There is a quick turnaround for Gameweek 19 because we go again on Sunday with another Fantasy Premier League deadline.
As expected during this busy festive period, there were some surprise benchings and withdrawals from the usual starting XIs in Gameweek 18. And we might well see more rotation coming up — which is why it is important to be even more vigilant at this time of year.
Here we’ll preview Gameweek 19 and give you all the important information you need for the upcoming gameweek.
Eddie Howe’s team have won their last three games and scored 16 in the previous five. Alexander Isak (£9.1m) has bagged seven goals and two assists in the past five and is the second-highest-scoring forward in the game, surpassing Erling Haaland (£14.8m).
Newcastle play Manchester United away next but I would not let that put you off getting the Swede into your team. He is nailed to start, on penalties and is one of the best forwards in the league. After their visit to Old Trafford this weekend. Newcastle then play Spurs (A), Wolves (H), Bournemouth (H), Southampton (A) and Fulham (H).
Anthony Gordon (£7.3m) and Lewis Hall (£4.7m) are great buys too. Gordon has a goal and two assists in the past three, and Hall is great value at his price. He has been one of the most attacking defenders in the league and will pick up assists. He already has three.
How to deal with Man City’s issues?
We have to talk about Manchester City… again. Their drop-off this season has been quite astonishing — and more so Haaland’s.
In their past nine games, they have lost seven and have only one win. The Norwegian has two goals in that time and even had a penalty saved against Everton.
However, if you still have him, I think it isn’t a bad idea to keep him for the next two at least. Manchester City play Leicester City (A) and West Ham (H) next and he will be a huge differential now.
Paying £14.8m for his returns is nowhere near worth it but if you can hold off for another few weeks, it might pay off. He is the only City player there is value in holding. If you own any of their other assets, especially the defence, I would look to offload as soon as you can.
Everton’s Jordan Pickford saves Haaland penalty on Boxing Day (Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images)
Players to watch
Jhon Duran (£5.9m) was sent off for violent conduct against Newcastle, which means he will miss the next three games after Aston Villa’s appeal failed.
Ollie Watkins (£8.8m) has started on the bench in the past four games but should be back on the pitch in Duran’s absence. He could be a great differential if you are looking for a forward. Villa play Brighton (H), Leicester (H) and Everton (A) next.
I would also be looking at Crystal Palace players. Gameweek 19 is a great entry point for them because they host Southampton and they have solid fixtures for a while. They also play Leicester (A), West Ham (A), Brentford (H), Everton (H), Villa (H) and Ipswich (H) over the next 10.
Watkins could be a good differential (Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)
Daniel Munoz (£4.7m), Ismaila Sarr (£5.8m) and Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.2m) are all great options to invest in this gameweek. It’s worth noting Eberechi Eze (£6.6m) played 87 minutes but I would want to see at least one more game from him before I look to buy.
Despite Spurs’ poor form, I think Dominic Solanke (£7.5m) is a worthwhile buy this gameweek if you are looking for a forward.
He has six goals and five assists and although he hasn’t been explosive, he has been ticking along. The former Bournemouth forward is a nailed-on 90-minute player, which is exactly what we need at this time of the season.
Spurs play Wolves (H), Newcastle (H), Everton (A), Leicester (H), Brentford (A) and Ipswich (A) over the next eight. He is a reliable option who should score well over this run.
Beware of suspensions
There were quite a few players who received their fifth booking of season over the Boxing Day round of games, which means they will miss their next match. Justin Kluivert (£5.5m), Marc Guehi (£4.5m), Matty Cash (£4.4m), Dominik Szoboszlai (£6.3m) and Antonee Robinson (£4.9m) were the notable players who will have the weekend off.
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Some notable players who are on four yellow cards and will miss their next game if they get booked are: Nicolas Jackson (£8.3m), Robert Sanchez (£4.8m), Jurrien Timber (£5.7m), Lewis Dunk (£4.4m), Jan Paul van Hecke (£4.5m), Morgan Rogers (£5.4m), Gabriel Jesus (£6.8m), Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.8m), James Maddison (£7.7m) and Morgan Gibbs-White (£6.3m).
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You might want to consider this if you are planning on transferring any of them in. Also, if you still own Matheus Cunha (£7.1m) then you are best holding on to him for another gameweek. It’s likely he will serve a ban soon but it seems unlikely it will be before the Spurs game.
If you own Bruno Fernandes (£8.4m) and have adequate bench cover for him this week, I don’t think he is worth a transfer out. Manchester United have been poor but he is still churning out points, and from Gameweek 21 they have some good fixtures coming up. United play Southampton (H), Brighton (H), Fulham (A), Palace (H) and Spurs (A) – after they face Liverpool at Anfield on January 5.
(Top photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
