Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United take centre stage in our latest 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team preview.
The Magpies may not have reached the heights of 2022/23 in the season just gone but they did give Fantasy managers plenty of joy, particularly in the form of attacking returns.
Can they mount a challenge for a top-four spot once again?
In this team guide, we’ll be looking at Newcastle’s best FPL picks for the upcoming campaign. We’ll also take a stab at their predicted line-up for Gameweek 1, review pre-season, detail set-piece takers and more.
The data and graphics in this article come from either our Premium Members Area or Statsbomb, with whom we are partnering in 2024/25.
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NEWCASTLE: REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL
The shareholders and the fans may grumble but a lack of European involvement should, in theory, lead to a fresher, less injury-afflicted squad.
So much of Newcastle’s 2022/23 success was predicated on high-energy, high-pressing performances. The squad was ill-equipped to deal with extra midweek fixtures, even before the injuries struck. And there were lots of those.
Retaining the services of Alexander Isak (£8.5m), Bruno Guimaraes (£6.5m) and Anthony Gordon (£7.5m) is also something to be celebrated, providing the Magpies can see out the remainder of August without any unwanted advances.
Isak and Gordon contributed a combined 52 attacking returns last season. Bruno isn’t as appealing to Fantasy managers but his importance to the Newcastle cause, for both regaining and retaining possession, is just as huge:
Above: The Premier League’s leading players in 2023/24 for pressure regains and fouls won, via Statsbomb
And despite the continental distractions, Newcastle’s attacking output actually improved.
A total of 85 goals was 17 more than they’d managed even in their fourth-place season. Big chances were up from 113 to a league-best 134.
Above: Premier League teams sorted by xG and goals in 2023/24, via Statsbomb
NEWCASTLE: REASONS TO BE FEARFUL
Think Bobb and Murphy are alright for the first couple of weeks - explosive, though. ESM should be nailed/talismanic. Same with Nkunku. Planning a relatively early WC in any case
7 months, 23 days agoThis might be it. Please comment:
Henderson/Matthews
Saliba/Gvardiol/Porro/Barco/Harwood-Bellis
Salah/Nkunku/Murphy/ESM/Bobb
Haaland/Isak/Solanke