Selection

FPL – Player List Analysis – Goalkeepers

Last Wednesday’s launch of the Fantasy Premier League game kick starts our series of Player List articles for 2017/18.

As you’d expect, the goalkeepers are first up for analysis. We’ll assess their prospects of clean sheets and save points, while also checking out some of the budget rotation options on offer.

As with the rest of our Player List articles, this will be structured by cost as we consider the prospects right across the price brackets.

Budget Keepers

At present, Newcastle United’s Rob Elliot could potentially be the only active 4.0-priced player in FPL.

Stricken with injury for the vast majority of last term, he was listed on the teamsheet for his side’s final three Championship matches and conceded a single goal.

Ideally, we’d want Elliot to cement that role and help free up funds for us to spend elsewhere, though his security of starts is by no means certain, with Rafa Benitez continuing to be linked with a new keeper.

After their Gameweek 1 clash with Spurs has passed, Elliot clearly has the potential to prove exceptional value. By sorting our members’ ticker and focusing on the Defence filter, Newcastle’s schedule is regarded as the third most favourable across the opening 11 Gameweeks.

West Brom’s Ben Foster and Swansea City’s Lukasz Fabianski are our standout options at 4.5.

The pair managed just six and eight clean sheets respectively last season, though Foster, in particular, is expected to improve that haul after a poor defensive year from Tony Pulis’ team.

Nailed-on, kindly priced and – crucially – cheaper than any current West Brom defensive regular, Foster is our preferred budget pick from the off.

And that opinion is matched by FPL managers – he boasts an ownership close to 21% and is the second most popular keeper in the game.

As highlighted by our recent article on rotation, West Brom and Swansea rotate home/away over the entire season. Between now and Gameweek 20 – ie, prior to the second Wildcard being available – you would be handed the following run: (BOU MUN/bur STK NEW WHU WAT WAT HUD LEI MCI BHA CHE/bur BOU NEW CRY WBA MCI MUN CRY EVE).

Should you opt for one as a “fire and forget” option, their respective deputies Boaz Myhill and Kristoffer Nordfeldt are priced at just 4.0 apiece and could appeal as a second keeper to come in when Foster or Fabianski are injured or suspended.

On the downside, Fabianski – unlike Foster – has defensive team-mates (Federico Fernandez and Kyle Naughton) available at 4.5.

For just 0.5 extra, though, you could opt for the goal threat of Craig Dawson or Gareth McAuley for the Baggies, while the Swans’ Alfie Mawson and Martin Olsson are also listed at 5.0.

Pairing Fabianski up with Elliot is another combination that has caught our eye.

Priced at a total of 8.5, they offer a decent opening run (sot hud WHU NEW STO WAT whu HUD CPL bur) over the first 10 Gameweeks.

Along with Newcastle, fellow promoted sides Brighton and Huddersfield Town have also been handed strong opening fixtures, with their respective stoppers Mat Ryan and Jonas Lossl both valued at 4.5.

Of the two, we’d back Ryan to make the stronger impact.

The Seagulls were far more resilient in last season’s Championship, chalking up 21 clean sheets, with 12 collected at home, whereas Huddersfield managed just 12 shutouts in total, recording just six in front of their own supporters.

The promoted pair also rotate home/away over the entire season – a run from now until Gameweek 20 would consist of the following:
(MCI/cry NEW SOT WBA LEI NEW TOT EVE MUN/swa SOT WBA STK MCI CRY LIV/eve BHA CHE BUR WAT STO)

However, there are similarly priced routes into those defences that also boast an attacking threat.

Brighton’s towering centre-half Lewis Dunk is our preferred pick – he fired 38 efforts on goal, scoring twice, and is their number one for Clearances, Blocks and Interceptions (CBI).

The Terriers’ Chris Lowe benefits from Martin Wagner’s penchant for raiding full-backs and registered two goals and three assists in last season’s Championship. But with the German perhaps under pressure from Scott Malone for the left-back berth, centre-half Michael Hefele boasts a solid goal threat and is also 4.5.

As a result, the appeal of Ryan and Lossl is slightly dented.

Asmir Begovic’s arrival at Bournemouth will surely help address a record of 67 goals against in 2016/17. The Bosnian is kind on the budget at 4.5 but with Steve Cook, Charlie Daniels, Nathan Ake and Adam Smith all priced at 5.0 and offering a significant attacking threat, he could struggle to offer the same sort of value.

