cheers mate
Luuk de Jong: Newcastle target travelling to club for medical
Borussia Monchengladbach striker Luuk de Jong is travelling to Newcastle United for a medical.
The Netherlands international, 23, joined Monchengladbach for a reported £10m two years ago after scoring 45 goals in 86 games for FC Twente.
Hello gentlemen
Szczesny (Davis)
Kolarov – Azpi – Baines (Parr, Chester)
Hazard – Navas – Lallana – Eriksen (Noone)
Studge – Aguero – Suarez
1 FT, 0.1 itb
My plan was to see how Mata performed this GW and then use 2 FTs to get him in if he performed well, but as you can see I have Kolarov and Azpi, who seems slight rotation risks, and both my backup defenders are injured! This means that if neither Kolarov nor Azpi plays I’ll only field 9 players. Should I use my FT now and bring in someone for Chester or not do anything and hope for the best? I think it’s likely that both Kolarov and Azpi will start, but you can never be sure…
Thanks
I have a similar issue – ill post my team below…
I think that Azpi wil start….he is first choice left back as per Jose…….and there is no reason to expect Kolarov to be dropped for a big game given his form….it would seem clear that he is first choice at the moment…..
Id keep your FT and follow your plan…..
+1
In a nutshell: Ramsey or Gerrard this week?
Alright all? Going to WC after this GW so have a free FT: a player in for one week only!
Team is:
Mannone
Ward, Debuchy, Terry
Lallana, Januzaj, Silva, Hazard
Suarez (C), Aguero, Lukaku
(McGregor, Figueroa, R. Morrison, Coleman).
0.1 bank.
Clearly don’t want to take a hit just before the WC so thinking Silva out for either Gerrard (loves a goal in the derby) or Ramsey (good-on-the-road Arsenal cover against a faltering Soton). Other option is Lukaku out but none of the potential replacements at 8.0 appeal. I don’t have enough to do Silva to Mata. Don’t want to sell Coleman.
Cheers!
Lionelhesse
If its just for tonight then its basically who will perform best?
Gerrard playing a deeper role and playing 90min or Ramsey who will be more attacking but no one knows how long he will play for…
Yeah it’s just for tonight – leaning towards Gerrard as he’s guaranteed 90 mins, is fully match fit, is on set-pieces and has a good record against Everton.
Gerrard playing a deeper role,Ramsey likely to start on the bench.How about taking a punt on Bony in for Lukaku ? Lukaku looks out of form while Bony looks bang in form against a leaky Fulham defence !
Cheers for the advice Brookyboy. Have a bit of value tied up in Lukaku so might wait and sell him whilst the WC is active rather than this week to balance the team better. Think Swansea will win but they’re only 2 points and 5 five goals better off than Fulham so not sure it’ll be a rout.
Thinking Gerrard for the derby as these games are often tight & settled by set-pieces (which he’s on), and there’s as good a chance of a penalty in this game as in any other I can think of. Don’t need to make any transfer mind – you think Silva will put Spurs to the sword?
You could be right regarding Gerrard but i wouldn’t take a punt on him in the hope Liverpool get a penalty although he could quite likely get an assist from a corner.As for Bony i just think he has the form and the fixture and if Swansea want to pull away from the bottom these are the games they have to start winning.Silva is frustrating,if he could just stay fit !! I think he will start tomorrow but you could swap him for Oscar ? West Ham at home ?!
hard to know who is best to replace Silva…..his injuries have masked over his incredible stats….
Gerrard has the placed balls potential but I dunno is that enough for his price….if its a 1 week move id probably take the punt on him….but the referees tend to let more go in the Derbys so a penatly might be harder to come by…
Ramsey if on the field for long enough is a great shout…..but gametime this week is a worry….
Id nearly be quicker to offload Lukaku even with Liverpools leaky defense…..Bony is just putting them away that bit better atm
another very good article……..
My team for this week with 0 in the bank and 1FT
Mannone(Boruc)
Sagna/Collins/Whittaker/(Parr)/(Coleman)
Silva/Ramsey/Hazard/Lallana/(Coldback)
Suarez/Aguero/Sturridge
The plan was to play Parr and save the FT……I may now have to use the FT to bring in Bennet for Whittaker to field a full team…..
Does anyone see any better use of my FT….
Daboyo,
How about young Bruce at Hull – some decent fixtures coming up and just 3.9mln.
Cheers Cookie – ill take him if Whittaker doesn’t start……
Silva and Ramsey are two ill be nervous about re gametime but TBF neither needs a full 90mins to grab a few points……
Daboyo
How bad is Coleman’s injury? Not prepared to let him go?
Shep – I have him since week 2/3…he has been super for me….
Everton have tough enough fixtures from a CS point of view but his attacking returns have been good enough to make me hold tough….
If Whittaker starts id look at getting Mata in next week but as ive 0 in the bank it will mean downgrading someone – it could very well be Coleman or Sagna……(or Collins)……