RADIO
Welcome to the Gameweek 23 FPL Staff Roundtable, RotoBallers! The midweek European results left much up for grabs among the big clubs. While Liverpool can likely rest the main starters, Arsenal, Man City, and Aston Villa must play full squads to guarantee qualification.
Man United and Spurs fared a bit better in the Europa League. However, both will need results to secure top-eight finishes in that competition. This is a long way of saying that there could be some unexpected rotation among the bigger clubs this weekend if they need to focus on European qualification.
The Gameweek 23 deadline for the 2024-25 Fantasy Premier League season is Saturday, January 25, at 8:30 a.m. EST, when five games kickoff. Also, check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every EPL and UCL slate with our DFS lineup picks and betting picks.
Fantasy Premier League Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 23 Preview
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the minds of our FPL writers. 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!
Merseyside Derby Double
Double Gameweek 24 was confirmed for Liverpool and Everton. Who are your three favorite assets to target from Liverpool?
Jamie Steed: Mohamed Salah (£13.7m) goes without saying. I’ve been rocking with Cody Gakpo (£7.4m) for some time now, and he is cemented into my lineup. A clean sheet might be difficult given that Liverpool’s other Gameweek 24 fixture is away at Bournemouth.
As a result, I’d consider a midfielder like Alexis Mac Allister (£6.2m) a differential who can quickly provide some attacking returns, especially since his five attacking returns this season have all come in the last six games.
The FPL Manual (Wale): My top three Liverpool assets for Double Gameweek 24 are Salah (£13.7m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m), and Gakpo (£7.4m). However, due to guaranteed minutes in Liverpool's defense, I’m considering Virgil van Dijk (£6.4m) as a possible third option instead of Gakpo.
A Double Gameweek is just around the corner for Liverpool 🔴
Two of their assets rise in price 📈#FPL pic.twitter.com/DtKuvVoYn9
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) January 23, 2025
Sticky Toffees Pudding for Dessert
Do any Everton assets make the cut for the double?
Jamie: The only reason I’d consider an Everton player is that their home game against Leicester City is in the same gameweek. I’d be looking at Iliman Ndiaye (£5.4m) as he has been lively in recent appearances and now scored twice in the last five games.
Wale: I’m not excited about Everton FPL picks, but if I were to select three players from the Merseyside rivals, it would include Jordan Pickford (£5.0m), Ndiaye (£5.4m), and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.4m).
Feeling Phil Foden?
We’ve all been waiting for Erling Haaland to get back on the menu, but is Phil Foden the main man at City these days?
Jamie: In terms of form, absolutely. My concern would be City’s run of games they have coming up. Mix in the Champions League matches, which City have to win, and I still need to see more before I jump to include Foden or his teammates. City also needs to keep Kevin De Bruyne (£9.4m) fit if they are to build a run of form we know they can.
Wale: I’ve always been a big admirer of Foden. Is he the main man at Man City? I don’t think so. Yes, he has scored five goals in his last two matches; however, at one point, Savinho (£6.5m) was the player pulling the strings when City struggled for form. Foden has taken up the mantle now and could be De Bruyne (£9.4m) next.
Nonetheless, if Foden can keep up this run of form even against tougher opponents like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool, I will likely favor the Englishman as Man City's ‘clutch’ player to deliver us huge fantasy points.
Cherry Picking
Justin Kluivert bagged his second 20-point haul of the season last weekend. Would you consider the Cherries' penalty taker?
Jamie: He’s been on my radar since last season. The issue for me has been a lack of playing time, as he’s started 17 games and just two of Bournemouth’s last four. Given his form and the Cherries' injury issues, playing time shouldn’t be a worry right now, so Kluivert is definitely under strong consideration for inclusion.
Wale: No, not right now. The whole Bournemouth team has been incredible all season and sustained key results against top teams. However, Kluivert’s last performance seems to be a good day in the office that favored those who had him.
His minutes have largely improved thanks to a few injured players like Evanilson (£5.7m) and Marcus Tavernier (£5.4m). However, I need to see more consistency in the coming weeks and could consider selecting Kluivert from Gameweek 26 if required.
The third-highest score of the season 😮💨
Justin Kluivert's hat-trick helped him to a mega 22-point haul ✌️✌️#FPL pic.twitter.com/SOlfB0KGDi
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) January 22, 2025
Picking Favorites
Who is your favorite FPL asset from Arsenal, Man United, or Spurs?
Jamie: Given the form and injuries of those three, I’d look at lower-rostered options. I like Leandro Trossard (£6.8m), seeing as he’s had back-to-back returns and is on only 2.1% of FPL teams. But I'm digging even deeper and opting for Ethan Nwaneri (£4.5m).
