Fixtures

Rotation Pairs – Bournemouth & Brighton

The second in our series of articles looking at rotation pairs dares to venture away from the pure home and away partnership.

Our previous piece – which assessed West Brom and Swansea City as such a pairing – was a follow-up to our introductory article which explored the basic principles of fixture rotation.

This Brighton and Bournemouth pairing – a south coast marriage if you like – may not offer a succession of home matches, but it provides a run of obliging opponents nonetheless.

The Fixtures

As with our first article, we are dismissing the concept of season-long rotation.

Instead, we will extend the fixtures as far as Gameweek 22, at which point the second Wildcard becomes available and the first needs to have been put in play.

As before, we will split the 21 fixtures into two banks of matches.

Gameweeks 1-10
wba WAT wat WBA BHA NEW LEI EVE/tot whu/stk SOT

Gameweeks 11-21
swa HUD swa BUR SOT hud tot/mun BUR WAT WHU new

As you can see above, the first series of fixtures begins very strongly. While there are two encounters with Watford over the first three Gameweeks, that then settles to provide four successive home fixtures, two of which involve newly promoted sides.

Gameweek 8 is the first sticking point. Here we have the option of Brighton’s home fixture with Everton, or a daunting trip to Manchester City for Bournemouth.

The second batch of fixtures includes more away trips but only one significant trouble spot – the Gameweek 17 situation where Brighton travel to Spurs, while Bournemouth make their way to Old Trafford.

Nonetheless, this amounts to just two Gameweeks from 21 where we are forced to face a “tough” opponent when marrying these two sides.

In Practice

With this in mind, there are actually some very appealing options opened up by this partnership.

Begovic and Ryan
Both Brighton and Bournemouth offer us 4.5 options in goal via Asmir Begovic and Mat Ryan.

Both are likely to be first choice and, on their day, very capable shot-stoppers who can offer save points when their goal is breached.

It’s fair to say that, even when forced to select one of this pair for Gameweek 17, we’d expect some save point returns, either from Brighton’s clash with Spurs or Bournemouth’s with Manchester United.

Meanwhile, with 13 home matches over the 21 Gameweeks, we should reasonably expect some clean sheets.

Brighton were a force at the Amex Stadium last season, setting a Championship record of just 14 goals conceded from their 23 matches, shutting out opponents on 12 occasions.

Bournemouth were less convincing in the top flight, keeping 10 clean sheets in total, although six arrived at the Vitality Stadium.

Nonetheless, their home fixtures with Watford, Brighton, Huddersfield and Burnley during the 21-Gameweek spell look prime candidates for clean sheets. Meanwhile, the Seagulls offer West Brom, Newcastle, Stoke, Burnley and Watford as their most likely shutouts.

All in all, those are strong prospects for a joint 9.0 pairing in goal.

Francis and Suttner
Arguably, we could have a more effective pairing available in defence courtesy of Simon Francis and Markus Suttner.

Both are also priced at 4.5, with Francis the only likely Cherries starter in defence at that price point.

Meanwhile, Suttner has seen off Lewis Dunk as Brighton’s backline option of choice. The Austrian appears destined to claim regular starts at left-back and will share set-piece duties with Pascal Gross and Anthony Knockaert.

But while Suttner would seem secure, Francis’ starts are still in doubt.

Bournemouth’s acquisition of Nathan Ake appears likely to either oust Francis to the bench or leave him at right-back with Adam Smith perhaps moving to a midfield role.

Smith has played just 67 minutes pre-season but, even so, the doubts are unlikely to disperse ahead of Gameweek 1, so this pairing, while attractive, carries an element of risk.

Meanwhile, Suttner partnered with Charlie Daniels could also work as a 9.5 duo, although the Bournemouth left-back is far more difficult to bench given his attacking potential, even when away from home or against tougher opponents.

Three Way Rotation

Once again we should search for a third option who could work along with a Brighton/Bournemouth defensive partnership to plug the troublesome Gameweeks.

Having analysed the weak points in our two-way rotation, we’ve identified Burnley as the most likely addition.

Crucially the Clarets are on hand to offer us a home fixture with West Ham in Gameweek 8, with another attractive home fixture with Newcastle United in Gameweek 9.

