Middlesbrough appear to have been handed a favourable opening schedule on their return to the top flight, according to a new tool that can help Fantasy Premier League managers.
Using the new Fixture Difficulty Ranking (FDR) system introduced to FPL this season, we can see that Aitor Karanka’s side register a score of eight for their opponents across the first five Gameweeks.
They enjoy two home fixtures, against Stoke City and Crystal Palace, as well as trips to Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Everton.
Boro return to the Premier League boasting the best defensive record in last season’s Championship, where they were runners-up, with 22 clean sheets accrued and 31 goals conceded in 46 matches.
Such resilience suggests that investment in Karanka’s defensive regulars could pay off for FPL managers.
With injury concerns casting uncertainty over the likely starters at centre-half, new goalkeeper Victor Valdes (£4.5million) and George Friend (£4.5m) could provide excellent value in managers’ opening 15-man squads.
Valdes is expected to pick up save points even if his side concede, while Friend looks an assured pick at left-back and chipped in with a goal and two assists last term.
Further up the field, Gaston Ramirez (£5.5m) and Viktor Fischer (£5.5m) offer a goal threat at a budget price. Ramirez netted seven times on loan at the Riverside Stadium in the second half of 2015/16 and Fischer arrives on the back of eight strikes for Ajax.
Alvaro Negredo (£6.5m), their new striker, has scored twice in three starts in pre-season and gives Boro some crucial top-flight experience, having won the 2013/14 Premier League title with Manchester City.
The Spaniard looks the ideal target man for Karanka’s 4-2-3-1 formation but, as with Ramirez and Fischer, he could have his minutes managed late on in matches as Karanka has a tendency to freshen up his attack.
It is worth noting, though, that Boro scored just 63 times in last year’s Championship. While their defence looks appealing, FPL managers should be cautious in overinvesting in Karanka’s attack.
The Fixture Difficulting Ranking also highlights a downturn for Teessiders from Gameweeks 6-13.
Karanka’s side face Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Leicester City over that eight-match spell, suggesting that FPL owners should prepare an exit plan before the schedule takes a turn for the worse.
