It’s Boxing day time FPL managers! The most exciting matchday of the season is upon us, this time though it comes at a time where the schedule is a bit erratic. As it stands, 7 fixtures are set to go-ahead. Liverpool’s match against Leeds getting called off means that there are three slots to fill for us managers. Picking the right differential would put managers in good stead to climb up the ladder. In this blog, we take a look at the best differential options for FPL GW19 from the seven fixtures that will be played.
Before going further, Do vote in this week’s FPL GW19 allaboutfpl captaincy poll. The same will be available in the captaincy analysis and metrics blog written by@AK_FPL1. The metrics has a 17/18 record this year. Last week the metric predicted Cancelo as the best captaincy candidate and he returned a big haul in GW18. Stay tuned for the GW19 Captaincy metric to see who tops it. Link to all our FPL Gameweek 19 blogs.
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The results and the captaincy metric blog will be published soon based on the votes.
FPL GW19 Differential Picks
Gabriel Martinelli vs Norwich(A)
Martinelli is one of the most in form players in the league right now. To put it in numbers, he is the fifth highest points(42) scorer in the last 6 Gameweeks. In that time the Arsenal man has registered 4 goals and 2 assists. Only James Maddison has had more goal contributions in that time.
One of the biggest reasons as to why the Brazilian hadn’t succeeded in the league as yet was because of his persistent injury problems. He however, seems to have put that behind him. Fingers crossed. He has started five league games in a row, more than he has ever managed. Furthermore, he only played the last quarter of an hour against Sunderland midweek, which means he is well rested in what a busy schedule coming up.
Although the Gunners do not have the easiest run-in in the next few weeks, Martinelli is a cheap option to add to your FPL teams as the fifth midfielder, ahead of Arsenal’s FPL GW19 fixture against Norwich.
Martinelli- Key stats
- Martinelli has the best Big chances(0.89) per 90 minutes among Arsenal players
- Only Aubameyang(0.57) has a better xG per 90 minutes than Martinelli(0.42) among his compatriots
- The Arsenal midfielder is the most transferred in player this week.
Further Read: FPL GW19 Top Transfer Ins And Outs | Transfer Trends & Combinations
Riyad Mahrez vs Leicester(H)
Riyad Mahrez hasn’t had the best of seasons so far. The Algerian has only 4 goals and 4 assists this campaign. Half of those returns, however, has come in the last couple of matches. In fact, he has started two league games or more in a row only on two occasions thus far. If he starts the FPL GW19 fixture against Leicester , it will be the first time he has begun three in a row.
Leicester City have one of the worst defenses in the league. Brendan Rodgers’ men have kept only 2 clean sheets in the league, only Newcastle and Leeds have kept fewer. The Foxes conceded 3 goals midweek too in their Carabao cup fixture against a much changed Liverpool side.
The problem for Mahrez has been the lack of playing time. When he plays, he is extremely effective. Let us look at some data to prove this.
Stat | Tally per 90 | Rank |
Shots | 3.54 | 3 |
Shots on target | 1.36 | 2 |
Shots in the box | 2.31 | 3 |
Big Chances | 0.68 | 3 |
xG | 0.46 | 2 |
Goals | 0.54 | 1 |
Key passes | 3 | 2 |
Big chances created | 0.68 | 2 |
xA | 0.46 | 3 |
Assists | 0.54 | 2 |
BPS | 31.04 | 1 |
Points | 7.9 | 1 |
As we can see, Mahrez is an explosive player when he plays. Given the fact that Foden and Grealish are unlikely to play from the start, the chances of the Algerian beginning the game is very high. Plus, he has two goals and two assists against the Foxes.
Fun fact
- Riyad Mahrez has lost on each of his five appearances on boxing day in the league. He would be looking to put that right this time around.
Further Read: FPL GW19 Top Transfer Ins And Outs | Transfer Trends & Combinations
Harry Kane vs Crystal Palace(H)
Harry Kane had a mix big of a game against Liverpool last time. He scored a wonderful goal, he missed big chances, plus he could have been sent off. But the biggest learning from that fixture was the reemergence of the Son and Kane partnership. The duo played as a front two and looked as threatening as they were under Mourinho last season.
Harry Kane and Spurs have some amazing fixtures coming up. Each of their next three fixtures are ranked 2 in the FDR chart. Furthermore, they have two games in hand, both of which are favorable to say the least.
