FPL Key Tips for Gameweek 23

Anyone else feel like this is a pivotal point in the season? Not least because of one major decision.

To wildcard or not to wildcard. This feels like the first major point in the season where the crowd will be split in 2. So, do you zig? Or do you zag?

There are many other key dilemmas facing managers at the moment and given the chips, limited transfers, players returning from injury etc, it feels like a huge amount of weight is placed on every small decision at the moment. So getting those decisions right could be the difference between a high rank or a low rank.

The season starts here.

For more great ways to gain rank make sure you check out our Best Gameweek 23 differentials piece, or if you are looking for some differential captain options, check out our Best Captains for Gameweek 23 article.

As always, make sure you check our Predicted Line-Ups and Team News hub before locking in any changes.

Let’s get stuck in.

 

To Wildcard or not to Wildcard

Now even though most managers will likely be facing this dilemma next week, it is still advisable to make your decision ahead of time to ensure you don’t burn free transfers or transfer the wrong players out etc. Whether you should wildcard or not will come down to these 2 factors.

1. How much better is a wildcard around GW32?
2. How many holes does your current team have?

We will start with GW32. I personally think saving your wildcard for GW32 will be a better strategy in the long run, not least because it will allow you to target multiple doubles where some players may even be blanking, rotated etc, meaning the net positive has the potential to be much higher.

For example, if your team already has double Arsenal defence, a few Chelsea assets and/or 2 or more FTs in the bank then we would probably say wildcarding in GW24 is not the way to go, as you can get close to an optimum team without needing a larger overhaul. Essentially, the more of these you have, the less you need to wildcard:

• Arsenal assets- with the exception of Saka.
• Chelsea assets
• Bruno Fernandes
• Ekitike
• Kroupi
• Pickford

And a few more assets with good fixtures/form.

HOWEVER, there are a couple of exceptions to this in which I would prefer the GW24 wildcard. Basically, if your team is starting to pile up with some assets who may be rotated or are injured or who come into bad fixtures. Such as:

• Foden
• Cherki
• Saka
• Bruno G
• Gordon
• Woltemade
• No Chelsea
• Kelleher or Pope.

Essentially, the more of these you have, the more I’d lean toward a Wildcard in Gameweek 24. If you are therefore thinking about a wildcard, then make sure you check out our Gameweek 23 Wildcard draft.

 

Is Foden a hold before GW24?

The question on a lot of people’s lips. Is Foden worth holding for Wolves at home? The answer is a simple yes. Even though the blanks have been frustrating, it is very hard to bench him before they take on last in the league. His early bath against Bodo Glimt would suggest he is inline to start on the weekend against Wolves. Even though Wolves have been one of the better defences since the New Year, it still remains a tasty enough fixture for an attack of City’s calibre.

Given his decreasing presence in the attack and subpar performances of late, we would suggest moving off him in either GW24 or GW25. If you do not have the transfers in the bank you can hold him for the Spurs game as well, but be prepared to move off him if any reports surface of him being rested.

 

Is Saka a hold before GW24?

Much the opposite to Foden, Saka is a sell. Not only has he only started 1 of their last 3 league games, he is also occupying a vital 3^rd Arsenal spot which could be used on a Timber, Rice or Raya type. This opportunity cost is what makes Saka a more immediate sell than Foden. The fact he’s priced at £10.1m and Rice at £7.4m is a massive discrepancy.

If you can do Saka to Fernandes I would do it this week. Then go get either Timber or Rice.

 

Who are the best Chelsea assets to own?

We touched on the best assets in our Gameweek 23 Fixtures and teams to target piece, so in case you wanted a summary, here are our rankings.

1. Chalobah
2. Enzo
3. Sanchez
4. Caicedo
5. Cucurella
6. Palmer
7. James
8. Neto
9. Fofana

This list will naturally change game on game given form and rotations.

 

What to do with Newcastle assets?

As a Newcastle fan it pains me to say this, but they may be a sell. Bruno G is injured so he may very likely be a sell, Gordon was arguably never even a buy, Pope is a sell. Any defenders it gets slightly more interesting. Thiaw is probably not a sell, nor is Hall, but ideally if you can improve on them, i.e. are on Wildcard or have plenty of transfers in the bank, I would think about it. Not least given they play 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th in their next 7 games. Gordon and Pope are priority sells, Thiaw and Hall are not. Bruno g we can wait and hear more but plan for him to be a sell.

 

Who is the best 2^nd striker at the moment?

Now this is a tricky one and one which has received much debate. Essentially, it boils down to 4 names. Ekitike, Kroupi Jr, Thiago and Watkins. All have their pros and all have their cons. We have ranked them as following:

1. Ekitike – If you are bothered by Ekitike’s blanks against Burnley and Marseille I can only assume it’s because you have not been watching the matches. Ekitike could have easily had multiple returns across the 2 games and with Isak out long term should continue to hog the lion’s share of minutes up top. Liverpool’s 3 ‘red fixtures’ are Bournemouth, Newcastle and City, all of which have been shipping plenty of goals recently. They then follow that stretch up with Sunderland, Forest, West Ham, Wolves and Spurs. There are goals here for him.
2. Kroupi Jr – Kroupi claims 2^nd place here in no small part down to his value. With Tavernier out Kroupi’s starting minutes are all but locked in. that’s not to mention he plays for a high-powered attack and has a better goals per minute ratio than Haaland. Obviously he will not continue on that form but it illustrates a very capable finisher with an eye for goal.
3. Thiago – The Premier league’s current 2^nd highest scorer, Thiago mainly finds himself in 3^rd due to his fixtures. Forest this week is great but from GW24-GW26 he faces 3 tough tests in a row. If you own him he is definitely not a sell though.
4. Watkins – Watkins now has 8 returns in his last 8 starts in the league and is showing glimpses of recapturing his form from last season. However, Villa have reportedly agreed personal terms with Mateta which would naturally damage Watkins expected minutes. If Chelsea’s hijack of the transfer is successful however, then Watkins goes right back to being a great option.

 

Check out our Game Week Tips section for more Gameweek 23 Tips.