Sky Sports

The best goalkeepers and defenders for Sky Sports Fantasy Football

With less than a week to go, the time is now to decide on which defenders will and will not make your Sky Sports Fantasy Football backline.

Goalkeepers and defenders are an integral part of any team, but they have become increasingly important in the art of Fantasy Football, and even more so in Sky Sports Fantasy Football.

Rewinding to the 2018/19 campaign, I reported that there were five defenders among the top 10 point-scorers in the game, but fast forward to last season, and there were four goalkeepers and defenders combined who achieved the same feat, those being Dean Henderson and the Liverpool trio of Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk.

There are some potential bargains, and there are some which will come out of the woodwork, but two, or three of these five defensive players should be at the heart of your consideration when building your starting XI.

John Egan – £7.2m

Claiming an impressive 146 Fantasy Football points in his debut season in the Premier League, John Egan was value-for-money during Sheffield United’s successful campaign. Even with an increased price tag of £7.2m, he comes in as one of the cheapest assets in defence who started the majority of games last season.

This is reflected in his selection percentage, which currently stands at 11.75%. The price caters to accommodate those bigger players in defence, but at one of the value or budget picks, you will not go too far wrong with Egan, a solid defender who kept 13 clean sheets last term, scoring twice and picking up two man-of-the-match awards too.

Virgil van Dijk – £10.9m

Liverpool's FPL defenders struggle as Arteta hands out Arsenal goalkeeper clues

For the second season in succession, Virgil van Dijk recorded the most points out of any of the defenders, and of any player in Sky Sports Fantasy Football, despite racking up 31 points less (268) than he did in 2018/19 (299). This does still equate to 7.1 points per game, a fitting average for the most expensive defender, his price inflating to £10.9m for the new season.

It does not seem to have put many off, with van Dijk making it into 32.37 per cent of Fantasy Football teams. With 15 clean sheets, five goals, and hitting tier two passing bonus points (70+) on 21 occasions last season, it seems that even £10.9m is not beyond the extreme to have the Dutch skipper in your side.

With just four games to navigate before the Overhaul (unlimited transfers within the £100m budget for a set period of time), van Dijk looks a good route to get your season off and running emphatically, starting with new boys Leeds on Saturday, despite Chelsea and Arsenal following afterwards.

Nick Pope – £6.7m

The Burnley stopper registered a whopping 215 Fantasy points last season, just three behind Dean Henderson, who topped the charts. Nick Pope kept 15 clean sheets, just the one behind Ederson who claimed the Golden Glove. He has since earned an England call-up off the back of his solid performances between the sticks.

Burnley’s ever-resolute defence only let in 50 goals last campaign, and this level of consistency is expected to continue next year. After a tough trip to Leicester on the opening day, Burnley face Southampton and Newcastle before the international break.

Pope tallied tier one bonus points (three or more saves) on 15 occasions and tier two (five or more saves) six times, so even when clean sheets may be hard to come by, there will still be averages coming in from your number one.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – £10.6m

Trent Alexander-Arnold finished fourth in the Sky Sports Fantasy Football charts last campaign with 245 points. He made double figures with assists for the second consecutive season, ending on 13 from that department. Trent cruised his way to the Young Player of the Year award, and is set for another enjoyable term in the red of Liverpool.

Perhaps it is the fact that the English full back comes into the game £0.3m cheaper than his teammate Virgil van Dijk is the reason behind a higher selection percentage, which stands at 37.07 per cent. Will Alexander-Arnold make it into your starting XI for the opening day?

Kieran Tierney – £8.1m

We really started to see the best of Kieran Tierney towards the back end of last season, and the Scotsman played his part in Arsenal’s FA Cup final success. With a pre-season under his belt, he should be fit and raring to go ahead of the new campaign.

His statistics may not look the most promising, but his ability to get down the flanks and right to the byline before delivering inch-perfect crosses should account for an upturn in assists from defence. As well as this, Arsenal’s defence should (should) be a bit more solid and sturdy with William Saliba coming back from his loan spell and the introduction of Gabriel, so clean sheet points could be easier to come by.

