FPL GW19 Review2025/26 GW19 Review how did you do?
Published · refreshed
Hero of the week2.8% owned
Garner made the difference. The template did not.
Gameweek 19 proved to be a brutal affair for many managers, marked by a low average score of 40 points. Popular captaincy choices largely failed to deliver, creating significant rank turbulence. However, a select few found explosive returns through differential picks. This review uncovers the underlying principles from GW19's observable results, offering reusable lessons as we prepare for GW20.
- **Best Decision** Identifying and backing high-upside differentials like Garner (16 pts) or Arsenal's in-form attackers/defenders (Gabriel 15 pts, Trossard 13 pts) against Aston Villa.
- **Biggest Popular Mistake** Placing too much faith in highly-owned captaincy picks who ultimately blanked, such as Haaland (74.2% ownership, 4 captain points) and Guéhi (40.5% ownership, 4 captain points).
- **One Actionable Takeaway for GW20:** Re-evaluate highly-owned assets based on current form and fixture difficulty rather than relying solely on historical performance or ownership percentages, especially for captaincy.
How the field scored
The average manager scored 40. Around 55 was a useful target for a green arrow; 70+ made it an elite week.
BOU
Heroes and villains
- GarnerEVE · 2.8% owned16ptsInstrumental in Everton's 2-0 away win against Nottingham Forest, securing a clean sheet and contributing significant offensive returns.
Gabriel
ARS · 24.5% owned15ptsKey to Arsenal's dominant 4-1 victory over Aston Villa, contributing defensively and likely with a goal or assist.- TrossardARS · 2.1% owned13ptsA standout performer in Arsenal's commanding 4-1 win against Aston Villa, with significant attacking involvement.
- L.Paquetá
WHU · 2.7% owned13ptsCrucial to West Ham's attacking output in their 2-2 draw with Brighton, contributing key offensive actions.
Haaland
MCI · 74.2% owned2ptsThe overwhelmingly popular captain pick blanked in Manchester City's 0-0 draw against Sunderland, delivering a mere 4 captain points and causing massive rank drops for his owners.
Guéhi
CRY · 40.5% owned2ptsA highly-owned defensive asset, Guéhi failed to secure a clean sheet in Crystal Palace's 1-1 draw with Fulham, contributing to a disappointing 4 captain points for his significant ownership.
Ekitiké
LIV · 35.1% owned2ptsDespite high ownership, Ekitiké blanked in Liverpool's goalless draw against Leeds, failing to provide attacking returns for his managers.
RayaARS · 34.7% owned2ptsDespite Arsenal's emphatic 4-1 win, Raya conceded a goal against Aston Villa, losing his clean sheet bonus and delivering a blank to a significant portion of managers.
Three lessons
- 01
Don't Blindly Follow Captaincy Ownership
GW19 highlighted the risk of solely relying on high captaincy ownership. When heavily backed players like Haaland (74.2% C) and Guéhi (40.5% C) blank, managers who chose alternative, high-performing options gain significant ground. While popular picks often deliver, this week showed the downside.
- 02
Defensive Differentials Can Deliver Big
The success of players like Garner (EVE) and Mukiele (SUN) demonstrates the potential for defensive differentials. Identifying defenders from teams capable of clean sheets, especially against formidable opponents, or those with offensive upside, can yield substantial returns and rank boosts.
- 03
Penalty Misses Impact Returns
Welbeck's missed penalty serves as a stark reminder that even designated spot-kick takers are not immune to failure. Relying on penalty opportunities carries an inherent risk, and a missed penalty can drastically reduce a player's FPL haul, impacting both individual points and overall gameweek scores.
Get the GW20 captain picks
Refine your strategy for the upcoming gameweeks. Utilise our comprehensive FPL analysis tools to dive deeper into player performance, fixture difficulty, and ownership trends. Make informed decisions, not impulsive ones.