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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. Wag the Drog
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Please throw me a bone FFS. I'm doing terribly this year and used my FT on Ozil to Silva. Would you take a hit to get someone else in? Thank you.

    http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/32168/event-history/4/

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      silva isn't hurt bad and has great long term value, I don't own him, but I;d hold in your spot.

    2. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah, Silva > Ozil

      I have a good feeling for him this week

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

      May as well chill for a week. Depay gets one last chance or the sack now.

  2. Redhulkster
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    I did not want to play the AOA but this week the scout picks are confident of an arsenal CS so its shaqiri time

    Aoa activated

    1. BUZZBOMB
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      I so wanted to play mine and get it out the way but Silva's knock has put paid to that...

  3. No Pirlo No Party
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    RMWCT - £1.4M in the bank! Thoughts appreciated lads. Thank you.

    ............................ Begovic - Schmiechel ............................

    ........ Kolarov - Cresswell - Williams - Francis - Prodl .........

    ......... Sanchez - Yaya - Ayew - Mahrez - Westwood ..........

    .......................... Aguero - Gomis - Wilson ..........................

    1. Redhulkster
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Westwood to sako

      1. Stats Don\'t Lie
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        This

    2. The Train Driver
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      As template as they come...

      1. No Pirlo No Party
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Begovic - McCarthy would be template

        1. Slam
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          He's right, he has a mind of his own for picking Schmeichel over McCarthy...

          1. No Pirlo No Party
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Exactly. That extra 0.4 wasn't hard to find.

  4. The Gambler.
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    rooney not in utd squad?

    1. Mr. Grv
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Will play

    2. BabyB
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Seems possible but no confirmation.

  5. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Play Surman or remove Silva with my FT? Inclined to give Mr Surman a run out but a 2 pointer the most likely outcome.

    Any positive comments on Surman?

    1. nelluckram
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      He's created the most chances and key passes on any Bournemouth player...surprisingly.

      1. Art Vandelay
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Thank you. Might give him the opportunity to shine then.

        Good luck for the GW mate.

  6. the axolotl
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    presume it's been talked to death, but not so sure aguero is such an obviously better captain than sanchez. in favour of sanchez is;
    season stats (by and large, although marginal).
    stoke being worse than CPL defensively, marginally.
    arsenal have better recent record vs opponents in this fixture.
    RMT favours sanchez marginally.
    sanchez more likely to play more mins
    sanchez played less mins over international break.

    1. Slam
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      So Sanchez is 'marginally' the better option? 😉

      1. the axolotl
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        well maybe but the point was more that aguero is not "obviously" the better option. it's very very close

        1. Slam
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          I'm on Kun,
          you?

          1. the axolotl
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            on sanchez at the mo

    2. GuyIncognito
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      You need to remember that Man City are in terrific form right now and look like they are going to blow away all before them while Arsenal are not since all their players are tripping over each other.

      1. the axolotl
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        yup perfectly fair point. i just think arsenal are threatening to do same. if they can get an earlyish goal i think they could be rampant. then again starting to fear that mediocre teams are figuring out how to negate arsenal's attacking threat and leaving them only crappy chances

  7. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Which looks best?

    A) De Gea / Bellerin / Cedric / 4.5

    B) Begovic / Shaw / Cedric / J Evans

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. nelluckram
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Babababeee

  8. Mr. Grv
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    What to do with this lot mid is in shambles ?

    Ruddy\buttland
    Shaw kolarov bellerin huth target
    Mahrez fabregas Ritchie sterling depay
    Kun lukaku 4.5

    Thinking fab to Pedro ? Or any other suggestions

    1. Slam
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Fab/Depay/Sterling I would look to get rid… personally.
      Pedro/Ayew are some suggestions.

      Good luck this week Mr.GRV

      1. Mr. Grv
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Need lots of luck every time .

    2. The Train Driver
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Fab/Depay to Ayew or Luk to Gomis! Needs some Swansea that team...

      1. Mr. Grv
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks

  9. boombaba
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Should I sell depay for ayew ?

    Or any other suggestions ... I have silva

    1. Redhulkster
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Silva out

  10. Redhulkster
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Marcos Rojo is with the first-team squad at the Lowry hotel tonight, but Rooney nowhere to be seen. Interesting.
    No Wayne Rooney

    Could b a blessing in disguise

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Media commitments

    2. Mr. Grv
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Rooney won't miss match against Liverpool unless he is injured .

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        He's not

  11. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    A) Play Ighalo (SWA)

    Or use FT on

    B) Silva > De Bruyne

    1. Mr.Bojangoals
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      a

    2. Redhulkster
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      B any damn day

      That's what I did

  12. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone else have their shiny Bench Booster Badge pinned on?

  13. Mr.Bojangoals
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    who shall I start tomorrow? Westwood (LEI away) or Gomez (MNU away)?