Only a short period of time awaits until the first match of the season, with Fulham hosting Arsenal at Craven Cottage. 

Change and amend your team, and who knows, you could land yourself the £50,000 jackpot!

Best players by position:

2,968 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TJ
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Seems few people considering the GW2 WC. If it gives you an extra 25 points after GW2, is that worth it for a WC?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No

  2. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Lets all just bench premium players for GW1 to have them GW2 when nobody knows what is going to happpen 😀

    No thanks.

  3. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this draft :

    McCarthy Button
    Egan Taylor TAA Mitchell Vinaigre
    Salah Auba Pulisic/havertz Saint-Maximin Alli
    Mitro Werner Davis

    Thx

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Taylor not playing GW1 so that is your only issue with Vinagre which pretty much will not play either. Wouldn't bank points on Mitchell GW1 either.

  4. Pia06rc
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Can't decide between Alli and Havertz (have Werner). Coin toss or a clear favourite?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Havertz clear favorite imo.

    2. Dirtymeercat666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Havertz for me

    3. McGowan
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Havert for me would be a harder call if it was Son I think

    4. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Alli is a great option. Mourinho's favourite.

      I will have him plus Havertz and Werner.

    5. Sergeant Slaughter
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Have them both. Havertz the better player imo, but need to see how he settles at Chelsea. I think they will both do well, at attractive prices.

    6. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Going Alli for the first 3 weeks and then switching to Havertz or Pulisic.

  5. QUEN
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Someone earlier posted a matrix for rotating 4.5

    Anyone got the link? Please 🙂

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      KWP and Taylor look decent, but the best looks Taylor and Targett. But that leaves you with having to play someone like Bissouma in GW1

      1. QUEN
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah thinking of moving Justin to a 4.5 I haven’t got to worry about.

        Taylor’s an option and I’m sure lascelles looked to rotate nicely with most but he doesn’t excite me much

      1. QUEN
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Legend thanks

  6. McGowan
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hey guys
    Think I'm there, any advice?
    0.5 itb for zaha to greenwood for week 2 if he's playing..

    Ramsdale
    TAA KWP Doherty
    Salah Auba Saka Zaha
    Werner Wilson Mitrovic

    Bench: Nyland Norwood Coady Mitchell

    1. jimmyabs1987
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No spurs in your mid or attack?

      1. Sanchit
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Do you expect the to score 3 goals every game?

      2. McGowan
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Just not sure about spurs players other the doherty and son. So could try to get son but not sure how

  7. Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Willson+ Havertz
    B. ASM+ Werner

    1. Dirtymeercat666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  8. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Imagine Liverpool fall off, have a relatively poor season and finish third or fourth.

    Do you think TAA/Robertson would still likely be good value over the course of the season in that reduced Liverpool side?

    In other words, what do you think the reasonable worst-case scenario is for them in terms of FPL performance?

    1. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      160-170 pts? They will have quite high goal involvement (for defenders) anyway because of their position on the pitch imho. I think that would still make them a good value though.

  9. Dirtymeercat666
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What do we think guys? Any good?

    McCarthy, Nyland
    Trent, Egan, Lewis, kwp, Mitchell
    Auba, son, Mount, salah, Reed
    Mitro, martial, Wilson

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      will mount start ? just wondering

    2. Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mount is short time solution i guess?
      He will start gw1, but later not nailled at all.
      Rest is good

      1. Dirtymeercat666
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks guys.
        He is a short term solution, yeah.
        I reckon he’ll start, and then we’ll take it from there. Was wanting Havertz but couldn’t stretch!

  10. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Surely Callum Wilson is a wait n see. His form was awful last season, always injured.

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think so.

    2. Dirtymeercat666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Possibly, though, I’m jumping straight in

    3. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He's a wait and see for me purely because Fraser hasn't played for so long, and not sure he's getting much service till then.

