FPL 2024/25: Newcastle United stars to pick, risk and avoid

The season is almost upon us; and for most football fans, the games themselves are exciting enough.

But for those of us who love to add an extra twist to every week of Premier League action, there is also FPL to think about as well.

Last season was an interesting one for the Newcastle United picks; we had European football to worry about for the first time in ten years, meaning there was a higher chance of squad rotation; and while our squad definitely boasted some fantastic talent - they weren’t the sort of players that traditionally scored big points on FPL.

Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton will be two of the early picks for Toon boss Eddie Howe’s team sheet, they are often considered unpopular choices due to their game not solely revolving around goals and assists; while breakout star Anthony Gordon wasn’t even guaranteed a regular spot in the first XI after his below-par half-season for us prior; where he managed just one goal from 16 appearances.

But this season, we think things will be a little different for Newcastle-favouring players.

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Why Newcastle players are a great pick to triple-up on

To start off with the obvious; Newcastle United is the only team out of last season’s top 8 to be without the distraction of European football this season. That means much less risk of rotation; so you won’t have any big-money players warming the bench and picking up zero points, but also (theoretically) fewer games in the season should mean there will be fewer injuries and burnout.

Also, the new allocation system for Bonus Points has changed this year, with a higher chance of picking up bonuses for stats like ‘Fouls Won’ and ‘Shots on Target’. Essentially; stats that favour teams with Eddie Howe’s style of direct, high-intensity, aggressive football.

Goalkeepers

Nick Pope - £5M - AVOID

We love Nick Pope, but at £5 million, there are simply better goalkeeping targets out there, with Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez, Everton’s pantomime villain Jordan Pickford and Fulham’s Bernd Leno all high-scoring ‘keepers last year, and all at the same price as Nick. Much was also made of Andre Onana’s shot-stopping heroics last season, as Manchester United faced the most shots of any team outside the relegation zone in the second half of last season.

There is also the fact that goalkeeper is a bit of a waste of one of your three NUFC picks, with so much value available elsewhere outfield.

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A number of solid defensive options

Defenders

Kieran Trippier - £6M - AVOID

Trippier’s legendary exploits in FPL during the 22-23 campaign made him an almost certain pick last time out.

But much like Newcastle’s season as a whole, it all ended in tears for backers of Tripps last season.

He was the second most expensive defender in the game last year, and aside from a mega 3-assist and 1 clean sheet haul away at Sheffield United; he struggled for consistency and fitness last year.

His price has fallen to £6 million this time around, but we still feel that’s too expensive, especially with the emergence of Tino Livramento (4.5M), and the fact that he’s been heavily linked with a move to Saudi.

Liverpool duo Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7M) and Andy Robertson (£6M) are better choices if you want an attacking full-back in your squad.

Fabian Schar - £5.5M - DEFINITE PICK

With 123 points accumulated last season, Fabian Schar was Newcastle fourth best player in FPL, and joint-sixth across the entire league for defenders.

Just like the whole backline, his clean sheets waned from the season before, but his attacking output is what makes him an attractive option; even at a price hike to £5.5M.

He managed four goals and one assist last season, and he also loves a shot from distance for extra bonus point opportunities for shots on target.

Finally, with the injuries to Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles ruling them out for several months; our Swiss stallion is a guaranteed starter, and he has made 36 appearances out of a possible 38 in each of the last two seasons. Clearly not one for injuries then, unlike a lot of the Newcastle United squad!

Lewis Hall - £4.5M - RISKY PICK

While we’re not as certain about this one as we are with Schar, Lewis Hall could be worth his weight in FPL gold this year.

He’s majorly impressed in pre-season, carrying on the great form that earned him Newcastle’s ‘Player of the Month’ gong for May. Another interesting note from his pre-season exploits has been his ability to slot into midfield at times and also race up the pitch. Finding defenders who play as midfielders or midfielders who play as strikers is one of the best ways to ‘play the system’ in FPL, as they have an added chance of getting attacking returns while still getting their bonus points for clean sheets (4 for a defender, 1 for a midfielder).

He’s not nailed on for a starting berth, with Dan Burn (4.5M) and Lloyd Kelly (4.5M) also contenders at left-back. But attacking full-backs valued at just 4.5 million can prove to be incredible budget options in FPL.

One to certainly keep an eye on.

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Newcastle United's risky midfield

Midfielders

Anthony Gordon - £7.5M - DEFINITE PICK

An absolute bargain last season in FPL, Anthony Gordon fully capitalised on Allan Saint Maximin’s departure and made the Left Wing spot his own; duly picking up Newcastle’s ‘Player of the Season’ award as recognition for his 11 goals and 10 assists.

That meteoric rise has been reflected in his price increase from £5.5M to £7.5M, but we still feel he’s a bargain compared to midfielders with similar stats.

Like Schar, he was a virtual ever-present last season, missing just three games; two of which were from bookings, which possibly highlights his only downside; a love of yellow cards (-1 point for a yellow and -2 for a red).

