The Scout assesses which teams' players might be best avoided for Fantasy Premier League managers' Gameweek 1 squads.
Kieran Trippier (£6.5m)
The Newcastle United right-back faces a tough task to make an immediate impact in 2023/24.
Download: Complete FDR for 2023/24 (PDF, 220kb)
Trippier was the top-scoring defender in Fantasy last season, amassing 198 points thanks to his multiple routes to returns. He combined a goal and nine assists with 16 clean sheets and 39 bonus points.
But the Magpies’ early schedule for 2023/24 suggests managers in Fantasy should consider avoiding their key players in their opening squads.
Newcastle will face five of last season’s top nine sides in the first five Gameweeks.
Newcastle’s first five fixtures
| GW | Opp. | FDR |
| 1 | AVL (H) | 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | MCI (A) | 5 |
| 3 | LIV (H) | 4 |
| 4 | BHA (A) | 3 |
| 5 | BRE (H) | 3 |
That run of opponents also limits the appeal of Newcastle’s Callum Wilson as an option.
The forward ended the previous campaign in prolific form, with seven goals and an assist in the final six Gameweeks.
The Magpies schedule does improve from Gameweek 6, with back-to-back matches against promoted sides Sheffield United and Burnley.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (£7.5m)
Despite serving a long suspension last season, the Fulham striker scored 14 goals and supplied two assists.
Indeed, Mitrovic’s average of 143.1 minutes per goal ranked fifth among forwards with more than five goals.
However, with trips to both Arsenal and Manchester City in Fulham's opening four Gameweeks, the Serb's early appeal is somewhat limited.
From Gameweek 5, the Cottagers embark on a kinder run of opponents, including home encounters with the promoted duo of Luton Town and Sheff Utd in the subsequent four matches.
Ollie Watkins (£8.0m)
The appointment of Unai Emery as head coach transformed the Aston Villa striker’s fortunes last season.
Watkins was the third-top-scoring forward in Fantasy from the point of the Spaniard’s arrival in Gameweek 15, averaging 5.6 points per match thanks to 13 goals and six assists.
Villa, however, have just one home match in the first four Gameweeks of 2023/24, which includes trips to both Newcastle and Liverpool.
Watkins has a kinder schedule from Gameweek 5, with four home matches in six in addition to a visit to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Jarrod Bowen (£7.0m)
Six goals and nine assists helped the midfielder claim 145 points in 2022/23, more than any other player for West Ham United.
Bowen’s 75 shots, 55 shots in the box and 48 chances created all ranked top for the Hammers, further highlighting his all-round influence on their attack.
But with two home matches in the first six Gameweeks, against Chelsea and Man City, managers may be best served waiting until West Ham's schedule eases in Gameweek 7.
Dominic Solanke (£6.5m)
The forward was involved in 46 per cent of AFC Bournemouth's goals when selected last season, scoring six and assisting a further 10.
By contrast, no other Cherries’ player was involved in more than nine goals.
Solanke also recorded 66 shots in the box in 2022/23, more than twice the total of any team-mate.
However, a tough schedule suggests he should be avoided early on. Bournemouth face five of last season’s top nine sides in the first seven Gameweeks.
