Here we will analysis the 2021/22 Premier League fixture list with an aspect at which teams rotate well from a Fantasy perspective. The idea of this article is to simply find a couple of low-cost Fantasy Premier League assets whose fixtures dovetail, either to offer successive home matches or, at the very least, a prolonged spell of favorable opponents. These FPL rotational pairs generally help you to get one budget asset from each team, who you can bench/start depending on whose fixture is good. So, here are some of the best teams to pair to get an easy run of fixtures.

Brighton and Newcastle United

Brighton and Newcastle do offer some good alternate fixtures. More importantly, both teams are full of budget/mid-ranged assets to rotate. In the first 15 matches, they face a top-half side from the last season only 4 times (GWs – 5, 7, 10, and 13), which is a fair ratio. Also, 3 out of those 4 “tough fixtures” are at home, which weakens the impact of the fixture difficulty to some degree! Sanchez (£4.5m), Lamptey (£4.5m), and Trossard (£6.5m) can easy rotate with Dubravka (£4.5m), Richie (£4.5m) and Fraser (£5.5m). The combined FDR between these two teams on their first 10 games is 23.5, which means the average fixture difficulty on their each first 10 paring game is 2.35.

Brighton and Leicester City

Though many FPL managers are backing Wesley Fofana (£4.5m), his low points ceiling makes him a poor standalone asset. Just the five bonus points in 27 starts with zero goals means that you are relying solely on clean sheets if you plan on playing him week in and week out. Rotating him with Brighton’s Lamptey (£4.5m), White (£4.5m) or Veltman (£4.5m) can give an opportunity to make optimal use of him. The combined FDR between these two teams on their first 9 games is 19, which means the average fixture difficulty on their each first 9 paring game is 2.11.

Leicester City and Aston Villa

Their combined fixture includes only two face-offs against a top-half side in the first 13 matches. Given both these fixtures are played at home and by Leicester, there is hope of returns for the Leicester assets. In addition to that, nine out of thirteen fixtures would be at Home. Fofana (£4.5m), Soyuncu (£5.0m) and Maddison (£7.0m) could be easily rotate with villa’s Konsa (£5.0m) and Buendia (£6.5m) to get maximum outcome . The combined FDR between these two teams on their first 10 games is 24, which means the average fixture difficulty on their each first 10 paring game is 2.40.

Aston Villa and Wolves

Aston Villa’s fixtures not only rotate quite well with those of Watford but with Wolves’ matches too. Pairing the two Midlands sides in the first eight Gameweeks would see a rotating Fantasy asset face Watford (twice), Newcastle (twice), Brentford (twice), Southampton and Wolves. Only two teams kept more clean sheets than Dean Smith’s troops in 2020/21. We’re also in unknown territory regarding a new-look Wolves, but Ait Nouri (£4.5m) and Coady (£4.5m) could be well gelled with Konsa (£5.0m) and Matt Targett (£5.0m). The combined FDR between these two teams on their first 9 games is 20, which means the average fixture difficulty on their each first 9 paring game is 2.22.

Brighton and West Ham United

Rotating West ham’s defender Masuaku (£4.5m) with Brighton’s Lamptey (£4.5m),White (£4.5m) or Veltman (£4.5m) can give an opportunity to make optimal outcome of their defensive assets. The combined FDR between these two teams on their first 10 games is 23.5, which means the average fixture difficulty on their each first 10 paring game is 2.35.

West Ham United and Leeds United

Their combined fixture includes only two face-offs against a top-half side in 10 matches, which are in GW 2 (against EVE) and GW 6 where they play each other. Both these fixtures are played at home by Leeds, and being a top 10 side themselves, there are decent chances of returns for their assets. Both of the team has some promising assets, like Bowen (£6.5m) and Soucek (£6.0m) could easily rotate with Raphinha (£6.5m) and Harrison (£6.0m). The combined FDR between these two teams on their first 9 games is 20, which means the average fixture difficulty on their each first 9 paring game is 2.22.

Everton and Leeds United

Everton in general have a great run of starting fixtures. But, when combined with Leeds it becomes even more delicious. They do play any top-half side from last season, except when they play each other in GW2. Leeds goal keeper Meslier (£5.0m) and England number one Pickford (£5.0m) could be a great rotational option if anyone can manage £10m for his keeper option. The combined FDR between these two teams on their first 9 games is 18, which means the average fixture difficulty on their each first 9 paring game is 2.

Leeds United and Brighton

Brighton and Leeds United has made significant improvements at the back in 2021. Pairing Leeds and Brighton players gives a run of 11 matches in which the opposition consists of five newly promoted sides and six clubs who finished in the lower reaches of the Premier League last season. The only possible downside to the combination is 8 away fixtures out of 15. With both Brighton and Leeds loaded with good budget/mid-ranged options, it could be a great option to start with! In my opinion, Brighton have the best £4.5m FPL defenders in the game. Brighton were only behind Chelsea and Man City for expected goals (xG) and big chances conceded last season. Ever since Robert Sánchez became a regular, only three Premier League teams kept more clean sheets than Brighton. Rotating Lamptey (£4.5m) or Joel Veltman (£4.5m) with Diego Llorente (£4.5m) or Luke Ayling (£4.5m) could give us a succession of favorable fixtures. The combined FDR between these two teams on their first 10 games is 20, which means the average fixture difficulty on their each first 10 paring game is 2.

Brighton and Arsenal

Arsenal and Brighton offer a great rotation for the first nine matches, where the rotation avoids a top half opposition in 8 matches except in GW3 (against EVE). On top of that, the rotation also guarantees you six home fixtures out of the nine! It’s a season for Arsenal where we can see some budget options given regular time. The combined FDR between these two teams on their first 9 games is 22, which means the average fixture difficulty on their each first 9 paring game is 2.44.

Burnley and Watford

Burnley’s uncharacteristically poor late-season defensive form saw the Clarets keep only four clean sheets in their last 20 matches. That may well see defensive assets such as Matthew Lowton and Charlie Taylor remain at the £4.5m price bracket. On the other hand, the Hornets have conceded just 15 league goals in 26 matches since the change of manager in December. Rotating assets from these two clubs gives a semi-decent sequence in the first seven game weeks. The combined FDR between these two teams on their first 10 games is 24.5, which means the average fixture difficulty on their each first 10 paring game is 2.45.

By Ahmed ShanTonu

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