With the fixtures for the new season revealed The Scout explains how Fantasy Premier League managers can devise early plans for 2018/19.
Rotating players
In part 1 we explained how squad rotation can maximise a run of home fixtures for an FPL manager's players.
This involves alternating players in and out of a starting XI based on who has the home match each Gameweek.
Everton and Fulham are one such pairing for the opening matches of 2018/19.
Over the first 10 Gameweeks, the two teams alternate perfectly between home and away.
In only two of those 10 matches, do either face at home a side who finished in the top half of the 2017/18 Premier League.
And on only one occasion do they face a top-six team, when Fulham welcome Arsenal to Craven Cottage in Gameweek 8.
In the same Gameweek, Everton travel to Leicester City to provide an alternative solution.
How to rotate Everton and Fulham
| GW | Home team | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fulham | Crystal Palace |
| 2 | Everton | Southampton |
| 3 | Fulham | Burnley |
| 4 | Everton | Huddersfield |
| 5 | Everton | West Ham |
| 6 | Fulham | Watford |
| 7 | Everton | Fulham |
| 8 | Fulham | Arsenal |
| 9 | Everton | Crystal Palace |
| 10 | Fulham | AFC Bournemouth |
By partnering the Everton and Fulham defences in their opening squads, FPL managers can use the fixture list to their advantage.
Statistics show both Everton and Fulham were more resilient at home last season.
Seven of Everton's 10 clean sheets came at Goodison Park, while nine of Fulham's 15 clean sheets in the Championship were at home.
Which players to pick
Jordan Pickford and Marcus Bettinelli could provide FPL managers with a strong goalkeeper combination.
Pickford earned 28 points from saves for Everton last season, the equivalent of seven clean sheets. His 145 FPL points ranked him sixth among goalkeepers.
The best alternative defensive options from the two teams appear to be Everton's Michael Keane and Fulham's Tim Ream, pictured top.
Alternating the two centre-backs can provide a solid start to the new season for FPL managers.
Also in this series
Part 1: FPL planning: Fixtures point to early player pairings
Part 3: FPL planning: Make most of home advantage
Part 4: FPL planning: Get goals from Daniels and Tomkins
Part 5: FPL planning: Morrison and Cedric can inspire fast start
Part 6: FPL planning: Home in on Pereira and Douglas