Last refreshed
GAMEWEEK 23 2025/26

FPL GW23 Review: What Actually Mattered (2025/26)

Gameweek 23 for the 2025/26 season proved brutal for many, with a low average score of 44. Captaincy was a tale of two cities; heavily-backed options delivered minimal returns, while a less owned alternative rewarded its backers handsomely. This challenging week offered stark reminders about ownership concentrations and the potential rewards of overlooked assets, setting the stage for crucial lessons ahead of GW24.

By FPLai • January 27, 2026
44
Average
59
Green Arrow
74
Elite

Captaincy

Haaland
72.9% owned
Base
1
Captain
2↓
Semenyo
48% owned
Base
8
Captain
16↓
Thiago
37.6% owned
Base
2
Captain
4↓
Guéhi
37.5% owned
Base
6
Captain
12↓
Gabriel
37.2% owned
Base
1
Captain
2↓

Top Performers

Estêvão
CHE · 2.3% owned
13
pts
Szoboszlai
LIV · 5.7% owned
13
pts
João Pedro
CHE · 29.6% owned
12
pts
Bowen
WHU · 8.3% owned
12
pts

Disappointments

Haaland
MCI · 72.9% owned
1
pts
Gabriel
ARS · 37.2% owned
1
pts
Raya
ARS · 33.3% owned
1
pts

Takeaways

01

Diversify Captaincy Risk

With overwhelming ownership on a single captain, a blank can be devastating for overall rank. Spreading risk or identifying high-upside alternatives, even within the same team, can pay dividends when the favourite fails.

→ Actionable for GW24
02

Unearth Low-Owned Gems

Players like Estêvão (2.3% owned) and Buendía (0.4% owned) topped the charts, rewarding managers who looked beyond highly owned assets for form and strong fixtures, indicating the power of differentials.

→ Actionable for GW24
03

Clean Sheets Are Not Guaranteed

Arsenal's popular defensive assets (Gabriel, Raya) blanked due to conceding three goals at home. Relying solely on fixture strength for defensive returns carries inherent risk; form and opposition strength are critical factors.

→ Actionable for GW24

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the average FPL score in Gameweek 23?
The average FPL score in Gameweek 23 was 44 points. A score of 59+ was needed for a green arrow, while 74+ was considered an elite score.
Who were the highest scoring FPL players in Gameweek 23?
The top FPL performers in Gameweek 23 were: Estêvão (13 pts), Szoboszlai (13 pts), João Pedro (12 pts), Bowen (12 pts).
Did the top FPL captain picks deliver in Gameweek 23?
Haaland disappointed as captain in GW23 with 2 captain points (1 base points).
Which FPL players disappointed in Gameweek 23?
The biggest FPL disappointments in Gameweek 23 were: Haaland (1 pts), Gabriel (1 pts), Raya (1 pts).

Ready for next week?

Utilise robust analysis tools to dissect these outcomes and refine your strategy for future gameweeks.

Start Free Analysis