If you’re considering Brighton’s Ryan, though, then pairing him with Begovic hands you a favourable opening run (wba WAT wat WBA BHA NEW LEI EVE stk SOT) for the first 10 Gameweeks.

A change of manager could also bring Watford’s Heurelho Gomes and Crystal Palace’s Wayne Hennessey into contention at 4.5 apiece. While question marks still hang over Hennessey’s pitch time, the Hornets will be hoping that Marco Silva’s impressive home record can be replicated at Vicarage Road.

Over at West Ham, we’re optimistic that potential new arrival Joe Hart will be priced at 4.5 – the same as Adrian and Darren Randolph, who started 16 and 22 matches respectively for the Hammers last term. Aside from Gameweek 2 and 32, West Ham rotate with Watford to offer a home fixture over the full season.

Mid-price Keepers

Above the budget bracket, few – if any – Fantasy managers are looking for rotation options and instead seeking out a “one stop shop” option between the posts.

Looking at the opening schedule, Southampton’s Fraser Forster (5.0) has the matches to play his way into consideration and boost his 7% ownership levels – he faces up to only one of last year’s top eight, Manchester United in Gameweek 6, in the first 11 fixtures.

We anticipate that the Saints’ resilience will be boosted by the arrival of manager Mauricio Pellegrino, whose former club Alaves conceded just 43 goals in La Liga last time out – a record bettered only by Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal.

On the downside, though, the attack-minded Cedric Soares is identically priced at 5.0 and offers more upside from right-back, which dents Forster’s appeal. Meanwhile, the future of Virgil van Dijk may also determine our assessment of their defensive prospects.

Burnley’s Tom Heaton, – last term’s top-scoring keeper – earns a slight price hike from last season’s initial 4.5 to 5.0 this time around.

As evidenced last term, Heaton could still prove exceptional value for money as a fixture-proof pick between the posts – he collected more bonus points (21) and made more saves (142) than any stopper in the previous campaign.

Yet the departure of centre-back Michael Keane to Everton will surely hinder the Clarets’ ability to keep out opponents – Sean Dyche’s side claimed 10 shutouts in 2016/17.

The appeal of Everton’s new boy Jordan Pickford (5.0) has been hampered by a tough opening run that hands him clashes with Manchester City, Chelsea, Spurs and Man United in the first five Gameweeks.

The Toffees’ schedule brightens significantly from Gameweek 6, though, and Pickford – who made just one less save than Heaton in 540 less minutes at Sunderland last term – could be considered at that point. Ronald Koeman’s men delivered 13 clean sheets in 2016/17 and the arrival of the aforementioned Keane could also improve that form.

Elsewhere on Merseyside, Simon Mignolet will look to build on a fine end to 2016/17 that saw Liverpool register five clean sheets in the final six Gameweeks. Priced the same as team-mate Loris Karius at 5.0 apiece, the Belgian started every match from Gameweek 16 onwards and looks to have secured the number one spot under Jurgen Klopp.

Although Liverpool rotate home/away with Everton over the full season, splashing out 10.0 on a pair of keepers isn’t really a viable tactic for those seeking to free up cash.

Elsewhere, Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel (5.0) rotates home/away with Newcastle for the full 38 Gameweeks and could be one to consider should the budget-priced Elliot manage to nail down a spot on Benitez’ teamsheet.

Subject to a recent Great Expectations article,Stoke City’s Jack Butland averaged 4.3 ppm in his breakout season in 2015/16 before injury struck. Butland earned at least one save point in 18 of his 31 outings that year in addition to 14 bonus points, though he faces a tough opening run of fixtures, facing seven of last year’s top ten in the first eight Gameweeks. As a result, he currently sits in just 2% of squads.

Premium Keepers

Once again, FPL have set a ceiling of 5.5 for the most expensive keepers on offer.

As evidenced by the budget heroics of Butland in 2015/16 and Heaton last time out, though, a big spend in this position has little appeal.

For those prepared to invest heavily in their keepers, Man United’s David de Gea is surely the preferred route. He offers the most favourable defensive schedule of any premium-priced stopper across the first few rounds of fixtures (WHU swa LEI sto EVE sot CRY liv hud).

