The Waiver Wire: Gameweek 19

We love a good differential pick here at FF92 and we are BACK once again with another crack at the Waiver Wire in the new year! Here are some low ownership assets that should serve you well in Gameweek 19 and beyond as we hit the halfway point and enter double gameweek season… 

Liam Cooper – Defender – Leeds United – 24% rostered

Few expected Leeds to keep a clean sheet against in form Newcastle United on New Years Eve but that’s exactly what they achieved. Led by captain Liam Cooper, Leeds withstood a barrage of set pieces to keep the Champions League chasers out and hold out for a hard fought point at St James Park to increase their chances of survival.  

Cooper has always been a ghost points machine in Fantrax and generally gets a bumper score on the rare occasions that his Leeds side keep a clean sheet. Gameweek 18 was no different with the big centre back coming away with a tasty score of 17.5 points and he will go into a much more favourable Gameweek 19 fixture at home against West Ham United who are struggling to create chances and score goals in a below par season for them.  

Joao Palhinha – Midfielder – Fulham – 39% rostered

For the first time this season, we will be hearing the phrase that Fantrax managers simultaneously love and loathe: “double gameweek”. Fulham an Chelsea are the teams that will benefit from two games in one week so it’s time to stack up on those players guaranteed minutes over the two games and Joao Palhinha is as guaranteed as they come.  

The Portuguese enforcer has been a revelation since coming to the Premier League and will almost certainly play 180 minutes across the two games. Palhinha is normally good for six or seven points per game, mainly because of the high number of tackles he makes in a typical game but he is also a threat from set pieces as demonstrated by getting the winning goal against Southampton in Gameweek 18.  

As double gameweek plays go, Palhinha is the safest bet ahead of the likes of Harrison Reed and any part of the Fulham defence. As for Chelsea, a combination of high ownership and Potter roulette makes them a DGW minefield! 

Kelechi Iheanacho – Forward – Leicester City – 7% rostered

We’ve gone for a complete punt in the forward slot in the form of much loved previous Fantrax favourite Kelechi Iheanacho.  

The talented Nigerian’s Leicester career seems to have followed a regular pattern with him being called upon when things aren’t going well (injuries, poor form of others etc.) and often to good effect. Iheanacho tends to enjoy a small purple patch before coming back down to earth and returning to the bench. It may be the case that he’s given the nod against Fulham and his latest purple patch might begin.  

To be clear, Iheanacho has barely had a look in this season but there’s plenty of reasons to think that he may be called upon this week. Patson Daka is struggling with an injury which looks certain to rule him out and although Jamie Vardy will be the favourite to claim the vacant spot, Brendan Rodgers may opt for two up front and a return to five at the back in the absence of James Maddison and with the defence creaking. 

It’s a long shot but if you need a punt this week, Iheanacho could be your man!