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Welcome to Gameweek 23, RotoBallers! This is our third year covering FPL, and we are bringing you more coverage than ever. We publish two weekly articles: a staff roundtable preview and our weekly rankings. Then, once a month, we have our newest report, The Watchlist, a review of the previous month and a look ahead to the upcoming fixtures.
Twenty-two gameweeks down, 16 to go. Gameweek 22 ended last night, but there's no rest for the wicked in Fantasy Premier League as Gameweek 23 begins tomorrow. Liverpool and Man City rolled in midweek and must be the offenses to target moving forward, especially with a confirmed Double Gameweek 25 for City and Brentford. Watch for any news regarding a double gameweek for Liverpool, Luton, or Bournemouth before the Gameweek 23 deadline.
The Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 23 deadline is 6:00 a.m. EST on Saturday, February 3, when Everton battles Tottenham. Also, look out for the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every English Premier League, Major League Soccer, and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS and betting perspective.
Find someone who loves you as much as @Baseball_Jimbo loves Alfie Doughty after his great call in this week’s @RotoBaller #FPL preview pic.twitter.com/lKVqx48H3y
— Euan Leith (@EuanFPL) December 27, 2023
Fantasy Premier League Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 23 Preview
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the mind of our FPL staff. Our top soccer writers will answer questions each gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So, without further ado, let’s kick off Gameweek 23!
Who is keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 23?
- Euan Leith: Over the last six gameweeks, Man City has the third best defense in the Premier League with 4.7 expected goals conceded (xGC). Meanwhile, despite Ivan Toney's return, Brentford has the fourth-lowest expected goals metric with 6.93 xG in that same span. City seems allergic to clean sheets this year, but these jigsaw pieces fit well together.
- Jamie Steed: As magnificent as they were in midweek, I’m not sure I see Luton Town scoring at Newcastle United. Newcastle have been getting defenders back from injury. Although they have struggled recently, they have six clean sheets at home in 11 games. Luton’s 8.2 xG on the road is the third lowest, and they’ve had less than 1.0 xG in each of their last five away games.
- Tom Bellucco: Newcastle's defense has turned a corner with the return of Sven Botman to full health. Martin Dubravka has been impressive of late, and this run of form for Luton has to come crashing down eventually.
Two goals in two matches since Ivan Toney returned 👀
300,870 #FPL managers transferred him in for Gameweek 22 🔥
Next up, Man City. Is Toney in your team for Gameweek 23? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/uCmVqI6CQj
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) February 1, 2024
What defensive player is providing attacking returns?
- Euan: Kieran Trippier and Newcastle looked back to their best version of themselves in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Aston Villa. It's been a tough couple of months for Trippier, but returning to the assist column should spur on the veteran defender. The Magpies' opponent in Gameweek 23, Luton, has conceded the third-most expected goals (8.5) on set plays this year. This advantageous matchup will allow Trippier to compensate for a lost December and January.
- Jamie: It’s a risk as he’s only just returned to training following a hamstring injury, but Lucas Digne is my pick this week. Alex Moreno has deputized for Digne and is a significant attacking threat. But his defensive work has lacked, and he was given a torrid time against Newcastle, culminating in an own goal. Digne had three assists in the opening five games of the season but none since. I fancy him to end that streak against Sheffield United and their league-worst defense.
- Tom: Pedro Porro continues to be very involved in Tottenham's build-up. We'll see if James Maddison’s return affects his opportunities in the long term. A match at Everton isn't the best spot in the world, but for now, his minutes are reliable, and there aren't any other options screaming to be used.
Who's a midfielder or forward rostered on less than 10 percent of teams that will grab us those FPL points?
- Euan: With Joao Pedro a doubt for this weekend's game versus Crystal Palace, Brighton will need someone else to step up on the offensive side of the ball. Pascal Groß (6.0 percent) is the leading candidate for that role in Roberto De Zerbi's attack. The Seagull's midfielder has registered at least 0.50 xG in seven of the last nine contests, and Palace has conceded the second-most goals (13) over the previous six gameweeks.
