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The Numbers Game – Team Defensive Form

In what has been a largely unpredictable start to the season for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, we take a look at the defensive statistics of the first four Gameweeks to review how the performance of the teams is impacting on points tallies to this point.

In many ways the importance of team form is more pronounced for the defensive positions than it is in attacking areas.

Whereas a forward can play in a largely uninspiring team but still nick a goal, the best defenders can have clean sheet points taken away by a single slip from another player. FPL managers look for attacking potential to mitigate this, but stoic central defenders can also be valuable if they are part of a solid collective unit. Therefore, it is important to look at the defence in context of the team’s strengths as well as the individual’s.

For this analysis, we will use the team data available in the member’s area. The following chart ranks the teams by Opta’s metric ‘Bad Touches’ (in ascending order), from the ‘Disciplined’ teams who make limited mistakes and have high concentration, to the ‘Own Worst Enemy’ teams who have recorded many bad touches (see data table for reference below). The size of the circles denotes the rank of teams by crosses conceded, chances conceded, and big chances conceded (small is good, large is bad).

1,268 Comments Post a Comment
  1. 4vets
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    I really haven't read the above...

    1. Blue Lion
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Me too.

    2. Ayew Serious
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I did not think you were one to post cheeky comments like this 4vets

      1. Lingardium Leviosa.
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Sarcasm or new to this site?

        1. Ayew Serious
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          Banter

    3. Sterling Chap
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I have. Good article.

  2. abhirup780
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Kompany+Ayew
    Or, YYT+Naughton ?

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      YYT + N

  3. chilli con kone
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Probably been asked to death but...

    A. Play Westwood and save FT
    B. Silva > KdB (no hit)

    1. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Save

      1. chilli con kone
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Many thanks.

  4. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    A couple of questions if I may:

    a) Gomez or Francis

    b) Captain Aguero or Sanchez

    c) G2G?

    Butland

    Darmian - Francis - Kolorov

    Pedro - Sanchez - Mahrez - Yaya

    Wilson - Tekkers - Aguero

    Subs - Westwood - Gomez - Staylor

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      A) Fran

      B) Sanchez

    2. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      That a "few" questions.

      1. You've got red on you.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        You only have to answer 2 of them

  5. Petes Sake
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Any suggestions for a 4.6 or > midfielder? Also, roughly when will the cups be open for entry?

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Westwood your best bet really

      1. Petes Sake
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah, that's what I was thinking at least he gets 90mins.

  6. DaveVak
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    On a wildcard.
    1. Any good goalkeeper rotation or recommendation?
    2. Silva > Pedro, YYT, KdB or Sterling?

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      1. Don't like rotations
      2. KdB

      1. DaveVak
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Then GK pairing of some sort?

        1. Evasivo
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          Sch & Sch

        2. chilli con kone
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          I'd go Begovic + McCarthy

    2. screamer73
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      1. Schmeichel, Fabianksi?
      2. Stick. Sterling, if long term

  7. FISSH
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    lost on last post

    bench silva for Westwood or use my FT on Sterling/Yaya?

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I'd only use it for KdB

    2. copps
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      im keeping silva and the transfer

  8. poppyroberts
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Please help...bench Benteke (away at Utd) or Kouyate (home to Newcastle)?

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Kouyate

    2. GAMBIT
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Kouyate

      Simply because if you have Benteke you should play him or sell him

  9. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Quality members article.

    1. Ayew Serious
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Ye, I love ho....... Never mind

  10. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Bench one of these pls
    A. Wilson
    B. Payet
    C. Ayew
    D. Gomis

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Tough....A

    2. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Left out mahrez but don't think I want to bench him. On Wilson at the moment

      1. screamer73
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Wilson has a superb away record

    3. screamer73
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      tough. one of the Swansea boys, may be.

      1. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Yh thanks guys. Wilson atm but if not it'll be one of the Swansea pair

    4. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      A

  11. zuzuViking
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    A: Silva -> Pedro or Sanchez
    B: Bench Silva, Play Wanyama
    C:Bench Silva, Wanyama -> Sako, and play Sako
    D: Bench Silva, Play Francis (def)
    E: Bench Silva, Play Huth (def)

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      A to Sanchez or E

    2. GAMBIT
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      E

    3. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      C

  12. legendaryjordan
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Tough one to figure out. Currently got Courtois and McCarthy

    A: Take a hit to get begovic/cech/de gea
    B: Play McCarthy...

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      McCarthy

  13. screamer73
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    pick two to start
    A) Sagna
    B) Francis
    C) Cedric

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      A,C

  14. copps
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    3 swansea scout picks seems a bit excessive no? watford havent been that bad especially at home.

    1. Lingardium Leviosa.
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Gomis ahead of Wilson is an eye-opener.

  15. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    I'm just holding Silva, I don't want to take a hit..have 1.5m itb for next week to reassess..c'mon more pens for Villa!

