FPL GW23

This was supposed to be smooth sailing

...and then Tavernier got injured, Watkins will get a partner in attack, and all of a sudden starting spots for Foden and even Haaland is up for debate!

I'll keep it brief as I still believe GW24 is the gameweek we should prioritize our transfers for to rearrange our teams. On top of that, we did not get a provisional double gameweek announcement for GW26 this week, but we expect to get that before the GW24 deadline (after the European group stages have finalized).

Let's go through the most essential ones:

• Tavernier can rest on your bench until he returns (or we have more information) if your team allows. If he is ready by GW27/28 you'll want him in again, and that's 2 FTs out the window for very little gain. Best moves are made GW24 anyway, and Anderson is the best direct replacement

• Speaking of Anderson, MGW missed another pen, Wood is still injured... Anderson may be on pens.

• Tammy Abraham joining Aston Villa turns Watkins into a player you cannot buy. Sadly, as he has looked good and fixtures from GW24 were good and a great fixture in blank GW31. This instead turns Thiago into the main man up front, if he wasn't already. You could even buy him this GW, otherwise he will probably be a must have by GW27.

• I think you just start Foden if you own him unless we get a leak that he is not starting. Have a plan ready in that case, which could be either benching or selling. He will likely be sold for Mbeumo next GW for me.

• Haaland is the same, but you don't sell him. Bench him if you get the news he doesn't start.

• Evanilson is now likely on pens (some Kroupi speculation, but I find it unlikely). May I address that Senesi took the 5th pen and is already a wonderful FPL asset. There is a small potential upside, but I'll admit that is definitely in the category of speculation as well.

• Palmer is still not a buy, he is so broken he can barely break any more. Unfortunately, I would love to have him in my team.

• I like Ndiaye, but the fixtures are a bit iffy. I'd probably prefer Harry Wilson with a great run of fixtures up until GW31.

Then lastly I'll revisit Arsenal assets where it becomes more and more clear that Saka is probably not going to see as many minutes as we hope for a 10m+ asset. He is a menace off the bench to be fair, but with a double gameweek coming up potentially, this has to be monitored closely.

Raya is obviously safe, and so is Saliba and Gabriel we would assume. Especially with the Wigan game in the FA Cup in between the games in a potential DGW, they will probably get rested there rather than in the PL. This makes me consider Timber to Gabriel at a later stage, as all of the defenders for Arsenal are now fully fit. I will continue to assess the situation.

Team selection

This week is simple. I have 3 FTs, and I will roll all of them.

Haaland will be my captain this week, no one comes close this time.

Good luck everyone!