With so many spreadsheets and articles being penned concerning the merits of defensive rotation, I thought an alternative viewpoint was necessary.
Short-Term Rotation Explained
Currently we see a lot of focus on pairings that offer one of two options – either teams that, when matched up, always offer a home game such as Newcastle/Sunderland or one that offers viable rotations over a 20- or 38-Gameweek period with numerous attractive fixtures within that huge bulk of games.
I want to introduce a third option that offers a different lens through which to look at how your team is built. My focus is around the first nine Gameweeks only and involves pairing up defensive teams that have an “easier game” every single one of those Gameweeks.
It’s a short term view, which avoids the weaknesses inherent in the home game focus, such as with Newcastle/Sunderland, where you will get difficult home games where the chance of a cleanie is going to be very low. For example, Newcastle at home to Man City in Gameweek 1 or Sunderland at home to Man United in Gameweek 2.
A nine-week rotation plan also helps avoiding a key pitfall of a long-term or season-long rotation strategy, which is that it often falls apart at around the nine-week mark as form changes or players get injured.
On that basis I’ve decided to focus on pairings that have a pretty decent first nine Gameweeks and go with them. So to cut to the chase, “what are the best options?” I hear you scream. If there are any others that fit the critiera then let me know, but what I have done is steered clear of teams with expensive defenders, so that what you see below is as bargain basement as I can find….
The Best Short Term Rotation Pairs
Stoke & Swansea – This sees nine very favourable home games in a row and is my favourite pairing. AVL, BUR, WBA, LEI, SOT, NEW, NEW, SWA, LEI
QPR & Southampton – Here we have eight attractive home games and one good away game. All nine covered. HUL, WBA, SUN, NEW, STO, QPR, whm, SUN, AVL
QPR & Stoke – All nine games are favourable, with seven of them at home. HUL, hul, SUN, LEI, STO, NEW, whm, SWA, AVL,
Newcastle & Stoke – With this rotation we have nine good games, with six of them at home. AVL, hul, CPL, LEI, HUL, NEW, swa, LEI, sot
Aston Villa & Stoke – Another one where nine games are good with six of them at home. AVL, NEW, HUL, LEI, qpr, NEW, sun, SWA, qpr
Crystal Palace & QPR – This does have a dodgy Gameweek 8 fixture but it starts with six good home games, so is worth including. HUL, WHM, SUN, BUR, STO, LEI, hul, LIV, AVL
9 years, 9 months agoLove these rotation articles. Some good pairings there and good to see home and away take a back seat over fixtures.