Similarly, for Gameweek 17, Sean Dyche’s side present a Turf Moor clash with Stoke City to compensate for Bournemouth’s tie with at Man United and the Brighton visit to Spurs. All in all, Burnley are most efficient as an addition.

With Ben Mee the obvious candidate in the Burnley defence, he can be brought in to partner Francis and Suttner to provide a very attractive set of three 4.5 defenders. The doubts surrounding Francis’ starts is the caveat but, if that clears up, this is a trio worthy of consideration.

Attacking Rotation

The potential of this partnership extends to attacking areas thanks to a cast of viable budget/mid price assets on offer.

Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser should already be considered in his own right and is a player that we’re backing to progress further this season.

Priced at just 5.5, the winger returned three goals and nine assists from 19 starts in 2016/17 and has already impressed over the summer with two more assists. He looks set to be even more influential for Howe’s men this season.

Fraser can work with either Brighton’s Pascal Gross (5.5) or Anthony Knockaert (6.0) in a midfield rotation to cover the run of fixtures listed above.

That pairing should provide able partners, with Gross perhaps the preferred option for those who want to look to Fraser for the majority of fixtures. Knockaert – with 15 goals and eight assists in the Championship – has the greater potential but the idea of benching the Frenchman, even against tougher opposition, could backfire and be a concern for some. The extra 0.5 is, of course, also a factor.

Rotation with a midfielder and an attacker is not so straightforward.

A combination of Fraser and Brighton’s Glenn Murray is an option, although there are understandable doubts that the 33-year-old striker may struggle upon returning to the top flight, despite his 23-goal campaign in the Championship.

Benik Afobe’s strong pre-season form seems unlikely to earn him regular starts for the Cherries over Josh King and Jermain Defoe, so the chances of a rotation option with either Gross or Knockaert appear slim.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

4,840 Comments Post a Comment
  1. LONG LIVE ZOLA
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Can someone tell me how 5 in the back is a bad idea to start the season? The mid priced to low priced midfielders/forwards are awful imo.

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Clean sheets harder to get at beginning of the season

      1. LONG LIVE ZOLA
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        everything is hard to predict at the beginning of the season. and going 5 in the back u will have premimum defenders with attacking potential as well.

    2. Pep says
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      You'll need to make 2 to 3 transfers to get an attacking heavy hitter

      1. LONG LIVE ZOLA
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        But I have the essential heavy hitters now and can save up the transfers

        1. Annie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Heavy hitters in your opinion...the truth is we know nothing very little at the beginning of the season, so we can only guess at this point. You don't know what mid priced scoring/assisting gems might emerge, so do whatever makes you most flexible to accommodate.

    3. GoonerByron
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      People seem to have forgotten how often defenders score 1 or 2.. There's a reason 3 at the back has always been the go to formation

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        What GoonerByron says. In addition, there is the agony of waiting until the end of each bloody match!

      2. LONG LIVE ZOLA
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        that's a myth. there is no go to formation as any formation can be successful. I just dont understand the hate towards 5 in the back.

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Well, you will in a few weeks. 🙂

    4. Pinball wisdom
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Im going with 5 at the back. I know the downfalls of hard transfers but I can't get a better looking team by moving to 3 or 4.

      1. Whats the Huth
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        RIP WC

    5. Whats the Huth
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I have learnt that it is best to go cheap in defence for the start of season.

      Then clean sheets starts pouring in after a couple weeks.

      That's why I'm going for players like Kompany - who has high PPG. Yoshi and Daniels. Attacking players who may get cleanies
      Would love Alonso, but he messes my team up.

      1. Annie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Listen to this. Build value first, then invest in defence as the winning mentality seeps from the promoted teams and the big team settle down etc.

  2. IWR
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    What sort of sofa should I purchase to hide behind if I don't take Kane?

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Just buy DFS. 😉

      1. Whats the Huth
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        The whole business?

  3. KompanyThePeople
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Will Hegazi start?

  4. Pep says
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    @Andy, Scoutcast this week?

    1. Agger
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      It's tonight

      1. UCL Fantasy
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        This.

        Expect a hot topic later.

