Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 19

Welcome to the Christmas edition of the Fantasy Football Scout Gameweek Guide.

If festive distractions are keeping you from your beloved FPL, I’m delighted to point you in the direction of Simon March’s Guide to the Christmas Period. Simon is a Pro Pundit and former FPL winner and, in his article, he gives away the secret of his success. It’s a gift to us all. 

The pressing question this week for many FPL managers has been what to do with Son?

Replacements were debated on site with many looking at an upgrade to Salah. As Joe revealed on the Scoutcast that is exactly his plan, and David provided some comforting statistics to back up his decision.

Over the last four matches Salah is top for Shots in the Box (16), Shots on Target (9), and has an expected goals of 2.4 – again the best for any player.

Other options were discussed with Antonio, Martial, Willian, Grealish, and Alli all mentioned. Indeed, Meet the Manager guest Phil Ampleford (aka Philman) advised in the chat to keep it simple and get Alli. Although other FFS managers were less convinced

Captain candidates were also debated and following the success of Danny Ings against an injury-hit Aston Villa side, Teemu Pukki was highlighted as a potential armband pick.

In Gameweek 18 Danny Ings made up for his misfortune in Gameweek 17 with a 13-point haul. Az began a festive-themed hot-topic on the in-form forward, “Jingsle Bells” (brilliant or dreadful, make your own mind up) – with the fixtures stiffening for the Saints, should we keep or sell?

Teemu Pukki is the next talismanic forward to face the Villains. Their abysmal backline was highlighted by David in his Captain Sensible article: 

Aston Villa’s defence continues to be the worst by a considerable margin over the last four matches. They are bottom of the league for shots conceded in the box (55) by a total of 15, bottom for big chances conceded (14) by a total of three and also the worst for expected goals conceded (xGC). Their total of 11.17 is 4.97 greater than any other side in the last four Gameweeks.

– David Munday

Not pretty readying for Villa fans.

Conversely very pretty reading for owners of our favourite Finn. To bolster his case, the Norwich City forward was twice denied by Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patrício in their 2-1 defeat last week and boasts two goals in his last four matches. 

Although there was a word of warning from Neale in his Predicted Line-Up notes:

 The absence of Tyrone Mings (hamstring) and John McGinn (ankle fracture), both of whom have made big contributions to defensive efforts this season, may force Dean Smith into a more conservative shape when a slightly resurgent Norwich attack come to Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

– Neale Rigg

Harry Kane tops the Captain Poll, and a timely analysis from shniklas added to research by Pro Pundit Lateriser last month.

Over the past five seasons Kane has played 13 games during this Christmas period. He has scored 19 goals and been awarded 7 assists.

– shniklas

Brighton-fan Joe was fairly pessimistic about his team’s chances at White Hart Lane. 

Gameweek 17 hero Kevin De Bruyne put in another impressive performance, as Colm Hayes (aka CHayes) reported in his take on the key stats from last weekend:

Kevin De Bruyne managed four attempts against the Foxes, 75% of those coming from inside the penalty area. That goal threat complements De Bruyne’s creative genius – only Norwich’s £6.0m midfielder Emi Buendia (9) fashioned more opportunities for his team-mates than the Belgian (7) across the Saturday games.

– Colm Hayes

In his new advanced role he certainly presents an easy captain pick.

There are also reasons for picking Marcus Rashford at home to Newcastle. Aside from the expected return of Paul Pogba to the starting XI, Rashford tops the points predictions on this site’s Rate My Team.

And if you are looking for a reason to hand the armband to Tammy Abraham, G-Whizz provides you with ammunition in the latest DS stats, fixtures and clean sheet odds with Chelsea top of the ratings for Boxing Day. 

Everton appointed their new manager in the shape of Carlo Ancelotti, what will this mean for their fortunes? 

Gregor began a hot-topic on the subject, while the Scoutcast trio of Joe, David, and Andy debated the potential impact. 

The eyebrow-raising Italian favoured a 4-4-2 formation at Napoli which could mean good news for Richarlison according to David, while Joe enthused about Calvert-Lewin, who has notched 12 goal attempts in four matches. There were also positive quotes from Ancelotti about Moise Kean, who he tried to buy while he was at Napoli:

Moise Kean did really well last year. When I was at Napoli we tried to buy him. A really good player with a lot of talent. You have to consider that he’s 19 years old, for every player that change countries and teams, you need sometimes adaptation.

– Carlo Ancelotti

Finally, Greyhead was in reflective mood in the latest installment of The Great and The Good. Using the What If Machine he reported that Neale has been the transfer king so far this season, gaining an impressive 165 points with his wheeler-dealing. 

