The theme of this week's Fantasy Challenge is "Transfer Window Special". In this Gameweek, managers earn double points for players signed in the January transfer window, with an unlimited budget to spend on their 5-a-side team. When deciding which players to invest in, it is important to look at how they rank in the key stats, as well as the fixtures.
Here, FPL expert Louis Roberts (@FPLReactions), who has a current global rank of 862nd, reveals how he’s tackling Gameweek 23.
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While the pool of new signings to choose from is limited at the moment, there are a couple I'll be looking out for, and if they're named in the starting line-up, could be good options to bring into your team.
One of them is Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky (£4.5m). Spurs are in a difficult run of form, but the way they play means that Kinksy could rack up save points. I wouldn't completely rule out a clean sheet either, as their opposition Leicester City rank among the four worst sides for total goals scored, with 23.
I'll also be listening carefully to Unai Emery's press conference ahead of Gameweek 23. New Aston Villa midfielder Donyell Malen (£5.5m) is yet to feature for Villa, but made the squad in Gameweek 22 against Arsenal. Villa host West Ham United in Gameweek 23 and based on their opposition's defensive form recently, if starting, Malen could be an interesting option. With the Challenge deadlines at kick-off in the matches, Malen could be a great pick if we see him starting the match.
Goalkeepers
Currently, I have Alisson (£5.5m) between the sticks. Liverpool have produced the joint-most clean sheets so far this season, with nine, which shows how good they have been defensively. The fact they also host Ipswich Towns adds a huge amount of appeal, especially when considering that the Tractor Boys have scored the third-lowest amount of goals this season (20).
As mentioned I am also tempted by Kinsky and his potential for save points. Deciding between the two goalkeepers could go down to the wire.
There are plenty of other viable picks this week, one of them is Martin Dubravka (£4.3m), who is likely to continue in goal if Nick Pope (£4.9m) doesn't return from injury. Newcastle United travel to bottom club Southampton this week, so there is a chance Dubravka continues his fine form. Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m) is another player I wouldn't rule out. Brighton & Hove Albion take on Everton, who although under new management, have also failed to scored in four of their six previous matches.
Defence
Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) could be a great route to clean sheet points this week. He also holds plenty of attacking threat. A goal and an assist in his four previous league matches is a prime example of that.
If I decide to play two at the back, or Alexander-Arnold isn't named in the starting XI, then there are good alternatives to switch to.
Among them is Newcastle's flying full-back Lewis Hall (£5.1m). Hall goes into his away meeting with Southampton having registered four assists in his last seven matches. And with five clean sheets in that seven-match period, the Newcastle left-back has multiple routes to points in any given game.
You can never discount Arsenal centre-back Gabriel (£6.4m) either. The Gunners have failed to convert their excellent underlying defensive data into clean sheets recently, but a fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers could see that change. We also have to take into account Gabriel's goal threat - the Brazilian has already racked up six goals in all competitions this season.
Other alternatives include Brighton full-back Pervis Estupinan (£5.0m), Spurs' Pedro Porro (£5.4m), and finally Fulham's Antonee Robinson (£5.1m), who has mustered up a huge nine assists already this campaign.
Midfielders
The unlimited budget this week makes it very difficult to exclude Mohamed Salah (£13.7m). Only Southampton have conceded more big chances than Ipswich's 81 this season which makes Salah very appealing. The Egyptian may have blanked in his last two matches, but this is a perfect opportunity for him to bounce back, and that's why he will also be my captain this week.
Another option who felt like a good option for for me this week is Anthony Gordon (£7.7m). Prior to Newcastle's loss against AFC Bournemouth, Gordon produced at least one goal contribution in all six of his previous matches. Southampton have shipped at least three goals in their last three outings and that defensive instability is something Gordon can take advantage of this week.
One player who I wouldn't usually consider is Arsenal's Leandro Trossard (£6.8m). However, Arsenal will be desperate to get back to winning ways, and put a little more pressure on league leaders Liverpool.
That could be very likely too, considering they come up against Wolves, who have shipped more goals this season than any other team, with 51. Trossard is just one of several routes into the Arsenal frontline, and he goes into the round having scored in back-to-back Premier League matches.
Several other options should catch managers' eye this week. As well as monitoring the line-ups for new Villa signing Malen as mentioned above, managers may also look to Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo (£7.8m) for his match against Crystal Palace, Chelsea's Cole Palmer (£11.4m) as he faces former club Manchester City and Spurs' Son Heung-min (£9.8m) versus Leicester.
Forwards
Most like me will be drawn to Alexander Isak (£9.5m). Newcastle have been in excellent form recently, and a lot of that is due to their relentless frontline. Contributing to a large proportion of their goals in the last six matches is Isak, who has scored eight times. With Saints up next, Isak arguably couldn't ask for a better away fixture to extend his scintillating run.
One player who could be of consideration this week, ahead of his Double Gameweek 24, is Cody Gakpo (£7.5m). The Dutchman has started Liverpool's last five league matches and seems to be becoming an integral piece in their attack. Gakpo plays at Anfield this week, which is significant due to his home form in general - having returned in his last four consecutive home matches.
Nottingham Forest have won all but one of their last eight matches. Helping them achieve that feat was Chris Wood (£7.1m), he heads into his match against Bournemouth having amassed an impressive 14 goals this campaign.