The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 34 – The Defence

As the hotly-anticipated double Gameweek 34 approaches, this evening we assess the goalkeepers and defenders who could be poised for a strong finish to the season. It’s no surprise to see Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester’s assets dominating at the top of our rankings with the double in mind, while the likes of Kelvin Davis and Ryan Bertrand are the big losers, with Southampton’s season in danger of tailing off.

GOALKEEPERS

After picking up a second straight shut-out, Thibaut Courtois returns to the top of the Watchlist ahead of a kind run-in (ars/lei, CPL, LIV, wba, SUN). The 5.9-priced Belgian is the cheapest route into the Chelsea rearguard, and with Jose Mourinho becoming increasingly pragmatic as his side edge nearer to the title, the option to double up on the Blues defence is tempting. The only note of caution is if Chelsea do wrap up the title with a couple of matches to spare, Petr Cech may be afforded a run out, with his time at Stamford Bridge possibly coming to an end.

Simon Mignolet currently leads the way among goalkeepers in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) with 126 points, and the Belgian looks a shrewd pick for the rest of the season. The Reds have kept three clean sheets in their last five league matches, and with a strong schedule (wba/hul, QPR, che, CPL, sto), it is no surprise the 5.3-valued keeper is the fourth most transferred in player so far this week with over 30,000 new owners.

Having bagged a clean sheet and two save points in the 2-0 win against Swansea, confidence in Kasper Schmeichel’s Fantasy prospects is certainly rising. Coming in at just 4.4 in FPL, the Danish international faces the most favourable run-in (bur/CHE, NEW, SOT, sun, QPR) according to our Season Ticker, so for those looking to free up funds to splash elsewhere, Schmeichel could hold the key as a budget enabler.

Arsenal’s David Ospina is another on the rise, with the Gunners favourable run-in following this weekend’s tough encounter with Chelsea (hul, SWA, mun/SUN, WBA) enhancing his prospects. Arsene Wenger’s side have kept three clean sheets in their last six outings, so the 4.9-rated Colombian looks worthy of serious consideration for one of our three Arsenal spots as we plan ahead for their double Gameweek 37.

After picking up a third clean sheet in his last five outings (a fifth in six home matches), Tim Howard remains a good option between the sticks for Fantasy managers. The Toffees backline looks far more secure in recent weeks, and with a reasonable run of fixtures (MUN, avl, SUN, whm, TOT), the 5.1-priced keeper could continue to reward his 9.3% ownership.

Southampton’s Kelvin Davis drops this time around, with concerns over the Saints rearguard away from St Mary’s reaffirmed in the 2-1 defeat at Stoke. Ronald Koeman’s side have failed to register a clean sheet in their last four away matches, and with three of their final five on their travels (sun, lei, mci), along with home encounters against Tottenham and Aston Villa, shut-outs could be hard to come by.

With Newcastle lying third in our Season Ticker (SWA, lei, WBA, qpr, WHM), Tim Krul finds himself back in our thoughts. John Carver’s side have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six matches but with Fabricio Coloccini returning from suspension against Tottenham to strengthen their prospects, the 4.4-priced Dutch international could provide decent value.

Burnley’s Tom Heaton is on the rise following an impressive 11-point haul against Everton. The 4.6-rated stopper kept out Ross Barkley’s penalty and also registered seven saves, helping him pick up two bonus points. With the fixtures (LEI, whm, hul, STO, avl) now in his favour, Heaton could well challenge Mignolet as the top scoring keeper in FPL – he is just six points behind the Belgian.

After West Ham’s tepid display at the Etihad on Sunday, Adrian finds himself falling down the pecking order. The Hammers do have one of the better run-ins (qpr, BUR, avl, EVE, new) but, having only managed one shut-out in their last eight matches, it’s hard to back the Spaniard.

City’s Joe Hart remains a decent option. The champions chalked up a fourth consecutive home clean sheet last time out and with Aston Villa, QPR and Southampton still to visit the Etihad, he could continue to bring in the points. A hefty 6.1 price tag does lessen his appeal – particularly with the likes of Mignolet and Courtois having the double this week – but the England No.1 looks likely to add to his 11 shut-outs as the campaign draws to a close.

