Fixtures

The best budget defensive rotation pairs for the new FPL season

Defensive rotations are the key to maximising the efficiency of cheaper Fantasy Premier League assets, especially this season.

Using the Fantasy Football Scout Season Ticker, we have picked out some of our favourite pairings of teams for those looking to make full use of their 15 players in 2020/21.

These include the pros and cons of each pairing, as well as other considerations that must be made before investing.

SHEFF UTD + SOUTHAMPTON

One of the most promising rotation pairings in terms of fixtures at the start of the season involves Sheffield United and Southampton.

As you can see from the Season Ticker above, the two clubs have paired home games and even their away trips look promising between Gameweeks 1 and 6.

Owning a defensive asset from each of these clubs would give Fantasy managers the following fixture list (if rotated appropriately): cry | avl | LEE | WBA | FUL | EVE

While only four of those fixtures are at home, the tougher match-ups cancel each other out in the first two away ones. During Project Restart, Crystal Palace (five) and Aston Villa (seven) were inside the bottom three for goals scored, only Norwich (one) finding the net fewer times.

Beyond that, it’s three matches in a row against newly-promoted sides, before Everton who, like Villa, only registered seven goals in Project Restart, come to Southampton in Gameweek 6.

Meanwhile, only five teams kept more clean sheets than the Blades and Saints (both three) during the last nine Gameweeks of 2019/20.

However, the question still remains: how does one invest in this rotation with effective budget options?

Sheffield United’s roster presents slightly more problems out of the two clubs, after their price hikes for 2020/21. 

Pre-season may have raised the interest in Jack Robinson (£4.5m), who has featured heavily in all of Sheffield United’s friendlies thus far, while Jack O’Connell (£5.0m) has been absent.

The former £4.0m man has played 292 of a possible 315 minutes this summer, behind only Chris Basham (£5.0m) when it comes to most-used centre-backs.

Outside of Robinson, who is by no means a nailed-on long-term starter at Bramall Lane, Fantasy managers may have to put up a little more cash to have a reliable route here.

Aaron Ramsdale (£5.0m), John Egan (£5.0m) as well as Basham and O’Connell are probably the ones to turn to.

Thankfully, the Southampton side of this equation is much simpler. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side can offer us a £4.5m goalkeeper in Alex McCarthy (£4.5m), as well as a similarly-priced full-back in Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.5m).

BURNLEY + LEICESTER

Price points are much less of an issue for anyone considering a defensive rotation of Burnley and Leicester assets.

Despite the recent arrival of Timothy Castagne (£5.5m), James Justin (£4.5m) looks likely to be involved in the early part of the campaign on either side of the Foxes’ defence, with Ricardo Pereira (£6.0m) and Christian Fuchs (£4.5m) out injured.

Meanwhile, Charlie Taylor (£4.5m) is on offer at Burnley and, with several shortages at centre-back during pre-season, Jimmy Dunne or Bobby Thomas (neither have an FPL price yet) could be involved.

The fixtures work out relatively nicely, but not quite as snugly as the Sheffield United+Southampton ones do.

Not game for Burnley in Blank Gameweek 1 is covered quite nicely by a trip to West Bromwich Albion for Leicester.

They then host the Clarets in Gameweek 2, but Sean Dyche’s men will face Southampton at Turf Moor the following week when Leicester must travel to Manchester City.

Gameweeks 4 and 5 offer some choice, with Newcastle (away) and West Ham (home) the first of those, before it’s West Brom (away) or Villa (home).

Then, the pairing runs into slightly more of an issue in Gameweek 6 when Burnley host Spurs at the same time as Leicester travel to Arsenal, although in this strange start to the season, many managers may have Wildcarded by that point anyway.

ASTON VILLA + CRYSTAL PALACE

Aston Villa and Crystal Palace balance some very nice home matches during the first six Gameweeks.

Dean Smith’s men don’t play during the opening round of action but the Eagles host Southampton that week.

Beyond that, investing in these two clubs could give a Fantasy manager the opportunity to defend against SHU | EVE | LIV | BHA | LEE.

The Liverpool game for Villa naturally looks a bit tricky, especially with a trip to Chelsea the alternative for Palace, although Smith has managed to improve his defence since Project Restart. Even though Villa lost 2-0 at Anfield, they held the Reds at bay for 71 minutes.

As for routes into the defences of either side, there are a plethora of choices, including some £4.0m options.

Following injuries to Patrick van Aanholt (£5.5m) and three different centre-backs, Tyrick Mitchell (£4.0m) has become a virtual ever-present at left-back for Palace during pre-season.

What impact has new formation had on Targett and Villa's defence?