    ....................Butland
    .....Williams - Darmian - Kolarov
    Payet - Mahrez - Sanchez - Sinclair
    ......Gomis - Aguero(c) - Wilson

    McCarthy; Richards, Gomez, Silva

  16. Jeremiah
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Evening folks 🙂 Any update on Diouf?

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I shipped him out for Wilson...can't afford for him to miss a game.

  17. skodaole2
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Thought i could save FT but now 2 issues to solve. Diouf is flagged (1st sub Prodl) and my GKs are Myhill and McCarthy who could be both dropped. Which is better? (1 FT 1,2 itb)

    A) Diouf -> Rondon
    B) Myhill -> Speroni (or other 4.5 - 5.0 Gk)
    C) Both for -4

    1. GAMBIT
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      B to Begovic, your cheap mid is there for moments like this

      1. skodaole2
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers. My cheap mid isnt playing (Prodl vs Swansea will play if Diouf is injured) and Begovic should be replaced later again. Besides, I dont trust their defence. Any other ideas?

  18. FPL FREAK
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Captain....??

    1. Aguero.
    2. Gomis.
    3. Mahrez
    4. Haz

    ??

    1. copps
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      1

    2. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I'm on Gomis. Most will say Aguero.

  19. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Benching Silva;

    Play Clyne or Westwood?

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Westwood

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      West

      1. YoungPretender
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks fellas

  20. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Guys, is mane to ayew for -4 worth it?

    1. Lingardium Leviosa.
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Not imo

  21. Zola
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    What do you lads think looks best? Got 2FT and 0.1 in the bank:

    A) Silva and Myhill - Pedro and Begovic
    B) Silva and Darmian - Pedro and Kolarov
    C) just Silva - Pedro, keeping 2FT for next week

    If I knew whether Lindegaard was brought in to be number 1 A would be a no brainer.

    Team is:

    Myhill, McCarthy

    Darmian, Sagna, Martin, Muniesa, Richards

    Sanchez, Silva, Payet, Mahrez, Westwood

    Aguero, Benteke, Gomis

  22. Los Pollos
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Hazard or Pedro ?

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Hazard

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Pedro and save the cash.

    3. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Pedro all day

    4. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Hazard.

    5. copps
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      pedo

  23. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Evening folks. Play Gomez (man u), Richards (lei) or westwood (lei)? Thanks.

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Westwood

      1. Je suis le chat
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, actually have to play 2 of the beggars with Silva out. May go with Gomez and Westwood, partly out of covering the high Liv defender ownership.

  24. DarsBars94
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Have defence of Azpi, Huth, Mert (Francis, Coates)
    Replace Mert with Kolorov or save transfer? (Have 1.3 in the bank)

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Replace.

  25. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    With Ward and Silva in my squad, I'm facing a tough decision....

    Butland - (McCarthy)
    Kolarov - Azpi - Morgan - Richards - (Ward)
    Sanchez - Pedro - Mahrez - (Silva) - (Westwood)
    Kun (C) - Wilson - Gomis (VC)

    Do I start Westwood or Richards, taking into account I have Mahrez and Morgan as starters as well.

    A tough situation...what are your opinions? Could a hit pay off somewhere?

    Cheers all and best of luck after a long and boring break!

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Probably Westwood. Might be worth playing McCarthy over Butland, feel Stoke look porous without Shawcross.

  26. KeepCalm
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Still cant make my mind up...

    Captain Aguero (away) or Sanchez (home)

    1. Unconstitutional
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I'm going with Sanchez.

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Toss a coin if you can't decide.

    3. copps
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      sanchez for me but the majority will go aguero

      1. KeepCalm
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        thats what scares me

      2. Hibbo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Good to see you are man with a pair of balls Copps.

    4. Still Unsure
        8 years, 7 months ago

        When in doubt, Kun.

      • YoungPretender
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        I was in exactly same position. On Sanchez at the moment purely because I don't think City will have it all their own way, particularly with Silva out!

      • Je suis le chat
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Tough one, Aguero being on penos and being better player and better player might shade it over extra points Sanchez gets for scores. Do feel Alexis will explode against Stoke like last year.

    5. Unconstitutional
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Which one to bench out of Wilson, Depay and Payet?

      1. screamer73
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Depay

    6. PGR
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      My keepers are McCarthy and Courtois.

      Is McCarthy likely to start or should I take a hit to get rid of Courtois??

      1. copps
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        dont take a hit

    7. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Sakho or Wilson ? Is Sakho worth the extra over Wilson ?
      Thanks.

    8. Mr Sitter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Other keeper/defenders are McCarthy, Kolarov, Monreal, Cook, Nyom

      A) De Gea and Gomez
      B) Courtois and Sagna