Following our assessment of the strategies and options available to fill our Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Goalkeeper slots, we now consider how to approach our winter Wildcard defence.

Charged with handing out five shirts in our squads, again there are differing approaches on offer. Two or three heavy-hitters, working alongside a pair of budget defenders, rotated to fixtures, is often the popular tactic adopted. In this guide, we assess a cast of defenders who fit both profiles – examining rotation plans and transfer timings along the way.

The Heavy Hitters

John Terry
Three goals in his last four league starts have propelled the Chelsea skipper to prominence just as Wildcards are dealt. We still prefer the energetic raids of Branislav Ivanovic as our Watchlist choice amongst Jose Mourinho’s backline but can’t ignore the fact that Terry is cheaper and, in recent matches, has delivered on his menace at set-plays. Terry also appears to be immune to rotation, with Mourinho choosing instead to dent the appeal of Cesar Azpilicueta, having rested the Spaniard on several occasions.

As mentioned in our Wildcard goalkeeper analysis, Chelsea are blessed with a charmed run-in that deals them very few opponents who look guaranteed to breach their defence. Coverage looks essential, then, and we’d even back the option of doubling on Chelsea’s defensive assets and go with Ivanovic or Thibaut Courtois in goal. While Eden Hazard looks untouchable, there are alternatives to both Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa, whereas there’s every reason to expect the Chelsea defence to be peerless over the second half of the season.

Ryan Bertrand
It would be remiss to overlook the Southampton defence. Bertrand is the top-ranked defender in the FPL and, even at an inflated price of 5.7, could easily justify a place in our Wildcard line-ups.

At first glance, the fixture list favours the Saints but they will face a string of opponents that seem likely to dent defensive returns. Bertrand’s only sustained run of favourable match-ups hits from Gameweek 27-32 when Palace, Burnley and Hull visit St Mary’s. Having said all this, Ronald Koeman’s side have shown a level of resilience that could earn them unexpected shut-outs, while Bertrand and Nathaniel Clyne remain integral to the Saints’ attacking ploys with their raiding runs down the flank. Both have returned two goals apiece this season and there’s every reason to expect further attacking profits before the campaign climax.

Pablo Zabaleta
Less than a month ago, the tough-tackling Argentine looked a shoo-in with the guarantee of handsome returns. After suffering rotation and having seen the Man City defence allow both Burnley and Sunderland to score at the Etihad, it’s fair to say that Zabaleta’s stock has declined considerably.

City’s title tilt may well see them tighten up as they duel with Chelsea for wins but the fixture list doesn’t offer too much encouragement other than a spell from Gameweek 23-30. Rotation will remain a concern, however, with Manuel Pellegrini almost certain to give Bacary Sagna run-outs should they remain in the Champions League hat. Vincent Kompany, at 6.4 compared to Zabaleta’s 6.6, could offer an alternative once fit but, having suffered two spells of absence through injury already, the City skipper may offer us little more assurance.

Mathieu Debuchy
Many will need convincing to take a punt an Arsenal rearguard that has wavered from robust to comical throughout the campaign. The fixture list does favour Arsene Wenger’s men, however, handing them an obliging second half of the campaign to rival Chelsea’s. Gameweeks 23-33 certainly offers a period that should guarantee some returns for those who gamble on investment.

Debuchy’s mid-season injury has led to a drop in value to 5.2, ensuring that he represents an obvious route into the Gunners’ rearguard. Some rotation with Calum Chambers around Champions League ties is a mild concern, which could push others to consider Laurent Koscielny as a more expensive but assured alternative.

Leighton Baines
Everton’s faltering season has put paid to Baines’ reign as a near-essential acquisition. It had started so well, with the left-back returning a goal, assist or clean sheet in seven of nine starts between Gameweeks 3-11. The winter months have seen Baines and Everton slump into an alarming decline, however.

Should he be revived for the Wildcard selection? There’s no doubt that Baines has the potential to ascend the FPL defender rankings to claim top spot but, to achieve that, Everton will need to rally.

The fixtures from Gameweek 29 onwards certainly offer a platform for Roberto Martinez’s side to end the season strongly and that window looks to be an optimum time to reconsider Baines. For now, however, Baines represents a differential for those turning to three mid-price midfielders or turning their back on the twin Chelsea option.

Luke Shaw
Like City, the United rearguard has wavered badly over the season, relying heavily on the superhuman talents of David de Gea to earn shut-outs.

Injuries are clearing, however, and Louis van Gaal will have the opportunity to pick something that resembles a first-choice defence at some point. That may well see Luke Shaw established as left wing-back and, given that possibility, he should be parked on the long-term Watchlist. In Wildcard terms, he ranks as a differential, with favourable Old Trafford match-ups on offer between Gameweek 21-27.

The Rotation Candidates

Patrick van Aanholt
Having recovered from a popped shoulder and already returned to the fray, Sunderland’s buccaneering left-back wasted no time in re-announcing himself; his winner in the FA Cup tie over Leeds has already ensured that Van Aanholt has blipped on the radar.

The Dutchman has fallen in price to just 4.2 in the FPL and, at that price, represents outstanding value. The Black Cats are treated to a very favourable run of home matches over the final 18 Gameweeks, while away from the Stadium of Light they’ve already shown the ability to frustrate opponents and claim defensive returns.

There’s no other option in Gus Poyet’s back four that can rival Van Aanholt attacking potential, so aside from the option of Costel Pantilimon in goal, he represents an obvious Wildcard selection for those backing Poyet’s men to maintain their mid-price appeal.

