The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 36 – The Defence

As the end of the season draws ever nearer, we’re rolling out the first of our Watchlist articles tonight, which offer player recommendations for the final three Gameweeks. There is little change at the top, with Arsenal and Leicester assets continuing to dominate, while Aleksandar Kolarov is back in our thoughts having returned to form in the last few weeks.

GOALKEEPERS

Although David Ospina failed to keep a clean sheet in Arsenal’s 3-1 win at Hull last night, the Gunners keeper stays top of our rankings with three home matches (SWA, SUN, WBA) and a double Gameweek 37 trip to United left over the final few weeks. Arsene Wenger’s side have kept five shut-outs in their last seven league encounters at the Emirates, so the 4.9-priced Colombian international should continue to provide terrific value.

Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel maintained his impressive form with a third shut-out in four in the Foxes 3-0 triumph against Newcastle. The 4.4-valued keeper has also picked up seven extra points over that period through bonus and save points, so with the fixtures (SOT, sun, QPR) still in his favour, the Danish international still looks a very strong option between the sticks.

By virtue of Sunderland’s double (LEI, ars) in Gameweek 37, Costel Pantilimon sees his stock rise this time around. The 4.5-rated keeper has only kept one clean sheet in his last eight outings, and faces difficult fixtures at Everton and Chelsea either side of the double. The Romanian international has chalked up 99 saves, though, despite not figuring for the first nine Gameweeks of the season, and could gain some valuable extra save points.

Confidence in Everton’s Tim Howard has been dented somewhat after conceding three against Aston Villa on Saturday. The Toffees face a decent run-in (SUN, whm, TOT), though, and, having kept clean sheets in their last four at Goodison Park, could continue to prosper in front of their own fans.

With West Ham’s rearguard delivering consecutive shut-outs, Adrian moves up a couple of spots in our latest update. The Hammers face a reasonable schedule (avl, EVE, new) as the season draws to a close, so the 5.2-priced Spaniard looks a decent pick, particularly if he can keep up his tremendous record of saving penalties, having stopped three already this term.

Having surprised many by collecting 19 points over Hull’s double in Gameweek 34, Steve Harper sneaks onto our ladder. The home fixture against Burnley this Saturday is firmly in our thoughts, given the Clarets have failed to score in their last six encounters, while a trip to White Hart Lane may not be as unfavourable as you’d think, with Spurs failing to score in their last two at home.

The “Tony Pulis effect” is back in full swing after three consecutive clean sheets for West Brom, so Boaz Myhill returns to the Watchlist this week. The fixtures (new, CHE, ars) still aren’t really in the 4.1-valued keeper’s favour, but having kept Liverpool and Man United scoreless in recent matches, Myhill could continue to surprise and provide valuable points for his 13.4% ownership.

Tim Krul completes our goalkeeper ladder thanks to what look to be favourable fixtures (WBA, qpr, WHM) for Newcastle over the final three Gameweeks. Having conceded three goals in each of their last three matches, confidence in the Magpies rearguard is pretty low, so it’s difficult to back the Dutch international with much confidence right now.

DEFENDERS

Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny keeps his spot at the summit, with the Gunners remaining schedule (SWA, mun/SUN, WBA) ranked first according to our Season Ticker. The 6.0-valued defender has failed to register a goal attempt in his last four appearances, which is a concern considering the outlay, but with the French international looking less susceptible to rotation than the cheaper options such as Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin, we’re sticking with Koscielny as our favoured Arsenal backline option.

With a goal and assist in his last four appearances, along with three shut-outs, Leicester’s Wes Morgan is undoubtedly one of the form players in Fantasy Premier League (FPL). Offering outstanding value at just 4.5, the defender remains a great option for the run-in, with the Foxes fixtures (SOT, sun, QPR) very favourable as they look to secure their Premier League status.

Branislav Ivanovic drops a place in our latest refresh, with uncertainty over how the newly crowned champions will approach their final three matches (LIV, wba, SUN) . The 7.7-priced defender, along with John Terry, has played every minute of Chelsea’s league campaign, which should avert the risk of any rotation. In terms of attacking returns, Ivanovic has mustered just one assist in his last nine and could be something of an expensive luxury should Jose Mourinho’s side go through the motions from this point onwards.

Back-to-back clean sheets mean West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell keeps his place towards the top of our rankings. The former Ipswich man also grabbed two bonus points in the 1-0 win against Burnley, and with the Hammers facing a decent run-in (avl, EVE, new), the 5.6-rated defender remains a strong option for the rest of the campaign.

Leighton Baines is a non-mover this week, with Everton facing two of their final three matches (SUN, whm, TOT) in front of their own fans. The England international, who will set you back 7.1 in FPL, is unlikely to see any further investment given he’s lost penalty duties to Romelu Lukaku, but with seven chances created in his last four outings, he remains one of the most attack-minded defenders, having provided nine assists so far this season.

Southampton’s Toby Alderweireld remains in our thoughts, given he could continue to play in centre midfield following Morgan Schneiderlin’s season-ending injury. Valued at just 4.8 in FPL, the Belgian international, with an ownership of just 2.6%, could be a handy differential with upside for Saints’ final three matches (lei, AVL, mci).

Patrick van Aanholt continues to move up our ladder with Sunderland’s double Gameweek 37 (LEI/ars) on the horizon. The 4.1-priced left-back looks a shrewd pick for the rest of the season, given he is joint third among defenders over the last four matches with seven chances created, while also managing six goal attempts over the same period, with three from inside the box.

Aston Villa’s Ron Vlaar is back on our radar thanks to some impressive underlying stats over the last four Gameweeks. The Dutch international, who is priced at just 4.3 in FPL, has produced five attempts inside the box over that period, joint first among all defenders. While Tim Sherwood’s men have only kept one clean sheet in their last seven, Vlaar is clearly a threat from set pieces, having also registered an assist in the 3-2 victory against Everton, and with some kind fixtures (WHM, sot, BUR), is worth some consideration.

After failing to register clean sheets against lowly Hull and QPR in Liverpool’s last two matches, Martin Skrtel suffers a drop in our latest update. The Reds remaining fixtures (che, CPL, sto) also hurt his prospects, and having only managed two shots from inside the box in his last six appearances, the Slovakia international could struggle to justify his 6.0 price tag.

Having averaged 8.3 points per appearance since returning to the Manchester City starting XI in Gameweek 33, Aleksandar Kolarov finds himself back on the Watchlist. The 5.7-priced defender has created five chances in his last three appearances, and has also fired in six goal attempts. The Serbia international could find himself at risk of rotation, with Gael Clichy returning to the bench against Tottenham after recovering from a groin injury, but with the ability to deliver points at either end, Kolarov could attract some suitors for those looking to make up lost ground given City’s favourable run-in (QPR, swa, SOT).