FPL Gameweek 23 Preview: A “Play It Safe” Captaincy Week and Planning Ahead for Arsenal’s Double

Gameweek 23 is shaping up to be a fairly simple week on the surface, but with some important medium-term decisions starting to appear underneath. Captaincy is clear, most teams can afford to be patient with transfers, and the main edge comes from planning ahead rather than chasing points.

There are also a few developing storylines that matter a lot over the next month. Arsenal assets are moving into focus, Chelsea’s fixtures improve soon, Newcastle’s run turns, and Double Gameweek 26 is looking increasingly likely. GW23 itself may not feel dramatic, but it is a useful week for setting up what comes next.

Captaincy: Haaland Is the Only Real Option

Captaincy this weekend is as clear as it gets. Erling Haaland (£15.1m) at home to Wolves is the standout and there is nobody remotely close.

Wolves are bottom of the league and this is one of the best fixtures you can get for a premium attacker. Even though Haaland’s recent form has been disappointing and he has blanked in recent matches, we know his ability and we know the ceiling he carries in games like this.

This is also not a week where there is a serious differential captaincy option. Most managers will captain Haaland, and the alternatives simply do not justify the risk. It is a week for playing it safe and letting the fixture do the work.

Transfers: Bruno Fernandes the Top Buy, But Timing Matters

If you are looking to make a move this week, the top option in the data is Bruno Fernandes (£9.2m).

Fernandes remains one of the most complete FPL assets in the game when he is fit and playing in a strong role. He is nailed, he has penalties and set pieces, he collects defensive contribution points, and he is a genuine talisman. When the team is functioning even reasonably well, those factors add up to consistent returns over time.

However, there is a timing issue to be aware of. United face Arsenal away, which is one of the toughest fixtures you can have. If the move to Fernandes requires selling Phil Foden (£8.6m), it is probably better to wait a week. Foden has Wolves at home this week, which is exactly the kind of fixture you want to hold him for. In other words, Fernandes is the best buy in general, but not necessarily the best buy for every team this week.

Arsenal Assets: The Best Set-Up for Double Gameweek 26

The Algorithm is increasingly looking at investing into Arsenal assets, and for good reason. Arsenal’s defensive and attacking options are among the best in the league, and they also have a likely double in Gameweek 26.

The top Arsenal options being considered are Raya (£5.9m), Gabriel (£6.9m), J.Timber (£6.3m) and Saka (£10.1m).

Tripling up on Arsenal is advised. It is not just about their current quality, it is about the combination of underlying strength and the potential upside of a double gameweek that could be coming very soon.

At the moment, Double Gameweek 26 looks like a distinct likelihood. Arsenal could potentially have Brentford (A) and Wolves (A), while Wolves would have Nottingham Forest (A) and Arsenal (H). This would likely happen if Arsenal beat Chelsea in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final and progress to the final, which takes place in GW31. If that happens, Arsenal’s GW31 fixture against Wolves would be rearranged, and GW26 is the most likely landing spot.

That is why Arsenal planning starts now. It is easier to build towards this with free transfers than trying to force it with hits later.

Enzo Fernandez: A Cheap Enabler With a Strong Fixture Run

Another player The Algorithm continues to like is Enzo Fernandez (£6.6m).

Chelsea’s fixtures from GW24 to GW27 are very attractive, with West Ham, Wolves, Leeds and Burnley in that period. Enzo is a useful budget option because he allows you to invest elsewhere while still offering some attacking threat. He has been getting into good positions, and the combination of price and fixtures makes him an appealing enabler for teams that need to free up funds.

This is also a situation where the next one or two gameweeks matter. Chelsea’s shape and roles could still shift, so The Algorithm will continue to update as more information becomes available.

Trap Watch: Patrick Dorgu

One player the algorithm is actively negative on this week is Patrick Dorgu (£4.3m).

The price is appealing, which is why he is gaining attention, but the issue is minutes. With Amad (£6.2m) and Mbeumo (£8.1m) now both back from AFCON, competition increases immediately. Dorgu’s minutes are far from secure, and even when he plays in defence, where he becomes a much less attractive FPL option, he is still not a lock for starts.

Budget picks are only useful if they actually play. If you are buying uncertainty, you are often buying future problems.

Fixture Runs: Bournemouth, Palace, Brighton Still Strong

From a fixtures perspective, Bournemouth, Palace and Brighton remain among the best teams to target.

Last week, the top recommendation was Marcus Tavernier (£5.5m). Unfortunately he picked up an injury in his match, but he still returned 8 points for owners. He had the ideal combination of price, fixtures and routes to points, which is why he rated so well in the first place.

If Tavernier is out, many managers will naturally be looking for a similar replacement in that same price bracket. That is a sensible approach, but it is worth making sure the replacement has the same combination of minutes security and routes to points, not just the same price.

Everton’s fixture run is also attractive, and Iliman Ndiaye (£6.2m) is being considered by The Algorithm for some teams. He is not a universal buy, but he is on the radar as a potential value option depending on structure.

On the other side of the coin, Newcastle’s fixture run is now turning bad. The Algorithm recommends moving on their assets if you have any. It does not mean they cannot return in individual weeks, but the probability of consistent points drops when the run becomes difficult, and there are better places to invest right now.

Squad Limit Reminder: Man City Transfers

One important piece of admin this week is the club limit.

With Marc Guehi completing a move to Manchester City, following Antoine Semenyo’s move earlier, some teams may now find themselves over the three-player limit for City.

If you have more than three Manchester City players in your team, your next transfer has to remove one of them. The game will not allow you to make any other transfers until you are back within the limit.

It is an easy thing to miss, but it can completely block your plans if you do not deal with it quickly.

Salah Returns From AFCON

All players are now back from AFCON, including Salah. That does not automatically mean immediate returns, but it does mean the landscape shifts again. Minutes, roles and match sharpness will matter over the next few weeks, and we will be watching closely to see how quickly Salah settles back into full output.

Want Personalised Recommendations From The Algorithm?

Gameweek 23 is a week where the right move depends heavily on your team structure. Some teams should roll. Some should plan for Arsenal. Others need to fix club limits or replace injuries.

The Algorithm runs your exact squad and sends personalised recommendations for transfers, captaincy, and bench order before the deadline.

If you want GW23 decisions made clearly and quickly, you can sign up here:

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