Game Week 23: SamFPL’s Key Questions

With some key chopping and changing taking place ahead of the first Double Game Week of the year, SamFPL is here to guide you through some of those key decisions.

Game Week 23: SamFPL’s Key Questions
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Liverpool Best Triple-Up

The first double game week (DGW) of the season will be for Liverpool and Everton in game week 24, as
Liverpool faces BOU(A), EVE(A), and
Everton faces LEI(H), LIV(H).
Liverpool also faces IPS at Anfield in GW23, which makes it more appealing to target their assets now. They arguably have the best schedule in the next three fixtures, with a double game week sandwiched by two home games in GW23 and GW25. My strategy is tripling up on Liverpool, and I’ll mention the best three options from the Reds.

Salah is a no-brainer and essential for this run. He is the best captain choice, although he recorded back-to-back blanks in the last two GWs. The second pick will be the 11-pointer from last game week, the English defender who is the most expensive defender in the game. Alexander-Arnold always has a high ceiling and can easily record a double-digit score with an attacking return alongside clean sheets. I believe he can get an explosive score again during the next three game weeks.

The third pick is going to be very tricky, as it may depend on your team structure and transfers. If you want to sell your GK, pick Alisson for sure. If you want a defender, it shouldn’t be Robbo or Tsimikas due to the possible rotation. I think Virgil and Konaté offer more security of minutes, but I’m slightly leaning towards Konaté for the value he offers at around 1.5 million cheaper than Virgil.

From an attacking perspective, Díaz and Gakpo are the only options, but I think Gakpo, after his rest in UCL, should start and get more minutes vs. IPS in GW23. Gakpo seems to be the better pick for minutes in general, as he completed more than 85 minutes four times during the last five game weeks, whereas Díaz remained on the pitch only once. Gakpo rarely gets substituted early when the team struggles, which suggests he is important for Slot, who relies heavily on him. Liverpool will have an easy cup game before the EVE game in DGW24, and Gakpo can be rested again. Salah, Trent, and Gakpo should be the best triple-up from Liverpool.

Slot as an assistant manager chip is a viable option as well, but I think losing one of these LIV players for Slot isn’t worth it. I prioritize triple captain rather than the assistant manager chip. Using the AMC can be saved for the next double weeks or for weak teams’ surprises during the final weeks of the season.


Everton Assets for the Double

 

Apart from the DGW, Everton’s schedule isn’t tempting, and loading up on their assets in GW23 or GW25 will backfire. I think getting only one player will be enough. Pickford is a good option for his saves and a potential CS vs. Leicester. Mykolenko has looked more advanced recently and can be targeted and kept as your fifth defender after the double.

I won’t get any of their forwards or midfielders, as we have many better attackers who can easily outscore Everton’s attackers in DGW24.


Keep or Sell?

Foden

After his back-to-back double digits, City has a fixture swing and faces the best teams for attacking and defensive stats. So, you should consider selling him soon, but I don’t think he is an urgent sell. You can keep him vs. CHE(H), as Chelsea suffers defensively, and some potential replacements for him have tricky fixtures, like Mbeumo away to CRY and Kluivert vs. the solid NFO.

 

Wood

Wood also has tricky fixtures, but he isn’t an urgent sell, as he can score from half chances and is a target for NFO in big games. The next two for Wood are against BOU and BHA, and he scored against both teams earlier during the first half of the season. He is a keep for me.


Gakpo vs. Mateta vs. Wissa


For Pedro or Jackson owners who are looking for a replacement, you have many good forwards to pick from. Gakpo has an amazing next three fixtures and should get secured minutes because Jota is injured. Mateta has four goals in his last three games, and Wissa has had a great season with 10 goals and three assists. All are great picks, but personally, I’d prefer the fixtures of Gakpo in the next three weeks. You can get him as a short-term pick for this spell before switching to Wissa or Mateta.

 

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By: SamFPL

Last Updated: 23/01