He also revealed that the famously patient Ville Ronka finally played his Wildcard. The Finn sold Jamie Vardy and tripled up on Man United players. Interestingly, World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen also bought Harry Maguire. If their success is anything to go by, perhaps that’s a move we will all be copying very soon.

To view all our discussions please visit our Hot Topics page, and if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.

If you’re a member and are yet to get to grips with the custom statistics tables, you can view this movie for an explanation of how they work. Also, remember to tag them so that people can find the tables with ease.

Rolling monthly subscriptions are now available, with the first month costing only £1.99 for a limited time only. Click here to sign up or upgrade your account.

Community Competitions

For an update on all FFS Mini-Leagues and Community Competitions, please click here to read the latest round-up.

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 19 can be found below:


Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

Enjoy your Christmas and best of luck for Gameweek 19!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,845 Comments Post a Comment
  1. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    G2G

    Henderson
    TAA, Lord, Tomori
    KDB, Mads, Alli, Pulsic
    Abraham, (R)ashford, Vardy

    Button, Cantwell, Kelly, Soy

    Right to play TAA over Kelly?
    Right armband choice?

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      yes for sure TAA over kelly
      i have KDB alli and abraham as well

      I'm going KDB and vice abraham

      1. kysersosa
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I see why your going KDB. I just can’t see wolves conceding too many. This coupled with that Man City goals can be pretty spread out.

    2. LE CHARO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I would play Kelly ahead of Tomori but other than that gtg.
      As for the armband, Rashford is a good option if you trust MU.

  2. Ghost86
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    On WC last min decisions?

    A) Dunk Rico

    B) Kelly Targett (own guita)

    Could get any other 4.4 instead of Targett but don’t know who

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Watford defender

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kelly Dunk

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Sorry

        Kelly Rico

    4. Totti
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    5. Dele
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kiko

    6. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kiko

  3. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    TAA LUNDSTRAM Kelly // Soyuncu Rico
    Mane KDB Maddison Alli // Dendoncker
    Vardy(c) Jimenez Rashford

    2FT 0 ITB... not much I can do is there?

    1. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rashford to Pukki (c)

    2. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Already answerred you. Pope out. Foster/Hendo in.

    3. Peteex
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Jimenez to pukki or Pope to some other keeper with better near future fixtures

  4. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    GTG?

    Alli or Rash for cpt?

    Pope
    TAA Lund Kelly
    Salah KdB Alli Grealish
    Vardy Rash Mousse

    Martin Guilbert Soy Dendo

    Thanks and GL.

  5. LordEllison
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hey was 0.1 short of going son > mane so need a new replacement
    Which one should I go for? thanks!
    A) Sterling
    B) Grealish
    C) Pogba
    D) Richarlison..

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      D

    3. Totti
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    4. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C

  6. as33
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Fleck or Cantwell to start?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Fleck

    2. Totti
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Fleck

  7. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Giving Rashford a new chance as Rashford.

    Are you with me?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      As captain I meant

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I am with you

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Not captaining

    3. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm with you RASH (C)

    4. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rasfords gonna rashford I suppose

    5. Dele
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rash gonna explode today, very explosive player, very essential, top captain pick

      1. Woy_is_back
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Lol

  8. jimmyabs1987
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ok first to 5 Votes as Iv asked this all week and still not decided and hardest choice of season for me....especially as left Cantwell 10 points on bench last week

    Bench Ings or Cantwell?

    And

    Pair with Pereira or Kelly?

    A: Ings
    B: Cantwell

    1. Pereira
    2. Kelly

    Which combo?

    I’m currently on A2

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B1

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      With pages flying 5 votes ia too optimistic. Here is one at least. Bench B and play 2

  9. andres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Lets just do a quick poll of the people on here right now 🙂

    who is your (C)?

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Timing. Kdb

    2. Lord of Ings
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kdb

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Puke

    4. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Salah

    5. Babelcopter
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      kdb

      1. camarozz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Kdb
        Have to wait till Friday ev tho!!!!

    6. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tammy

    7. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      kdb. The player in form.

      1. andres
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        not worried about the cramps and rotation?

    8. andres
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      so everybody has a different (C)...

      I am thinking between Tammy and Salah

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        er .....4 x KDB

    9. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kane

    10. Dele
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Alli

    11. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sals

    12. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lundi.

  10. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Many captain options again this week and I haven’t done so well in my picks this season.

    Feeling KDB. Who you got?

    1. Lord of Ings
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kdb or Alli I'm equally unsure.

    2. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rashford when Paul is back

    3. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kane

    4. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lundstram or Tammy. Currently on the Lord.

  11. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Alli or kdb captain!?

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      i'm on KDB

  12. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Seriously no one talking about captainimg the league's runaway top scorer at home vs a tired Liverpool defence?

