Dec 14

Gameweek 19 Preview

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By Jack Woodfield

5 lessons learnt from GW18 and 11 top picks for GW19

Gameweek 18 was a humdinger of varying proportions. Comprehensive away victories for Crystal Palace, West Ham and Huddersfield likely soured many an accumulator, and owners of premium forwards were provided little early festive cheer. However, there were points to be scored, particularly if you captained Mohamed Salah or Eden Hazard or triple captained Wayne Rooney, and the average of 52 points was the highest of the last six weeks. With much to ponder, here are the Five Lessons Learnt from GW18.

1. Mo Salah, less captaincy woe

Despite Twitter rumours of Salah's supposed benching against Bournemouth, the enigmatic Egyptian started and scored against the Cherries. His price finally hit £10m this week, unsurprising given his one attacking blank in 10; his consistency marks him as the sure-fire captaincy option this season.

2. Kevin De Bruyne - De Best

Gone are the befuddling times of Kevin "Deep Bruyne", the Man City star is enjoying halcyon days as the kingpin in Pep Guardiola's record-breakers. He's now the second-highest scoring player behind Salah and has failed to return either a goal or assist in just three of 12 league games. He could have added an assist to his goal against Spurs had Gabriel Jesus not missed his spot-kick.

3. David Moyes - manager of the season?

David Moyes masterminded seven points from nine against Chelsea, Arsenal and Stoke in just seven days, and against the latter they were dominant; they had 7 shots on target compared to the Potters' none. West Ham's budget options, particularly Arthur Masuaku and Angelo Ogbonna have been excellent, and the Hammers have recouped three clean sheets on the spin.

4. Crystal Palace now pack firepower

Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha were frenetic in Crystal Palace's surprise 3-0 win over Leicester, with both getting on the score sheet. The Eagles have scored twice in each of their last 6 home games, and their frontline is suddenly quite inviting, although Benteke is now suspended until GW20. Zaha in particular, though, is a value differential (£6.8m) with two assists and a goal in his last three, and less than 6% ownership.

5. Jesse Lingard - a star is born?

The days of Jesse Lingard's brief, unmemorable loans at Championship sides are but a distant memory. The Manchester United forward has started five league games in a row, bagging four goals and an assist, and still costs less than £6m. So who are GW19's Dream Team picks? There's a focus on the resurgent West Ham as they host a Newcastle side winless in nine, and eyes on three Man City stars ahead of the league leaders' clash with Bournemouth. Total cost: £74.3m GK: Ederson (£5.5m) A staggering 19 goalkeepers have made more saves than Ederson, but only 4 have kept more clean sheets. He is largely untested yet supremely reliable when called upon (see his double save from Lukaku and Mata against Man United); only 5% of managers own him.

D: Angelo Ogbonna (£4.4m)

The catalyst to the Moyes' rejuvenation, the budget Ogbonna has collected 4 bonus points in 3 games, all clean sheets.

D: Arthur Masuaku (£4.4m)

The same price as Ogbonna, but playing largely as a wing-back, Masuaku offers attacking impetus alongside his propensity for clean sheet points.

D: Lewis Dunk (£4.4m)

Dunk's long-time partner Shane Duffy is suspended for Brighton's clash with Watford, but following an immense performance against Brighton that secured him bonus points, Dunk and co. will be most welcoming of Watford, who've lost five in a row.

M: Kevin De Bruyne (£10.3m)

Avoid him at your peril.

M: Raheem Sterling (£8.5m)

Despite incredulously receiving no bonus points for his brace against Spurs, Sterling's goal threat - only Salah (14) and Harry Kane (12) have more this season - is undeniable, and the mercurial winger has even overcome Guardiola's penchant for rotation, starting Man City's last nine league games.

M: Mohamed Salah (£10m)

His inclusion goes without saying. If you don't have him already then what is wrong with you?

M: Wilfried Zaha (£6.9m)

As stated above, Zaha's entering imperious form, and against Swansea away last season he collected a goal and an assist in an attacking showcase (despite being on the wrong end of a 5-4 scoreline).

M: Marko Arnautovic (6.8m)

Arnautovic registered six shots against Stoke, and the arrival of Moyes has sparked a fire under the Austrian who's netted twice in three games.

F: Romelu Lukaku (£11.3m)

Despite his bizarrely muted celebrations, Lukaku has two goals in two games, both from headers, and the Red Devils have won their last three away games.

F: Charlie Austin (£6.2m)

Austin looked far livelier in a 30-minute cameo against Chelsea than Manolo Gabbiadini did in 60 minutes. Southampton haven't lost when Austin has started this season. Follow Jack for more FPL insight...

More FPL Gameweek Tips

Wondering who to pick as as your Gameweek 19 Captain? @FPLHolly discusses the best options in her weekly GW19 Captain tips article. Follow Us for more #FPL tips, picks and expert opinion. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_6" layout="1_6" spacing="" center_content="no" hover_type="none" link="" mer_position="all" padding="" dimension_margin="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no" element_content=""][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]