At Villa, the ongoing fitness issues suffered by Tom Heaton (£4.5m), and current lack of new signings between the sticks, means that one of Ørjan Nyland (£4.0m) or Jed Steer (£4.0m) is likely to start the first few matches of 2020/21. Paying attention to Smith’s next press conference may hopefully tell us more in this department.

If uncertainty there, as well as an eventual return of Heaton, is enough to put off investors, there are plenty of £4.5m defenders at Villa Park.

Matty Cash (£5.0m) has probably cast enough doubt over Frédéric Guilbert (£4.5m) and Ahmed El Mohamady (£4.5m), but Matt Targett (£4.5m) remains the first-choice on the left-hand side of the defence.

As for Crystal Palace, Scott Dann (£4.5m) has been the most-used centre-back during pre-season outside of Cheikhou Kouyaté (£5.0m), who is filling in there from midfield. 

Joel Ward (£4.5m) has also been extensively used at right-back during the pre-season (298 minutes from a possible 360), although how long-term a role he has remains to be seen when Nathan Ferguson (£4.0m) gets back from injury.

BRIGHTON + LEEDS

This combination of defenders is not quite as attractive as those mentioned above, but is still worth being aware of.

The home matches on offer between Brighton and Leeds are CHE | FUL | MUN | MCI | WOL | WBA. Hardly the best combination. 

However, if rotated around the opponents rather than around the venue, Fantasy managers could set themselves up to defend against the following: CHE | FUL | shu | eve | cry | WBA – much more appealing.

That provides two opponents who scored seven goals or fewer during Project Restart, two newly-promoted clubs as well as Sheffield United, who averaged 0.9 goals per game in the final 10 matches of last season.

There are other risks associated with this rotation, of course, namely in the ability of the two defences to keep clean sheets.

During the Project Restart period, only Arsenal (15.69) and Norwich (17.47) recorded a higher expected goals conceded (xGC) score than Brighton, while Leeds arrive in the Premier League after a 16-year absence.

Perhaps, then, Mat Ryan (£4.5m) and Illan Meslier (£4.5m) might be the best bets here, as they can potentially rack up saves based on conceding a high volume of shots.

Considering Graham Potter’s propensity to rotate even in defence, the Seagulls’ goalkeeper becomes even more attractive. Lewis Dunk (£5.0m) is perhaps the only nailed-on defender and is probably too pricey to consider right now.

There is more certainty in Leeds’ back-four with Luke Ayling (£4.5m) and Liam Cooper (£4.5m) especially nailed-on to start at right-back and centre-back respectively.

To find defensive pairings of your own, make sure you use the Season Ticker in the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area.

Best players by position:

1,643 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Mossi98
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT 1.0£ ITB
    McCarthy - Steer

    TAA - Davies -Lascelles - Dallas - Mitchell

    Auba - Salah - Trossard - JWP - Greenwood

    Werner - Adams - Mitrovic

  2. Tim2012
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    ***Rate My Team***

    McCarthy

    TAA - Doherty - Justin

    Aubu - Salah - Son - Pereira - Saint Maximin

    Werner - Adams

    Subs: Nayland - Vinagre - Mitchell - Davis

    1. Steadzz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Villa about to sign Ollie Watkins so Davis looks to be a bit further down the pecking order. Vinagre's a bit of a strange situation too at the moment. Pereira will get points so i like the shout, no Everton may be a risk

      1. BENOIT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        No Everton risk... heard it all now

  3. InVinoVeritas1
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT PLEASE

    McCarthy/Ryan
    TAA/Davies/James/Justin/Mitchell
    Auba/Salah/Son/Bowen/ASM
    Werner/Mitro/Brewster

    1. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks like everyone else’s

      Defence could be risky

  4. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    Taa Doherty Vinagre (mitchell, taylor)
    Salah Auba Soucek Son Armstrong
    Werner Mitrovic (brewster)

    Have 1.5 itb
    Son to bruno!
    Gw3 auba to kdb

    Tell something guys..

  5. davewg59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Do you think its possible to go with ASM and Wilson in same team or is it a no-no as its Newcastle?

    1. Steadzz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It's currently my plan to go in with both

    2. Firmino
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Find .5 and get DCL.

    3. luke25
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Probably a bit too much to start but good options separately at those price points

  6. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So, we all start again if Brewster leaves?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hopefully will be confirmed at 10am on Saturday for extra fun 😀

  7. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I don't understand why there are so many RMTs on here when everybody's team is more or less 90% the same as everybody else's

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Non stop it's insane, some people have been posting them since the game opened, must be on their 67th draft for us to joyfully review

        1. The Big Fella
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Exactly "Oh I absolutely love your Adams/Werner/Mitro combo up front with Auba and Salah in midfield and a Liverpool defender - how original. I hadn't seen this before 10/10"

      • luke25
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        And any team that's different is advised to move more towards the template aha

        1. The Big Fella
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          This ^

        2. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yep. Sort of a weird natural selection thing.

