Best picks from Newcastle for Double Gameweeks 28 and 29
Newcastle play twice in both Double Gameweeks 28 and 29. So let’s assess their best FPL options ahead of these four matches.
The recent form of Newcastle United has been fantastic. Seemingly destined for relegation in December, Eddie Howe’s side are now unbeaten in over two months of Premier League action and picked up their fourth win (and third clean sheet) from five matches by beating Brentford on Saturday. Hence they are now 14th in the table.
From an FPL perspective, they’ve offered little this season. Yet the Magpies are the only side to double-double over the pair of upcoming Gameweeks, giving potential for one or two differentials to shoot FPL managers up their mini-leagues.
Underlying Stats
It took 15 attempts for Newcastle to keep their first clean sheet of the season. By the end of Gameweek 19, they were the league’s worst for conceding shots, goals and expected goals (xGC).
However, over the last six matches, Liverpool are the one side to concede fewer goals than Newcastle’s three. Only the major clubs have a lesser xGC tally in this period and they look like a totally different team.
Part of this is due to Eddie Howe settling into his new job and, undoubtedly, part is because of the January purchases of Kieran Trippier (£5.0m), Dan Burn (£4.4m) and loanee Matt Targett (£4.7m). In particular, Trippier immediately brought leadership and top-level experience to a poor defence, yet this transformation has continued in his two-game absence.
When facing Brighton (H) and Southampton (a) in Double Gameweek 28, managers may find value in the likes of Burn, Fabian Schar (£4.3m) and Martin Dubravka (£4.4m).
Ownership for Double Gameweek
The pair of Double Gameweek 29 matches looks tougher because they’re away to both Chelsea and Everton. Still, a fully-fit Allan Saint-Maximin (£6.9m) could be a great FPL forward option at a time when there are so few.
Thrilling to watch, his dribbles have resulted in 167 take-ons and a number of successful ones that far exceeds Raphinha and Emmanuel Dennis. His five goals and five assists makes Saint-Maximin their most important player – the focal point of most Newcastle attacking intentions.
His 14.2% ownership and ranking of fifth-best forward was much better before the knock which has kept him out of the last two matches. If back for the Brighton clash, he is a fantastic forward option.
Elsewhere, the only other Newcastle asset with more than 2.5% ownership is £3.9m enabler Javier Manquillo. That means the recent form of Joe Willock (£5.7m) – goals in successive games – and Ryan Fraser (£5.3m) could offer great differential options to FPL managers.
Community Chatter – Best Picks
FPL Teach Mode believes Saint-Maximin’s price could drop to £6.8m before playing four times over two Gameweeks.
Meanwhile, @SnakeFPL wants Willock to repeat his incredible run of scoring in his final seven games at the end of last season.