He started consecutive games before getting injured and is expected to feature again this weekend. Until Bukayo Saka returns, Nwaneri should see plenty of playing time and is a fantastic cheap midfield option you can utilize to stack the top-priced players around.
Wale: My favorite FPL asset from Arsenal is Bukayo Saka (£10.2m); unfortunately, the ‘Starboy’ is injured until March. For Man United, I love Amad Diallo's (£5.6m) recent performances, so he is my favorite go-to FPL asset for the Red Devils. Finally, my favorite Spurs FPL asset is Dejan Kulusevski (£6.4m).
Who is Keeping a Clean Sheet in Gameweek 23?
Jamie: Ipswich Town have failed to score in the last two games. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s eight goals conceded at home are the second-fewest. The Tractor Boys travel to Anfield, and it’s difficult to see how they get a result or a goal. Liverpool will make it back-to-back clean sheets this weekend.
Wale: I’ll be backing Liverpool to keep a clean sheet in their home fixture against Ipswich this week. The Tractor boys have been fairly quiet, failing to score in their last two matches, and this should favor the Reds earning a 10th clean sheet of the season.
What Defensive Player is Providing Attacking Returns?
Jamie: It feels like a trap, but the team with the most set-piece goals scored this season (Arsenal) plays the team with the most set-piece goals conceded (Wolves). Gabriel Martinelli (£6.4m) seems like a sure thing this week so we’ll hope it isn’t too good to be true and pick the Brazilian defender.
Wale: Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez (£4.8m) has been in great form, amassing 27 points in his last five matches. Coming up against an in-form Nottingham Forest side, Kerkez could be the key to unlocking Forest’s defense and is my go-to defender for an attacking return this week.
Best Midfielder or Forward Who Isn't Rostered
Who is rostered in 10 percent of teams or less who can grab those FPL points?
Jamie: Given I mentioned him earlier, I’m picking Trossard. This week may be too soon for Nwaneri to start, so the Belgian will likely get the nod on Saturday. Wolves have conceded three goals in each of their last three games, so Trossard is in an ideal spot to maintain his recent form.
Wale: I’d like to select here my aforementioned favorite Spurs FPL asset, Kulusevski (£6.4m). Although Spurs have struggled in recent matches, Kulu’s creativity and influence cannot be understated. The Swede has also played 90 minutes in seven consecutive games, so there is less fear of getting rotated.
With only 5.9% ownership and a favorable home tie against 19th-placed Leicester City, Kulusevski will be the ultimate differential and bag a double-digit haul in Gameweek 23.
Who is a Player You Want But Can’t Get for Gameweek 23 in FPL?
Jamie: Although I’m still not fully invested in Manchester City, Haaland could haunt me. Chelsea at home isn’t a great fixture but the Norwegian is more than capable of returning double-digit points against anyone.
I can't bring in the City striker without moving on from Salah or one of my other premium midfielders and taking a hit for two transfers.
Wale: I’m highly interested in tripling up on Liverpool FPL assets ahead of Double Gameweek 24. Gakpo (£7.4m) has been on my radar, and my interest in him peaked after noticing he got rested for the UCL midweek clash.
I’m excited to bring in the Dutchman. However, it could come at the cost of dropping one of Chris Wood (£7.1m) or Alexander Isak (£9.5m), and I am not sure if it’s worth the risk.
Who’s Getting the Captain’s Armband?
Jamie: After blanking at the weekend, Isak (£9.4m) will be eager to get back on the scoresheet. But Salah is home to an Ipswich side that’s conceded 10 goals in their last three games and was just hit for six by Manchester City, which is too good of an option to turn down.
Wale: Simple answer – Salah. The 32-year-old is an easy pick for the captain’s armband this week, thanks to the favorable home tie against Ipswich. Let’s go, Egyptian King!
Which way are you leaning with the captaincy in Gameweek 23? 👀
The Scout looks at whether Alexander Isak is a viable alternative to Mo Salah ➡️ https://t.co/WPxhKOZ4mq#FPL pic.twitter.com/QO7BkRj4GQ
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) January 23, 2025
What’s Your Bold Prediction for Gameweek 23?
Jamie: Tottenham returns to winning ways, scoring five goals against an abject Leicester City team. With four different players getting on the scoresheet
Wale: Newcastle and Spurs return to winning ways against their respective opponents, while Liverpool defeats Ipswich 5-0. Regarding FPL returns, Bryan Mbuemo (£7.8m) scores a double-digit haul against Crystal Palace and continues his reign of dominance in London Derbies.
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— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) July 18, 2024
Stick around for more 2024-25 Fantasy Premier League content coming soon. Hit us up on X @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