Indeed, the Spaniard has emerged as the most popular keeper in the FPL game and is owned by over 26% of managers.

We still fancy Antonio Valencia as the most appealing route into the Red Devils’ rearguard, particularly if Mourinho decides on retaining the three-man defence trialled against LA Galaxy on Sunday. However, the Ecuadorian and team-mate Eric Bailly are most expensive at 6.5 and 6.0 respectively.

Spurs and Man United supplied 17 clean sheets apiece in the previous campaign and boasted the most resilient defences, with just 26 and 29 goals against respectively.

Spurs’ 3-4-2-1 wing-back system is likely to keep Hugo Lloris in the shade again, though, particularly if Kieran Trippier can nail down a regular role following Kyle Walker’s departure to Man City.

Petr Cech will be hoping to benefit from the late-season switch to 3-4-2-1 that saw Arsenal win eight of their final nine matches in all competitions.

He’s also the most likely to return save points from our premium-priced keepers – the Gunners’ custodian made 115 saves, while De Gea, Lloris and Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois failed to produce more than 80.

Man City’s new arrival Ederson is expected to usurp Claudio Bravo on Pep Guardiola’s teamsheet and improve a return of 12 clean sheets. City allowed their opponents fewer shots than any side last season, which indicates that there’s less likelihood of save points for the Portuguese. He’s the least popular pick of the premium-priced stoppers and resides in only 4% of teams to date.

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3,182 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Smoky Johnson
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    foster
    kolasinac bertrand trippier aké
    alli coutinho willian ramsey
    kane lukaku

    goalkeepers - 4.5, 4.0 - cheap template
    defenders - 6.0, 5.5, 5.5, 5.0 - four premium wing-backs
    midfielders - 9.5, 9.0, 7.0, 7.0 - four premium attackers
    strikers - 12.5, 11.5 - two forefront contenders for the golden boot

    4.5 / 4
    22 / 4
    32.5 / 4.5
    24 / 4.5

    83 / 17 : 100

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Who do you consider a 7.0 premium mid?

    2. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      GK: Good
      Def: Literally none of them are wing-backs except Trippier if Spurs play 3 at the back...
      Mid: Premium and 7.0 are not compatible, and if they were actually from the premium price bracket they certainly wouldn't be anywhere near premium players.
      For: Sure, but I wouldn't double up on Spurs attack quite yet.

  2. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Another Look at 5 3 2
    Bergovic (Elliot)
    Rudiger Kompany Trippier Cedric Bailly
    Sanchez Alli KDB Coutinho (Puncheon)
    Aguero Gayle (Ayew)

    Thought Process:
    Tried to get Sanchez in as an alternative . (I know the dangers)
    Wanted 5 at the back and swapped Alonso for Rudiger.
    Keeping away from template.
    Hoping Kaku has a quiet time.
    Punts are gayle who I have always liked.
    Staying clear of RLC when I found out Puncheon made captain.
    I have 2 Captain options and I think City will fly this year.
    Want milner but not sure who to sacrifice.
    I want bench back up early on.

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      First side I have seen on this site with Sanchez. If he goes to City he will be gold.

      1. ste_the_legend
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Are you sure? There's only so many chances to go around at City and a lot of other attacking players. I would probably be less likely to pick him if he goes to City as I expect his points to drop quite a bit and he wouldn't justify his price tag.

    2. Steve The Shrewdie
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Slight flaw is team costs 105.5 million

  3. vindo
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    RMT Please:

    Foster
    Dummet - Cedric - Trippier
    Ramsey - Alli - Coutinho - Willian
    Jesus - Lukaku - Firmino

    Fabiansi - RLC - Simpson - any 4m defender

  4. Netley Lucas
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Naughton/Rangel are the new Foster/Myhill... each pairing covers. 17m. Find a 4.5 rotation with SWA and you have 5 of your 'back 7' for 21.5m. It means you have a reasonably good defence/gk for around 31.5.

    1. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Rangel price drop is a concern though

  5. bmor
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Any 4 million defender nailed anywhere?

    1. Lanzini girls just want to …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Doesn't look like it

  6. bmor
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Best

  7. fpork
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Best two 7.0 options of Lanzini, Ramsey, Fab, Willian, Zaha, Wijnaldum?

