This article is part of our Fantrax Waiver Wire series.
Last week's move was to get all of the Liverpool studs into your squad for the upcoming double gameweek. Unfortunately, a likely double substitution had to be made because most owners at the Premier League's official fantasy game had to switch Harry Kane for either Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah. However, after a Sergio Aguero hat-trick, some will be intrigued by the Argentinian striker following his return from injury.
FPL DIFFERENTIALS
While none of the top players in question are considered differentials, moves have to be made with Kane out until April and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a three-match ban. Aguero is deservedly getting love, but I'm intrigued by Gabriel Jesus after he played the full 90 in the last two league matches. Instead of swapping the forwards, Pep Guardiola decided to play them both, a move that resulted in six goals at Aston Villa. It may not be a set strategy, but it's something to consider if you don't want to follow everyone else and grab Aguero after a huge performance (Jesus had a goal and assist in same match). Roberto Firmino doesn't make the score-sheet as consistently, but he's the differential play if you don't already have Mane or Salah. Otherwise, the forward options are mostly unpleasant. Troy Deeney and Gerard Deulofeu are worth a look for cheap, as Watford are playing well and have a manageable upcoming few matches. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Callum Wilson also have some of the better upcoming fixtures, and I'd surprisingly go with
Last week's move was to get all of the Liverpool studs into your squad for the upcoming double gameweek. Unfortunately, a likely double substitution had to be made because most owners at the Premier League's official fantasy game had to switch Harry Kane for either Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah. However, after a Sergio Aguero hat-trick, some will be intrigued by the Argentinian striker following his return from injury.
FPL DIFFERENTIALS
While none of the top players in question are considered differentials, moves have to be made with Kane out until April and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a three-match ban. Aguero is deservedly getting love, but I'm intrigued by Gabriel Jesus after he played the full 90 in the last two league matches. Instead of swapping the forwards, Pep Guardiola decided to play them both, a move that resulted in six goals at Aston Villa. It may not be a set strategy, but it's something to consider if you don't want to follow everyone else and grab Aguero after a huge performance (Jesus had a goal and assist in same match). Roberto Firmino doesn't make the score-sheet as consistently, but he's the differential play if you don't already have Mane or Salah. Otherwise, the forward options are mostly unpleasant. Troy Deeney and Gerard Deulofeu are worth a look for cheap, as Watford are playing well and have a manageable upcoming few matches. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Callum Wilson also have some of the better upcoming fixtures, and I'd surprisingly go with the former because the Cherries are having issues across the pitch.
Kevin De Bruyne is on more than half of FPL teams and that's not going to change. The popular move this week is likely to get rid of Raheem Sterling, who hasn't started the last two league matches, in order to add Mane or Salah. If you want to mix things up, I have a feeling Son Heung-Min is about to go on a run, as he gets some freedom without Kane. Dele Alli and Lucas Moura are cheaper and also in the equation, but I think Son turns into the leader of the attack. If you don't like Spurs without Kane, Riyad Mahrez and Willian may not be much different in terms of production. Mahrez has started City's last three matches and should be a popular piece for those looking to make a move. Nicolas Pepe is the true differential while Aubameyang is suspended, but in the same mold as forward, Watford's Ismaila Sarr is oddly under owned despite making the score-sheet in three of the last four.
Liverpool defenders remain the cream of the crop with the upcoming double gameweek, but you can find other valuable options at Brighton and Everton, both of whom I think are easier to trust than West Ham. While the Hammers have a double gameweek, they've struggled to secure clean sheets when Lukasz Fabianski is hurt, and he's out for the next couple weeks. In the next four gameweeks, Brighton face Aston Villa and Watford at home, and travel to Bournemouth and West Ham, while Everton host Newcastle and Crystal Palace, and go to West Ham and Watford. The Toffees are a bit easier to trust with Djibril Sidibe the most desirable target, but you can save some money on Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster.
FANTRAX FINDS
In the midst of the January transfer window, there are a few speculation plays to make, with Christian Benteke at the top of the list because he could turn into a regular at Aston Villa. That may not happen, but it's worth the risk if you need a forward. The same goes for Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, though you have to guess who is going to start for the suspended Aubameyang. My prediction is Martinelli, who came off the bench (for Mesut Ozil) and played 20 minutes last match after Aubameyang was sent off. Jay Rodriguez and Danny Welbeck are also possibilities, albeit major stretches. Rodriguez could start a match or two while Ashley Barnes deals with a groin injury, and Welbeck is close to returning from his issue.
Juan Mata is back on the radar after his recent performance, but I doubt he remains a starter and even if he does, he's not going to play Norwich every match. I'd rather test my luck with a defensive midfielder like Jefferson Lerma, Harry Winks or Hamza Choudhury and hope he provides a nice floor. Mario Vrancic has started the last three, and while he hasn't done much, a home match against Bournemouth could change that. There are a slew of Aston Villa choices, but that's a last-minute move to make because their starting XI is undoubtedly going to look different after getting run off the field by Man City.
The best defensive matchups for Gameweek 23 are Brighton (v. Aston Villa) and Norwich (v. Bournemouth), though I'd rather trust the Seagulls because they have a better upcoming schedule. Bernardo is a possibility if he starts again, while Adam Webster and Martin Montoya are on around 30 percent of teams in Fantrax leagues. There are others to consider like Andreas Christensen and Ahmed Elmohamady, who both returned to the starting XI last weekend. Gary Cahill would lead the list after returning from injury, but he's at Man City this weekend. Grant Hanley is available in almost every league and should be considered if your other defenders are in bad situations (he's home against Bournemouth).
CAPTAIN DEEP DIVES
A lot of armbands will be focused toward Liverpool and Man City over the next couple weeks, and that's not a bad thing. Kevin De Bruyne and Aguero could be the most popular choices home against Palace in Gameweek 23, while Liverpool have the double gameweek following that. My favorite off-the-radar captain plays for GW23 are Emiliano Buendia and Danny Ings. Norwich get the flailing Bournemouth and you know Buendia is going to create chances, while Ings is scoring against everyone and that won't change against Wolverhampton.
There are no reasons not to captain someone from Liverpool for Gameweek 24, and that includes defenders given their run of clean sheets. If you want to stand out from the crowd, Son is home against Norwich, and it's the same for Marcus Rashford against Burnley. They don't have two matches, but it'd be disappointing if neither made the score-sheet in those games.
