Fantasy football scout tips gameweek 19: Raheem Sterling, Paul Pogba, Angelo Ogbonna and more
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Your support makes all the difference.Raheem Sterling
Why wouldn’t you want the best team in the Premier League's leading goal scorer in your side?
With Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus rotated too often, Raheem Sterling has benefitted from consistent minutes and often seems to be operating as a striker anyway, latching onto numerous chances inside the opposition’s penalty box.
Sterling could have had a hatful against Tottenham Hotspur last time out and will be well rested after sitting out of the midweek EFL Cup tie at Leicester City, a fact which should ease any lingering rotation fears.
Angelo Ogbonna
West Ham United’s defence has pleasantly surprised us recently, offering three clean sheets in three despite a tricky fixture period.
We recommended Arthur Masuaku last weekend and the wing-back’s attacking potential makes him a solid choice again, but at a time of heavy rotation, a central option may be more assured of consistent starts.
Angelo Ogbonna is the same price as Masuaku at £4.4m and is a decent bet for West Ham’s upcoming double in gameweek 22. An out-of-sorts Newcastle United will be hard pressed to score at the London Stadium this weekend too.
Andre Gray
There is no denying Watford have made a pig’s ear of their favourable schedule, even if we put that down to an injury crisis and a disastrous disciplinary record, with three red cards in their last three games.
Troy Deeney was the latest member of Marco Silva’s squad to receive his marching orders last week but that clears the way for Andre Gray to regain a starting spot up front.
Gray was in decent form before his playing time was limited, with a goal and two assists in four games. The former Burnley striker will be keen to impress and keep Deeney on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.
Paul Pogba
Back in contention after serving his three-match suspension, Paul Pogba has routinely delivered points when available for Manchester United this season.
Jose Mourinho’s side enjoy one of the simpler Christmas schedules in terms of opponents, but beware their fixture congestion. The club appear only too keen to point out how few rest days they have over the coming weeks.
At least Pogba should not be too fatigued after his recent time out. It was a goal and four assists in four games for the midfielder before his sending off at Arsenal.
Charlie Austin
Like Gray, another budget forward option worth considering is Charlie Austin. Southampton’s schedule is not exactly straight-forward but among away trips to some of the top sides are inviting home fixtures against those in the table’s lower reaches.
Huddersfield Town visit St Mary’s this weekend and although they recorded an excellent win at Watford last week, David Wagner's side remain among the top flight's worst travellers.
Provided Mauricio Pellegrino does not spring a surprise and start Manolo Gabbiadini, as he did at Stamford Bridge to no effect last week, Austin stands a decent chance of attacking returns.
Scott Dann
Crystal Palace’s improvement of late looks set to continue this weekend as they travel to the Premier League’s basement club, managerless Swansea City.
Swansea’s attack is poor, with just 10 goals to their name as we approach the halfway point of the season, so the temptation is to plump for one of Roy Hodgson’s backline.
Scott Dann is an old fantasy favourite, given his tendency to pop up with the odd set-piece goal every now and again.
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