    1. bmor
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Willian & Zaha IMO
      Fab: Not Nailed
      Ramsey: Has not delivered on points
      Wijnaldum - Good but lost in an attacking Liverpool team
      Lanzini - Solid - expect better again this season (close with Zaha)

    2. Moore FPL
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Willian & Lanzini

    3. Boere Mafia
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I think Fab will be nailed until Hazard is fit.

      And Ramsey could come back in the points if Arsenal stick to 3 at the back.

      So for me I have Ramsey and Fab in my first draft.

      Would be grateful for any opinions

      Foster/Fabianski
      Ake/Cedric/Dunk/Milner/Lindelof
      Ramsey/Pogba/Fabregas/Loftus-Cheek/Redmond
      Lukaku/Kane/King

    4. Lanzini girls just want to …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Rambo looks better than Willan for me

  8. Moore FPL
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Foster Elliot
    Lindelof Trippier Cedric Mee Tomkins
    Alli Willian Lanzini Redmond RLC
    Kane Kaku Defoe

    1. Boere Mafia
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I also had Trippier to start, but waiting to see if Spurs won't sign someone else.

      Maybe upgrade Elliot to get a keeper rotation going. Fabianski or Begovic. That is why I swapped Defoe for King to make room for Fabianski

      1. Moore FPL
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Fab was in my last draft with Tadic instead of Lanzini 🙂

        1. Boere Mafia
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah no use having Tadic and Redmond in at the same time.

          Lanzini might not start good because of fixtures, you might want think about that.

          1. Moore FPL
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Thanks, yeah that was my thinking
            Actually considering 433 atm too with Milner / Alonso

            1. Boere Mafia
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              I went with Milner

              Still a work in progress

              Foster/Fabianski
              Ake/Cedric/Dunk/Milner/Lindelof
              Ramsey/Pogba/Fabregas/Loftus-Cheek/Redmond
              Lukaku/Kane/King

  9. Net Gains
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    So apparently Javier Hernandez is on the verge of signing for West Ham.

    Is he worth a punt and if so what price would he need to be to tempt you?

    1. Boere Mafia
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      8 mil all lower. if he is under 7 mil he is definitely going in

  10. thom830g
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Tadic or Redmond? And why are people not keen with Gabbiadini? Seem to me he got an ok start last year.

  11. foley200
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Who you going with for the pool cover? Mane Couts or Salah. Can't make up my mind, but veering toward Mane

    1. jurgenklopp.8
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      wait to see when mane fully recovers from injury

  12. Boere Mafia
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    RMT please???

    Foster/Fabianski
    Ake/Cedric/Dunk/Milner/Lindelof
    Ramsey/Pogba/Fabregas/Loftus-Cheek/Redmond
    Lukaku/Kane/King

  13. JayJay96
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    A or B
    A
    Foster
    Cedric - Bertrand - Lindelof - Ake - Yedlin
    KDB - Ozil - Fabregas - Zaha - Carroll
    Lukaku - Lacazette - Mounie

    B
    Foster
    Cedric - Trippier - Lindelof - Ake - Yedlin
    KDB - Ozil - Redmond - Shelvey - Carroll
    Lukaku - Lacazette -- Benteke

    1. matth141
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      B but both shit

  14. matth141
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    I'm happy with my side so I think I'm ready for you experts to tear it apart

    Foster (Elliot)
    B.Davies Lindelof Kolasinac (C.Taylor) (4.0)
    Mkhitaryan KDB Ramsey Willian (Loft.Cheek)
    Lacazette Agüero Rashford

    Give me your worst!

    1. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      No spurs attack... end of story

  15. Lecky Legs FC
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Best £8.5 midfielder?

  16. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Early days but thoughts on this first draft?

    Forster (Elliot)
    Milner - Bertrand - McAuley - (Mee - Rangel)
    Sánchez - Alli - Arter - Ince (Carroll)
    Lukaku - Lacazette - Deeney

  17. RyanPolly
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Will Gabbiani start?

  18. RyanPolly
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Will Gabbiani start? :/

  19. RyanPolly
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Will *Gabbiadini start? (damn autocorrect)?

  20. jshelmo
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Hi guys, first RMT for this season:

    Foster (Myhill)
    David Luiz, Trippier, Lindelof, Mee, Rangel
    Eriksen, Coutihno, Lanzini, Knockhaert, McArthur
    Lacazette, Lukaku, Rooney

    0.5 ITB

    What do you think?

