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

    A) ASM & Ings/Jiminez
    B) James & Adams/Mitrovic

    McCarthy
    TAA Doherty Digne
    Auba Son Periera ASM
    Werner Jiminez Ings

    Button Vinagre Mitchell Alzate

    1. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

    What's the reasoning for the TAA rested rumours?

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

      GW1 deadline is four days away....

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He has been injured and only just returned (for England in a friendly)

        England play tonight too I expect him to start

      • Top 210 Club
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Basically almost zero pre season. My gut feeling is he won't start even if he plays tonight.

      • luke25
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks all

      • Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        If he doesn’t start tonight I’d be a bit worried

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

      Ollie Burke (4.5m OOP mid/fwd) to Sheffield & Brewster (4.5m fwd) to Villa would be sweet dreams...make it happen

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        What's the record

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

      Thoughts on the deadline this year? Selfishly I liked it if lineups leaked but can appreciate for fans in other parts of the globe that it can hinder them

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Great although it's more a guessing game.

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

      Thoughts?

      McCarthy
      TAA, Dier, Egan, KWP
      Salah, Son, Rodriguez, Aubameyang
      Werner, Wilson

      (Button, Stephens, Mitchell, Davis)

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

        Nice

    6. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Rate My Team

      Rodak

      TAA - Dier - Justin - KWP

      Salah - Auba - Son - ASM

      Werner - Mitrovic

      Subs: Nyland | Mitchell - Davis - Greenwood

    7. Azathoth
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone can take a guess how Chelsea's starting XI (not on GW1 but when everyone is ready) gonna be?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Top 4, Werner, Pulisic, Havertz, Ziyech.

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

          and defence?

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            The new GK and the ones below.

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

        Werner
        Pulisic - Havertz - Ziyech
        Kante - Kovacic/Mount
        Chillwell - Silva - Zouma - Azpi
        Kepa

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Exact same as what I think

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

      Daniel Podence could be gold at 5.5 - any Wolves fans around who know how likely he is to get minutes?

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

      Brighton fans

      Is Lamptey the current favourite for his spot?

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

        given that they got rid of Montoya I'd say he's pretty nailed even if Potter is the manager

        1. Jonesfromthere
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Veltman

    10. Oh Mane Mane
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Davies or Dier?

    11. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Matty Cash looking over priced at 5m. Konsa on the other hand could be a good differential though for anyone brave enough to be looking at Villa defensive cover

    12. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I need some insight to this idea please? 1.5itb

      McCarthy
      TAA VVD Dier Doherty
      Son Auba(C) Saka ASM
      Werner Mitro
      Peacock Bissouma Mitchell Martial

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

      RMT

      McCarthy
      TAA Davies Dier (KWP Mitchell)
      Salah Son Aubameyang ASM (Bissouma)
      Werner Mitrovic DCL

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

      Really want to take a punt on Bergwijn this year but the minutes really putting me off, is anyone going with him? Full expect a lot of no's aha

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

        I’d consider him in draft, I would touch him or Moura with a barge pole though. Get Alli if you want a differential of sorts

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

        Wait a few GWs to see how Spurs play/rotate.

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

        With son and Kane being pretty much untouchable, he’s too open to early substitutions/benchings

    15. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A) Doherty and Son (433)
      b) Barnes and Havertz (343)

      Best option here?

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

        A

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

        A

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

      Are you building your team long term or planning early wc ?

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

        Built around GW10 WC

      2. Cheeto__Bandito
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        long term

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

        How many it's players do you have gw1 and planning gw2 ?

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

          Utd sorry

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

        Long

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

        I struggle with planning for an early wildcard, doesn’t make sense to me. Save until fixtures swing or you get multiple injuries/suspensions at once.

    17. JohnnyWark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Please RMT
      https://imgur.com/43M4N0V

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

      So two questions I got asked,

      1. Dier
      2. Davies

      A. Coady
      B. Saiss

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        1a

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

          Exactly what I had

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

      Is there a limit to how many ML's you can enter?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        25

    20. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Will Digne still get set-pieces?

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

        doubtful.

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

          but most of his assists come from open play anyway. and he didn't score off a free kick last year.

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

      Really not liking these players round 5/5.5. ASM, Saka, Soucek and Armstrong. Gonna end up stuck with one of them, probably Soucek with no plan on how to get him out.
      Long term I’d take a 5 mil defender over him I guess but that’s all I can see in terms of escaping him

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

        Too uninspiring of a bracket for me, agreed

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

          I don’t dislike those players, but don’t want to get stuck playing one week in, week out! Sigh

          1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Gonna try Saka for 2 weeks regardless.

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

        Got to make a sacrifice somewhere, Armstrong is quality though

      3. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Soucek is fine as 5th mid, possibly rotating with 4th mid/3rd forward if you can spend the extra over likes of Bissouma/Stephens

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

      Qdams or Mitrovic?

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

        adams or mitrovic

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

          Nketiah?

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

            Am I gonna wast 6.5 on nketiah really?

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

        Wilson

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

          if I had 6.5 I wouldve said 6.5 strikers

    23. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thoughts on this?

      McCarthy (Button)
      Robbo Davies Egan (Mitchell Johnson)
      Salah Auba Havertz Alli (Bissouma)
      Jimenez DCL Mitrovic

      GW2 - Salah to Rashford
      GW3 - Auba to Sterling
      GW4 - Egan to TAA

      I know the plans will surely change! But I like the idea of it!

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

        nice!

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

        Im not sure Kai starts wk1. I think he's a quality pick, could be 200+ point player, I would prefer Werner for the start.
        Not a DCL fan either.

    24. Tinmen
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Folks, is Nketiah expected to start ?

    25. FOMFF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone fancy Wilson now?

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

      GW1 looks pretty uninspiring and low scoring, I wonder if having the likes of Rodriguez, Havertz come off the bench is that much of an issue.

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

        Disagree, can see a lot of goals

    27. gers23
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What's the thoughts on Wilson at 6.5?

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

        I like him at that, I’d take him over mitrovic if I could find the .5

        1. MGMT
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Will he go straight into the starting 11?

      2. ritzyd
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Stright into my team instead of Mitro. Great price, especially with Almiron, Fraser and ASM around him.

        1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Wish I knew he was straight into Newcastle's team

    28. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Defence too weak?

      Ramsdale
      Coleman, KWP, Lascelles
      Mane / Salah, Zaha, Son, Auba (C)
      Mitrovic, Vardy, Wilson

      Walton, Taylor, Mitchell, Bissouma.

      ITB £1.5M to bring in 1 maybe 2 United players WK2.

      1. Alchim1sT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        yes and in general too many punts (Coleman, Zaha and Wilson)

    29. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thoughts on this?

      McCarthy (Nyland)
      TAA Justin KWP Vinagre (Mitchell)
      Salah (A)uba ASM Stephens (Bruno)
      Ings Jimenez (Brewster)

      GW2 - Jimmy --> Martial with 1FT

      GW2 Team - No hits

      McCarthy
      TAA Justin KWP Vinagre (Mitchell)
      Salah Auba ASM Bruno
      Ings Martial