In this blog, the three best Captaincy options for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 23 are discussed. Picks are in the below format:

1. No.1 predicted by Fix 
2. Alternative high-ownership option. Over 20%
3. Differential option. Under 20%

Erling Haaland (bre)

Haaland made his return from injury off the bench against Burnley in Gameweek 22 and the Norwegian international still leads the Golden Boot race with 14 goals despite missing a significant number of matches. Only Watkins (59) and Solanke (62) have taken more shots in the box (SiB) than his 58 this season while no forward has been afforded more ‘big chances’ (BC) (27) or registered a higher ‘Expected Goals’ (xG) tally (15.24). Man. City have scored 51 goals this season (first) and are second for shots on target (SoT) (142) with only Liverpool (70) and Newcastle (77) creating more BC than their 65. Their hosts Brentford have conceded 36 goals this season (14th) and have kept just three clean sheets. The Bees are ranked sixth for shots conceded (280) and fourth for ‘Expected Goals Conceded’ (xGC) (30.33). Our Predicted Points tool currently projects a point score of 5.7 for Haaland.

Dominic Solanke (NFO)

Solanke scored his fifth goal in the last six Gameweeks against the Hammers with no forward more prolific over that period. Meanwhile, as the Opta Stats Sandbox image below shows only Jesus (20) and Darwin (19) have attempted more SiB than his 18 and the 26-year-old is fifth for xG (2.83). Bournemouth have found the back of the net 29 times this season (11th) and are 12th for SiB (187). Their visitors Forest have conceded 40 goals with only Burnley (45) and Sheff. Utd. (54) faring worse. The Nottingham side are ranked 10th for shots conceded (303) and sixth for xGC (33.89). Our Predicted Points tool currently projects a point score of 4.9 for Solanke.

Richarlison (eve)

Richarlison has been one of the league’s form players with five goals over the last six Gamweeks, no midfielder has scored more. Only Salah (12) has landed more SoT than his eight while he is top for BC (five) and second for xG (2.73). As the below image from our Predicted Lineups feature shows, he is rated at 100% to start in the centre-forward role for Spurs in Son's absence. Spurs have scored 47 goals this season (third) with only Man. City and Liverpool (51 each) more prolific. The North London side are ranked third for SiB (244) and sixth for BC (58). Their hosts Everton have conceded just 28 goals this season (fourth) and have kept eight clean sheets (first). However, the Toffees are ranked 11th for shots conceded (305) and seventh for xGC (34.22). Our Predicted Points tool currently projects a point score of 4.0 for Richarlison.