Bruno Guimaraes & Abdukodir Khusanov among transfer targets for Gameweek 19

DREAM TEAM managers must be aware of Gameweek 19’s early deadline of 6pm on Friday.

The FA Cup third round takes centre stage this weekend with the first legs of the Carabao Cup semi-finals to follow in midweek, meaning Newcastle, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are the only teams set to play twice.

Allow us to put forward some transfer targets for consideration.

Bruno Guimaraes (£5.4m)

Newcastle’s captain is level with Igor Thiago (£3.7m) as the most in-form players in the game at the time of writing.

Guimaraes has banked a whopping 45 points from his last three outings thanks to goals against Burnley, Crystal Palace and Leeds.

This impressive burst has catapulted him up the rankings and he’s now just two point shy of Phil Foden (£5.4m), who remains runner-up to runaway leader Erling Haaland (£8m).

The Magpies’ all-action midfielder has scored eight goals, provided seven assists and made 52 tackles in all competitions.

Eddie Howe may choose to rest his prize asset against Bournemouth this weekend but Guimaraes will surely start against Pep Guardiola’s men on Tuesday.

Looking further ahead, Newcastle’s double header of Wolves (a) and PSV (h) in Gameweek 20 looks ripe for harvest and their Brazilian dynamo seems most likely to take advantage on current form.

Gabriel (£5.3m)

Arsenal’s No6 announced his return from injury with goals against Aston Villa and Bournemouth to remind gaffers of his pedigree.

Admittedly, he was at fault for the Cherries’ opener last weekend but all that really matters is his mighty average of 7.8 points-per-game — the best rate among defenders this season.

As he’s only just come back from a spell on the sidelines, Gabriel’s ownership is 9.4% at this moment in time, very modest for a top-tier asset.

Rotation is to be expected across the board in the FA Cup and so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Brazilian centre-back was rested against Portsmouth but Mikel Arteta will surely name a strong line-up at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday with a place at Wembley on the line.

This article was published before the Gunners hosted Liverpool, which may have changed the outlook.

Abdukodir Khusanov (£2.9m)

Now for something a little different.

Manchester City are light in defence after Josko Gvardiol (£5.6m) and Ruben Dias (£4.7m) joined John Stones (3.4m) on the sidelines.

It’s understandable if these absences repel Dream Team bosses but there’s a chance this situation could be milked for some cheap short-term gains.

With so few options at the back, Pep Guardiola may be forced to start Khusanov against both Exeter and Newcastle in Gameweek 19.

The Uzbekistan international could easily contribute to a stress-free clean sheet at home to League One opposition in the FA Cup with any points earned at St James’ Park coming as a subsequent bonus.

The 21-year-old is a massive differential as he currently appears in just 0.4% of teams.

Nathan Ake (£3.6m) is viable for similar reasons but Khusanov seems to be marginally ahead in the pecking order.

Brennan Johnson (£2.8m)

A pure vibes selection to finish.

Oliver Glasner tends to name relatively strong teams in the domestic cups, a key factor in Crystal Palace’s FA Cup triumph last season, and so there’s every chance the Eagles’ newly-acquired winger will get substantial minutes against Macclesfield.

A trip to non-league opposition represents a huge mismatch in favour of the visitors and it seems inevitable that somebody will cash in — might Johnson be the man?

Or will Yeremy Pino (£3.8m) be given the chance to bully the Silkmen?

Such a punt comes with risk and has a limited shelf life (possible just one Gameweek) but some gaffers will see this weekend as an opportunity to improve their rank if they are bold enough.

If you do plan to make transfers, make sure you don’t get caught by Friday’s 6pm deadline!

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