        3. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Literally, can't remember who said it but isn't the whole point to beat the masses not fall in line

            1. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Many are incapable of this though so just let the community pick their team for them. Many of these do very well though annoyingly.

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  What a god awful way to play, a 50/50 sure ask the community and see if there's some data or something you haven't considered, a rotation pairing sure but I don't understand what fun some people are having just copying others teams or making 0 decisions other then herd following. Each to their own I guess

                  1. luke25
                    • 9 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    This for me, I'd rather get 60 points for a team I picked myself rather than 70 I had no say in.

                    1. Indpush
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      There is no number that I would rather have if I had no say.

          • Bobby Digital
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Welcome to FFS.

            1. The Big Fella
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              It seems worse this year

              1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                There was a RMT topic last season wasn't there ?

          • Old Man
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Loads of sheep. Baaa.

        4. Botman
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Really excited to see how Everton lineup. I think they will go 4-3-3 with James on the right, DCL middle and Rich on the left. Which could see Gylfi return to his favoured position of CAM. Lots of potential value it would seem.

          1. TomSaints
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            James at 7.5 is tasty.

            If DCL is first choice I think I’m going for him. Did well by me last year and Everton should be better

            1. Botman
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              He'll either partner Rich in a front 2 or be the middle of a front 3 is my thinking. Can't see him being anything but nailed.

        5. The Mantis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Saka or ASM

          1. 2OLEgend
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            ASM - more nailed

        6. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          This is hard

          McCarthy
          TAA Davies Vinagre* Justin
          Salah Aubameyang Son Havertz
          Werner Mitrovic

          Steer Mitchell Bissouma Davis

          Concerns
          Havertz not starting gw1
          Terrible bench that allows no flexibility
          Vinagre

          Looks good other than that?!

        7. MartialMatas
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          How's this?

          Ryan
          TAA Dier KWP Vinagre Justin
          Aubameyang Alli Ziyech
          Werner DCL

          Steer Brewster Greenwood Foden (dirty boys)

          2.5m itb to allow Auba and alli/ziyech to kdb and Bruno, with money to spare for price changes

        8. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Have we got any decent OOP’s in the game?

          1. luke25
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Not yet but Ricardo Pereira might be utilised on the wing when he's back according to some Leicester fans which would be great but personally don't quite see it

            1. Jafooli
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Thanks

          2. Bullet Eder
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Zaha for now

            1. Jafooli
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Ah true dat....cheers

          3. ClassiX
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Podence potentially

            1. ClassiX
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              D'oh - ignore this

              1. Jafooli
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Will do...

          4. Botman
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            If Ollie Burke (4.5 mid) goes to Sheffield he could play up front.

            1. Jafooli
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              😯 serious?

              1. Botman
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                just one to add to the watchlist i think for now

            2. Ser Davos
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Good spot, indeed. Only intermittently but even so

            3. luke25
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Word of warning though, he is awful

              1. Jafooli
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                See below

            4. Eze Really?
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Nice player, good work ethic. Could make a difference.

              1. Jafooli
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                See above

        9. davies
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Is there any 4.5 defender you’d be comfortable playing every week?

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Not really, closest would be a KWP/Lamptey rotation which looks pretty decent.

            1. Old Man
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Veltman might threaten Lamptey.

          2. luke25
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Saliba if it's evident he's first choice

          3. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Possibly Pieters GW2 onwards?

            He’s 3rd on my bench for GW1....

            1. davies
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Taylor will start but good shout - I can bench GW1 and would feel comfortable playing every week except GW10

              1. Jafooli
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Ah right, Pieters not first choice? In which case Taylor if he is...

            2. BENOIT
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              errrr, Charlie Taylor says Hi

              1. Jafooli
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Thanks, didn’t know...

          4. WVA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            A Burnley defender once we know first choice back four

          5. Ser Davos
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            KWP definitely given fixtures

            Dallas Ayling due to attacking threat and Leeds potential

            Dallas could find joy if he plays Neco GW1

        10. Jimjam
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          McCarthy
          Alexander-Arnold, ???, Davies, Saiss
          Salah, Aubameyang, Son, ???
          Werner, ???

          (A). Robertson, Saint-Maximin, Mitrovic
          (B.) Egan, Soucek, Ings

          1. WVA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            No plan for Manchester players?
            B

            1. Eze Really?
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              I think people over worried about Manc players. Sure they can score but TBH there are a lot of choices out there.