Harry Kane- Key Stats
- Only Robbie Fowler(9) has scored more goals on Boxing day than Harry Kane(8)
- Kane has scored in each of his five appearances on Boxing day, no other player has a better streak.
- One last stat regarding Boxing day, the Spurs man has a goal every 54 minutes, which is the best in the history of the competition.
- Crystal Palace have conceded 44% of their chances from the center, the fifth worst in the league.
- Kane has 7 goals and 5 assists in the league against the Eagles.
Further Read: Best FPL GW19 Free Hit Team Ahead of FPL Gameweek 19 Deadline
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Kieran Tierney vs Norwich(A)
Kieran Tierney becomes the second Arsenal player to make the list this week. Much like Martinelli, Tierney’s Arsenal career too has been hampered by injuries. After sitting out 6 league games, the Scottish defender returned in GW15 and started every game since. In that time, only Alexander Arnold(36) has got more points in FPL than the Arsenal man(33). He has provided two assists and also kept two clean sheets in this run.
Meanwhile, the Gunners’ FPL GW19 opponents Norwich City are at the bottom of the table and have scored just 8 goals all season. Therefore it doesn’t come as a surprise that the Canaries have failed to find the back of the net in 11 of their 17 league games. It is safe to say that Mikel Arteta’s men are likely to keep a clean sheet this weekend.
Norwich have conceded 31% of their chances from the left hand side, the seventh worst tally in the league. As we can see from the above graphic, that is exactly where the Scotsman operates. There is a high possibility of a big haul on top of a clean sheet.
Further Read: FPL GW19 Top Transfer Ins And Outs | Transfer Trends & Combinations
FPL GW19 Ultra Differential Pick
Marcus Rashford vs Newcastle(A)
Manchester United are finally back in action after missing out in the last two Gameweeks. Ralf Rangnick also cleared the air around the Covid news for us FPL managers. The new manager claimed that Paul Pogba will be the only absentee from the squad for their trip to Tyneside.
Marcus Rashford has had a frustrating season up and till now. However, he has looked bright in the last few matches, although he doesn’t have the stats to show for it. What he does have though is a phenomenal record against Newcastle United. The Manchester United man has registered 4 goals and 3 assists in 7 games against the Magpies. It is the most goal involvements he has had against a single opponent in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Newcastle, simply put, are the worst team in the league in terms of defending. Eddie Howe’s men have conceded more goals, more big chances than any other team in the league and they also have the worst xGC. Furthermore, they have conceded 43% of their chances through the center. Rashford has been playing as part of a front two since Rangnick took over. As a result of which he is likely to be a beneficiary of the apparent weakness in the opposition’s ranks.
Lastly, Manchester United’s fixture run-in the next two months have been well advertised. On top of that, they now will be having two double gameweeks. As a result of which this is the perfect time to bring in someone like Rashford and capitalize on being the first-mover advantage.
Thanks for reading the ‘FPL GW19 differential picks’ blog. Keep checking allaboutfpl.com for regular blogs. Also, follow our 40,000+community on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to stay updated on regular Posts and FPL updates.
Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of FPL Gameweek 19:
Best FPL GW19 Free Hit Team Ahead of FPL Gameweek 19 Deadline
FPL GW19 Top Transfer Ins And Outs | Transfer Trends & Combinations
FPL GW19 Ultimate Guide: Postponements, Double and Blank GWs, Tips, Differentials, Comparisons, Captaincy
FPL Free Hit Chip Explained | Extra FH Chip | FPL Guide
GW18 Sunday Fixture Wise Review | Players That Caught Our Eye
FPL GW18 Saturday Fixture Wise Review | Players That Caught Our Eye
FPL History: Highest Scoring FPL Players Each Year Since The First FPL Season In 2002/03
What’s next from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL Gameweek 19?
We’ll be covering fixture analysis, differential picks, GW19 Wildcard drafts, captaincy metrics, player comparisons, expected line up, press conference summaries, Scout Picks for FPL GW19, and more. Keep checking allaboutfpl.com for all our blogs and subscribe to our free newsletter through the link below. We’ll also be posting regularly about the same on our social media accounts so follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook keep our notification ON.
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K K Anirudh
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