With the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) opening this week many managers have already started tinkering with their teams. This article takes a look at the cheap defensive rotations to consider for the first half of the season (up until the New Year), their price and the best fixtures for those selecting from these pairs each week.
SWANSEA-SUNDERLAND
Total Cost: 9.5
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Nailed-on Swansea defenders have come in at 5.0, whilst all but one of Sunderland’s starting defenders have been priced at 4.5, with the attack-minded Patrick van Aanholt being the exception at 5.0. This rotation pairing appears to be strong and faces a lot of the promoted sides within the first few fixtures.
BOURNEMOUTH-NORWICH
Total Cost: 9.0
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The defenders for these two newly promoted sides have come in at 4.5, so they are a very attractive prospect for rotation. Attacking full-backs Simon Francis and Tyrone Mings from Bournemouth are among a raft of appealing options within this pair of teams. Besides the two home fixtures against Everton, this is a very strong rotation pairing.
WEST HAM-ASTON VILLA
Total Cost: 9.5-10
Bou LEI BOU SUN NEW WBA NOR STO cpl SWA wat EVE eve WAT sot STO new WHM nor sun
This rotation could be a little pricey for some people as regular starting West Ham defenders come in at 5.0. It remains to be seen whether a cheaper 4.5 defender can nail down a place. Aaron Cresswell is a very attacking-full back and had a great season last year so could be worth the premium at 5.5. Micah Richards’ recent move to Aston Villa from Manchester City may entice some at 4.5 and he is definitely one to watch.
NORWICH-STOKE
Total Cost: £9.0m
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Starting defenders on both sides start at 4.5 here, with Sebastien Bassong a likely candidate for investment in the Canaries’ backline. Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross and Erik Pieters come in at 5.0, which may put off some managers but all other options are equally priced at 4.5.
WEST BROM – SUNDERLAND
Total Cost: 9.5
Lei NOR SWA avl SOT bou EVE WHM SUN nor LEI SOT cpl STO TOT WAT BOU swa NEW AVL
West Brom defenders have increased in price this season, mainly due to Tony ‘the Clean Sheet Master’ Pulis taking charge of the Baggies during the middle of last season. Each of their defenders comes priced at 5.0, which isn’t cheap but will certainly be worth the investment. Sebastian Coates and John O’Shea are the pick of Sunderland’s 4.5 options.
ASTON VILLA – SWANSEA
Total Cost: 9.5
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Similarly to the Swansea-Sunderland rotation above, this pairing comes in at 9.5 due to the highly priced Swansea defenders. Villa’s Richards could be the key to ensuring this still offers value. The fixtures look pretty enticing besides an away game to Southampton and a home game to Arsenal
SWANSEA-STOKE
Total Cost: 9.5
LIV NEW nor WBA wat LEI BOU avl STO WAT new nor BOU sun LEI whm WHM WBA cpl wba
Besides the first tough fixture, the rest of the rotation looks quite favourable. As with other rotations involving Swansea, their defenders will set you back 5.0 unless a cheaper option emerges during pre-season.
ASTON VILLA – NORWICH
Total Cost: 9.0
bou STO SUN BOU WBA whm LEI new WBA tot SWA eve WAT wat EVE new WHM AVL sun
This is another cheap rotation involving budget starting defenders, most notably Bassong and Martin Olsson, both priced at 4.5 for Norwich.
8 years, 9 months agoGreat stuff. The Stoke and Norwich one is something I've gone for in my goalkeepers. I like the Bournemouth and Norwich ones too...lots of scope for good value rotation.