DEFENDERS

Branislav Ivanovic keeps his place at the top of our defender rankings, with Chelsea defensive assets looking crucial to our double Gameweek 34 plans as Mourinho tightens things up at the back. The Serbia international has only registered a single assist in the last six Gameweeks in terms of attacking returns, and has only created four chances over that period. Coming in at a hefty 7.7 in FPL, this is a concern, but with Ivanovic and John Terry looking the only sure starters at the back, he remains worthy of investment for those who have the necessary funds.

Now back from a three-match suspension, Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel climbs up the ladder in our latest update. The Reds have kept four clean sheets in their last four away league matches with the Slovakian in the starting XI, and with trips to West Brom and Hull in the double, it’s no surprise he’s garnered over 30,000 new owners this week. His ability to pick up bonus points is also key – Skrtel leads all defenders with 22 accrued so far.

Leicester’s Jeffrey Schlupp moves up a place, with form and fixtures in his favour. With two clean sheets in the Foxes last three home matches, and with Nigel Pearson switching between three and four-man defences – therefore boosting the Ghanaian’s out of position prospects – the 4.5-priced defender looks a strong pick for the rest of the season, given the strong schedule (bur/CHE, NEW, SOT, sun, QPR). Robert Huth and Wes Morgan are also worth consideration, with the duo leading all defenders for goal attempts over the last six Gameweeks.

Although Arsenal’s double isn’t until Gameweek 37, Laurent Koscielny is firmly on our radar. From Gameweek 35, the Gunners schedule is very favourable (hul, SWA, mun/SUN, WBA), while similar to Skrtel, the 6.0-valued defender has a handy tendency to pick up bonus points, earning nine despite missing significant parts of the season due to injury. Having also bagged three goals, the Frenchman should see plenty of investment in the coming weeks.

With two goals and four assists to his name this term, West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell has offered a potent attacking threat from left-back. As mentioned with Adrian, clean sheets may be in short supply despite a favourable run-in with the Hammers stuttering of late, but the 5.6-rated defender always looks a potential source of returns further up the field.

Despite averaging 5.4 points per appearance since returning to the Everton starting XI in Gameweek 29, Leighton Baines slides down our ladder. Although he still boasts an attacking threat, illustrated by the four shots and as many chances created against the Clarets, Baines – as confirmed by Roberto Martinez last weekend – is no longer his side’s number one spot-kick taker, lessening his appeal in the premium bracket.

Kieran Trippier remains in our thoughts thanks to Burnley’s good run of fixtures (LEI, whm, hul, STO, avl). The 4.8-priced right-back impressed again in the 1-0 defeat to Everton, registering ten crosses, and is second among defenders for chances created (11) over the last six Gameweeks. With the Clarets only conceding four goals in their last five matches, Trippier offers decent potential at both ends of the pitch.

One of the players most affected by the upcoming double Gameweeks is Ryan Bertrand. Valued at 5.9 in FPL, the Southampton left-back no longer looks worthy of the lofty price tag, having only created two chances in the last six Gameweeks. With the switch to Skrtel or a budget Leicester defender staring many Fantasy managers in the face, it is no surprise to see Bertrand and the more heavily owned Nathaniel Clyne among the most transferred out players this week.

With Crystal Palace’s schedule toughening up after this weekend’s home clash with Hull, Scott Dann falls in our latest refresh. Alan Pardew’s side face trips to Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as a home encounter with United, so while the 5.0-rated defender offers a significant goal threat from set pieces, there look to be better options available.

Stoke’s Philipp Wollscheid is a non-mover this week, with three home matches (SUN, TOT, LIV) in the Potters last five. Away trips to Swansea and Burnley also offer hope of defensive returns, and although Mark Hughes’ side haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last five league outings, the 4.4-priced defender remains a solid budget option.

After collecting his eighth assist of the season in the weekend loss to Tottenham, Daryl Janmaat (5.3) returns to the Watchlist. The Dutchman is now tied with Baines for the most assists among defenders and, having recently covered in the heart of the back-four, has now returned to his preferred right-back berth. Janmaat could yet take advantage of some friendly final fixtures (SWA, lei, WBA, qpr, WHM).

Patrick van Aanholt keeps his place on our ladder, with double Gameweek 37 (LEI/ars) very much in mind. For those wildcarding this week, the 4.1-rated defender is worth considering for your five-man backlines, having managed seven goal attempts in the last four Gameweeks, as well as creating five chances over the same period. While the Black Cats’ run-in is mixed (sto, SOT, eve, LEI/ars, che), the value offered by the Dutch international looks hard to ignore.