    1. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Might be a cagey match, both scared to lose

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He will no doubt get a goal or assist but highly unlikely to haul whereas Tammy or Alli could get double figures easily

  13. SMOOTH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    ings to tammy (C) for -4?

    1. andres
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nah, ings will score again probably. Has palace next as well

    2. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    3. cjk17
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No

  14. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Salah or Alli for captain?

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Egypt

    2. cjk17
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Going for alli myself

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Alli

    4. sovietrockettes
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Been going back and forth on this one as well

  15. mikess
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Was there a captain sensible for 19?

  16. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    First to 3 votes Wins and will get the armband.

    A) Tammy
    B) KDB

    1. Lord of Ings
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kdb

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      KDB

    3. Manamongst
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      kdb

    4. TOPCAT1960
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tammy

    5. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kdb

    6. Manamongst
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      that waas quick...

    7. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tammy

    8. Sedemuda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tammy

    9. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tammy

    10. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Wow that was quick! KDB it is gents thanks.

      Have a good gameweek all! Happy Christmas

    11. WVA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      The difference IMO is Saints have 0 chance of keeping a clean sheet whereas Wolves can be very good against top teams

      1. McSauce
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Ye I would tend to agree but the people have spoken

  17. Manamongst
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Gazzaniga
    TAA, Tomori, Lundstram
    Alli, Grealish, Zaha, Salah, KDB
    Martinelli, Pukki(C)

    Ryan, Vardy, Pereira, Kelly

    Call me crazy but I gotta make moves...and the last 2pt Vardy had was against Pool...10 matches with 5+ or more. I am gambling on a 2 pointer for Vardy. City showed me all needed to see against LCF...I am still in flux with captain pick...any suggestions?

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Like the Pukki (C)

      Salah (C) Pukki (Vc)

      But I’m still unsure..

  18. Abaddon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Asked earlier as well. Massive support to Salah. But still not sure.

    A)son to salah
    B)son and ings to grealish and kane

    Both free

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A as a future mve

    2. Manamongst
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      get salah if you don't have Pool cover...Alli would be a smarter move than Kane.

      1. Abaddon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I have both Mane and Alli

        1. Manamongst
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          then B

    3. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Just do the smart move. Salah.

  19. cjk17
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Got to get pulisic out. 2.2 ITB. Replace with Moura or Pogba?

    1. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Moura

  20. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    captain salahhh la la laa gonna get a penalty

  21. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which keeper to play

    1. Pope (a) v Everton

    2. Ryan (a) v Spurs

    1. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Doesn't make a difference but it's Christmas time so you should get together with "the" Pope.

      1. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        😀

  22. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Spurs at home 3 times in the last 4 years on this day
    2018 v Bournemouth 5 goals
    2017 v Saints 5 goals (also the early KO)
    2015 v Norwich 3 goals

    Hello captain Alli

  23. Babelcopter
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Just asked my wife (who knows nothing about EPL) whether I should captain Abraham, Lundstram or De Bruyne and she said, "Since it's Christmas, you should probably go with a biblical name, so Abraham."

    I really can't fault the logic boys.

    1. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      but don't you ever captain Pope!

  24. maysarhi2
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A- Bench Cantwell or Ings?

    B- Captain Salah, KDB or Rashford?

    1. Paddy Gooner
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Same problem here - going with KDB and Rash for VC

    2. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ings
      Rash

  25. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Tammy to Kane? Have exact money

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No. Tammy is probably the best (C) shout of the bunch.

  26. machickenz
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best Captain Option?

    A) KDB
    B) Salah
    C) Alli
    D) Rashford
    E) Vardy

  27. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope (Button)
    TAA, Lundstram, Kelly (Soyuncu, Rico)
    Sterling, Son, KDB, Zaha, (Dendonker)
    Vardy, Rashford, Mousset

    Sterling to Salah this GW for next ?

  28. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench
    Racharlison or Cantwell

    1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Richarlison

    2. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Cantwell

  29. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Feels wrong benching mad but gtg ?
    Hendo
    Lund Taa Kelly
    Alli Kdb Mane El ghazi
    Ings Tammy(C) Vardy(VC)
    Bench - Maddison Pereria Saiss

  30. BigPointDipper
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Quick RP... G2G or any recommended transfers?

    Henderson
    Lund Tomori Aurier
    Mane Alli Grealish Pulisic
    Jim Vardy Rash

    Pope - Willems, Dilva, Soy

    Was thinking Willems to Digne or Jim to Abraham? Recommend either of these or save FT?
    Just worried about my bench if someone doesn’t play.. going to give pulisic one more week but worried he might be benched.