  5. alfoir
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Any love for a Ryan-Elliot £8.5m goalkeeper rotation? BHA and Newcastle conceded the joint fewest goals last season (as you'd expect, and albeit in the Championship):

    BHA 21 clean sheets (12 H, 9 A)
    NEW 19 clean sheets (8 H, 11 A)

    After weeks 1 & 2 (H v MCI or TOT where you're looking at save points, then A v lei or hud) you can get quite a nice rotation all the way to Christmas with weeks 7 & 15 the only sticking point (both H to LIV):

    WHU, WBA, STO, NEW, LIV/ars, EVE, CRY, SOU, BOU, STO, WAT, CRY, LIV/che, LEI, EVE, BUR, WAT.

  6. Agger
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Why is Rob Holding being ignored? I thought Wenger really rated him. He played really well v Chelsea as well.

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      The threat of rotation is pretty clear. Should start the season, but a transfer waiting to happen

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe best to have guaranteed starters ?

    3. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      He's gone when Kosc comes back most probably.

      1. Daaf
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Don't forget Mustafi

      2. Agger
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Hm we'll see. He performs better than Mustafi anyway.

        Just throwing some options out there. Also, most palace fans I've spoke to reckon Speroni will be nailed as he fits De Boer's style of play.
        And me being Welsh, I've never rated Hennessey, he's pretty average.

    4. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      come on, he's no agger

  7. Salah Fingers
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    A/ DDG - Salah - Mounie

    B/ Foster - Willian (have zaha) - Firmino + £0.5

    1. stachman
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      A

  8. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Does anyone have 2x4.0 keepers , speroni and Elliot in my case ?

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      o/

    2. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      AKA 0 playing keepers? Lol

    3. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      0/

  9. Hazardouss
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Jesus + Eriksen + Ritchie
    Lukaku + KDB + 4.5 (Playing TC)

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      B

      1. Salah Fingers
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        B

  10. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed

    Thoughts on this team?

    Foster
    Bailly Davies Monreal Bertrand
    Alli Mane Willian Zaha
    Lukaku Aguero

    Elliot T.Carroll McBurnie Mariappa

  11. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Is Dave Silva dead to everyone?

  12. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Sun Dream Team is free this year!

    Ten Teams Yippee!

  13. GoonerByron
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Which one of these...?

    A - Kane, Mkhi, Mane

    B - Lukaku, Alli, Salah

    1. rnrd
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      b

  14. shelvey33
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Rate my team, suggestions are much appreciated

    Foster, Elliot
    Kompany , Cedric , lindelof, Francis, suttner
    Coutinho, KDB, puncheon, Philips , Pogba
    Kane, firmino, chicharito

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Nice

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Would change lindelof not a guarenteed starter with his pre season form

    3. SkyCell
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Lindelöf nit likely to start and Francis might be at risk. Keep an eye on Coutinho to Barca.
      Punch and Phillips nice differentials. I wouldn't start with Chicharito but not many options at that price

  15. Visionaries
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Atsu or Fraser? have Daniels

    1. anish10
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Atsu

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Atsu

  16. MESSINHO
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    DDG (Elliot)
    Yoshi - Daniels - Hegazi (Suttner - Long)
    KdB - Alli - Willian - Fraser - Carroll
    Kaku - Kane - Gabbi

    Would you guys do something to fit Firmino in this team instead of Gabbi or stay put?

    I really don't want to lose any of KdB, Alli, Kaku or Kane, so the only option seems to be Willian -> JWP. Would you do that?

    1. Daaf
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      No but I stayed clear of a 3d striker for now so I don't know if you value my opinion.

      And no.

      1. MESSINHO
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I value every opinion here, thanks for your comment.

    2. SkyCell
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I'm not seeing much value on 6-7,5 category on strikers yet and might jos go with those two big hitters. 4,5 the third one and upgrade defence and midfield. If Austin or Gabbi is confirmed somehow nailed, I'd jump on board

  17. afcbbbb
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    This team?? Need you're opinions and advice.

    Foster ( Elliot )
    Danilo Stephens Kolasinac ( Suttner, Long)
    KDB Zaha Willian JWP ( Carroll )
    Kane Kaku Firmino

    Cheers lads.

    1. Mini Mane Mo
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good

  18. davies
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Which option?