Their purple patch hits in Gameweek 25, with Van Aanholt enjoying a run of opponents until Gameweek 32 that promises strong returns: certainly enough to warrant the modest outlay. While it’s an obvious ploy to partner him with Newcastle’s Daryl Janmaat to offer home and away rotation, Sunderland’s ability to earn shut-outs on the road lead us to look elsewhere. Fortunately, there’s another attractive path to consider.

Kieran Trippier
Another attacking full-back, Trippier brings a cultured presence to Sean Dyche’s no-nonsene backline. While Trippier failed to deliver on the expectations built by 12 assists in Burnley’s promotion season, the former Man City man has shown glimpses of that potential. Certainly the statistics highlight Trippier as a forward-thinking full-back to rival the likes of Leighton Baines and West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell.

Burnley have shown admirable resilience at Turf Moor and are about to embark on a four-Gameweek spell that’s likely to ensure that at least one of their rearguard finds its way into our Wildcard squads.

Trippier’s FPL value has fallen to a low of 4.8, enabling us to couple him with Sunderland’s Van Aanholt for just 9.0, to achieve a convincing rotation pairing that promises clean sheets and a smattering of attacking returns into the Easter months. Conveniently, Trippier’s obliging run of opponents falls in spells between Gameweeks 21-24 and 34-38, bookending Van Aanholt’s own window of opportunity. If you’re overlooking the Tom Heaton/Costel Pantilimon pairing in goal, it’s an option you should certainly explore.

Andre Wisdom
While we can’t be certain just how Tony Pulis will set up his back four, we’re already convinced that we’ll see more points from the personnel he selects. Clean sheets look on the agenda for the Baggies, and with the fixture list also falling conveniently, it seems inevitable that they will claim a spot in our Wildcard squad.

As previously discussed in yesterday’s keepers guide, Ben Foster represents a clear option in goal. At the back, Joleon Lescott would seem assured of starts, although Andre Wisdom’s price point of 4.4, compared to Lescott’s 4.9, perhaps puts the former City and Everton defender in the shade. We’d expect Wisdom to retain his start and potentially deliver outstanding value over the remainder of the campaign.

Look to Gameweeks 24-33 as the spell to profit most from Wisdom; he can be paired with a member of the Villa backline to offer a ready-made rotation pairing.

Alan Hutton
We can still can’t quite fathom how Hutton has re-invented himself both as Villa’s first choice right-back and a Fantasy darling. There’s no denying Hutton’s appeal, however, particularly with Paul Lambert toying with a 3-5-2, pushing the Scot further forward to introduce a modicum of attacking threat.

The fixtures aren’t kind to Villa, although Gameweeks 25-30 appear to offer the optimum spell for returns. However, Hutton looks a great option as a third defender operating in rotation with the Trippier/Van Aanholt pairing, adequately complimenting their tougher Gameweeks. He’s also an obvious partner to Andre Wisdom or Joleon Lesscott, offering home and away rotation cover.

Against the odds, Hutton has to remain on the radar with the Ron Vlaar option the only possible caveat. The Dutchman currently offers a Villa alternative at the same price point and may yet depart the Midlands with the likes of United and Liverpool said to be touting his talent.

Neil Taylor
Ben Davies’ departure to Spurs granted us Neil Taylor as a prime Fantasy asset and he hasn’t disappointed. Having returned eight clean sheets thus far, it could be that we’ve seen the best of Taylor and the Swansea back four. The fixture list suggests otherwise, however.

From Gameweek 24-35, the Swans are gifted with a run that hints that there will be further shut-outs on show. To compound their appeal, Garry Monk’s back four work well in tandem with the Van Aanholt option at Sunderland. Like Hutton, Taylor appears to be a gift that will go on giving.

Erik Pieters
If you do turn to the Swansea/Sunderland option, then Stoke’s defence and, in particular, their Dutch full-back, can drop nicely into that mix to offer a third layer of rotation.

While the Potters have returned just four clean sheets all season, Gameweeks 22-30 represent a key spell that could see them push on towards double figures. Significantly, Pieters’ Gameweeks 27 and 30 drop in perfectly to compliment the fragility in the Sunderland/Swansea rotation.

With Phil Bardsley and Geoff Cameron competing at right-back and Philipp Wollscheid’s arrival adding further competition for the spot alongside skipper Ryan Shawcross, Pieters looks the most secure option in Mark Hughes’ rearguard. With two assists and eight bonus points to his name, he looks to be good value for his 4.6 FPL price tag.

Curtis Davies
Like Stoke, Hull’s rearguard has mustered just four clean sheets thus far and Curtis Davies has failed to provide the attacking returns to paper over the cracks. Even so, again like Stoke, the Tigers offer an extremely favourable run of opponents from Gameweeks 23-29 which could be utilised in our Wildcard thinking.

Once a mainstay in the Hull defence, Davies’ future at the KC Stadium is far from certain but, at present, he still offers the most secure route into Bruce’s rearguard. James Chester and Alex Bruce are cheaper alternatives but their teamsheet status remains in flux – all the more so after Michael Dawson returned to the bench at Arsenal last weekend – whilst Davies has returned four of his five bonus points in his last two outings.

Jeffrey Schlupp
Having dabbled with the failed potential of Kasper Schmeichel between the sticks, few will be keen to further explore the Leicester backline as a source of points. However, Jefferey Schlupp is a 4.5-priced option which should be monitored. Currently stricken by injury, he’s out of Wildcard contention but, when fit, he’s been a semi-regular on the left-flank and has already delivered three goals to compensate for a paltry return of just three clean sheets.

Furthermore, Leicester have a clear window of favourable fixtures for the Gameweek 29-38 run-in. The formbook can often be disregarded during the season climax and Schlupp could be a key figure as Pearson’s side scrap for survival. Consider this out-of-position prospect as an option to repair an ailing two or three-man rotation over the run-in.