RADIO
Welcome to Gameweek 19, RotoBallers! This is our third year covering FPL, and we are bringing you more coverage than ever. We publish two weekly articles: a staff roundtable preview and our weekly rankings. Then, once a month, we have our newest report, The Watchlist, a review of the previous month and a look ahead to the upcoming fixtures.
18 gameweeks down, 20 to go. Another quick turnaround falls into our laps with the festive fixtures well and truly underway. We will likely not receive fitness updates from managers due to the early deadline, so hopefully, you have a strong bench ready to go for Gameweek 19. The most significant situation to monitor is Erling Haaland's fitness. He didn't participate in the Club World Cup but was pictured in training while Man City was in Saudi Arabia.
The Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 19 deadline is 6:00 AM ET on Tuesday, December 26, when Newcastle meets Nottingham Forest. Also, look out for the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every English Premier League, Major League Soccer, and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS and betting perspective.
Fantasy Premier League Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 19 Preview
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the mind of our FPL staff. Our top soccer writers will answer questions each gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So, without further ado, let’s kick off Gameweek 19!
Who is keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 19?
- Euan Leith: Aston Villa missed their chance to go top of the league with a lapse in concentration versus Sheffield United. That won't happen in Gameweek 19 at Old Trafford. Unai Emery will have his squad drilled and ready to pounce on a wounded Man United squad. They will be lethal in attack and shut up shop at the back. Emi Martinez and Ezri Konsa will bring home six points for their managers.
- Jamie Steed: Newcastle United has conceded just four goals at home this season. They have kept six clean sheets in their last seven games at St. James’ Park. Nottingham Forest scored seven goals away from home, blanking in four of their previous six. Newcastle shouldn’t have any issues keeping Forest at bay.
- Tom Bellucco: Newcastle appears to have the best chance of a clean sheet as they welcome in Forest for an early morning Boxing Day match. With Sven Botman back in the mix and the pain of losing the EFL Cup match against Chelsea, the Magpies should be locked in from the first kick.
What defensive player is providing attacking returns?
- Euan: Kyle Walker has started and played 90 minutes in all 17 of Man City's Premier League fixtures this season. His only assist of the season came in Gameweek 6 versus Nottingham Forest. However, his last two games produced Walker's second and fourth-best expected assist games of the year. I'm backing the speedy veteran to gift his FPL managers a late Christmas present.
- Jamie: If Luton are to get anything from their game at Sheffield United, they might need to rely on set-pieces. Alfie Doughty has been a real attacking asset from the left and taking corners. Only three teams have scored more goals from set-pieces than Luton. Only two teams have conceded more goals from them than Sheffield United. A Doughty assist looks in order this week.
- Tom: I've had more and more trouble finding a successful offensive impact from defensive players lately. Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to be significantly involved in Liverpool's build-up, so he's priced highly for good reason. He gets a great matchup at Burnley and has many chances for offensive production.
Who's a midfielder or forward rostered on less than 10 percent of teams that will grab us those FPL points?
- Euan: Jack Grealish (1.7 percent) has found his goal-scoring boots in December for Man City. The English winger found the back of the net in three straight games for the first time in his Premier League career. According to our RotoBaller.com rankings, he has a 23 percent chance at a goal and a 29 percent shot at an assist versus Everton.
- Jamie: Brentford have benefited from Manchester City’s participation in the Club World Cup, so they should be well rested for their home game against Wolves. Keane Lewis-Potter has had a goal involvement in his last two home games. Being listed as 0.0% rostered makes him the ultimate differential.
- Tom: Returning to the well with Matheus Cunha at 6.3%. I believe he deserves to be higher owned, and a transitional match at Brentford is a prime opportunity for him to prove me correct.
Getting on the end of chances and converting 😮💨
Have you benefitted from Jack Grealish's goalscoring form in #FPL? 📈 pic.twitter.com/acWAn3GWUW
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 17, 2023
Who is one player you want to, but can’t, have for the Gameweek 19 fixtures in Fantasy Premier League?
- Euan: A healthy defender. I'm determined to have two free transfers for Gameweek 20 to facilitate the return of Erling Haaland, but injuries to Pau Torres and Jamaal Lascelles may force my hand. I'm coming off a spectacularly good eight-point hit in Gameweek 18, but I'd rather avoid giving away more points for a defensive transfer. As a result, I'll be relying on Charlie Taylor to make up for any missed games along the backline.
- Jamie: I’d like to bring Dominic Solanke, but having to switch out defenders due to playing time and injuries will mean I’d need to take a minus. I don’t want to do that at this time of year. Having the ability to switch anyone out at any moment with the games coming thick and fast is too important.
- Tom: Moussa Diaby should be in a prime spot against Man United's attackable back line, but his minutes have been more sporadic lately than I would have hoped. I'll gladly buy back in once we see some 90-minute lines in his game log.
If loving hits is wrong then I don’t want to be right. #FPL pic.twitter.com/LIdu1Fy2mA
— Euan Leith (@EuanFPL) December 23, 2023
Who’s getting the Captain’s armband?
- Euan: Mohamed Salah versus an open-playing Burnley is the sensible answer, but I can't shake the feeling that Jurgen Klopp may rotate for this fixture. It's currently between the Egyptian King and the in-form Dominic Solanke versus Fulham for the armband.
- Jamie: I’m looking at Cole Palmer at home to Crystal Palace. Palace has been relatively resilient of late against bigger teams. But they still conceded two against Liverpool and two against Manchester City. Their squad is stretched, and Palmer should be starring for Chelsea.
- Tom: Mo Salah may finally get some rest in this match after a massive Gameweek 18 against Arsenal. So it might be safer to go with Son Heung-min, who takes on Brighton in what should be a pretty exciting match. Son has been impressive lately, so he's an acceptable secondary option for a week with question marks.
Another Dom-inant display 🥶#FPL pic.twitter.com/DcRA915Zac
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 23, 2023
Finally, what’s your bold prediction for Gameweek 19?
- Euan: After a defeat to Aston Villa and a Luton win over Sheffield United, Man United finds itself closer to the relegation zone than the top of the table. And West Ham finds a way to take a point off Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium to push the Gunners' winless streak to three games.
- Jamie: Everton start showing signs of life at home and take advantage of Manchester City returning from their Middle East exertions. Brighton and Tottenham play out a five-goal thriller. And the game’s highest scorer is on less than 2% of teams as the festive fixtures throw out some funny matches.
- Tom: The two thrilling matches on Thursday (Brighton/Spurs and Arsenal/West Ham) combine for at least eight goals. Use your players in those high-octane matchups!
Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on X @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
