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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Hello.. WC madness here and need a bit of help..
I think i’m nearly there.. Here’s what I have:
Speroni Mcgregor
Sagna Azpi Evans Bruce Vlaar
Yaya Hazard Mata Johnson Mutch
Suarez Aguero Bony
Yah ?
Azpi a certainty next couple of weeks?
I would have thought so.. do you not Raz ?
Dunno, I have Terry and he’s been very solid and gathering points. However, he’s quite expensive, Azpi is a good cheaper alternative. Do keep in mind that Chelsea face City next week I think?
yeah indeed, but I can bring in sanga / evans / bruce for the next week
By the way. Have you looked at which keeper rotate best?
yeah I have bud.. these 2 rotate home and away all the way to 38
Hmmm. Ok. Mannone and Marshall also have almost perfect rotation and really easy upcoming fixtures.
Gonna press the WC button myself later tonight. This is what my team will look like at first glance (can still make 10 changes before the end :P):
Mannone – Marshall
Ryan Bennet – Kos – Distin – Vlaar – Ward
Januzaj – Mata – Ramsey – Oscar – Silva
Suarez – Kun – Rod
Might change Silva to a cheaper mid and up Rod to ummm Ade.
You’re right Raz.. Marshall & Mannone fix do look a lot better for only 0.2 more. Great shout on that.
Silva is constantly getting injured.. I have him atm but am considering the upgrade to YAYA. I think it’s wise. and I also think i’d rather ade to Rod, just personal preference like.
Not sure on Ryan bennet tbh, is he nailed ? I think Bruce at hull is abetter shout at 3.9
Hmmmm. He’s nailed on I think plus he’s also an attacking force to be considered with. Anyway, he’s be my 3rd defender.
Hmmm, Yaya has been quite lucky in all honesty. I keep hoping his luck will run out. Silva creates an average of 4 100 percent chances per game and even if he doesn’t score he manages to get 2 or 3 BP as midfield player (which I think tells us how important he is). However, from all my mids he’s the one most likely to go because I have Kun. Also considering taking at Januzaj.
Ok so after all that i’m left with..
Marshall Mannone
Sagna Azpi Evans Bruce Vlaar
Yaya Mata Hazard A.Johnson B.Johnson
Suarez Aguero Bony
zero in the bank
@Demsie blow that up and start over again. You have gotten nowhere with that team.
Mito..
Really ? Any pointers on where I’ve gone wrong..
Or just start again
:p just messing with you, it looks a very nice side.
haha.. Cheers Mito ! WC deadline day is pretty stressful and I literally got to full panic mode in about 4 seconds, hit the rest button to my original team and considered closing my account..
I have to now put em all back in !
Just a little question for you, or anyone really.. Do you prefer
1: SAS & Silva, or
2: SA&Bony & Yaya & 1.2 mil
@Demsie that is tough one because I think it varies depending on the GW. Obviously I rather have 2 this week, but I have 1 and feel ok about it going forward.
Day of reckoning. Can’t wait, can finally push the Wildcard button tonight. WHOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Ps. Good article and good punt on Oscar (I’m keeping him)
Play Colback instead of Wiltshere or transfer for his Team mate Johnson
8.0m to spend anyone else worth a punt?
Thanks
P.S Great Article Cookie
is it a transfer or a hit????
If a transfer then yes – if a hit id say no…..
Ramsey is probably my favourite for the under 8mil midfielders…..Lallana/Eriksen& Johnson then……
Need a bit of help guys…
current team:
mannone (davis)
coleman / williamson / ward (parr, chester)
ozil / haz / silva / cabaye (pozuelo)
suarez / aguero / giroud
1ft 0.2
Coleman and Chester are out injured (colemans SP is 5.8)
Silva is a doubt
Cabaye is having a medical at PSG and wont play (cabayes SP is 6.7)
was thinking to do either silva or Oz to mata this week but cabaye and coleman haven’t helped.
Any thoughts?
thanks
Cabeye to Johnson id say
If Seamus doesn’t start just go Chester to Bruce and Cabaye to A. Johnson. Parr is unlikely to play also so you might be down to 10 if you don’t make the switch in the back also.
thanks guys.
im looking at Oz > Ramsey and Cabaye > Mata
leaving me only 2 fit defenders and starting with 10 but i can live with that for a week
sound alright?
Just looking at swapping out Clyne before tonight. Any thoughts on Azpilicueta or Cahill? Leaning towards Cahill personally? Also Mignolet to Boruc a good move? Manone is my other keeper.
Mannone has a perfect rotation with Marshall up to GW 31-33 I think.
Cheers Raz, looked at the fixtures and you’re right. Thoughts on Chelsea defence? Currently got Coleman, Koscielny, Clyne (Ward) and (Chester)
I want to swap Clyne out before tonight. Chester will be replaced next week for Bruce probably
Taking out Clyne myself, but there is a WC involved for me so it’s easy. 😛
Hmmm, I have Terry but unsure I want to keep him. Even though he’s great material. Again, I’m using WC so buffing up midfield and strikers, defenders come in third place.
Aaah yes, if you want to take a punt on a Chelsea defender I”d suggest Azpi (cheap option), Terry if you want premium defender that scores and gathers bps, Cahill got 2 assists last game I think? Priced at 5.8m in between Terry and Azpi.
he really does.. I just checked, either / or has a decent home fix up til 37 I think, unless i’m going crazy
sorry, 34 I mean
Don’t hate me when they absolutely fail. However praise me when they do well. 😛 HAHA!
Best defender with max 6.3 m price to replace Coleman !?
Anyone ?