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FPL Captain Picks GW23 · 2025/26

GW23 Captain Picksthe one to trust

January 21, 2026By FPLai

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The pick · Safety

Thiago

36.5%Ownership

5.5PPG

2FDR

"The quintessential safe choice for reliable returns."

vs NFO (H)Mins HighForm: 7.6

The case

Welcome to our elite FPL captaincy briefing for Gameweek 23. This week demands sharp analysis as managers navigate a diverse fixture list with potential for both safe hauls and explosive differential returns. Our rigorous data-driven approach aims to arm you with the insights needed to make the optimal captaincy decision and climb those mini-league ranks.

Gameweek 23 presents a mixed bag of fixtures, with several teams enjoying favourable home matchups against lower-half opposition. This mid-season period often sees rotation considerations intensifying, particularly for teams still involved in multiple cup competitions or battling European qualification. Identifying players with both fixture advantage and guaranteed minutes is paramount to navigating potential pitfalls.

Thiago stands out as the standout safe captaincy option for Gameweek 23. His excellent form is matched by a prime home fixture against a Nottingham Forest side consistently leaky away from home. As Brentford's primary forward, he's central to their attacking output, ensuring a high likelihood of involvement in any goal-scoring opportunities. This matchup provides an ideal environment for him to deliver a significant FPL haul.

Nottingham Forest's defensive shape often gets stretched by direct forward runs, leaving gaps between their centre-backs and full-backs. Thiago's ability to time his runs and link up with wide players makes him an ideal candidate to capitalize on these spaces.

Compare the three

Role	Player	Fixture	Own%	Risk	Ceiling	Best for
Top	Thiago	NFO (H)	36.5%	Low	High	Safety
Alternative	Bruno G.	AVL (H)	23.7%	Medium	Medium	Balanced
Differential	Cherki	WOL (H)	14.0%	High	High	Rank chasers

Bruno G.: Bruno G.

Cherki: For those looking to climb the ranks, Cherki represents a high-upside differential pick.

The fork

Play it safe

Thiago

If you're protecting rank or seeking reliable points, Thiago (BRE) against Nottingham Forest is your strongest candidate, offering a high floor with significant upside.

Chase rank

Cherki

If you're chasing rank and need a bold move, Cherki (MCI) provides the explosive potential from Manchester City's attack against Wolves, despite the inherent rotation risk.

Avoid

Gabriel ARSWhile Gabriel boasts an impressive PPG, captaining a defender, even a high-scoring one, against a competitive attacking side like Man Utd carries a higher risk profile for attacking returns compared to dedicated forwards or midfielders. His upside is capped by clean sheet dependency.

Wirtz LIVWirtz has shown flashes of quality, but an away fixture against Bournemouth (difficulty 4) is not ideal for a captaincy punt, especially when stronger home fixtures are available for other candidates. Liverpool's attacking returns can be less consistent on the road against mid-table teams.

Collins BREAlthough Collins shares the excellent Brentford home fixture against Nottingham Forest, his primary route to points is through clean sheets and occasional attacking contributions. As a defender, his ceiling is inherently lower than an attacking teammate from the same fixture.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the best FPL captain for Gameweek 23?

Thiago is our top recommended captain for GW23. If you're protecting rank or seeking reliable points, Thiago (BRE) against Nottingham Forest is your strongest candidate, offering a high floor with significant upside.

Should I captain Thiago in GW23?

Yes, Thiago is the safest captain option for Gameweek 23. If you're protecting rank or seeking reliable points, Thiago (BRE) against Nottingham Forest is your strongest candidate, offering a high floor with significant upside.

Who is a good differential captain for Gameweek 23?

Cherki is a strong differential option for GW23. If you're chasing rank and need a bold move, Cherki (MCI) provides the explosive potential from Manchester City's attack against Wolves, despite the inherent rotation risk.

What is the best captain pick for FPL GW23?

Our AI analysis recommends Thiago as the top captain pick for Gameweek 23. For those chasing rank, Cherki offers differential upside.

Who are the avoided captain options for GW23?

Players to avoid captaining in Gameweek 23 include Gabriel, Wirtz, Collins due to difficult fixtures or poor form.

What fixtures should I target for captaincy in GW23?

The best fixtures for captaincy in Gameweek 23 include: Thiago (vs NFO (H)), Bruno G. (vs AVL (H)), Cherki (vs WOL (H)). Home fixtures against weaker opposition generally offer the highest ceiling.