Fantasy Premier League

The Scout’s FPL Gameweek 19 Ones to watch

By The Scout 23 Dec 2023
MW19-OTW

See the five players backed for big returns, including Newcastle’s Sven Botman

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The Scout is tipping five players for big success in Gameweek 19 of Fantasy Premier League ahead of the deadline on Tuesday 26 December at 11:00 GMT.

Sven Botman (Newcastle) £4.5m

The fit-again centre-back offers managers a very strong rotation option in Newcastle United’s defence.

After replacing the injured Jamal Lascelles (£4.2m) during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Luton Town, Botman looks set for his first start since Gameweek 6 when the Magpies host Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening.

Newcastle boast the best defensive home record this season, keeping six clean sheets at St James’ Park.

Yet they have managed only one clean sheet on the road, which suggests managers should target budget assets such as Botman and play them only in home matches.

Crucially, Newcastle have one of the best home schedules of any side for many Gameweeks to come.

According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), six of their next seven encounters at St James’ Park – including their match against Nott’m Forest – score only two.

James McAtee (Sheff Utd) £4.4m

The midfielder made an immediate impact in Sheffield United’s first match under new manager Chris Wilder.

McAtee struck the decisive goal in a 1-0 home win over Brentford, collecting eight points in Fantasy.

Having featured off the bench at Aston Villa in Gameweek 18, the 21-year-old looks set to return to the starting XI for the Blades’ home encounter with Luton on Tuesday evening.

Luton have conceded more shots in the box and big chances in away matches than any other side, giving McAtee and Sheff Utd the chance to build on their improving form under Wilder and record back-to-back home wins.

Brennan Johnson (Spurs) £5.8m

The Tottenham Hotspur winger was a key figure in Saturday's 2-1 win over Everton.

Johnson provided the assist for both of his side’s goals, matching his season-high haul of nine points in Fantasy.

At a cost of just £5.8m, he looks a major source of value in Fantasy as a route into Spurs’ free-scoring attack against Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth in the next two Gameweeks.

Johnson can immediately reward investors against Brighton, with the Seagulls now the only side yet to keep a clean sheet this season. 

Leandro Trossard (Arsenal) £6.5m

Arsenal’s home derby with West Ham United looks very encouraging for their attackers in Gameweek 19.

The Hammers have been poor in defence on their travels this season, conceding at least three goals in four of their last six away matches.

Trossard looks set to profit from the absence of Kai Havertz (£7.1m), who will serve a one-match suspension on Thursday.

The Belgian’s goal, assist and 13 points at home to Burnley in Gameweek 12 underline his potential to deliver big hauls when named in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.

Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) £7.2m

The Dutchman has started up front in each of Liverpool’s last two matches in all competitions.

Gakpo’s goal in the EFL Cup win over West Ham last week earned him the forward role ahead of Darwin Nunez (£7.5m) against Arsenal on Saturday.

Despite his blank against the Gunners, Gakpo could make a third successive start at Burnley on Tuesday evening. Luis Diaz (£7.4m) is a doubt, so the versatile Nunez may be moved to the left flank.

Although Burnley got a morale-boosting 2-0 win at Fulham on Saturday, the Clarets rank among the bottom three sides for conceding goals, shots on target and big chances at home.

Should Gakpo lead the line for Liverpool again, he has the potential for a big haul at Turf Moor.

Also in this series

Part 2: Scout Selection: Best FPL team for Gameweek 19
Part 3: FPL experts: Who to captain in Gameweek 19?
Part 4: Who is the best FPL captain for Gameweek 19?

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