    4. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You could say the same about Ings last season.

      1. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Newcastle are a low scoring team.

        1. Snevitz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          You could say that about Southampton last season.

  11. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    which tactic to follow?
    A)Start the season with Bowen playing him and then wait to see if it's Greenwood or James the one you transfer in for gw2
    B)Start with Greenwood and bench him with Mitchell on the starting lineup, saving the FT to have 2 free transfers for gw3 and bring the best chelsea assets in for free?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No strategy that has Mitchell in the lineup is a good one. If you're gonna bench a MUN player you must have decent cover.

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Which is?

    2. Marmalade Forest
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You need to answer, what has the higher expected score for GW1:
      Bowen or Mitchell + 4 points?

  12. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Just spotted I have 9 playing away week 1.

    Whoops

    Obvs not enough Palace 😀

  13. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    mitro or che adams ? thank you

    1. Dirtymeercat666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitro for me. I don’t trust Adams since his terrible start to last season

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        thanks

      2. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I’d bet my right nut Mitro only scores once in his first 5 games.

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          haha live streaming your semi-castration on youtube?

          1. Rasping Drive
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I’ll do it with my butter knife and send you the link

        2. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          easy with your balls ! che for you then ?

          1. Rasping Drive
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Aye, much better team.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone's guess.

      Think the correct answer may be which one you're most likely to trust for a run of games. Transfers in that spot are an effective minus 4 - from a fairly low total

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        cheers. maybe minutes and pens make me edge more towards mitro

    3. Marmalade Forest
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Would you rather have hands for feet or feet for hands?

      1. Ole.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        This is obvious right? Hands for feet.

    4. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      adams for me, has the biggest upside

  14. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What's the deal with Vinagre? Wasn't he supposed to be sold?

  15. chelseabrad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Tear it apart.

    McCarthy
    TAA Doherty Justin
    Salah Auba Son ASM
    Werner DCL Mitro

    Nyland Mitchell Bissouma Buur

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very nice.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      bench a tad weak imo

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You have practically copied Andy's team.

      It's very standard.

      1. chelseabrad
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Who’s Andy?

  16. adstomko
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Saint-Maximin's value seems too good to be true. Can see his price sky-rocketing after those early fixtures

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not if he doesn't have a couple of hauls

  17. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Assuming everyone’s fit, what are your thoughts on TRIPLE Chelsea attack (Werner, Havertz and Pulisic) from GW1?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'd wait to see how they all fit in the team first. Might take them time to gel / get fitness.

    2. chelseabrad
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pulisic is out

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        It's being reported he's training

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      at least one of them should be good you'd think, carnage if they don't score against Liverpool though

    4. Sergeant Slaughter
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Is Puli playing game 1?

      1. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I don’t think he’ll start. Maybe comes on with 20 mins to go. Can still cause damage in that time as United (I think) found out last season.

    5. 11SPECIALONE11
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I have those three at the moment. Little worried about Pulisic's fitness thou

      What you think?

      Mcarthy

      TAA - Ampadu - KWP
      Havertz - Pulisic - Salah - Aub - Saka
      Werner - Nketiah

      (Nyland - Mitchell - Burr - Davis)

      1. Sterling Malory
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I doubt Ampadu starts straight away

    6. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      All are priced well. Chelsea will score lots this year.

  18. unclesbasement
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is DCL more likely to score than richarlison

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      same imo but 1 m cheaper

  19. Spicy Mayonnaise
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Just done my FPL draft (12 man) - had a few beers before hand, am I doomed for a season of misery?

