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. Puyol Pants Up
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Repost

    I think I'm set on this

    McCarthy, 4.0
    Doherty, KWP, Taylor, Justin, Mitchell
    Salah, Auba, Alli, Armstrong, 4.5
    Kane, Werner, Mitro

    Planning an early WC. Thoughts?

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      TAA mighy hurt u
      55% ownership not easy
      if he spitted on the pitch will hurt u

      1. Puyol Pants Up
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Fair, I think he has a 60% chance to start GW 1 (No pre-season minutes for Liverpool, hasn't been in the squad)
        I plan to get him in my Early WC, I just don't think his fixtures are kind enough for the first 3 GW's. I see no clean sheets.

        1. Totti
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          but arnold still arnold
          deal with him as a midfielder player not a defender
          and if he got a cs it's a bonus for u

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

          He's had 100 odd minutes across England's last two games, think he's fine to start. Might be fine for the first 3 I agree but can also destroy your rank. If you've got a back up plan to get him in later then that at least helps.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Arise, Sir Puyol Pants Up!

  2. Not again Shirley
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Don’t see Willian in any teams at the moment. His price point is reasonable I think. Maybe too many other options in MF. Could be a case for Willian over auba and reinvesting the 4 million elsewhere

    1. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Or have both.

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

      Pepe better choice

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

      Because he might not start.

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

      Not nailed and has never been a good fpl pick.

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

    Salah, Auba, Son and Werner are in there.

    I can squeeze Martial in to create an imbalanced Power Five but I feel like the sensible option is to go without Man Utd and spread the funds out:

    McCarthy, Steer
    TAA, Justin, Taylor, Vinagre/Lewis, Mitchell
    Salah, Auba, Son, Armstrong, Bissouma
    Werner, DCL, Mitrovic [1m in the bank]

    What would you do?

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

      You have a power 5

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Arise, Sir Marc Jobling!

  4. MidTableFantasy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is there a better pick/punt than Ayew under 6M for the first one or two GWs?

    McCarthy
    TAA KWP Kelly (Taylor Douglas)
    Salah ASM Alli Son (KDB)
    Ings Ayew Mitro

    GW2 Get Fernandes in for Alli/Son/Salah

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      no
      may be bamford

    2. James VARdy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nketiah if you want a punt for gw 1 and 2

      1. James VARdy
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Ah you said under, slim pickings. Bamford or WBA striker if feeling very brave

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

      Ayew is a poor pick imo - high risk low reward

      Palace look like playing much narrower this season and he may well be the fall guy by going out wide on the right and no longer central

      Bats signing imminent (itk story is loan with 20 mill option to buy) and that could be curtains for Ayew centrally. Zaha and Schlupp have spent as much time in the middle as him preseason

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

    Richarlison or DCL?

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

      Don not regard the money....I just want to know on the basis of points whos the better option

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

      richarlison

    3. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      charlison

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

      Richarlison is the only one worth looking at right now. Monitor Rodriguez though

  6. amonito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts please folks?

    1. ASM Vardy
    or
    2. Son CWilson

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

      I like 2, curious to see what Wilson does at Newcastle

    2. James VARdy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like option 2 slightly more

    3. Glokollur nr.1
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1 for me

  7. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which 2 out of Vinagre Justin and Taylor would you choose?

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

      Vinagre is wait and see as not nailed, difficult gw1-2.
      I'd prefer Justin Taylor, but Taylor is not playing gw1...

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Vinagrw

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

    Looks alright yeh?

    McCarthy
    TAA / KWP / Doherty
    Salah / Son / Auba / ASM
    Mitro / Werner / Wilson

    Subs - Nyland / Mitchell / Bissouma / Targetts

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

      Great team

      Do you prefer Doherty and Targett to Egan/Davies and Tierney?

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

        yeh i think so, i like 4.5m defenders

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

      Looks good to start

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

      Nice team

    4. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      why you doubling up newcastle?
      too risky

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

        i dont see newcastle risky, at those price points whos better??

    5. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Arise, Sir OneDennisBergkamp!

  9. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I think any formation is viable this year

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

      343 will always be the best imo, but lots of great options in all positions

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

      i agree but still go back to 343 🙂

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

      2-5-3?

  10. DrunkPhilosophy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Alli + Havertz
    B) Son + Jamez

    1. Viper
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      Prefer son and Havertz but from the two options - a

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

        I would def love that too, but then with Auba and Salah, I'm left with a bunch of 4.0 in defense

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

          Yeah I hear you. I’m in the same pickle

  11. Viper
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Doherty & Son

    B. Robertson & Alli

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

      B

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

      B

    3. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

    RMT please

    McCarthy
    TAA Davies Justin
    Salah Auba Son ASM
    Werner Mitro Wilson

    Bench: Steer, KWP, Mitchell, Gordon

    1 ITB

    Planning to do Salah/Wilson to Bruno/Martial GW2 but will see how this lot do first

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Basic, with a twist of Wilson.

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

        That a bad thing? Haha

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Well you'll want this whole community to do well as all the teams are so similar.

          Don't know if it's good or bad.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Arise, Sir Alex1995!

  13. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Werner's ownership is filth

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

      Checked there. Much higher than I expected.

