The Watchlist Updated – Defence

With the reduced Gameweek 35 now behind us, we’ve updated our Watchlist rankings have been updated ahead of the remaining fixtures.

For those unfamiliar, the Watchlist offers mid-term player recommendations for the upcoming rounds of fixtures. They can be found in your sidebar on desktop, or via your slide-in menu on mobile or tablet.

These highlight our current thoughts on player selection for each position, listing the factors that contribute to their given rank.

Double Gameweek 37 understandably dominates our thinking, then, given that 12 teams will play four matches in the final three rounds of fixtures.

Our analysis gets underway with a look at the main contenders in defence, beginning with the goalkeepers.

The Goalkeepers

Man United’s David De Gea (5.9) remains at the summit of our standings for the run-in.

The Spaniard offers two home fixtures against Arsenal and Watford on either side of his trips to Brighton and West Ham in the penultimate round of matches.

With question marks over the make-up of Jose Mourinho’s back four, De Gea – the second most popular player in FPL, with an ownership of 44.67% – looks the safest route as he looks to add to a total of 17 clean sheets.

Only four keepers have made more saves than his total of 108, earning the Red Devils’ number one a total of 24 save points.

As a result, he leads the way among all goalkeepers and defenders on 161 points in FPL.

Although premium-priced alternatives Ederson (whu HUD & BHA sot) and Hugo Lloris (WAT wba & NEW LEI) have stronger schedules, few will be looking to invest in a Man City or Spurs keeper at this points, with more compelling options in defence and/or attack at both clubs.

Lukasz Fabianski is our preferred cut-price option as Swansea prepare to play three times at home (CHE bou & SOT STK) in the final three Gameweeks.

Five of the Welsh side’s last six clean sheet have been recorded in front of their own fans, while the Pole’s propensity for save points keeps his tally ticking over.

Fabianski has earned at least one save point in 24 of his 34 league outings, totalling 31 save points, and, at 4.7, looks the ideal partner for De Gea for those set to play their Bench Boost chip in Gameweek 37.

Newcastle United’s Martin Dubravka (4.5) is another budget option for Bench Boost managers.

The Magpies have conceded just one goal in their last four home matches and host West Brom this weekend prior to their Double Gameweek 37 (wat & tot).

The downside is that he’s not been kept as busy as Fabianski – the on-loan Slovakian has failed to collect a save in each of his last six outings.

Elsewhere, Kasper Schmeichel (5.1) is one of only two keepers – along with Thibaut Courtois (LIV & HUD) – to play at home twice in Double Gameweek 37.

Although they’ve kept just two clean sheets in their last six, the Foxes have allowed the opposition just 27 shots inside the penalty area – only Man City (15) have been more resilient.

Ben Hamer – at 4.3 – could come into contention for the visit of West Ham and Arsenal if the Dane fails to recover from the knock that forced him to miss the second match of Leicester’s Double Gameweek 34.

The Defenders

With his left-back rival Danny Rose still recovering from injury, Spurs’ very favourable schedule (WAT wba & NEW LEI) elevates Ben Davies to the top of our defender rankings.

The Welshman’s creativity is a big part of his appeal. Priced at 5.8, Davies has supplied 44 scoring chances for team-mates – at least nine more than any other backline rival – while no defender has earned more than his seven assists.

Indeed, having also found the net twice, Davies has been involved in nine goals this season – more than any defender in FPL.

Meanwhile, Spurs boast the third most resilient defensive record (31 goals against) in the top-flight and have recorded 14 clean sheets so far.

Should we hear news of Rose’s return to the squad for Monday’s tie with Watford, then it would be Jan Vertonghen who becomes the consideration, though there is every chance that Davies will still be handed starts in each of Spurs’ remaining three home matches.

Benched for each of the last two Gameweeks, we feel that Nicolas Otamendi will return to the Man City teamsheet as Pep Guardiola’s starts to ration the minutes of Vincent Kompany.

Ranked second only to Marcos Alonso for shots (31) and goals (four) at the back this season, the Argentine is also placed second for bonus points from the back, with 18.

The forthcoming schedule (whu HUD & BHA sot) looks very persuasive for those looking to invest in a defence that’s conceded fewer goals (25) than any side on their way to collecting 16 shutouts.

Otamendi is currently the most popular defender in FPL thanks to a 26.7% ownership.

Swansea’s aforementioned trio of home matches boosts the prospects of Alfie Mawson.

The centre-half has produced all of his attacking returns –two goals and an assist – at the Liberty Stadium this season, recording a total of 16 efforts in the box in 2017/18.

If you consider his cost of 5.1 somewhat lofty, though, Mike van der Hoorn (4.4) offers a cheaper option in defence, while Fabianski is also kinder on the budget in goal.

Having started each of the last 12 league matches, Chris Smalling currently appears immune to Jose Mourinho’s rotation at Man United.

The top transfer target in defence ahead of the weekend deadline by some distance, Smalling has earned over 32,000 new owners on the back of three goals in the last six league fixtures.

At 5.6, he looks an ideal partner for De Gea for those looking to double-up on the United defence, though with a spot in the FA Cup final now secured, Mourinho’s teamsheets may yet spring a surprise or two before the season is done.

With his team-mate Marcos Alonso still suspended until Gameweek 37, Cesar Azpilicueta is currently our favoured pick from the Chelsea rearguard.

The top-ranked defender for bonus points (22), Azpilicueta has turned in his most attacking season since arriving at Stamford Bridge, tallying two goals and six assists.

Certainly, three of the Blues’ remaining four matches (swa LIV & HUD new) look conducive to clean sheets although Antonio Conte’s men have struggled for resilience of late, mustering just a single shut-out in their last ten league outings.

Something to consider, then, given that Azpilicueta comes in at a hefty 6.9.

Ben Chilwell is our standout budget defender for the run-in.

Priced at 4.4, the left-back has usurped Leicester team-mate Harry Maguire in recent matches, tallying two assists and four bonus in the last five Gameweeks in addition to a pair of clean sheets.

Southampton’s Cedric Soares (BOU eve & swa MCI) and Brighton’s Lewis Dunk (bur MUN & mci liv) also offer attacking potential in the sub-5.0 bracket.

Soares has supplied two assists in three appearances under Mark Hughes, while Dunk has chipped in with a goal and assist over the Seagulls’ last six league outings.

Meanwhile, Paul Dummett offers little attacking potential but, at a cost of just 4.2, the Magpies full-back looks an ideal squad filler, particularly for those planning to Bench Boost in Gameweek 37.