FPL: Lessons learnt from GW23

It was a high scoring gameweek this weekend in FPL with an overall average of 58 points. There were some fantastic ups and downs out there, with City’s unbeaten streak broken at Anfield and the game being one of the best of the season till now. In this article, we look at some important lessons learnt from gameweek 23 and how they can prove to be vital for the upcoming gameweek.

1. Hammers getting difficult to ignore.

Marko Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini rewarded their FPL managers as the Hammers humbled Huddersfield at the weekend. The Austrian international’s ownership grew over the double-gameweek but was followed by a drop in ownership due to his hamstring injury that made him miss the match against Spurs.

Arnautovic punished that decision and produced a goal, two assists and maximum bonus points, continuing his fantastic run in a central striker role. He now sits on 62 points from his last seven matches with red hot form making him very difficult to ignore at that price.

Manuel Lanzini is another to suffer net sales after the Double Gameweek surge but with his back-to-back returns and the Hammers’ favourable schedule, the Argentine can shine well as an FPL asset in the upcoming gameweeks.

The Hammers’ defence proved to be the only downside on the day, which conceded for the fourth match running after keeping clean sheets in their previous three games.

2. Spurs back in the groove

Harry Kane’s brace at the weekend certainly eased the pain of Double Gameweek 22’s non-event. The Englishman’s two goals applied a soothing balm to old fantasy wounds and the treatment proved to be more effective if used in conjunction with captaincy.

As many as 31.9% of all FPL managers enjoyed the 26 point haul as Spurs chewed up the Toffees 4-0. Kane now has 20 goals this season and averages 6.7 points per match, with only Mohamed Salah and Raheem Sterling doing better. Spurs have a punishable run of fixtures coming up but in a season, where big forwards have been inconsistent, Kane is our only current option.

All three of Spurs’ attacking midfielders delivered in Saturday’s victory, with Son Heung-Min being outstanding. He scored for the fifth succesive home match and opened the scoring as his impressive recent form continued apace. The South Korean overtook Dele Alli for the season with his incredible 13-point haul but the Englishman did provide his fifth assist of the season for Christian Eriksen’s late, beautiful goal.

Eriksen continues to display his fantastic form, but with Son’s 1.1 difference in price and fabulous outputs, he remains to be the standout option in Pochettino’s vibrant midfield.

3. Anfield on fire as City taste their first loss

Liverpool served up a seven goal-thriller at Anfield in their first match of the post-Phillipe Coutinho era and finally ended Manchester City’ unbeaten domestic run.

Mohamed Salah, the third top captain choice for the gameweek, produced a tenth double-figure haul of the season to move 32 points clear at the summit in FPL. His nearest midfield challenger Raheem Sterling was hauled off on 70 minutes with just a single point but Salah continued to produce those big points for his many managers. He now has a goal or an assist in 13 of his last 14 league appearances.

Roberto Firmino, on the other hand, has now played a part in two goals in four of his last five starts. The Brazilian is kindly priced at 9.1 and sits below Harry Kane in the FPL forwards standings with 117 points, 10 goals and 6 assists to his name.

Sadio Mane also benefitted from Coutinho’s departure and has two goals and an assist in the Reds’ last three outings. Alex Oxlade- Chamberlain made his presence felt in the Reds’ attack. He fired an early opener and also provided an assist to deliver a 12-point haul at Anfield. He now has four starts in the last six gameweeks and has produced returns on three occasions. If he kicks on from the weekend’s game and nails down his name in the gaffers’ teamsheet, the England international could offer an incredible route into Klopp’s firing attack.

Considering the fixtures of next week, I reckon it is going to be a high-scoring gameweek. Make wise transfers, avoid taking hits and I wish you all the very best for the gameweek 24. May you all have big, green arrows. Cheers!

Written by Nekzad Bajan.  (@NekzaDd)