Our Newcastle United Team Preview article takes an in-depth look at their prospects ahead of the new Fantasy EPL season. These hints and tips will provide essential information to enable you to get ahead of your Draft League competition during the pre-season!
We outline the prospects of each team for the upcoming season, highlight all major signings, give a predicted starting eleven for each team, and also a projection of the top scoring players for each team for the new season. Check back for regular updates to these Team Preview articles!
Next up in our Team Previews is manager-less Newcastle United. The Magpie’s did well to consolidate their Premier League status in 2018/19. However, many attribute last years success to Rafa Benitez; who departed at the end of the season.
⚫️ Newcastle United Team Preview ⚪️
Last Season
Newcastle was extremely workmanlike to retain their Premier League status, as they picked up 12 wins amassing the required points haul for survival. The magpie’s Achilles heel last year was their goal scoring. A total of 42 goals in 38 games put Newcastle 16th highest goal scorers. With key forward Ayoze Perez sold to Leicester over the summer, Newcastle must find a replacement for top scorer Perez; who picked up 12 goals and 2 assists last season.
All eyes will be on the transfer department and whether a new manager can be installed with enough time to enable a couple of key signings to be made. Returning striker Dwight Gayle had a stellar Championship season, scoring 24 goals, could well be lined up for a big season. Elsewhere Newcastles defenders will be key as much is built around the likes of Jamaal Lascelles, DeAndre Yedlin, and Fabian Schär, who picked up 4 goals and an assist last year.
Top Scoring 18/19 Players
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- Matt Ritchie: 302 points
- Fabian Schär: 260.25 points
- Martin Dubravka: 203.75 points
New Signings
Welcome to the Premier League Steve Bruce! The legend centre back, manager, and author has gone out and smashed the Newcastle transfer record to bring in the Brazilian striker, Joelinton. Last season was hardly a stellar one for Joelinton however, scoring seven and picking up five assists in 28 Bundesliga appearances. Joelinton will undoubtedly be the Toon’s main man, pulling on the famous number nine jersey; but it can be a challenge for new players joining the Premier League. Keep an eye on this chap!
We fully expect Steve Bruce to bring in a few more before the end of the transfer window.
Premier League Prospects
Newcastle look to be going about the summer completely wrong. Failing to retain Rafa Benitez has been questioned by many, but not having a backup option in place could well prove to be Newcastle’s ultimate downfall. Whilst other teams in similar positions to Newcastle, like Brighton, were quick to put in place new plans and strategies; Newcastle appeared to be dragging their heels a little before appointing Steve Bruce.
Currently, senior players Dubravka, Lascelles, and Matt Ritchie will need to guide the inexperienced squad. And much will also rest on the shoulders of the youngsters; Isaac Hayden, Sean Longstaff, and Christian Atsu. There will be one key player on Fantrax managers minds; Miguel Almirón. Having joined in January 2019, we caught a glimpse of the talented attacking midfielder. Almirón averaged 8.85 points per game despite not picking up any attacking returns in his 9 appearances. Almirón will be a useful lower ranking midfielder in this year’s draft. We’d highly recommend looking to Almirón for one of your final midfield spots as a potential high scoring player that rival managers are likely to turn a blind eye to.
Predicted League Position: 19th.
Predicted Newcastle Starting Eleven
- The biggest question marks here are over the wide players. Ritchie played as a left wing-back last year but we expect Bruce will play him in a more advanced role
- We think Shelvey will start along side Longstaff in the centre of midfield. If you haven’t already, go check out our colleague Luke Wilkin’s article on midfielders points per 90 minutes, which features Shelvey
- Atsu could feature on the right hand side, after finishing the season in that position
Projected Top Scoring Players
🎯 Matt Ritchie 🎯
Last seasons highest point scorer for Newcastle with 303 points at an average of 8.39 points per game, Ritchie will key to Newcastle’s 2019/20 season. The Scottish international picked up points from a variety of sources last season; but predominantly Newcastle’s main provider of goals with 8 assists. Ritchie also chipped in with a couple of goals, having been moved into a more defensive role as a left wing back rather than his normal winger role. Ritchie is a solid draft pick for any Fantrax squad this season. Whilst we wouldn’t expect Ritchie to be an early round selection; it is worth keeping Ritchie in mind towards the end of the draft for a late midfield slot.
💎 Miguel Almirón 💎
Almirón has the potential to be a hidden gem of a draft fantasy player this season. Having had 9 games towards the end of last season to get the feel for the Premier League, we are expecting Almirón to show his capabilities this season. It is highly likely that Almirón will be Newcastle’s set piece taker and will, therefore, be afforded many opportunities to pick up attacking returns. As we have already mentioned earlier in this preview look to Almirón for one of your final midfield spots. As a potential high scoring player; we don’t expect many rival managers will be paying particularly close attention to Almirón.
✋🤚 Martin Dubravka ✋🤚
Last seasons 3rd highest point scorer for the magpie’s, Dubravka is one of the Premier League’s finest goalkeepers. An underrated keeper, certainly in comparison to the likes of Alisson, Ederson, and Lloris; but Dubravka was the 8th highest ranking goalkeeper on Fantrax last season. In fact, Dubravka outscored more fashionable selections such as De Gea, Leno and Schmeichel. Much will rest on the shoulders of the Newcastle shot-stopper this season, and with a solidly reliable defense in front of him; we expect Dubravka to again score well this season.
🎲 Honourable Mention: Joelinton 🎲
The new man is a bit of a punt here chaps. Newcastle have gone out and smashed their transfer record to bring in the Brazilian striker, effectively making Dwight Gayle surplus to requirements. But we’d express a little caution when approaching Joelinton. Last season was hardly a stellar one, scoring seven and picking up five assists in 28 Bundesliga appearances. Joelinton will undoubtedly be the Toon’s main man, pulling on the famous number nine jersey; but it can be a challenge for new players joining the Premier League. Keep an eye on this chap!
More Team Previews: | Arsenal | Aston Villa | Bournemouth | Brighton | Burnley | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Leicester | Liverpool | Manchester City | Manchester United | Norwich City | Sheffield United | Southampton | Spurs | Watford | West Ham | Wolves
Check out our Fantasy EPL Draft Rankings: Goalkeepers | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards | Top 100 |
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