Worst fixtures after the international break

With the help of Fantasy Football Scout’s fixture ticker, these teams have the worst fixtures after the international break.

Focusing on the schedule ahead and looking at teams with the best fixtures after the international break can help FPL managers in lots of different ways. Knowing which teams have the best run can aid with transfers, captaincy and chip strategy decisions.

Fixtures

Brighton

GWs 5-9: Man United (a), Bournemouth (h), Aston Villa (a), Liverpool (h), Man City (a)

Ditching assets from the league’s top scorers seems rash, especially when they won three of these equivalent matches last season. No side has had more shots overall (83), on target (36) or in the box (53), as various individuals own the best underlying stats.

Pascal Gross has created the league’s most chances (16), with Mitoma second for both this (14) and touches inside the penalty area (40). Meanwhile, attacking left-back Pervis Estupinan is the number one defender in both of these areas. Solly March’s 29 points is ahead of all team-mates, whilst Evan Ferguson has just scored a hat-trick.

Yet we’ve already seen Roberto De Zerbi wield the rotation axe on cheap forward Joao Pedro. FPL managers are looking for an exit route and it could be the same for others once their Europa League campaign imminently begins.

West Ham

GWs 5-9: Man City (h), Liverpool (a), Sheffield United (h), Newcastle (h), Aston Villa (a)

The only team to beat the Seagulls so far, West Ham, also has to face four of last season’s top seven in upcoming weeks.

David Moyes’ side is unbeaten and joint-second thanks to three Jarrod Bowen goals and returns in every match from new signing James Ward-Prowse. Yet any temptation to buy such a midfielder is dampened by their fixtures.

Their home clash with Sheffield United is surrounded by nasty-looking matches that also include European commitments.

Crystal Palace

GWs 5-9: Aston Villa (a), Fulham (h), Man United (a), Nottingham Forest (h), Newcastle (a)

Owners of Eberechi Eze could breathe a huge sigh of relief when he finally netted in Gameweek 4. They’ve had to sit through two price drops, as he blanked throughout Gameweeks 1-3 despite taking more shots than anyone else.

Now, he’s fifth for chances created (13) and joint-second with team-mate Odsonne Edouard for attempts (19). Indeed, cheap forward Edouard could be the exit route from Joao Pedro, as 18 of these were inside the box.

At the back, Joachim Andersen is the second highest-scoring defender thanks to a goal, clean sheet and six bonus points. As a defensive unit, Crystal Palace are amongst the best but their next five outings will be a big test.

Burnley

GWs 5-9: Nottingham Forest (a), Man United (h), Newcastle (a), Chelsea (h), Brentford (a)

There’s an even smaller sample size from which to judge newly-promoted Burnley. Their Gameweek 2 trip to Luton was postponed, plus other matches put them against Man City, Aston Villa and Spurs.

Those with cheap defensive enabler Jordan Beyer won’t be tempted to start him anytime soon, although £5.0m forward Lyle Foster has already netted twice. He feels completely under the radar.