Following on from this morning’s piece on goalkeepers, it’s time to bring you the second instalment in our Wildcard Watchlist series by turning our attention to the defenders. Looking at the strength of schedule, we assess the back-line options available and list the players we feel are most likely to return on your Fantasy investment over the next couple of months:
Vincent Kompany
The top-scoring defender in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game to date, Kompany has made a mockery of his initial 6.0 price tag. Aside from his seventy-third minute sending off against Wolves in Gameweek 10 and the subsequent one-match ban the following week, the City skipper has played every minute of the season thus far. Kompany is also the best “value” player amongst the league leaders’ squad and as the season unfolds, has seen an upturn in defensive returns. Roberto Mancini’s side recorded 4 clean sheets in their first fifteen fixtures but have now chalked up the same amount in the last five, losing just a single goal since Gameweek 15. City certainly prefer home comforts in terms of defensive points – six of those clean sheets have been at the Etihad, with Kompany also weighing in with a couple of assists and a goal in front of his home fans. On the road, though, he tends to pick up bonus more often, lightening the blow when City do concede. Mancini’s side have the strongest run of fixtures of the top sides for the foreseeable future but Kompany’s consistency is so impressive, he’s virtually become a nailed-on pick, regardless of fixture.
Philippe Senderos
The Swiss international seems to have established himself as the regular partner for Brede Hangeland at the heart of Fulham’s defence. Martin Jol seems to be unconvinced by Aaron Hughes, having handed the Irishman just five starts this season, whereas Senderos has made the first XI on twelve occasions, starting every one of the Cottagers league games since Gameweek 12. Fulham have returned 7 clean sheets so far this season, with only the two Manchester clubs and Swansea managing more; Senderos clearly plays a major part in their defensive solidity. Jol’s side have conceded 14 goals in the twelve games he has played in, compared to 12 goals conceded in the eight he has missed. Priced at 4.3 –compared to Hangeland ‘s 6.0- and with his next six home games reading (NEW, WBA, STO, WOL, SWA, NOR), Senderos looks an assured pick for the weeks ahead. Stephen Kelly, at 3.9, may also be an option but is less of a definite starter in the right-back slot. John Arne-Riise, at 5.7, certainly offers a more explosive option but to be fair, the left-back has failed to live up to his price tag yet, with a single assist all season.
Mike Williamson
A possible season-ending Achilles injury to Steven Taylor has presented Williamson a chance to establish himself as a first-team regular in the heart of Newcastle’s defence. Since recovering from an ankle injury in Gameweek 18, he has played the last three matches for Alan Pardew’s side, returning two clean sheets so far, with a 3-1 defeat at Liverpool the only stain on an otherwise solid start to his Fantasy season. Priced at a mere 4.2, Williamson certainly looks a certain starter alongside Fabricio Coloccini and while Davide Santon, also at 4.2, may offer more attacking potential from full-back, there are question marks against the Italian’s game time in comparison. With a run of four home fixtures in his next seven (QPR, AVL, WOL, SUN) there’s plenty potential there and if Newcastle can maintain the resolve that saw them sweep aside Man United last time round, Williamson could prove a cut-price gem, though the departure of Cheik Tiote to the African Cup of Nations will undoubtedly lessen their ability to battle in the middle of the park.
Gary Cahill
The centre-half comes into our thinking due to the apparently imminent move to Chelsea. He’s struggled to justify his 5.2 price tag at Bolton this term, with just a couple of clean sheets to his name, though Cahill’s eye for goal returned midweek as he added to his season opener at QPR by netting the winner at Everton. If he establishes himself in Andre Villas-Boas’ first XI, the potential for a much-improved return is obvious and Cahill would offer a far less-expensive route into the Blues’ back-line. Much is dependent on when the move transpires, if it does indeed go ahead, but Chelsea’s fixtures look strong over the next seven Gameweeks, with a home clash against Man United the only game that sees them up against any of the teams in the league’s upper echelons.
