The Scout is looking at clubs who can be paired together effectively to help Fantasy Premier League managers make a strong start in 2024/25.
Aston Villa and Newcastle
Newcastle United had the second-best record for clean sheets in home matches last season, claiming eight of their 10 across the 2024/25 campaign at St James’ Park.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, were as reliable on the road as they were when playing at Villa Park, keeping four clean sheets at home and recording four shutouts in away matches. While that latter total may seem uninspiring, it's worth noting that just two sides - Arsenal and Manchester City - managed more than five clean sheets on the road in 2023/24.
Rather than simply picking the player who has a home match and benching the other player, then, it could be a better tactic to use the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR) ratings as a guide to determine who to play and when.
This would allow managers a run which includes meetings with ALL THREE promoted teams - Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town - in addition to a visit to AFC Bournemouth and home encounters against Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
How to rotate from GW1-6
| GW | Team | Opp. | FDR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newcastle | Southampton (H) | 2 |
| 2 | Newcastle | AFC Bournemouth (A) | 2 |
| 3 | Aston Villa | Leicester (A) | 2 |
| 4 | Aston Villa | Everton (H) | 2 |
| 5 | Aston Villa | Wolves (H) | 2 |
| 6 | Aston Villa | Ipswich (A) | 2 |
*1 = easiest possible fixture, 5 = hardest possible fixture
Cut-price options among the Newcastle backline are likely to be somewhat limited, with regulars such as Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar and Nick Pope all priced at £5.0m or more last season.
Sven Botman looks the best of the current crop of Newcastle defenders who are likely to remain in the budget bracket.
The Dutchman was limited to just 17 appearances in an injury-hit 2023/24, managing only 51 points.
Yet he boasted a big threat at set-pieces, scoring twice and supplying two assists. Indeed, his 10 headed shots placed second for the Magpies last term despite being sidelined for over half the season.
For Villa, new left-back Ian Maatsen looks an ideal option thanks to Unai Emery's tactics.
The Spaniard prefers his left-back to occupy advanced areas when his side are in possession, allowing the right-back to move centrally and form a back three alongside the two centre-backs.
Maatsen scored twice and supplied two assists in his 15 Bundesliga starts for Borussia Dortmund last season. The 22-year-old also helped the German side reach the UEFA Champions League final, scoring once in seven outings in the tournament.