But with the new Bonus Points structure rewarding fouls won, it plays perfectly into Gordon’s hands, especially when you consider how many penalties he won for Newcastle last term, which also count as assists in FPL. Get him in!

Bruno Guimaraes - £6.5M - RISKY PICK

Despite largely being utilised as the deepest-sitting midfielder in Howe’s system, Bruno actually ranks 12th in the entire league for midfielders from last season, defying the rule that ‘defensive midfielders’ don’t earn points in FPL.

Similar to Anthony Gordon, Bruno’s 23-24 season was by far his best in FPL; notching 7 goals and 8 assists. And the similarities don’t stop there; he made 37 appearances out of a possible 38, missing one game due to - you guessed it - his high yellow cards count (9).

At £6.5 million, he’s an awkward one. There will undoubtedly be diamonds in the rough priced at £5-6 million that will unearth themselves in the opening weeks of the season and offer better value. While the likes of Leon Bailey, Kaoru Mitoma, Jeremy Doku, Alejandro Garnacho, Morgan Gibbs-White, Brennan Johnson and Mohammed Kudus are all more offensive-minded players at the same 6.5M price tag. That said, none of the above managed more FPL points than Bruno’s 153 last term.

One to think carefully about…

Joe Willock - £5M - RISKY PICK

Newcastle’s forgotten man last term; poor Joe managed only 419 minutes of Premier League football in the 23-24 season, scoring one goal.

Often a very under-appreciated member of Eddie Howe’s midfield, Willock was instrumental in Newcastle’s charge towards the Champions League two seasons ago, where he notched three goals and six assists in 2,578 Premier League minutes.

Now, those aren’t FPL figures to get too excited about, until you factor in his price tag. At £5 million, he is just 0.5 off being one of the cheapest midfielders in the game. £4.5M is normally reserved for the academy graduates and complete unknowns, so for a player as talented as Joe to be available at such a bargain price makes him a great rotation option, and also an enabler to afford big midfield guns.

He shone in the pre-season fixture versus Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan; notching two assists, and with Sandro Tonali set to miss the first two games of the season due to his ban, Elliot Anderson sold and Lewis Miley injured, Joe will be battling Sean Longstaff for a starting role in midfield for the opening few fixtures.

Jacob Murphy - £5.5M - RISKY PICK

Another man who often doesn’t receive the plaudits he deserves is Jacob Murphy. Brought in SEVEN seasons ago by Rafa Benitez, it wasn’t until Eddie Howe worked his magic that we started seeing Murph’s real value to this Newcastle United team.

Under Howe, he has been a player transformed, featuring in the top 5 players for ‘chances created from open play’ last season. And while his goal and assist stats from last season look average at first glance (three goals and seven assists), that was from just 1,193 Premier League minutes, meaning he averaged a goal contribution every 120 minutes on the pitch.

Again, you should always take pre-season form with a pinch of salt, but Murph currently has four goals in four apps at the time of writing; and looks set to start the season at Right Wing for Eddie Howe’s men, with the clock ticking for a replacement starter to come in before the season starts.

The Toon's formidable front line

Alexander Isak - £8.5M - DEFINITE PICK

FPL players signing in to pick their opening squads for the 24-25 season must have done a double-take when they spotted the price of Alex Isak. As the Premier League's third highest goalscorer last season, and amassing 172 FPL points in just 30 Premier League games; Isak is the name hot on every FPL player’s lips.

With ridiculous price increases for the likes of Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon; Alex is an absolute must; averaging a goal contribution every 98 minutes of Premier League football last season; and it’s easy to see why he’s currently been picked in 55% of squads already.

With player ownership that high, he’s not going to be a differential along with the likes of Hall, Bruno, Murphy or Willock… but when he’s that good, is it worth falling behind the Isak-owner hype brigade by going with more hipster choices?

We certainly don’t think so. With Haaland priced at £15M this year, Isak is almost half the price. And with no Europe to contend with, and Callum Wilson firmly relegated to deputy now, Isak is guaranteed starts week in, week out.

We just pray he keeps fit.

CHEAT CODE PICK - Possible Incoming Transfers?

With FPL set up before many transfers go through, there are often chances to con the system and enjoy a Gameweek One with four or more players from the same team.

Take Marc Guehi for example. Heavily linked with Newcastle at the time of writing, he would surely slot in at centre-back alongside Fabian Schar for the Magpies’ opener versus Southampton at Saint James’ Park. A home fixture against last season’s Play-off promotion winners is the dream start for any side on paper, so it could be worth a cheeky punt on players linked to Newcastle such as Guehi (4.5M) and Noni Madueke at the problem RW position (6.5M).

So here are our picks from Newcastle United’s squad for the upcoming 24-25 season. But which three (or possibly more) make your 15-man squad?

Let us know, below, and feel free to join our NUFCFEED FPL mini-league with the code: 96xghi

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