RADIO
Welcome to Gameweek 19, Rotoballers! This season, we are expanding our soccer coverage to include the great game of Fantasy Premier League. So, if you are a seasoned veteran, or a rookie navigating your first campaign, we will set you right as we look to acquire those weekend-making green arrows and avoid the doom and gloom of a red arrow.
The action kicks off at 10 am Eastern on Sunday, Dec. 26, with five games starting the festivities. Therefore, our lineups will lock at 8:30 am Eastern, and then we strap ourselves in for eight games of FPL magic across two days. The Boxing Day highlights include Man City meeting Leicester, Arsenal traveling to Norwich, and Man United's visit to Newcastle.
Also, be sure to check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the team gets you all set for every English Premier League and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS perspective.
RotoBaller FPL Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 19
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the mind of our FPL staff. Our top soccer writers - Euan Leith, Jamie Steed, Phil Goyette, and Brandon Wampler - will answer questions each Gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So without further ado, let's kick off Gameweek 19!
How many players did you play, and how many points did you score in Gameweek 18?
- Euan Leith: I took a -8 to get in the Arsenal triple up, only for Foden to sit on the bench and Salah blank. So eight playing players and 43 total points resulted in my biggest red arrow for a while.
- Jamie Steed: I actually managed eight players and 48 points, so I can't grumble.
- Brandon Wampler: I had seven startable players, and I had a net points value of 50.
- Phil Goyette: I thought I had 10, but then Foden no-showed, leaving me with 9. I scored 55 (-8 in hits) for a net of 47 and a red arrow down to 39k overall.
Were you brave enough to go against Salah and take advantage of his blank?
- Euan Leith: No way. As a Liverpool fan, I will always lean towards Salah regardless of the fixture.
- Jamie Steed: Yes, in terms of not captaining him. I went with Saka to try and go different, and it worked for a change.
- Brandon Wampler: I was not brave enough, but I will ship him out with his game PPD.
- Phil Goyette: Yes! I captained party animal, Phil Foden. I went back and forth between Foden and Cancelo. So I think my idea was sound. I just didn't execute on it.
The game gave us a second Free Hit chip for the season. Are you for or against this?
- Euan Leith: I'm all for a bit of chaos. I've seen a lot of complaints on social media about it, but this game is supposed to be fun. The second Free Hit chip gives managers an easy way to have more fun!
- Jamie Steed: I'm fine with it given the circumstances, and as long as anything like this is done for everyone, I have no issue with it. I can't guarantee I'll use it effectively, but this game is meant to be fun, so I don't see any issue with it.
- Brandon Wampler: I am for because I need all the help. Hahaha.
- Phil Goyette: Fine by me! We all get the extra free hit, and it should make the game more navigable and fun for everyone in the second half of the season.
Who's the one player you wish to find under the tree and in your squad on Christmas morning?
- Euan Leith: I could do with a Dr. Strange time stone and go back to when Aaron Ramsdale was only £4.5 million and sub him in for Robert Sanchez.
- Jamie Steed: Lionel Messi (2012 version) in an Arsenal Shirt? Or 2002 Ronaldo (the proper one) in the EPL. But I'll settle for a Romelu Lukaku who actually starts every week for Chelsea.
- Brandon Wampler: Ronalllldooooo
- Phil Goyette: I would love to have Ronaldo back in the squad. I think he will haul in GW19.
Is the Man City double defense the only tandem to roster at the back right now?
- Euan Leith: Chelsea are too leaky for me at the moment, but I still want one of Rudiger or Reece James. I'm still a Cancelo-only manager right now, but it's getting harder to fade the City defense double up.
- Jamie Steed: I still think Manchester United's soft schedule lends itself to double-dipping their defense. They play three teams in the bottom six of goals scored in the next 10 days.
- Brandon Wampler: It is very hard to topple it, but other clubs have great sources of defense as well, namely Chelsea and Burnley.
- Phil Goyette: Probably. I don't hate the idea of Ramsdale + another Arsenal defender either, though. Chelsea is the other option, but we need to be getting rid of their players right now due to their upcoming difficult schedule and two blank gameweeks.
Harry Kane finally scored! Is he a must-have player by the time the double Gameweeks roll around?
- Euan Leith: If the Africa Cup of Nations goes ahead, I could see a world where I roster Kane while Salah is gone. However, I need to see another goal in the next couple of games to get on board with it.
- Jamie Steed: No. I'm not averse to having him on your team, but he's got to do more to be considered a must-have.
- Brandon Wampler: He is worth the consideration, but the formation and style of attack still needs to be examined more now that Conte is there.
- Phil Goyette: Nah. I think Son and Reguilon can cover him. At least, that is my plan!
Who's at the top of your transfer wish list?
- Euan Leith: Literally any premium striker providing consistent returns.
- Jamie Steed: Unrealistic; Erling Haaland. Realistic; anyone Newcastle spends hugely on will likely be of interest.
- Brandon Wampler: Ronaldo & Lukaku
- Phil Goyette: Leicester's James Maddison, Everton's DCL. Both have the double double GW in 21-22. Both have been elite FPL assets before.
Who can you not wait to get off your squad?
- Euan Leith: Robert Sanchez. It's not him; it's me. I want Ramsdale, and that's all there is to it.
- Jamie Steed: No one. My squad is perfect, and I love them all. It's the time for goodwill to all men, after all!
- Brandon Wampler: Saint-Maximin has drastically underperformed with the rest of the Magpies, and he may become my weakest link.
- Phil Goyette: Reece James has kind of been a dud since I brought him in, and Chelsea players need to go anyway. I'm looking forward to using his salary elsewhere.
Who's the best sub-£4.5 million defender in the game?
- Euan Leith: Once Brighton gets past their fixture with Chelsea, I will be extremely interested in acquiring Tariq Lamptey.
- Jamie Steed: Providing he's not out for long, Rayan Ait Nouri. Don't sleep on West Ham's Ben Johnson either.
- Brandon Wampler: Without a doubt, Livramento.
- Phil Goyette: Is it Ben White somehow?! Joking aside, Ben Johnson £4.0m is back for WHU. Incredible value.
What's your bold prediction for this week?
- Euan Leith: With the Liverpool postponement, I don't think a single player will reach 30 percent captaincy in Gameweek 19.
- Jamie Steed: We get 10 games played. And Leicester City ends Manchester City's win streak with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall becoming a household name in the FPL world.
- Brandon Wampler: Manchester United will blow Newcastle out of the water 5-0, and Palace will beat Spurs on the road 2-1.
- Phil Goyette: All 10 games actually get played! I think the EPL is hellbent on making teams play the fixtures even if it requires a skeleton crew.
What's your favorite Christmas side dish?
- Euan Leith: I'm a mashed potatoes guy all the way.
- Jamie Steed: The rare Arsenal away win is my favorite dish. But for the purposes of something edible, pigs in a blanket. Literally, forget the turkey and everything else, give me a huge plate of pigs in a blanket, and my Christmas is made. Happy Holidays everyone!
- Brandon Wampler: Holiday Grog!
- Phil Goyette: Mashed potatoes.
Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on Twitter @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
