Fantasy Premier League

FPL rotation: Double up with Egan and Walker-Peters

By The Scout 24 Aug 2020
John Egan and Kyle Walker-Peters

The Scout suggests rotating the Sheff Utd and Southampton defenders, who both offer potential for attacking returns

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The Scout looks at clubs that can be paired together effectively to help Fantasy Premier League managers make a strong start in 2020/21.

Sheff Utd and Southampton

Sheffield United had one of the Premier League's sturdiest defences on their return to the top flight last season.

The Blades' 13 clean sheets ranked joint-fourth alongside Manchester United, Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Chris Wilder's rearguard were particularly reliable at Bramall Lane.

They claimed eight shutouts at home, a total bettered only by the 10 of Manchester City.

By selecting a player from each side in their initial squad, and benching the one who is playing away from home throughout the campaign, a Fantasy manager is guaranteed a home fixture in every Gameweek.

Southampton will alternate home fixtures with Sheff Utd throughout 2020/21.

How to rotate in GWs 1-12
GW Home team Opponent
1 SHU WOL 
2 SOU TOT 
3 SHU LEE 
4 SOU WBA 
5 SHU FUL
6 SOU EVE 
7 SHU MCI
8 SOU NEW 
9 SHU WHU 
10 SOU MUN 
11 SHU  LEI 
12 SOU SHU 

By rotating Sheff Utd and Saints defenders over Gameweeks 1-12, managers would have a home match against just four of last season’s top six sides.

And on each of those occasions, the team playing away offer a more favourable fixture.

In Gameweeks 2 and 10 respectively, Southampton host Tottenham Hotspur and Man Utd, while Sheff Utd visit Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion.

The Blades host Man City in Gameweek 7 and Leicester in Gameweek 11. Across those respective Gameweeks, Southampton travel to Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Viable pairings

Sheff Utd wing-backs Enda Stevens and George Baldock (both £5.5m) are too expensive to be rotated with a Southampton player, but there are options elsewhere for the Blades.

Summer signing Aaron Ramsdale (£5.0m) could be partnered with Saints' Alex McCarthy (£4.5m) in goal. Both should be guaranteed save points as well as clean sheets.

But it is John Egan (£5.0m) and Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.5m) who appear to offer the strongest double-up option.

Attacking potential

Egan was one of the standout defenders for goal threat last term. He scored twice and his total of 27 shots inside the penalty area was the fourth-highest at the back.

Walker-Peters impressed during his loan spell at Southampton after the season resumed in June, and he has since secured a permanent transfer to the club.

He started in six of the final seven Gameweeks, producing at least six points on three of those occasions.

Walker-Peters' best moments for Saints

Prior to last season, the right-back supplied five FPL assists in just nine appearances for Spurs over 2017/18 and 2018/19.

By partnering Egan with Walker-Peters, managers can earn points in attack and defence from the outset for a combined cost of just £9.5m.

Gameweek 1 is only two weeks away! Register your team now at fantasy.premierleague.com.

Also in this series

Part 1: Pair up for home points
Part 2: Justin and Taylor offer outstanding value
Part 4: Dier and Vinagre can bring in early points
Part 5: How to alternate three defenders

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