Choosing the correct captain has never been more crucial in Fantasy Premier League, with the most selected skipper blanking during a disappointing gameweek 22 for Mohamed Salah and Liverpool.

There was better news for Bruno Fernandes owners after his 17-point haul in Manchester United’s record-equalling 9-0 win over Southampton, whilst there were surprising hauls from players such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Steven Alzate and a rejuvenated Jesse Lingard.

Gameweek 23 once more offers a huge weekend of action with champions Liverpool hosting league leaders Manchester City on Sunday, a fixture which could go a long way to shaping the destination of the title.

As always we’re on hand to offer our humble advice ahead of the deadline on who are the best candidates to stick the armband on this weekend.

Fantasy Premier League: The best captains for gameweek 23:

Bruno Fernandes v Everton (H)

Bruno Fernandes regained his status as the highest-scoring player in FPL last time out, securing his joint-best haul of the season with 17 points as Manchester United thrashed nine-man Southampton at Old Trafford.

The Portugal international earned three bonus points after scoring once and providing two assists, matching the 17 points he accumulated in victories against both Everton and Leeds earlier this season.

Fernandes faces Everton once more this weekend and has impressed in previous meetings with the Merseyside outfit, scoring two goals and providing two assists in his two league fixtures against the Toffees.

SCOUT: Bruno Fernandes (£11.4m) got his ninth double-digit haul of the season and his 15th in 35 #PL matches

He boasts 279 points in that time. The most scored in a season (38 matches) is Mohamed Salah's 303 in 2017/18#MUNSOU #FPL pic.twitter.com/ftgyCABfG9

— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) February 2, 2021

Everton will arrive in confident mood after beating Leeds in midweek but only two sides – West Brom and Sheffield United – have kept less clean sheets than Carlo Ancelotti’s side this season and this weekend’s clash could prove an entertaining contest.

Expect Fernandes to feature prominently for the home side, the 26-year-old having now provided 21 goals involvements in just 22 league fixtures this season.

Fantasy Premier League: Five must-have FPL players to own in February

Patrick Bamford v Crystal Palace (H)

Patrick Bamford has been one of the success stories of the season and is currently the highest-owned player in the game, his 48% ownership having been rewarded with 20 points across the past two gameweeks.

Bamford scored once and provided two assists in the impressive win at Leicester in gameweek 21, before providing another assist as Leeds were beaten by Everton in midweek.

This weekend’s game provides the 27-year-old with another chance to add to his haul, Leeds hosting a Crystal Palace side without injured talisman Wilfried Zaha after he sustained a hamstring injury at Newcastle.

Bamford leads the league for shots and for non-penalty expected goals this season, the cavalier nature of the Leeds attack ensuring that there are always plenty of opportunities provided for the club’s 11-goal leading scorer.

FPL Podcast: The must-have players to transfer in this month

Son Heung-Min v West Brom (H)

The classic roll of the dice between form and fixture, with Tottenham’s three-game losing run making the choice of Son Heung-Min as captain less straightforward that it first appeared just a week ago.

Son has been in sensational form for much of the season but has struggled as Spurs have suffered successive defeats to Liverpool, Brighton and Chelsea, with the absence of the injured Harry Kane greatly reducing the north London side’s firepower.

Jose Mourinho, however, could hardly wish for a better fixture to get his side back on track this weekend as Spurs welcome a West Brom side with just one win from their past nine fixtures to the capital.

The appointment of Sam Allardyce is yet to have brought an upturn in results and the Baggies were beaten by bottom side Sheffield United last time out, whilst they have conceded 2+ goals in eight of their past nine including 4+ to Arsenal, Leeds and Manchester City.

Spurs undoubtedly look out-of-sorts but should have the quality to get past West Brom this weekend with Son their most likely avenue to FPL points.

Friday Quiz: How well do you remember the week’s biggest football stories?

Michail Antonio v Fulham (A)

West Ham’s superb season continues to go from strength to strength with a 3-1 win at fellow surprise package Aston Villa in midweek, winter window signing Jesse Lingard marking his debut with two goals.

David Moyes’ side are just two points outside the Champions League places and have won five of their six league fixtures since the turn of the New Year, ahead of a trip to struggling London rivals Fulham in gameweek 23.

Fulham have failed to turn spirited performances into results and have not won since November 30, a run of 11 games which leaves the west Londoners eight points from safety.

Just four of those games have ended in defeat, but West Ham will be confident of inflicting a fifth with the Hammers having been boosted by the return to form and fitness of Michail Antonio in recent weeks.

Antonio has netted two goals and provided three assists over the past five gameweeks and his all-action style at centre-forward holds the key to West Ham’s hopes of success at Craven Cottage.

Read: How to master FPL: 15 tips to help you dominate Fantasy Premier League