Attacking Differentials In Defence

With some explosive defensive performances of late, I will be looking at the best attacking assets in terms of defenders for the weeks ahead.

Here, I will pinpoint four players with strong fixtures and solid opportunities for attacking returns over their next four fixtures.

I will avoid players owned by more than 15% of Fantasy Premier League managers and I will not include any assets with a price of 6.0 or higher, which excludes the likes of Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso and Tottenham’s Kyle Walker.

CHRIS BRUNT

Price: 5.1

Ownership: 3.4%

Team: West Brom

Next four fixtures: wha, BOU, CPA, eve

Having scored three times this season and claiming as many assists, Chris Brunt is surprisingly in a mere 3.4% of teams. A key factor in his lack of popularity is the mammoth 29.3% ownership of his team mate Gareth McAuley, which was largely acquired before this versatile left back returned from a long injury lay off earlier this term.

Brunt has been deployed not only in defence, but also on the left side of midfield to further strengthen his appeal. With set pieces and a thunderous left foot also in his locker, the Northern Irishman has an incredible record at the Hawthorns, where he has claimed 30 points over his last three home run outs. Up next on familiar turf is  Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, who between them shipped 10 goals in Gameweek 24.

Another benefit of transferring in the Northern Irishman is his security of starts in Gameweek 26 and Gameweek 28, when League and FA Cup postponements kick in. Brunt is currently one of just a handful of defenders certain to feature, giving him an edge over some of the other high points scoring defensive assets still in cup competition.

With strong home form, no blanks and three double figure returns so far this season, Brunt is certainly a key player to have over the next few Gameweeks.

SEAMUS COLEMAN

Price: 5.7

Ownership: 10.3%

Team: Everton

Next four fixtures: mid, SUN, tot, WBR

He is the pick of the bunch in my opinion, with a form that has been too good to ignore, with three assists and a goal in his previous three games.

Getting into the penalty area from the right wing back position, Coleman is a potent danger in the six yard box.

Steering clear from injury this season so far, he is on target to replicate the type of form he hit three seasons ago, when he claimed six goals and two assists, having already scored four times during this campaign.

His disadvantage, when compared to Baines, is his lack of penalty spot duties. Nevertheless, Coleman does appear to get in the box at a greater rate and create more chances. Furthermore, he has lower ownership than the left back.

He and Baines both have what appears to be the kindest run of fixtures over the next four, barring a trip to White Hart Lane, and although they are slightly more expensive than the other players in this article, they are well worth the money.

Overall Coleman has more points than Baines as we go into Gameweek 25. I would recommend him as your next defensive transfer if you haven’t already jumped on the bandwagon.

LEIGHTON BAINES

Price: 5.7

Ownership: 11.7%

Team: Everton

Next four fixtures: mid, SUN, tot, WBR

With the responsibility of spot kicks for Everton, Leighton Baines is another man on the radar.

Like Brunt, Baines avoids the upcoming blank Gameweeks, giving him the chance to climb the rankings in the overall standings amongst defenders in FPL.

He may not look as much of a threat as Coleman at the time being, however, he has picked up more bonus points over the course of the season as well as providing three assists, the same as his Toffees’ team mate.

Having the comforts of playing two of his next five games on home soil, Baines should be able to add to the six clean sheets he has already accumulated this season.

A downside would be his price. If you are looking for a sightly cheaper option then I would advise going for Brunt, however, if you are looking in the higher tier of the 5.0 – 6.0 bracket, then Baines is a key candidate to consider.

SCOTT DANN

Price: 5.2

Ownership: 3.0%

Team: Crystal Palace

Next four fixtures: sto, MID, wbr, TOT

With the highest points tally of any player in Gameweek 23, thanks to a goal, a clean sheet and maximum bonus points in Palace’s 2-0 away victory over Bournemouth, Scott Dann is undoubtedly a viable option.

But with Sunderland humiliating the Eagles 4-0 at Selhurst Park over the weekend it is clear that in terms of defensive returns we may have to rely on more goals from this battling centre back.

While Sam Allardyce’s troops are clearly struggling to keep opponents at bay his tactic of sending high balls into the box from set pieces continues to make Dann a good prospect.

As well as those lack of shut outs another caveat is that Dann may miss Gameweek 28. They are due to face Tottenham then, but the game is likely to be postponed unless Spurs’ cup opponents Fulham pull off a shock victory. But with Stoke and West Brom away and Middlesbrough at home he still has some favourable games to come.

So far this season he has racked up three goals, just two less than he scored during the 2015/16 campaign. He may not look the most ideal option in this article, but if you are looking for a good differential then he is the best amongst them as his ownership is the lowest.