    1. The Seagulls and the Trawle…
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Good stuff, i like McArthur, great pricing, but will FDB start him? Thats why I went for Carroll, safer bet IMO.
      Not sure about Knockaert, seems decent but havent followed the championship and do not know how he will adapt to PL.
      and isn't Myhill Foster's sub at WBA? For the same price i would go for Elliot.

  21. MagicMario45
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Any 4.0 defenders that will start?

  22. zakard
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    hi !

    Heaton
    Kola / Trippier / Milner
    Ramsey / sane / philips / willian
    Firmino Laca Kane

    (Elliot, loftus, rangel, Tuanzebe)
    0.5 in bank..
    What do you think ?

    1. The Seagulls and the Trawle…
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Kola could be benched (particularly if city get Mendy). Same goes for Loftus.
      Tuazebe will not play much, Rangel we do not know (and not many Cs expected). The rest looks decent.

  23. The Seagulls and the Trawle…
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Hi guys, first post here.
    What do you think of my first draft:

    Forster/Foster
    Cedric, Valencia, Trippier, Yedlin, Mee
    Willian, Zaha, Coutinho, Chadli, Carroll
    Lukaku, Jesus, Gabbiadini

    2M in the bank. Will probably upgrade my midfield, not sure about Coutinho being the best value for money there. Also have to be sure Gabb will get the nod in attack.

    Anyway, let me know what you think.

    1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Wow someone else who considers Chadli, thought I was the only one :). Jesus>aguero
      Gabbi too risky

      1. The Seagulls and the Trawle…
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Chadli could get in the form he was at the start of his spell with WBA last year. Taking into account WBA fixtures he could be a good differential. Question is, him or Phillips?

        Gabbi is risky now, but friendlies will give answers. And with 3/4 at home, if he is the main striker he could give some return. But have to wait for confirmation of him being THE striker for sotton.

        Another option could be jay Rodriguez, do you think he'll get the nod instead of Rondon?

  24. Steve The Shrewdie
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Any thoughts

    Forster
    Cédric Bellerín Yedlin
    Chadli Coutinho De Bruyne Sánchez
    Gabbiadini Rodriguez Lukaku

    Foster Kanté Rangel Naughton

    Thanks

  25. etown
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Foster (Elliot)

    Trippier, Cedric, Bellerin (Rangel, Hunemeier)

    Tadic, De Bruyne, Willian, Coutinho (RLC)

    Kane, Lukaku, Rodriguez

    1. Toast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Really like it. I guess the two 4.0 are a problem as if for instance Bellerin doesn't start you have no cover

    2. etown
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, my bench is a soup sandwich, not really sure what to do with it. Zero decent coverage if someone doesn't play, was just trying to put a strong starting 11 together and go from there.

      1. Toast
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        JRod seems popular but I asked a Saints fan who seems to say he may not do great. But those fixtures are good

  26. Gassemannen
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    What do you think of this 4-3-3 team? Based on good fixtures for the defense/GK at least for the first 10 gw.

    Foster/Fabianski
    Valencia - Trippier - Bertrand - Dawson (Lowton)
    Willian - Chadli - Tadic (Carroll - McArthur)
    Kane - Lukaku - Aguero

    Was considering going 3-4-3 with Austin, but not sure he will start. If Aguero is a bit sketchy I might downgrade 1 fwd and upgrade 1 mid to a premium one.

  27. @FPL_Chess
      6 years, 8 months ago

      About 100 FFS players have joined the FPL Chess mini-league (code 7741-3334). That's Fantastic. Come in. Make yourself at home. You're certainly very welcome. ┌( ಠ‿ಠ)┘

    • Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Which template team do you like the most?

      A)

      Foster
      Alonso Clark Daniels
      Fabregas KDB Salah Ritchie
      Aguero (C) Mounie Kane (VC)

      Subs:Elliot,Mee,Carroll & Hunimeier

      B)

      Begovic
      Alonso Clark Daniels
      Chadli Fabregas KDB Salah
      Jesus(VC) Kane(C) Gabbiadini

      Subs: Elliot,Mee,Carroll & Hunimeier

    • Fishface
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Does joe hart rotate with any budget keepers.

    • Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Not on WC but need a £5mil midfielder to replace Davis, is Kouyate a good shout? Will be for free too.