    1. mookie
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Westwood

    2. Slam
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Gomez

    3. the axolotl
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      westwood imo, just

    4. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Gomez

  14. nelluckram
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Cech (Schwarzer)
    Sagna Targett (Azpi Darmian Gomez)
    Mahrez Yaya Sanchez Pedro Albrighton
    Wilson Aguero Gomis

    All Out Attack chip activated. Do I really need to wait until a DG? I can see it causing frustration. Plus I'm gonna sell Albrighton soon and won't have as good a 5th mid/3rd striker. Any advice?

    1. nelluckram
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Here c'mon I've posted this twice already. Don't make me threepost

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        you cna do whatever you want, but its the best chip for the DGWs

        1. Man Chest Hair United
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          It's the least important chip for dgw play now is fine

          1. nelluckram
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            I agree. Least important. But there will be at least 3 DGWs no?

        2. nelluckram
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          But surely clean sheets are as good as a goal. You would expect 1 clean sheet each from 3 premium defenders no?

  15. only2
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Who to play?

    A) Ritchie (away against NOR)

    B) Prodl (home to SWANS)

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

      a

      1. only2
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        agree! ty 🙂 Rate my team says otherwise though

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

          Oh, guess they don't rate Ayew/Gomis highly this week then.

    2. mookie
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      A

    3. Mind över Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      A

    4. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      A

    5. WirralRobin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      No brainer for me - got to be Ritchie, will get a lot more of the ball now gradel is out and is definitely due! I like Prodl as an option but Swans are in too good a form to bank on a WAT cleanie IMO

  16. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    GTG, or should I take a hit here?

    Butland
    Kolarov, Shaw, Williams
    Pedro, Sanchez, Mahrez, Westwoodinho
    Aguero (c), Gomes, Wilson

    McCarthy; Muneisa, Silva*, Ward*

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Nothing too wrong here. Westy should do.

      1. Mind över Mata
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks pal

  17. vova
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Which one to bench:

    Ayew
    Gomis
    Wilson

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Aoa

  18. bobinjo
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Which 2 would you play lads: Target WBA(a),Richards LEI(a) or Darmian LIV(h) ?

  19. 1569Tippins
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Best replacement for Silva? ... I'm thinking Sterling you know

    1. Jeremiah
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Sterling.

    2. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah, a good shout imo

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Ha. You didnt read the article

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          OK, I have now. They are suggesting that he wasn't in training - he was

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      *not with squad

    2. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Never thought i'd miss your Firminho grav

      1. Slam
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        This 😆

      2. Numb
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Wrong on every level

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          The grav that is

  20. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    If there's one week i'm happy i own 3 Leicester players it's this week.. Schmeichel, Huth and Mahrez vs VILLA. should i bench Huth for Targett(wba) just to spread the risk though?

    1. Mind över Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Yes

    2. mookie
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      I'd play Targett

    3. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers both

  21. Gazpilicueta
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Ive decided to use my FT for Silva, now who should I bring in?

    A) Yaya, straight swap, easy

    B) Ayew, I have no Swansea

    C) Someone else!

    1. Jeremiah
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Still think you should save but if you've made your mind up then Ayew.

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Van Gaal didn't name him as injured. Probably just media commitments, unless he's being punished for speaking out

  22. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Any improvements to make?

    Begovic
    Williams Kolarov Cresswell
    Yaya Sanchez Ayew Chadli
    Aguero Benteke Wilson

    McCarthy Nyom Gomez Westwood

    0ITB

    🙂

    1. Slam
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Fantastic team,
      Used your FT on Bego huh? 🙂

      Kun captain?

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        I wildcarded

        Yep

        1. JamieLfc
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          No Mahrez,restart

    2. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      No Mahrez?

      Very nice effort no real glaring errors just a difference in personal choice.

      I wouldn't be dying about the lack of Mahrez or the Cresswells/Benteke picks but its your team.

    3. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Wildcarded but kept faith with Tekkers?

      Tis a fine team to be sure, to be sure.

  23. boombaba
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Get ayew in for depay and bench silva for hoolahan

    Or sell silva for sterling

    ??

    1. Jeremiah
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      First one.

    2. Gazpilicueta
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Yaya

  24. Jeremiah
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Who to play?

    A. Francis (NOR)(A)

    B. Morgan (AVL)(H)

    1. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. Gazpilicueta
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      I like both to be honest, Im considering benching Silva and playing both, not sure really.

  25. Theatre_Of_Screams
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    I have Gomis and Silva

    (A) Silva for Ayew

    (B) Silva for Pedro

    Thanks.

    1. Jeremiah
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. Gazpilicueta
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      B I guess, do you have any chelsea or swansea?

      1. Theatre_Of_Screams
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Williams, Gomis and no Chelsea.

    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    I think I've come to a decision on Sterling vs Sanchez at last

    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Go on...do tell.

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

      The other will score more.

        • 10 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Well inevitably, but i'm spreading the risk and going for Sanchez

  26. Rhinos
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    silva out and feck me serena lost. leave the internet for a day and look what happens

    1. the axolotl
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      hope you weren't betting your species survival on serena?

      1. Rhinos
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        no i have penetta 600-1

        1. the axolotl
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          really? are you her steroid doctor or something? 🙂

  27. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Considering Yaya(c)