    Fabianski,
    Doherty, Saiss, Tierney, Davies
    De Bruyne, Ward-Prose, Barnes, Saka
    Ings, DCL
    Martinez/Bowen/Haller/Chilwell

    1. chelseabrad
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

      1. Spicy Mayonnaise
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        That solves that then.

    2. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It's alright, I've just done a 10 man one. This is mine.
      Patricio
      TAA Tierney Davies Stevens
      Bruno Mahrez McNeil
      McBurnie Jesus Antonio
      McCarthy Periera Vinagre Trossard

  20. xHaTr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Think I'm there

    McCarthy
    TAA Justin Lascelles
    Armstrong Salah Son ASM Auba
    Werner Ings

    Steer Mitchell Brewster Taylor

  21. Autopick XI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this: 0.5 ITB

    McCarthy
    TAA Egan Saiss Doherty
    Salah Auba Son Pulisic
    DCL Adams

    Nyland Lemina Ferguson Brewster

  22. BucketHead
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Quick fire round .
    A . Ramsdale with kwp
    B. McCarthy with Egan

    ??

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Autopick XI
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  23. Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What do you think about Barns?
    He and Vardy are so under the radar.....

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      banres a great punt imo

      i have vardy as it stands

    2. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Barnes was poor after the restart so hard to put trust in him straight away

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Have Vardy but possibly just for the week depending on how he and Werner look week 1

      Distrust Barnes. Could be solid gold of course. Just not a player I'm likely to be willing to hold over a run of poor returns - trust issues.

      Is he nailed? Preseason minutes but appearances were horrid in restart

  24. Your Man With The Hair
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Can't believe Werner is the second most selected player in the game!!

    1. Sergeant Slaughter
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      great price. great player. attacking team. fit.

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hype,

  25. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best option please:

    McCarthy Button
    TAA KWP Justin Mitchell ****
    Salah Aubameyang Son ASM Bissouma
    Werner **** ****

    1. Egan Ings Brewster (442)
    2. Egan Adams DCL (343)
    3. 4.0 Ings Mitrovic (343)

    Thanks guys

    1. Autopick XI
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I've gone with option 2

    2. AD105
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      2 but with Egan, Adams and Wilson

  26. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which is the best pick from Arsenal defence regardless of price? Tierney?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      yeah

  27. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this 442 please?

    McCarthy
    TAA Justin KWP Robertson
    Salah Aubameyang Alli James
    Werner Mitrovic

    Nyland Bissouma Davis Ferguson

  28. AD105
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A or B?

    A)
    McCarthy (Steer)
    TAA Robbo Davies Justin (Mitchell)
    Salah Auba Son ASM (Gordon)
    Werner Wilson (Davis)
    0 ITB

    B)
    McCarthy (Steer)
    TAA Davies Justin (KWP, Mitchell)
    Salah Auba Son ASM (Gordon)
    Werner Mitro Adams
    1.5 ITB

    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  29. Rider on the Storm
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any 4.0 playing defender?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Johnson and Mitchell

    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      None nailed on

      1. VAR United
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        This. Ferguson possibly once recovered.

      2. teddy.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Johnson was underperforming and subbed in preseason game.

        Mitchell not once injuries return. And Palace's defence is so wartorn it's gonna get destroyed.

    3. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Maybe Buur too. But for how long. Who knows

      1. VAR United
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Watch out, the same reporter that said he would play also said it was meant with tongue in cheek

  30. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    My triple SHU Ramsdale Stevens and Egan has been frowned at but which 4.5 defenders are a better option for GW1? 🙂

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      had that treble-up when the fixtures were released but turns out I'm a coward

    2. Sanchit
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Stevens and Egan aren't 4.5
      You should also look into the fact you'll have extra cash to upgrade players in mid and attack.
      6.5 mid to 8 mid is huge improvement

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        You missed the point. Which 4.5 defenders are better options than SHU defence for GW1?

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Why would you compare 5.5 and 5.0 defenders to 4.5 defenders?...

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bold and possibly gold. Regret the 0.5 that puts Ramsdale out of reach.

      Do you trust Justin? Leicester defence actually held up pretty well - it was their attack that sunk without trace.

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        No, Thomas a LB and the new RB I would not chance Justin.

    4. Hiroku
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Walker-Peters is looking like great value at 4.5, tbh. By all accounts he's nailed, Southampton defense looks decent and fixtures are OK too.