Ryan Shotton
A run of four home games in the next seven brings Shotton into consideration. Having ousted Jermaine Pennant as Tony Pulis’ first-choice right midfield option back in Gameweek 14, he has started six of the Potter’s last seven games, with Pennant now resigned to starring in cup matches. Priced at 4.1 and classified as a defender, the appeal is considerable, particularly given an eye for goal that has seen his net three times in all competitions. He’s already returned two clean sheets in those six starts and with a throw-in to rival that of Rory Delap, he’s proving to be an integral part of Pulis’ side as the season unfolds. Trips to the likes of Liverpool and Man United could see him benched by his Fantasy owners but with an attacking role, he’s perhaps more liable than any of our featured players to offers returns at both ends of the park, particularly with (WBA, SUN, SWA, NOR) rolling up to the Britannia over the next seven Gameweeks. Robert Huth’s eye for goal could also see the big German as an option but is considerably more expensive, coming in at 5.6.
Wes Brown
The arrival of Martin O’Neill has seen many of Sunderland’s Fantasy assets come under consideration in a different light. While the likes of Stephane Sessegnon, in particular, racks up the attacking points, there’s been a definite upturn in defensive resolve, too. Losing narrowly at Spurs and nullifying the threat of Man City with a stunning 1-0 home win, the Black Cats are showing a resilience at the back despite a recent glut of injuries to their main men. With that in mind, Brown comes under consideration. Priced at 4.5, he’s the cheapest of any nailed-on Sunderland option, with John O’Shea and Phil Bardsley coming in at 5.0 and 4.8 respectively. He’s equal top for bonus points in the Sunderland back-line, with four, mirroring O’Shea’s returns, but Brown has also notched a goal and provided an assist. Bardsley, on the other hand, has returned two assists and a single bonus point, all in the same game. Upcoming clashes against Chelsea and Arsenal may look tricky, but Sunderland have already proven they are difficult to break down under O’Neill. With home clashes against Swansea and Norwich and trips to West Brom and Stoke, the revitalised Wearsiders will hold little fear as they go from strength to strength since the departure of Steve Bruce.
Jonny Evans
There’s no denying Man United have a difficult run of fixtures ahead. The champions are set to face four of the top six in the next seven Gameweeks and looked anything but solid against Newcastle in midweek. While Evans is often-maligned, his stats remain impressive; United have conceded just one goal in his last five starts and since he has been sidelined with a calf injury, have shipped six goals in two games. Phil Jones looked ill-at-ease alongside Rio Ferdinand the other night and with Evans expected to return to the heart of defence in the near future, a move back into central midfield looks more likely for the former Blackburn man. Evans plays host to Bolton and Stoke over the next three Gameweeks and at just 4.5 right now, doesn’t make much of a dent in your Fantasy budget compared to other options in the champions’ back-line. With 10 clean sheets in their first twenty games, the defensive potential is there- the acquisition of cut-price Evans makes it less of a punt if Sir Alex Ferguson’s side fail to keep out their opponents.
Anton Ferdinand
With just a single point in their last six fixtures, it’s fair to say Neil Warnock’s side have gone off the boil lately. Ferdinand, however, can almost be exempt from criticism here- subbed off with a hamstring problem in the first of those games, he only returned last weekend. Re-installed to the first-team, QPR were 1-0 up on Norwich before Joey Barton’s red card saw the tide turn in the Canaries favour. Ferdinand, priced at just 4.4 compared to Luke Young’s 4.9, for example, has been awarded seven bonus points so far, second only to Heidar Helguson’s eight for the Londoners. A nailed-on starter when available, he’s on the verge of a favourable run of fixtures that has QPR top of our strength of schedule over the next seven Gameweeks. Home clashes with (WIG, WOL, FUL, EVE), in addition to trips to the likes of Villa and Blackburn look more than promising and with Warnock poised to strengthen his options in the January transfer market, an upturn in fortunes could be just around the corner.
Ciaran Clark
The last four Gameweeks have seen the youngster establish himself in the Aston Villa first-team after a forgettable first few months to the season. Playing in central midfield alongside skipper Stiliyan Petrov, the 4.7 price defender is a possible cut-price out-of-position player to consider. Clark’s eye for goal saw him net three times last term and if he can continue to cement a place in Alex McLeish’s first XI over the next few Gameweeks, there is definite potential for Clark to produce the Fantasy points. With four of Villa’s next five home games reading (EVE, QPR, FUL, BOL) and with favourable trips to the likes of Wigan, Wolves and Blackburn, the upcoming schedule is mainly positive. Factor in the imminent return of Shay Given and Clark’s chances of chalking up the defensive points looks set to be boosted, too.
