Top Captain Picks
1. Alexis Sánchez vs Watford (home)
- £11.9 (TSB 37.6%)
Over
Arsenal’s last 3 home games, Sánchez has registered a shot frequency of 1 every
10.8 minutes (8.3 per game) and created 1 chance every 27 mins (3.3 per game).
In GW23, he will have the opportunity to continue this form as he will face a
Watford side who have conceded nearly 3 goals per game away from home over
their past 6 away games. Furthermore, in his 3 matches against Watford, Sánchez
has netted 3 goals, with a shot frequency of 3.7 per game, and also provided 2
assists, with 3.3 chances created per game, so he clearly has everything
required to be the top captain pick in GW23.
2. Christian Eriksen vs Sunderland
(away) - £8.7 (TSB 16.5%)
Tottenham
are in blistering goal scoring form at the moment, with 16 goals in their last
5 games, and Eriksen has been central to this, with 6 assists over this period.
In comparison, Sunderland’s home defence has been porous, conceding 5 goals in
their last 2 games at the Stadium of Light. Also, Eriksen has excelled against
Sunderland in the past. In his 4 matches against Sunderland, Eriksen has netted
5 goals, with a shot frequency of 4.3 per game, and also provided 2 assists,
with 5.5 chances created per game. Thus, this exceptional record and terrific
form bodes well for Eriksen owners in GW23.
3. Zlatan Ibrahimović vs Hull
(away) - £11.7 (TSB 43.4%)
Zlatan
is another player who has the potential to return a large haul in GW23. Coming
up against Hull, who have the worst away defensive record in the league this
season, Zlatan will fancy his chances of netting at least a goal. When Man Utd
faced Hull in GW3, Zlatan registered 7 shots, and was unlucky not to score, so
he will be out to make sure the same thing does not happen again. Moreover, Ibrahimović
has provided returns in 3 consecutive home games, which heightens his appeal
this GW.
4. Romelu Lukaku vs Stoke (away) -
£9.6 (TSB 26.3%)
Despite
his high ownership, it is likely that Romelu Lukaku will fly under the radar as
a captain pick this GW, but it is equally likely that he will be one of the top
point scorers. This is because Lukaku and his side are currently in superb
form. Everton are averaging nearly 3 goals per game over the last 5 GWs, and
Lukaku himself has been involved in 3 goals and 1 assist during this period,
with an average of 3 shots per game. Furthermore, Lukaku has excelled against
Stoke in the past, with 3 goals in his past 3 games against them, as well as an
average of 3.7 shots per game and 3.3 chances created per game. Therefore, if
Lukaku can build on his current form and display the attacking quality which
has seen him do well against Stoke in the past, there is no reason why he can’t
return a large haul in GW23.
Punt/Differential Picks
1. Nathan Redmond vs Swansea (away)
- £5.8 (TSB 5.0%)
Over
the past 3 GWs, Nathan Redmond has been one of the stand out players stats
wise. Over this period, he has managed a shot frequency of 1 every 23.5
minutes, which is almost 4 per game. He also registered 1 goal and 5 shots
inside the box against Liverpool in the EFL Cup Semi Final 1st Leg,
which set his side up for the victory. In GW23, he will face the league’s worst
defence in Swansea, so he should have plenty of opportunities to turn these
impressive stats into FPL returns. It is worthy noting that earlier in the
season, Redmond had 4 shots against Swansea and also created 4 chances, so he
not only has the potential to perform well, he has shown that he can really
trouble the Swans defence.
2. Chris Brunt vs Middlesbrough
(home) - £5.0 (TSB 2.9%)
Regardless
of the fact that he has been shifted back to left back from left wing, Brunt
still has great potential this GW due to clean sheet and goal/assist
capabilities. He will face
Middlesbrough, who have the worst attack at home this season, while his side
have the 5th best home defence, so a clean sheet is a definite
possibility. In fact, West Brom have kept 5 consecutive clean sheets against
Boro. Additionally, over the past 2 games where he has played 60+ minutes,
Brunt has 2 goals and an average of 10.5 points per game, which promises well
for his owners. Also, in his last 3 games against Boro, Brunt has 3 goals, and
he netted a brace the last time this exact fixture was played. Hence, Chris
Brunt clearly has what it takes to be a sneaky punt captain pick in GW23.
3. Josh King vs Crystal Palace
(home) - £5.3 (TSB 0.7%)
Despite
his miserly price tag and ownership, Josh King has the potential to return a
large haul this GW. In his return to the starting line up last GW at home to
Watford, King netted a goal and registered 4 shots. This performance is very
promising, and given that Bournemouth has scored 5 goals in their last 2 home
games and averaged 14 shots per game over this period, King should have plenty
of chances to reward his owners in GW23.
4. David Silva vs West Ham (away) -
£8.6 (TSB 2.1%)
Despite
the uncharacteristically poor season that David Silva is having in terms of FPL
returns, he has thrived against West Ham. In his 2 matches against the Hammers
this season, Silva has netted 1 goal, with a shot frequency of 4 per game, and
also provided an assist, with 3 chances created per game. This signals well for
Silva owners, especially given his FA Cup performance against Crystal Palace,
when he completely dominated the match. Subsequently, if he can continue this
form into GW23, Silva has the potential to build on his previous top
performances against West Ham.
Star
Picks XI
By Sebastian Candido
(Twitter: @_FFM_Seb)