- Jamie: Eberechi Eze (3.5% rostered) and Michael Olise (1.5% rostered) will be the reason Crystal Palace avoid relegation. They combined for three goals and two assists in their 3-2 win against Sheffield United. The pair have only started four EPL games together this season. Olise has five goals and two assists, while Eze has three goals in those matches. They are both set for big-money moves in the Summer, but for now, playing them as a duo isn’t a bad route. I’d want one, regardless.
- Tom: Michael Olise is on a tear right now, and a match at Brighton isn't as daunting as it used to be. Especially with Eberechi Eze questionable, it seems like a great time to buy into Olise and this surprisingly in-form Crystal Palace attack.
🦅 @CPFC win at home thanks to an Eberechi Eze brace and a special strike from Michael Olise! #CRYSHU pic.twitter.com/Mgl6cSiSPu
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 30, 2024
Who is one player you want but can’t have for the Gameweek 23 fixtures in Fantasy Premier League?
- Euan: I want Kevin de Bruyne in my squad, but I've already tripled up on Man City with Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, and Josko Gvardiol. Alvarez is making way for Erling Haaland, and I won't have enough budget to make another City-for-City swap. With a double gameweek on the horizon, I may have to go without the Belgian international for the forseeable future or until I activate my second Wildcard.
- Jamie: I have the luxury of making any transfer I want. But with an almost entirely healthy squad, I want to keep this week’s transfer and try to ensure I have two for when Gameweek 26 hits and we only have eight matches. Leon Bailey was unlucky not to start midweek and got the assist off the bench. Villa was much better after he came on against Newcastle, and I expect he’ll start and get a goal involvement or two in the process.
- Tom: Speaking of Eze, he has been right in the middle of everything that is good for the Eagles. With just a 50% projected chance of playing, I can't put him in my squad this week, but he's someone I continue to keep my eye on at a reasonable price with minimal ownership.
Who’s getting the Captain’s armband?
- Euan: Erling Haaland is returning to my FPL squad, and I'm immediately handing him the armband. Captaincy has been a bit of a disaster for me in the last few weeks, so I'm putting the plane on autopilot and cruising at a comfortable altitude with the Norwegian as my pilot.
- Jamie: I don’t have much in the way of standout options, but if I am right and Aston Villa put in a big performance at Sheffield United, I’ll have to go with Ollie Watkins. He got back on the scoresheet after four games without a goal, and hopefully, that kick-starts a torrid run of form.
- Tom: Kevin De Bruyne played 70 minutes last match. That's enough for me to take off the training wheels and jump back in. The game at Brentford should be a perfect opportunity for him to rack up a couple of more sweet assists, and maybe a goal-scoring chance will also fall his way.
Are you giving Erling Haaland the armband for #FPL Gameweek 23?
Sam from @FPLFamily thinks it's still worth considering other options despite the Norwegian's return 👀
Listen to the latest #FPLPod ⬇️
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) February 2, 2024
Finally, what’s your bold prediction for Gameweek 23?
- Euan: Haaland returns to City's starting lineup and bags a brace in a comfortable road win. Meanwhile, Arsenal and Liverpool battle a frustrating yet exciting 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium. The highest-scoring FPL player will come from the Chelsea-Wolves contest.
- Jamie: Mid-table sides Manchester United and Chelsea drop points at home. Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne link up, with the latter assisting the former for the first time this season. Meanwhile, Ivan Toney gets another goal as Brentford frightens Manchester City. And Zeki Amdouni fires Burnley to only their second home win of the season.
- Tom: Here's a few crazy thoughts: Brighton and Crystal Palace combine for 5+ goals, Sheffield Utd earns all three points at home against a struggling Aston Villa side, and Newcastle United blanks Luton Town for the first time since Man United shut down the Hatters on November 11th.
Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on X @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
