In our first article assessing the Sky Sports Fantasy Football player list, we roll out our top targets for the tricky goalkeeper position.
Typically, goalkeepers grant us better value for money than their defensive counterparts.
They tend to come in at a lower price, offer an extra two points for clean sheets and also find bonus points easier to accrue in the shape of saves.
As our Overhaul article mentioned, we will look at five keepers who should be in your thoughts prior to the first squad refresh, which arrives after Gameweek 3.
We aim to reassess and bring you some longer-term options during the international break, prior to Gameweek 4 when the Overhaul is available and active.
The Picks
David de Gea – 8.0 – 10.01%. Fixtures: WHU swa LEI
The most expensive keeper in the game can justify that price tag due to a favourable three opening matches. Cheaper than any assured Manchester United defender, De Gea offers the cheapest route into their rearguard and a security of starts. While save points may be scarce – he only managed an additional six points this way last season – it’s the allure of nine-point clean sheet returns that make him a stand-out pick.
Fraser Forster – 6.7 – 12.67% Fixtures: SWA WHU hud
Great opening matches, including back-to-back home encounter, strengthen Forster’s claim. There is uncertainty around the likely starting defenders for Saints at the moment, with a new manager in charge and the protracted speculation surrounding Virgil van Dijk, so Forster offers us a secure pick. And if some of the cheaper defensive options, such as Jack Stephens (6.5) and Jeremy Pied (6.0) look like starting, then a double (or even triple-up) may be a viable tactic given that Southampton have consistently offered around 14 clean sheets a season for the last four years.
Ben Foster – 6.4 – 3.32% Fixtures: BOU bur STK
A budget-friendly candidate, Foster picked up 20 points in save bonus and a couple of Man of The Match awards in 2016/17. Although West Brom mustered just six shutouts last season, you would expect Tony Pulis’ side to improve that tally this time out. The addition of the six foot four inch Ahmed Hegazi (priced at 6.2), could also offer us a very cost effective way into their kind opening matches, although his start is far from assured.
Rob Elliot – 6.1 – 0.19% Fixtures: TOT hud WHU
While Elliot missed much last season due to injury, Newcastle United managed a very respectable 19 clean sheets in his absence in their promotion season. That number will certainly decrease in the top flight, although the opportunity for regular save bonus is a pleasing offset. The opening day visit of Spurs doesn’t look great for Elliot, though it may just catch Mauricio Pochettino’s men cold. A trip to Huddersfield and visit of West Ham to follow look far more promising. The Magpies are rumoured to be in the market for a new goalkeeper, though, so this will need monitoring. But any new signing may arrive after overhaul to leave us with an initial bargain.
Jonas Lossl – 5.7 – 0.31% Fixtures: cry NEW SOT
An ideal “enabler”, Huddersfield’s new number one is the cheapest starting keeper in the game and helps free up the cash to focus on attack. The Terriers also have three kind matches to open their campaign and, arguably, even one clean sheet in the first three could justify the pre-overhaul outlay. Indeed, with that in mind, some Fantasy managers may even consider doubling or tripling-up on Huddersfield defenders who also come in around the 6.0 mark. Lossl offers money saved and the likelihood that he’ll be the busiest stopper in the league.
Weekly Articles and Podcast
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be providing Player Price List articles, Man of the Match analysis and much more to help guide you through pre-season.
I’ll be talking through the week’s action and upcoming plans with FFS posters Buffrey and Lewis on our regular podcast – the latest episode can be found here.
We also have the dedicated RMT community article to exclusively deal with Sky Sports Fantasy teams. Those looking to get involved should click this link.
Fantasy Football Scout League
We’ve already set up our Fantasy Football Scout League and, after winning the League of Leagues for each of the last four seasons, we’re looking to defend our crown in 2017/18.
Get your teams in – the name is FFScout and the pin number to join is 8300422.