    A) Jesus + Salah + JWP + Monreal
    B) Firmino + KDB + Ritchie + Kolasinac

    Foster
    ***** / Cedric / Daniels
    ***** / Willian / Zaha / *****
    Kane / Lukaku / *****

    Elliot / Carroll / Mee / 4.0

    Cheers.

    1. Polo
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      B easily

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      B

  19. anish10
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Too much in defence?

    Going to be playing 4-3-3

    DDG
    Kolasnic Alonso Walker Cedric
    Atsu KDB Mane
    Kane Jesus Abraham

    Eliott--RLC--Carroll--Mariappa

    1. MESSINHO
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      way too much in defense.

    2. stachman
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn't say so... Big hitters in def and attack... This looks really nice

    3. Rhodes your boat
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Possibly but to be honest I quite like it

  20. UCL Fantasy
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Not sure if anyone did but cheers if you tuned into the stream last night. Was crazy busy, best one yet!

    1. Knowledgeable meerkat
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Enjoyed it. Is there a scoutcast this week?

    2. Agger
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Pretty good looking team you've got around Kane and Lukaku as well!

    3. Forlorn Hope
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Link please Andy. Didn't know you did a stream

  21. bvb
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    why are people picking Pogba? will he be more offensive since Matic plays holding mid?

    1. stachman
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      That's the believe around here...

    2. Whats the Huth
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      That's the idea

    3. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      that's the expectation.

    4. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      if mourinho suddenly came out and said him and mikhitarian are nailed i reckon no one would bother with pogba. i guess a lot of it is mourinho doesn't really need to say pogba is nailed as he surely will be

      1. UCL Fantasy
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Absolutely.

        If they're both 100% nailed you never pick Pogba. I'm still thinking about starting with Mkhitaryan.

    5. slamdunk
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Hopefully we will see that tonight as in the position pogba takes up if him and matic start,but real madrid will force utd back imo

    6. bvb
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      hmm interesting
      I find it a bit hard to fit him in as 3rd mid but will have to consider

  22. stachman
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    A bit different RMT, please... Can you try to point out players who, you believe, are most likely NOT to feature in GW1?

    DDG, Elliot
    Kolasinac, Kompany, Cedric, Dummett, Hunemeier
    Mane, Alli, Ritchie, JWP, Carroll
    Lukaku, Jesus, Benteke

    1. mrpink32
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I like it. I have Luke aguero benteke instead
      Jwp cedric your potential flags
      I've gone kola valencia Daniels as core back
      Milovejevic as my 4th- on pens I think

  23. mrpink32
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    1 Alonso Tripp

    Or 2 Valencia kola

  24. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    ditched alonso, hadn't even looked at chelsea's fixtures. think he would need a goal or 2 to justify his price early on

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Same here.
      I worry as well if Chelsea brought a back up defender.
      CL games will mean rotation too

  25. MESSINHO
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    1 long term, 2 to start with.

    1. MESSINHO
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      sorry, reply fail.

    2. mrpink32
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Awesome cheers

  26. Knowledgeable meerkat
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    @HVT re: Jrod. You're right - that 3rd striker spot has been bugging me a lot. With 2 playing subs (suttner and caroll) I'm happy to start with Jrod given the fixtures and his potential to score well. If it fails, no real harm done and can sub him out for one of the others until my inevitable early wildcard.

  27. KompanyThePeople
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Will Hegazi from WBA start?

  28. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Atsu or Mili?

    Tempted to bench Atsu week 1 for Carroll, then he could play virtually every game afterwards.

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Atsu is my pick

  29. UCL Fantasy
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Gabbiadini....tempted to go there.

    Currently have Mounie but it's based on a few comments here and there plus pre-season, know nothing about him!

  30. RIDZ
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Oh I have problem with 5.5 and 4.5 defender. I have Hegazi and Kolasinac.
    I wanna pick Stones but someone said don't pick City's def.
    Please mention someone nailed for 3 gameweeks.

    1. KompanyThePeople
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      will hegazi start? Also i'd go for Danilo, he'll play until mendy comes back

      1. RIDZ
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        why don't you pick Stones over Danilo?

        1. KompanyThePeople
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Danilo will play a wing back, and i have him until trippier is back