Best Picks for FPL Gameweek 19

The magic of Christmas has arrived, and with it a hectic but wonderful schedule of Premier League football. With the extreme proximity to turkey and stockings, managing your FPL team over the holidays can be taxing, but doing so effectively can give you a great advantage over others in your league. Luckily the Best Picks series should make your job that little bit easier.

Goalkeepers

Budget Option: Ben Foster (4.4m)

West Brom are historically the go to team for budget defenders in FPL, but unfortunately they seem to be having a disappointing season. Despite their struggles, Foster has managed to pick up five clean sheets, and could be set to register another when the Baggies take on Stoke this weekend. The Potters have had struggles of their own, and have only netted 19 times during this campaign. Whether West Brom will score in this game is a different question, but their defensive record hasn’t been awful, and this is a favourable matchup.

Premium Option: Ederson (5.5m)

The Manchester City man has proved himself to be a quality shot stopper this season, and has pulled off some incredible saves. The Cityzens have the joint best defensive record in the league, and their dominance it starting to get scary, despite John Stones’ injury. Pep Guardiola’s side host a Bournemouth side this weekend that has scored just 15 times all season, so this should be an easy clean sheet for the Brazilian keeper.

Defenders

Budget Option: Angelo Ogbonna (4.4m) 

The Hammers are one of a number of sides who have turned their seasons around under new management, and David Moyes seems to have addressed West Ham’s defensive issues over the last few games. Three clean sheets in their last three games has propelled the London side up the table, and they face a fairly easy matchup this weekend. A home clash with third from bottom Newcastle awaits Ogbonna, who has become a stalwart in the Hammers back line. The Magpies are in relative turmoil, and have scored a measly 16 goals all season, so West Ham should be able to manage them in the London Stadium.

Premium Option: Davinson Sanchez (6.8m)

The Colombian defender will return to Tottenham’s usually solid back line this weekend, and they should recover quickly from their 4-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City last time around. Spurs travel to Burnley, who have been having a barnstorming season, but still aren’t convincing at all going forward. With the abundance of talent on show in the defensive areas for the North London club, this should be a low-scoring affair. Sanchez has a great chance at a clean sheet, and his rotation risk is minimal, unlike the heavily owned fullbacks.

Midfielders

Budget Option: Wilfried Zaha (6.9m)

Crystal Palace are another team who are starting to look relatively decent, and Roy Hodgson has got them grinding out results, as well as dismantling teams like Leicester. Zaha was on top form against the Foxes last weekend, and he may well lead the line again due to Christian Benteke’s suspension. With the Eagles finally clicking in the attacking areas, and a clash with bottom of the league Swansea awaiting them this gameweek, Zaha is a great pick.

Premium Option: Kevin De Bruyne (10.3m) 

With the Cityzens scoring such an astounding number of goals this season, De Bruyne is a weekly threat to grab a handful of assists, which makes him probably the most consistently safe option in FPL. City host Bournemouth this weekend, and everything points towards another destructive performance. The Cherries have conceded 24 times in this campaign, including shipping four to Liverpool in their last league game. The Belgian midfielder is at very little risk of rotation, so he’s definitely one to roll out with confidence this week.

Forwards

Budget Option: Charlie Austin (6.2m)

The big striker has seen some inconsistent minutes this season, but he has four goals in his last four starts, and looks set to capitalise on a plus matchup against Huddersfield. After being dropped to the bench against Chelsea, Austin should start this one, and the Terriers have leaked a massive 30 goals during this campaign. With ruthless finishing ability, and a knack for being in the right place at the right time, Austin feasts in games like these. He’s not a great permanent option, but he’s a good plug-and-play pick for this gameweek.

Premium Option: Romelu Lukaku (11.3m)

The Belgian has finally found his scoring boots again, and now has two in his last two league games. Unsurprisingly this has coincided with an upturn in form for Manchester United after their derby defeat, and that form should continue against Leicester on Saturday. The Foxes have allowed 26 goals against them this season, and the Red Devils should be able to grind out a win here. Lukaku has a good chance to find the back of the net, which will be helpful this week in particular as many of the other top sides facing relatively difficult opposition.

Bonus Tips

This is another week that will begin with Friday Night Football, so don’t forget to set your line-up early. It’s a cracker too, with Arsenal taking on Liverpool, so you may as well stay in and watch it with some Eggnog.

With lots of tough matches for big players, make sure not to panic. Don’t transfer out Salah just because he’s playing Arsenal, because next week he has Swansea. Think long term, especially during this busy schedule.