Burn (NEW, Defender, £5.1m)

Verdict: BUY

Dan Burn is a strong BUY at £5.1m, offering excellent defensive returns and differential potential with Newcastle's robust backline and favourable upcoming fixtures.

The Reasoning

Fitness & Availability: Burn is fully available and nailed in Newcastle's defence, with no injury concerns or news. He's a consistent starter for Eddie Howe.
Recent Performance: He's in superb form, bagging 43 points in 7 games, including an impressive 5 clean sheets and an assist. His recent 11-point haul in Gameweek 7 highlights his potential for big returns.
Upcoming Fixtures: Newcastle face Brighton (A), Fulham (H), and West Ham (A) in the next three. While Brighton and Fulham can be tricky, Newcastle's defence has proven capable, and the West Ham fixture looks promising for another clean sheet.
Underlying Stats: While his ICT index is low, as expected for a defensive full-back, his consistent clean sheets and occasional attacking returns (1 assist, 4 bonus points) demonstrate his FPL value. He's a key part of a defence that's keeping opponents quiet.

Risks

Newcastle's defensive form could dip, though it looks solid currently. While he's nailed, his attacking threat isn't his primary FPL appeal, so he relies heavily on clean sheets for big hauls.

Alternative Options

At a similar price point, consider someone like Gusto (£4.9m, CHE) if Chelsea's defence tightens up, or Estupiñán (£5.0m, BHA) for more attacking upside, though Brighton's defence is less reliable. If you can stretch slightly, Trippier (£5.5m, NEW) is the premium Newcastle option for higher attacking returns.

The Strategic Play

Burn is a fantastic budget enabler for your defence. With Newcastle's strong defensive displays and his consistent starts, he's a solid long-term hold. He offers a great blend of clean sheet potential and occasional attacking contributions, making him a valuable differential pick for managers looking to free up funds elsewhere.

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