Dec 14

Game week 23 Captain Picks

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FPL Holly is back this week with her selection of captain picks for Gameweek 23. The options appear more limited this week, particularly given Arsenal face Chelsea and Harry Kane is flagged with an ankle injury. Gameweek 22 was a fruitful one for captaincy, particularly for those managers who went with Mohammed Salah: he delivered full bonus from a converted penalty for yet another double digit score. Hazard owners were slightly disappointed but grateful of an assist at least, but Kane and Aubameyang owners were frustrated. It's a quiet midweek for our Premier League sides, with just Newcastle and Southampton in action in their respective FA Cup replays. Following Gameweek 23, there's another Cup break in the schedule, with the second-leg of EFL Cup semi finals and the FA Cup 4th round to be played out. Rotation shouldn't be a factor in any captaincy decisions.

Shield Pick: Mohammed Salah vs Crystal Palace (H)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 4/6 With 5 double-digit returns in his last 7 games,. Mohammed Salah is quickly becoming a permanent captain for our FPL sides. Those managers who held off bringing in the Egyptian due to his stiff price tag were punished once more: he has 3 goals and 2 assists in his last 4 starts. A home game against Crystal Palace looks great on paper, he got 2 assists in the reverse fixture and Liverpool's home form is excellent. Crystal Palace have kept 2 clean sheets in their last 4 games but may struggle if keeper Guaita is kept out with a calf injury. As the highest owned player in the game, with the biggest points total, it's a no-brainer for those playing safe to give Salah the shield pick captaincy once more.

Sword Pick: Eden Hazard vs Arsenal (A)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 13/10 With Morata still linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, Hazard is back in his favoured playing positions of False 9 or on the left wing supporting Giroud. With Willian and Pedro also returning to fitness, Chelsea are getting back in their groove and Hazard becomes a worthy captaincy option once more. He has 2 goals and an assist in his last 4 games, and got an assist as a substitute in the reverse fixture. Arsenal are without a clean sheet in their last 6 games, shipping 5 to Liverpool recently. Penalty duties further boost Hazard's appeal. Will you take a risk on the sword pick?

Form Pick: Paul Pogba vs Brighton (H)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 6/5 Pogba continues to go from strength-to-strength under Solskjær, with 4 goals and 2 assists in his last 4 games. A home game against Brighton should yield even more returns for the Manchester United main man: they are scoring 3+ goals in home games with their new manager and Brighton have just one away clean sheet this season. He also scored in the reverse fixture earlier this season. Are you opting for the in form Pogba?

Fixture Pick: Raheem Sterling vs Huddersfield (A)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 10/11 After a disappointing festive period, Sterling is back following returns in his last few games and could be a wise contender in this fixture. Huddersfield sit rock bottom of the Premier League, and will be up against it when this attacking Manchester City side visit. This fixture ended 2-1 to City last season, with Sterling contributing a goal and an assist. Another City win looks like a formality: will you go with the fixture pick?

Reverse Pick: Sergio Aguero vs Huddersfield (A)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 4/5 When these two faced back in Gameweek 2, Manchester City won 6-1, with Aguero amassing 20 FPL points from 3 goals and an assist. The City striker is finally back to full fitness and looking to pick up from his excellent form at the start of the season. With Jesus featuring in the last few games, Aguero does carry a rotation risk. Are you showing faith in history repeating with the reverse pick?

Punt Pick: Dele Alli vs Fulham (A)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 21/10 With Kane potentially injured and Son away at the Asian Cup, our captain options are limited for Spurs enticing fixture against Fulham. Dele Alli could be the main beneficiary in the absence of others, potentially playing a more advanced role and being on penalties. Spurs won 3-1 when Fulham visited Wembley earlier this season and given Fulham's current poor form, another Spurs win should be a formality here. Will you take the punt?

Park the Bus Pick: Andrew Robertson vs Crystal Palace (H)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 12/1 Clean Sheet Odds: 3/4 With Crystal Palace scoring just 3 goals in their last 4 games, another Liverpool clean sheet looks favourable here. They've kept 13 clean sheets this season, including 7 at home, conceding just 3 goals at Anfield. Robertson has the ability to produce additional returns to further boost his FPL score: he has 5 assists and 19 bonus points this season, which is the most of any defender in the game. Are you brave enough to captain a defender?

Clueless Husband Pick: Victor Lindelof vs Brighton (H)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 18/1 Clean Sheet Odds: 7/10 What's Lynn doing in the loft? United's centre-back has certainly attracted the attention of my Clueless Husband, mainly because of his funny name... With back-to-back clean sheets and an opposition who don't score many goals, another clean sheet could be on the cards here. Lindelof managed to pick up two bonus points in United's 2-0 New Year win against Newcastle, which is promising too. Will you side with my Clueless Husband? Until Next Week… Good Luck! Holly and her Clueless Husband Follow fplbet for weekly fantasy features... [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_6" layout="1_6" spacing="" center_content="no" hover_type="none" link="" mer_position="all" padding="" dimension_margin="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no" element_content=""][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]