By
Jack Woodfield
Similarly to how Jim Carrey's life came unstuck in The Number 23, Gameweek 23 saw Manchester City's unbeaten Premier League run end as Liverpool (Philippe who?) enacted a fervent display of coordinated pressing before surviving a late hurrah to quash Pep Guardiola's side. It was an electric football match, particularly for owners of Mohamed Salah (11 points) and Roberto Firmino (8), and will live on as a standout moment in Premier League history. But as GW24 nears, spare a thought for Newcastle United.
One can only imagine the swashbuckling team-talk Guardiola will give his troops prior to City's meeting with the Magpies. Not only are the Cityzens arguably the best side in Europe, but they're wounded. They have a point to prove. And with an extra skip in their step, Newcastle's players will need pitchside counsellors should the damage be instant, prolonged and emphatic.
This is the kind of fixture where I wish I could activate a chip that allows me more than three Man City players. That's not intended as disrespect to Newcastle - who knows, if the Magpies successfully replicate Liverpool's nous and electric counter attacks then there's always the chance of an upset. Except, probably, there really isn't.
Unsurprisingly, a certain record-breaking Argentine features in this week's Essentials Collection. First, though, there are some fascinating sub-plots to consider ahead of GW24.
Will he, won't he?
With seemingly hourly updates on his future, the latest (as of writing) is that Alexis Sanchez's courting of Man City appears to have scared Sheikh Mansour et al off (don't worry Alexis, all of us on the dating scene have been there), and now Man United, Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool, Accrington, the NHS and your grandma are all reportedly poised to strike.
https://twitter.com/bbcsport_david/status/953202684970065920
If Sanchez remains at Arsenal ahead of GW24, it seems dubious that he plays against Crystal Palace, as demonstrated by his omission for Arsenal's defeat at Bournemouth, but a speedy transfer this week, which appears more and more likely to be to Man United, would tempt me to excitably move funds and oust players to secure the Chilean before his ownership spikes. It really is a "watch this space" situation.
Ox trail
Hello again, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain! It's been around 27 months since I last considered you a viable FPL option, and at the time I hadn't slept for three days.
Now, though, the Ox is a fascinating differential, particularly following Coutinho's departure, and his recent attacking performances for Liverpool (two goals and four assists in his last four league starts), coupled with his fair but still discount price of £5.6m, is nudging me into action.
https://twitter.com/SkySportsStatto/status/952604152982654976
Salah and Firmino's plaudits have been plentiful this season, but the Ox has floated under the radar. He's owned by less than 3% of managers, and if he continues to play as advanced as he did against City, could offer an alternative to the likes of Lingard, similarly priced, but who's owned by more than 20%.
Mor pain
What on Earth has happened to Alvaro Morata? The Spaniard has more red cards than goals in 2018 and his weak dive (Tom Daley would be mortified) and needless petulance against Norwich in the FA Cup now means he misses GW24. To be honest, we're all better off without him.
One goal in six appearances and that classic display of abysmal finishing at Arsenal has rendered the Spaniard a terrifying player to rely on. He was virtually non-existent against Leicester, and seems totally devoid of confidence.
https://twitter.com/HypeTrainSam/status/952224672795516928
In comparison, his premium striker competitors, Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane, have both delivered attacking returns in three of their last five games.
GW24 Essentials Collection
Sergio Aguero
His assist against Man City notwithstanding, Aguero didn't have the best game against Liverpool. But for the aforementioned reasons, Newcastle (H) is a tantalising fixture for Man City's record goalscorer. City have won their last two top-flight games in this fixture 6-1 and 5-0, with Aguero scoring six. The City man stands out as a leading captaincy pick.
https://twitter.com/FPLSWOT/status/952658542066094080
Harry Kane
In the reverse fixture on Boxing Day, Kane demolished Southampton with a well-executed hat-trick, the nail in the coffin of the #KanExit campaign. It was Kane's seventh of eight double-figure point hauls this season.
https://twitter.com/FplFreddo/status/953579857455321088
Even though Spurs sit just outside the top four, it shouldn't be forgotten that they've lost just one league game in nine, to Man City. They're playing wonderful football, as evidenced by Christian Eriksen's goal against Everton. Moreover, Southampton have kept just one clean sheet in a staggering 14 league games.
Heung-Min Son
With three goals and three assists in four, Son's hitting peak form, and having started Spurs' last nine games he looks to have finally established a starting berth under Mauricio Pochettino. Among midfielders, only Salah (44) has scored more points in his last four than Son (39).
Marko Arnautovic
David Moyes' repositioning of Arnautovic as a central striker has proven a stroke of genius (you indeed just read 'genius' and 'David Moyes' in the same sentence). His six goals and three assists have all come under the Scot's stewardship, and West Ham have some delicious fixtures approaching.
GW24 Differentials Collection
Manuel Lanzini
Another to benefit from Moyes' revamped tactical set-up, Lanzini is playing almost as Arnautovic's shadow, and has returned two goals and four assists in five. Significantly, he's owned by just 2% of FPL bosses.
Aaron Ramsey
Having returned from injury against Bournemouth, and with the Sanchez saga prospectively freeing up an attacking role, Ramsey could well find himself playing in an advanced position against Crystal Palace.
https://twitter.com/FplToon/status/952513322150187008
Theo Walcott
Everton's new boy may have to settle for a place on the bench against West Brom, but the former Arsenal forward will surely make an appearance. West Brom have conceded goals after the 90th minute in both of their last away games against West Ham and Stoke.
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