Smoggies ‘hitman’ gets the chop ahead of Gameweek 23

As speculation mounts regarding the future of Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka, it is hard for Fantasy Premier League managers not to notice that the Teesiders remain the lowest scoring side in the division.

The Smoggies have found the net just 18 times, so we have decided to transfer out striker Álvaro Negredo ahead of the GW23 fixtures. He will be replaced by Everton’s Romelu Lukaka and we are banking on the big man making the most of a favourable run of fixtures for the Merseyside club.

Selecting who would wear the  Gameweek 23 armband was a straightforward decision, with Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimović the standout pick based on our latest ‘Captometer’ ratings.

We have opted for our favoured 3-4-3 formation and have selected a goalkeeper/defenders combination that includes the players with the lowest goal concession expectancies.

Lack of playing minutes remains a concern

You may have noticed Alexis Sánchez reacting angrily when he was substituted recently and  it was a feeling that is commonly echoed by Fantasy Premier League  managers on a weekly basis. Playing time remains a priceless commodity and it will be taking on added significance, once those pivotal double game weeks are announced.

Kevin Mirallas, Eden Hazard and Junior Stanislas are all susceptible to the ‘hook’, so that is something that we may need to address in the coming weeks.

Will Zlatan and company deliver the goods in GW23?