Every Fantrax manager knows that Waiver Wire and Trade acquisitions can make or break your Fantasy EPL season. This Gameweek 19 article is here to help managers pick up the best Premier League players possible from the waiver wire, as well as suggest players to potentially target for a trade with a fellow manager!
Here we outline Fantasy EPL Waiver Wire Targets that have 30% ownership or below on Fantrax. These players will also have a favorable run of fixtures upcoming, so they could perform very well over the upcoming period! Trade Targets will be players who look set to do well over the upcoming period, but their ownership statistics suggest they are probably taken in most draft leagues!
Essential reading before the Tuesday waiver requests process!
Gameweek 19 Waiver Wire Targets
Fabian Balbuena
Position: Defender
Team: West Ham
Ownership: 8%
Average Points per Match: 7.22
Next 5 Fixtures: cpl (A), LEI (H), BOU (H), shu (A), EVE (H)
Prospects: Balbuena has scored well this year in a poor West Ham defense. They have a favorable run of fixtures coming up, and now is the perfect time to get him in. He is a monster in the air and adds to the stat sheet with clearances and tackles. I wouldn’t bank on many clean sheets for West Ham, but Balbuena has the potential to get you 5-9 points without one making him a solid DEF2 in favorable matchups. Ahead of Gameweek 19 and the busy festive period I would use a low-end waiver wire claim on the West Ham defender. If Balbuena doesn’t start look to replace him with another West Ham defender on your waiver wire.
Christian Benteke
Position: Forward
Team: Crystal Palace
Ownership: 18%
Average Points per Match: 4.7
Next 5 Fixtures: WHU (H), sou (A), nor (A), ARS (H), mci (A)
Prospects: Benteke has come off his 4th start this season with 14 points without an attacking return. In those 4 starts Benteke has zero goals or assists, yet a ppm of 10.80. Benteke has a very high floor due to the number of aerials he will win each week, and the odd shot/key pass he will add to his stat line. Crystal Palace have been poor offensively as of late, and if Benteke was ever going to find his feet again, this festive period is the time. When Benteke starts he should be plugged in as a FWD2 in your lineup. I would look to use anything outside of a top 3 waiver wire claim on Benteke ahead of Gameweek 19. He looks set for a run in the XI with the large amount of injuries Palace has right now.
Marc Albrighton
Position: Midfielder
Team: Leicester City
Ownership: 5%
Average Points per Match: 4.22
Next 5 Fixtures: LIV (H), whu (A), new (A), SOU (H), bur (A)
Prospects: Albrighton came on for Harvey Barnes after he was taken off injured, and could be turned to once again. With Barnes injury unknown Albrighton could come into the XI over the festive period. Even if Barnes recovers, it is possible that Ayoze Perez spends some time on the bench in favor of Mr. Reliable. Albrighton is a manager’s dream with his work ethic, and it shows up in the stat sheet. When he starts no matter the matchup he can provide you with a steady floor of 5-7 points and has upside with the amount of crosses he pumps in. With so many games in quick succession, it is worth punting on a fringe player such as Albrighton who will try to make a name for themself when given the chance. I would use a low-end waiver wire claim on Albrighton ahead of Gameweek 19.
Gameweek 19 Trade In Target
Paul Pogba
Position: Midfielder
Team: Manchester United
Average Points per Match: 10.17
Next 5 Fixtures: NEW (H), bur (A), ars (A), NOR (H), liv (A)
Prospects: Pogba marked his return with 6 points in under 30 minutes, and looked United’s best player in that horrible defeat. Now is the time to trade in Pogba. Managers will still be worried about him leaving in January, so there is the potential to get him in at an undercut price. Pogba is a set-and-forget MID1 when he starts, he has an extremely high floor and an even higher ceiling. Now the potential he will get to play the #10 role over a disappointing Lingard, increases his ceiling even more. If a manager has held Pogba this long it may be tough to get him, but I would give up some top players to get back this Manchester United star. Ole is adamant that Pogba will not be sold, and United desperately needs him to help make a push for top 4. I would look to give up a MID2 + DEF2/FWD3 to get back Pogba. Look to package players such as; Fleck, Anderson, Moutinho, King, Wilson, McNeil, Maguire, and Soyuncu to get in Pogba.
Gameweek 19 Player to Trade Out
Youri Tielemans
Position: Midfielder
Team: Leicester City
Average Points per Match: 9.08
Next 5 Fixtures: LIV (H), whu (A), new (A), SOU (H), bur (A)
Prospects: Tielemans PPM is inflated thanks to three 20+ point performances throughout the season, and only 5 double digit returns in 18 Gameweek’s, and none in his last 6 games. It is time to trade out Tielemans ahead of Gameweek 19 on his name value, and the fact he is on the highly offensive Leicester City. Most managers would of spent a Round 3-4 pick on Tielemans, and surely he has disappointed you. I would look to trade Tielemans out for a more reliable MID2/FWD2, such as Ward-Prowse, Moura, Zaha, or Martial. While it’s possible Tielemans has a couple more 20+ point performances, his extremely low floor will be costing you more games than he will win you.
Check out if any of these Fantasy EPL Trade Targets are still available from the Week 15 Waiver Wire | Week 16 Waiver Wire | Week 17 Waiver Wire |
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