The Scout is using the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR) to determine the sides with the most favourable opening schedules in 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League.
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe’s side have been given a kind run of opponents in the opening five Gameweeks.
Not one of Newcastle’s fixtures in that period scores higher than three on the FDR.
Promoted Southampton visit Tyneside on the opening weekend, while the Magpies’ first three away matches are against sides who finished in the bottom half in 2023/24 - AFC Bournemouth, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham.
A home encounter with Tottenham Hotspur in Gameweek 3 won’t hold any fear, either.
Newcastle have scored 10 goals against Spurs at St James' Park across the last two seasons, beating them 6-1 in 2022/23 and then 4-0 in April of the last campaign.
Newcastle's first five matches
| GW | Opponent | FDR* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SOU (H) | 2 |
| 2 | BOU (A) | 2 |
| 3 | TOT (H) | 3 |
| 4 | WOL (A) | 2 |
| 5 | FUL (A) | 3 |
*1 = easiest possible fixture, 5 = hardest possible fixture
Here are three Newcastle players backed to make a flying start thanks to their fixtures.
Alexander Isak
The Swedish forward's total of 21 league goals last season, the third-most in the division, is all the more impressive considering he only made 27 starts.
As a result, his average of 5.7 points per match was superior to that of any other Newcastle player.
The underlying numbers show it was no fluke, either. Isak’s totals of 25 big chances and 20.29 Expected Goals (xG) both placed second among forwards in Fantasy.
With a largely favourable opening schedule and a full summer’s rest because he is not at the European Championship, Isak looks like one of the most appealing forwards for the first five Gameweeks - and beyond.
Anthony Gordon
The winger was one of the best budget picks in 2023/24. Returning 28.6 points per million spent, he was the third-best midfielder for value.
His 27 attacking returns, made up of 11 goals and 16 assists, matched the totals of more expensive midfielders like Son Heung-min and Phil Foden.
His home form was particularly excellent, with just two blanks in 18 starts on Tyneside.
While a price rise is inevitable, he’ll still likely be available at an affordable price ahead of 2024/25. Considering Newcastle's opening schedule, Gordon should be a standout midfield target for Gameweek 1.
Fabian Schar
Facing Southampton first up, the Switzerland international defender has fond memories of meeting a promoted side on the opening weekend.
Schar registered a 15-point haul against Nottingham Forest in Gameweek 1 of 2022/23, finding the net in a 2-0 win.
He also has a strong recent record against the teams he will face from Gameweek 2 to Gameweek 5 this season.
He delivered more Fantasy returns against Bournemouth, Spurs, Wolves and Fulham than any other Newcastle player in 2023/24. Schar got one goal, three assists and three clean sheets across eight starts against those four sides.
Against all opponents, the centre-back's total of 35 shots last season was beaten by just three other defenders. Cristian Romero, who netted on five occasions for Spurs, was the only defender to better Schar’s tally of four goals.
