With the Watchlist rankings updated ahead of Gameweek 6, we take time to analyse the movement amongst the keeper and defender options on offer. While there’s stability at the top of our listings, an array of mid-price differentials from Stoke, Fulham and, particularly, the Swansea ranks, look set to be new factors in the month ahead.
The Goalkeepers
There’s little movement at the top of the keeper standings. Our top two met head-to-head at Anfield in Gameweek 5 with Southampton’s Artur Boruc adding to his stock with a third clean sheet of the season. Despite that, he remains in second spot, with Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet still the stand-out option. With the Liverpool defence in flux as injuries bite, the Belgian is the most secure option on offer for a period of fixtures that continues to promise potential returns.
With Mignolet and Boruc finding home in so many squads, Swansea’s Michel Vorm is the differential on offer. While he faces Arsenal’s attacking might at the Liberty this coming weekend, following that, the Dutchman is treated to an array of fixtures that will surely see him add to his tally of shut-outs. If you’re not looking to acquire a Swans defender from Gameweek 7 onwards, then Vorm looks a wise alternative between the sticks, allowing you to acquire either Jose Fonte or the cheaper Nathaniel Clyne from the Saints back four.
Equally, David De Gea offers an assured route to any United clean sheets in the coming weeks. The 4-1 drubbing at the hands of City offers us little confidence that David Moyes’ rearguard is a wise investment but the fixture list is undeniably kind to United over the next month. With three favourable Old Trafford match-ups against West Brom, Southampton and Stoke, plus a trip to troubled Sunderland in the next four, it’s hard to see De Gea denied further shut-outs. With Moyes suggesting that he may look to rotate his defence now he’s over the tough opening spell, the Spaniard could emerge as the most secure candidate on offer.
Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris boasts four clean sheets in his five starts, with a run of three White Hart Lane fixtures in the next four hinting at further returns. However, investment in Andre Villas-Boas’ defence may be tempered until the home clash with Chelsea this weekend has passed by. The availability of both Jan Vertonghen and Kyle Walker also dent Lloris’ appeal – while cover of the Spurs backline is advisable, this pair appear to offer stronger bonus potential and, of course, the chance of attacking returns.
Further down the rankings, Stoke’s Asmir Begovic is a rival to Vorm in mid-price bracket, while Hull’s Allan McGregor, with save points on offer and two consecutive home fixtures to come, presents an option for those choosing to see past Boruc.
The Defenders
Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen, with four clean sheets in five and bonus points to accompany each one, remains strong in top spot. While the weekend clash with Jose Mourinho’s side will test the Spurs resolve, Vertonghen still stands out as a solid candidate for the month ahead with further home fixtures against West Ham and Hull to come, plus a trip to Villa, who will be missing Christian Benteke through injury. Kyle Walker is, as always, the cheaper alternative on offer in the Tottenham rearguard, offering less of a goal threat and perhaps reduced bonus potential.
With Moyes suggesting that he may yet rotate his experience centre-back pairing, we’re a little less confident on Nemanja Vidic’s potential but, as club captain, we envisage that he’ll remain secure enough to offer returns in the coming month. Outstanding home fixtures keep him simmering in second spot. Rio Ferdinand is the cheaper option on offer but he would seem the more likely to be rotated out should Moyes elect to consider Jonny Evans for the occasional league start now that the Champions League group matches are a factor.
Leighton Baines leapfrogs team-mate Seamus Coleman to establish himself in our top five. His stunning brace of dead-ball strikes at West Ham last weekend offering a timely reminder to his attacking potential. With bonus points endlessly flowing in his direction, Baines is now preferred to Coleman with a strong argument that doubling on both is a viable tactic given that attacking points are always on offer when the shut-outs dry up.
Stoke’s Marc Wilson and Southampton’s Jose Fonte are clear standouts in the low-to-mid price bracket. Wilson has outstanding home fixtures to come in the next four, plus the potential of attacking returns at set-plays and from a holding midfield role. He may revert to left-back should Erik Pieters fail to recover from a knock but we suspect such a move would only be temporary whilst the Dutchman is laid low.
As for Fonte, he’s one of several options in a Southampton back four that has conceded just two goals in their five league outings. A dominant figure, he’s a clear bonus magnet although right-back Nathaniel Clyne has also tackled his way to back-to-back bonus returns and is available for 4.4. Dejan Lovren in the luxury item on show in Mauricio Pochettino’s rearguard and, having notched the winner at Anfield on Saturday, he could also attract suitors despite the 5.0 price tag.
If you’re looking for differentials, then Swansea’s Chico and Fulham’s Sascha Reither look ideal options.
Swansea defenders look set to climb in our rankings after the weekend clash with Arsenal has passed – while Ashley Williams at 4.9 in the FPL, is the more favourable option, an ongoing ankle problem puts question marks over his security, leading us to look to his central defensive partner. Like Williams, Chico looks assured high Bonus Point System (BPS) returns and should benefit from clean sheets in the coming weeks. With Neil Taylor now fit, Ben Davies may yet come under threat from Neil Taylor, while Angel Rangel is always somewhat insecure with Dwight Tiendalli offering Michael Laudrup an option to rotate around Europa League matches.
Fulham’s Reither is more of a gamble given the fragility of Martin Jol’s backline but the German has the attacking intent to reward investors as the Cottagers enjoy a favourable run of opponents in the next three.
James Chester’s injury is a blow to those looking for a rock bottom budget option. Those unable to stretch to Southampton’s Clyne could perhaps monitor the Hull teamsheet. Abdoulaye Faye and Liam Rosenior are both available for 3.9 and may benefit from Chester’s absence. Cardiff’s Ben Turner remains the preferred option at the 4.0 price point as he continues to hold off Mark Hudson for a Bluebirds’ starting berth.
