As we approach Fantasy Football Matchweek 23 of the Premier League, scheduled for January 25, to January 26 it’s essential for FPL managers to strategise effectively to maximize their points.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to assist you in making informed decisions for your squad.
Fantasy Football Matchweek 23 Fixtures
The Fantasy Football deadline for this weekend is Saturday, 25 January, 13:30 GMT.
Saturday, 25 January
- Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest (15:00 GMT)
- Brighton Hove & Albion vs Everton (15:00 GMT)
- Liverpool vs Ipswich Town (15:00 GMT)
- Southampton vs Newcastle United (15:00 GMT)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Arsenal (15:00 GMT)
- Manchester City vs Chelsea (17:30 GMT)
Sunday, 26 January
- Crystal Palace vs Brentford (14:00 GMT)
- Tottenham Hotspur vs Leicester City (14:00 GMT)
- Aston Villa vs West Ham United (16:30 GMT)
- Fulham vs Manchester United (19:00 GMT)
Injury Updates to Note
- Diogo Jota (Liverpool): Diogo Jota was an uncertain ahead of Liverpool’s Brentford game, eventually missing the fixture. It has since been confirmed that he sustained an injury, with his return date still unknown.
- Dominic Solanke (Tottenham): Spurs forward Dominic Solanke missed the club’s game against Everton, and has since been ruled out with a knee injury. Solanke is expected back on March 8.
- Timo Werner (Tottenham): Tottenham’s Timo Werner’s return date has been updated to February 16 following his hamstring injury.
- Brennan Johnson (Tottenham): Youngstar Brennan Johnson has picked up a calf injury and is also expected back on February 16.
- William Saliba (Arsenal): Coveted Arsenal defender William Saliba sustained a hamstring injury during the London derby on Wednesday, January 15. He missed the Aston Villa game and has a 50% chance of making an appearance at the Molineux this weekend.
- Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea): Suffering from muscle fatigue, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was not available for picking for the Wolves game on Monday, January 20. Whether he will be available for this weekend’s highly-anticipated fixture against Manchester City is yet to be revealed.
- Levi Colwill (Chelsea): Levi Colwill sustained a minor thigh injury, missing the Wolves game, with his availability this weekend also uncertain.
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea): Former Manchester City player Cole Palmer played through ankle pain during Chelsea’s win against Wolves, and is another player whose availability is still in question.
- Romeo Lavia (Chelsea): The Chelsea list grows, as Enzo Maresca has suggested that Romeo Lavia will be out longer than his colleagues. The Belgian also did not feature against Wolves.
Top Transfer Targets
- Jean-Philippe Mateta (Cyrstal Palace): Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.3m) has scored in three consecutive league games – Chelsea, Leicester City and West Ham. Crystal Palace play Brentford this weekend, with Mateta’s form promising positive results.
- Kai Havertz (Arsenal): With two goals in his last two games across all competitions, Kai Havertz (£7.8m) may well find the back of the net yet again this weekend when Arsenal travel to the Molineux.
- Ollie Watkins & Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa): Aston Villa host West Ham this weekend in what is expected to be a somewhat easy win for the Villans. Ollie Watkins (£8.9m) is an expensive but reliable option for FPL managers, having scored in his last two fixtures. Morgan Rogers (£5.5m) is a pocket-friendly alternative who’s also been in good form. Even more positively, Villa’s next three games – West Ham – included are low on the difficulty scale.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool): Arne Slot’s men are set to face 18th-place Ipswich this weekend, in a result that may result in a win and a clean sheet – a heavenly combination for Fantasy Football managers. Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) although expensive is likely to get a clean sheet, and an assist, making him an almost perfect choice in defence.
- Lewis Hall (Newcastle): If you still have not invested in the young Lewis Hall (5.1m), make this the weekend you put your trust in one of the most in-form defenders for FPL managers this season. With the Magpies playing Southampton this Matchweek 23, a clean sheet is on the cards.
- Anthony Gordon (Newcastle): Now’s the perfect week to have three Newcastle players in your squad. Anthony Gordon (£7.7m) is in near-perfect form, making him a promising choice for FPL managers.
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Players to Hold/Bench
- Enzo Fernandez & Levi Colwill (Chelsea): It would be best for FPL managers to await further updates on Fernandez and Colwill in order to plan better for future Matchweeks.
Captaincy Picks
- Alexander Isak (Newcastle): Despite blanking against Bournemouth, Alexander Isak remains the Premier League’s most in-form striker. The Swede is likely to be back to his clinical goal-scoring ways this weekend as Newcastle play bottom-of-the-table Southampton. The FPL captain’s armband is calling his name.
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): After not scoring in Liverpool’s last two league fixtures, Mohamed Salah found the back of the net against LOSC Lille in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. Liverpool face Ipswich Town this weekend who are 34 points behind them. A fixture of this kind gives Salah the perfect opportunity to continue his impressive legacy. Much like Isak, he makes for a good captaining choice.
Strategic Considerations
Monitor Press Conferences: Last-minute injury updates and team news can significantly impact your decisions. Stay informed to make timely transfers.
By staying updated on the latest news and being strategic with your Fantasy Football transfers and captaincy choices, you can navigate the challenges of Matchweek 23 and boost your FPL performance.