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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Does anybody would fancy rooney upfront? I dont know if i should bring him on with erksen instead of mata and sturidge for example?
Who else do you have? I’m debating bringing Mata in too…
Went for sturridge aguero and suarez upfront
yaya johnson hazard mata and noone
kos azpi bennett gabb and coleman
boruc and mannone
what abt u?
Anyone think Cabaye out for Eriksen or Ramsey is worth a 4pt hit? I have a lot of things I’d like to do with my team and am just pondering if a 4pt hit this week (and next week) is better than an 8pt hit next week…
Somebody persuade me not to! 😉
Pippin – what you planning to do with your team?
if your doing 8 over 2 weeks, better off doing 4 or even 8 this week if they will have a chance of earning you more points than the alternative this week
I actually think there could be a few hits by teams this week unless they on wc.
Dreamers, thanks for your reply mate. Currently I have: (*=inj/leaving)
Ruddy (Marshall)
Mertesacker Bardsley Ward (Chester*) (Coleman*)
Hazard Silva Lallana Livermore (Cabaye*)
Aguero Suarez Rodriguez
Coleman I had since GW3 so he stays. Chester is losing me value, but is not a major priority. Cabaye must go, to Ramsey or Eriksen. I’m also considering Mata, for whom the obvious swap is Silva, but is Aguero sufficient City cover? If I wanted to get Eriksen and Mata in for Cabaye and Silva I would be short by 0.1m. If I did this over next GW too, I’d offload Mertesacker for Sagna to fund it, leaving myself around .5m in the bank (I’ve had Mert for ages too).
A *really* maverick transfer would be Hazard and Cabaye out for Mata and Willian… I have plenty to do, but I am hesitant to do anything rash. That said, Livermore is going to score me very little this week.
Mata + Eriksen + Bruce to replace Silva + Cabaye + Bruce would work, leaving me no money, but meaning I can keep Mertesacker and Hazard. Ramsey could be a better shout than Eriksen though, and doesn’t need the third transfer to fund. I’d love to get Navas in, but can’t raise those funds.
Pippin – that Willian shout could be a stroke of genius – are you proposing these moves for this gameweek or the next?
Jamesimmo: the team I wrote out above is my current team. I could switch Hazard and Cabaye for Mata and Willian this week, for -8pt, which I think (being sensible) is dumb. However, I’m frustratingly 0.1m short of just trading Cabaye for Willian. I *could* use the inevitable Chester–> Bruce swap to fund it? But a -8 really needs to be a seriously good pick, no?
Ahh okay – well of you’re up for a gamble – could Cabaye —–> Willian and Chester —–> Bruce for a 4pt hit be worth it?
I would definitely consider it, but, 8pts is too much imo
Nope, I’ve used my FTs getting Aguero in already. Would you ditch Cabaye for a 4pt hit? For who? I might be tempted to shift out Lallana for Willian, but that’s a gamble due to Chelsea rotation. If I captain Hazard I don’t need double Chelsea anyway
Not long before some of these lineups I believe.. please let Mata start…
I can’t honestly see a situation where he doesn’t start..
Whether he’ll play 90 is a different Mata altogether
Haha very good
Hello.
I’m seriously considering captaining Bony tonight.. I have ag, Suarez hazard yaya..
Anyone think it’s a really bad move ?
Demsie – it is a major thought for me too – him / Haz / Agüero
Where are you at the min, James ? (on cap choice)
Hazard mate.. you?
Suarez at minute.. Don’t know if I’ve got the stones to go Bony.. As it were
I know it’s a hard choice Demsie, but I think this week is a good opportunity to find a differential to Suárez, but just my opinion
If your chasing a mini league then why not!! He’s in form so it’s not a major risk!!
Yeah I am chasing mini league leader.. 79 behind and I KNOW he’s capping Suarez.
Tbh I think it makes the choice harder
Is augero on your team? He hasn’t got him yet
Evening,
Could you let me know your thoughts on my team;
Peroni
Kos azpillicueta gabbidon
Silva mata hazard (vc) eriksen
Aguero Sturridge Suarez (c)
Subs: Davis gnabry Coleman Chester
It’s perfect IMO. And I like the gamble that you are taking in the form of Gnabry. Yes,he will get game time. The rest is fine. Hope you are doing fine mate. Now go and get a good haul.
Monty!! How the devil are you??
I’m hoping for some major points tonight!! I’m aiming to break into the top 1k this year
3700 people have transferred Suarez out today!! Stop the insanity!