              1. Flair
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Fixtures aren't great either

        11. SorSy
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          RMT

          Nyland / McCarthy

          Ayling TAA Mitchell Vinagre KWP
          Auba Son ASM Salah Stephens
          Brewster Werner Ings

          hm some hints?

          1. SorSy
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            ** 1m in bank

          2. WVA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I thought steer was ahead of Nyland?
            Vinagre leaving?
            Bissouma over Stephens

            1. SorSy
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Nyland and Steer are probably on same boat , I guess we will know more on Friday conference who will play

        12. WVA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          FINALLY I'm happy with it! What do you think?

          Ryan
          TAA Coady Egan Dier
          Mane Auba Son Armstrong
          Werner Wilson
          Walton Mitchell Bissouma Davis

          1. WVA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            1.5 ITB

          2. Miguel Sanchez
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Why Coady over Saiss?

            1. QUEN
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              More nailed no? The golden boy

            2. WVA
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              More nailed?

              1. Miguel Sanchez
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Just about - but no attacking threat, doesn’t even go up for corners

            3. WVA
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Rest look good?

              1. Miguel Sanchez
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Rest is fine - like that you have Mané over Salah

                1. WVA
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Seems obvious to me

          3. Ser Davos
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Excellent

            1. WVA
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Thank you Sir

          4. KING KOUNDER
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Why Dier over Davies ?

        13. The Sarjeant
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Anyone fancy Ampadu as a punt? Could be great value if he plays in midfield.

          1. Nomar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Chris Wilder knows what he’s doing.

            1. QUEN
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              I will transfer him in if starts for sure.

        14. Bullet Eder
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Four rate my teams in a row at the top of this page as others tear up their drafts for the latest shiny new things in Wilson and James. Time to log off until Saturday morning!

          1. luke25
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Are people trying to fit James in? I can't see him doing amazing

        15. Feed tha Sheep
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Wilson a decent option up front for 6.5?

          1. Nomar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Most definitely.

          2. ClassiX
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Wait and see, for me. The Toon's have a great run of matches from GW7 and might be worth considering at that point.

        16. The Frenchie
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          GW1
          McCarthy
          Alexander-Arnold / Van Dijk / Walker-Peters / Justin
          Salah (vc) / Aubameyang (c) / Son / Saint-Maximin
          Ings / Calvert-Levin

          GW3 A)
          McCarthy
          Alexander-Arnold / Van Dijk / Walker-Peters / Justin
          Salah / De Bruyne / Bruno Fernandes / Saint-Maximin
          Ings / Calvert-Levin

          GW3 B)
          McCarthy
          Alexander-Arnold / Van Dijk / Walker-Peters / Strunk
          James Rodriguez / De Bruyne / Bruno Fernandes / Pulisic
          Ings / Werner

        17. Saka Rice
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Thoughts on having Davies and Dier? double nailed spurs defenders for 5M each is a steal with amazing fixtures!

          1. Flair
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            On that right now, great value for 5M.

          2. luke25
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            People seem to be split down the middle on Spurs, I think they'll be v good this year but already have Son and Kane otherwise would look at doubling up

        18. Strchld
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Mitro or ASM+0.5? Or even Wilson.

        19. Henryyy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          A or B?

          A Wilson Armstrong/JWP
          B Adams ASM

        20. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Any Sheffield utd itk here? Would like to know if Ampadu will start the season and who for in that case.

        21. Feed tha Sheep
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          DCL worth a 1.0 more than Mitro?

          1. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I think so, but I would. Everton midfield chronic last season but new signings will make a difference.

        22. Forza Papac
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Are the WGTA guys hosting a league this year? Can't seem to find the league code

        23. Totti
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          guys
          could you plz tell me if there are defenders nailed on with 4 million other-than mitchell?

          1. QUEN
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Mitchell isn’t even nailed

          2. ClassiX
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Not at the moment. There's a reason they're 4m. One or two will emerge during the season do to injuries etc.

        24. Krupinho
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          After having Martial on the bench for GW1, decided to get rid and go from 4-3-3 to 3-4-3

          thoughts? 3.0 ITB, so GW2, Mitro or Adams to Martial

          McCarthy
          TAA Dier Vinagre / Mitchell
          Salah Auba (C) Alli Soucek
          Mitro Adams Werner

          Nyland Mitchell / Vinagre Bissouma Taylor

        25. Reeker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          What's the deal with Madison?

        26. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          A) Son/DCL
          B) Alli/Ings

          1. BENOIT
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            b