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

    Alli (c) looking much sweeter now with that Brighton line-up

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

      Sessegnon will rob the day 😉

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

      Its a quite defensive lineup, no?

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Insanely so. Not sure why anyone would be excited having attackers against a stubborn potter. Good thing you didn’t hit kane in xx

    3. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      3 at the back, personally i like this set up as a non Spurs owner apart from Aurier

  2. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    That Brighton team. Lets go hurriCKane. I want hatty at least !

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Me three

  3. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Rash (c)
    McCarthy over Pope

    Here we go!

  4. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Did TAA, Hayden to Holgate, Moura at final 40 seconds. Benched Maddy for Ings.

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

    Play Grealish bench Martial ... hope that's correct decision based on form

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

      Surely you could have started both?

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

        No I can't

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

          Not literally - others cannot be dropped

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

    Bottled the Alli (C). Come on Tammy!

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

      Yes come on Tammy

  7. dark91
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    My hopes are now super high as a Kane (C) with this Brighton lineup. Won't accept less than a hattie

  8. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Kane (C) feels good. 😉

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, think he has to deliver today

  9. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I predict a Lamela-wagon in next week or so.

    I think he could be right up Jose's street.

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Cul-de-sac.

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

      Tifo podcast said the same

  10. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Good news that mapuay on the bench today, he will be in my WC team

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

      Good move. I'm thinking of that myself

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

      Or maybe he is dropped for Connolly? 😉

    3. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Definitely- great fixtures and will be nailed on for next 2 games.

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

    Bloody family spotify. Installing kids to it took ages and my sanity.
    Also Cantwell is now benched!

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Christmas Day for the kids, Boxing Day for the parents. Should leave them with the turkey leftovers and let them fend for themselves 😉

    2. Emp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      how do you know cantwell is benched?

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

        he means benched for his own team.

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

          oh 🙂

  12. enrico.palazzo
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Am i correct in saying that now is the last GW to use my first wildcard?

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

      Yep

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    3. enrico.palazzo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks guys!

  13. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Kane (c) raise your hands!

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

      yep and I am happy to see that Brighton line up.........

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

      +1

    3. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Aye

    4. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I

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

    We're going to get butchered with rotation aren't we?

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

      Based on first 2 lineups, nope

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

      Next GW for sure - big teams have tougher games this GW hence it cud see less rotation

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

        Actually this

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

      Klopp said the schedule is a crime, against the sport science ... so yes!

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

        Next gw I meant not on boxing day

    4. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Good squad needed.

    5. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yep but it’s predictable as players just can’t play 2 games in 48 hours without risking injuries.

    6. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      if you look at that team, with a back 3, with very energetic wing backs, coupled with defensive minded mids, pluss pace up front. No creativity none so ever in that Spurs team...

  15. Ninja Škrtel
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    ALL ABOARD ON THE LUNDSTRAM (C) TRAIN!!! CHOO CHOO CHOO!!!

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

      Good luck - I have sneaking admiration for that choice.

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      \0/

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Been the bridesmaid now time to shine.

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

      Bold

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

      I cosidered it but didnt dare in the end. Good luck 🙂

    5. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Dayum. Hope it works out for you!

    6. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I’m on it too!! Cmon

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

    Let's go Salah (c)

    1-4 liverpool

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

      Should work vs WOL

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

      I think not

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

      Could be a surprise there ... but still good capt choice

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      i like that very much sir

  17. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Amazed Brighton have dumped Dunk. Their POTS so far by a mile

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nowt wrong with Duffy.

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

      Protecting for more important games 😉

  18. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    One player I wish I owned this GW - Pukki

  19. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    ITS WC TIME.

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    2. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      This

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

    Need a Kane fail. 1 goal maximum. Lets go Alli! 🙂

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

      ...and Ryan penalty save

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

        Sure, I will accept that 😀

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Spuds fail total I need

  21. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Can any Brighton fans shed some light on that lineup, can't get my head around it!

    1. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Potter said he would use his squad, and away at Spurs he´d set up for them to sit deep and break on counter. When you look at the players coming in they are good players, but have not played that much. Wing backs could be rusty

  22. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A Kane brace is a lock today (non-owner).

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

      Yeah - probably including at least 1 penalty after a foul
      on Sessegnon.

  23. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Changed the armband off of KDB to Jesus in the last few seconds. I figured I was going to get the decision wrong anyway amongst all the good options I had that I may aswel go differential and hope for the best.

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Good luck to you. I went with Martinelli(C)

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Best of luck!

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

        Mad or genius

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Good thing there’s no competition this week mate. Joking I wish you the best x

  24. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I said I had doubts about Eriksen starting, even with Son out. Jose has always wanted/needed his players to buy in 100%, he'll be loath to trust someone that's already made it clear that they're leaving when their contract expires.

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      You’re a smarter man than me ed xx

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Hope you had a good Christmas

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I did mate, thank you, I hope you did as well, plan to do nothing but watch football and have a few drinks today before travelling back tomorrow x

      2. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Not at all, even a broken clock etc.

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          And modest too xx

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

        He is smart - he can spell and use 'loath' correctly.

    2. Party time
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Alderweireld started even before signing a new contract. Yet he already made it clear he wanted to leave as well

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          There was obviously some hope of him re-signing since he has, I'd guess Jose was aware of that but all speculation. Rose made it clear that he's running his contract down as well and has barely featured.

          1. Party time
              4 years, 3 months ago

              That's true

        2. Party time
            4 years, 3 months ago

            I think it is about legs. Mourinho wants legs in that team

            1. Ask Yourself
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I’m happy to offer my legs to Mourinho if he wants them. I don’t use them all that much

              1. Party time
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  I won't let that happen to you x

          • simong1
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Was going to do TAA > Aurier with a view to bringing Salah in for Maddison next wk. but backed out last minute. Good decision or should I have done the transfer?

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

              Probaby should have done it

          • jtreble
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Interesting. What is Potter’s plan?

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

              To park the bus

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

              Confuse Jose

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

              Neutralize their midfield, hit on counter

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

                Agree. Very interesting setup. Wasn’t expecting this at all from Brighton. Looks like it’s designed to starve Kane.

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

              Save the team for a must win v Bournemouth next home game

          • g40steve
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            That Spuds stadium looks awesome, 4K on prime so far so good.

          • Jam0sh
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Lets go Kane

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

            Is kdb a better choice than Alli this gwk?

          • OverTinker
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Alli less likely to score in this setup - don’t know why people are getting excited?? Am I missing something

            1. Ask Yourself
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Potter has literally set a team up to stop spurs scoring. Absolutely nothing to be excited for here

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

              Early goal could change anything

            3. Party time
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Obviously you are. Alli was a boxer & today is boxing day