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Going without him if any indication Havertz or Pulisic start tbh

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

      Yeah, I’m not totally happy about it. Personally hoping he doesn’t hit the ground running, and if he does, one of the mids can keep up

  14. i am jose mourinho
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is AWB nailed ?

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

      Yes.

  15. Ludde
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Option A or B? Already got KWP

    A. McCarthy, Egan, Ings, Davis
    B. Ramsdale, Egan, Mitro and Wilson

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

      B

    2. Kloppcorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B if your starting both strikers

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

      A if your going to rotate Wilson and mitro

  16. Kloppcorn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anybody have any suggestions for players I could replace greenwood with?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hames

    2. Kloppcorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Was looking at him, do you think he will start the season?

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Don't know. Maybe Ancelotti will tell us in the presser

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

          I’ll be keeping an eye on that

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

      Barnes, frazer, maybe Mount?

    4. AM213
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Use the funds in defence for Trent + Robbo/Virgil?

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

      .5 to Ziyech or Alli or 1.0 to Havertz/Puli for mine.
      Otherwise Barnes

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

      Bowen

  17. AM213
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which duo scores more over the season?
    A) Bruno + DCL
    B) Rashford + Richarlison
    C) Pulisic + Martial

    Intending to rotate two premiums with the above; Salah, Auba, KDB/Raz

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

    2. Kloppcorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like C because of how differential it is, although Pulisic is fairly injury prone

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

    Anyone considering a -4 to double up on Utd assets in GW2?

    I'm thinking Bruno + Martial maybe before their price rise. Wise or unneeded?

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

      Personally I don’t like hits but it could work for you

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

      Planning to do the same atm yeah

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

      They probably wont rise people will be more occupied with transferring the gw1 players who scored most points

  19. RVP20
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthey - Nyland
    TAA - Davies - KWP - Justin - Mitchell
    Auba - Salah - Son - Greenwood - ASM
    Werner - Mitrovic - Davis

    Any opinions on this team?

    1. gunnerboy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very similar to my team below....

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes, I have an opinion. Arise, Sir RVP20!

  20. gunnerboy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is this good to go?

    McCarthy

    TAA Tierney Davies

    Son Aubameyang Salah Saint-Maximim

    Werner DCL Mitrovic

    A few questions....
    1. Mitrovic or Adams?
    2. Davies too boring of an option?

    1. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'd monitor Michy coming in at Palace (6.0)
      I would prefer Alli over Son, Tierney/Davies down to 4.5 and DCL up to Ings.

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

        Was Michy good at palace last time?

        1. Gabbiadini
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          yes.

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

            You got his record?

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

            I found 11 apps 5 goals, that is really good.

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

      G2G , but maybe Egan over Davies

  21. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How is Alderweireld as an option? Ignore his price.

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

    When is PVA coming back?

  23. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How is this for a bench boost??(wildcard week 2)

    Mcarthy fabianski

    Holding TAA Dier Mitchell Robertson

    Auba Salah Armtstong Zaha Son

    Werner Antonio Ayew

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

      Lol sorry Bowen not Auba big difference!!!

  24. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martial, J.Lewis (Gordon)
    or.
    Havertz/Ziyech/Pulisic, 5.0/5.5 defender (Brewster)
    ?

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

      Close but I think the first option. Just because, there’s more 4.5 mid starters to choose from and I’m expecting big things from martial

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        what if Brewster gets a loan?

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

          Hmm, that could change things. There’d be less in it, that’s for sure.
          For me, I’ve currently got martial and am looking for a way to get Havertz as well. But it’s proving difficult!

  25. jtreble
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A possible 5.5 mid option:

    Abdoulaye Doucouré (EVE)
    ∙ 2019/20 xGI: 8.02 (highest 5.5 mid)
    ∙ 2019/20 ICT: 173.4 (second highest 5.5 mid)
    ∙ 2019/20: 113 pts.
    ∙ 2018/19: 124 pts.
    ∙ 2017/18: 136 pts.

    1. gunnerboy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tempting but where exactly will he play?

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

        Double pivot

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

        Right behind DCL imho.

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

          James is there

          1. jtreble
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Link below.

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

              That link surely show that James more advance than Doucore

              1. jtreble
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Yes, James will be wide-right in a 442 imho.

        1. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Why has Gomes been completely ignored in this?

          1. jtreble
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Gomes will lose his starting 11 spot in EVE’s new setup.

  26. Dutchy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Reece James or Maitland Niles and why

  27. Totti
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    seeing buur in many drafts here
    is he nailed on?

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

      No

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

      I wouldn't think so.

  28. JurgenRodgers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best combo

    (A) DCL Reece James

    (B) Doherty Mitrovic

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

      3 vs 2?

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

        Its 5 vs 2

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

        Reece James at Chelsea lol

    2. olly:)
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  29. some witty pun
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    PVA is back in training, think it's time to remove Mitchell from our teams. Palace's opening 2 fixtures are unlikely to return CS', and PVA should take his place afterwards

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

      Yep

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

      I was thinking of starting with Ferguson. Do we know when is he expected to be back from injury?

      1. some witty pun
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Ferguson's my only 4.0 that I've gone with. Hodgson said on Aug 25: "It's a tricky one because it was a knee injury, and an important one. It's that difficult moment - when do you put him back into competitive training? No-one's got a 100 per cent answer." Not so soon it seems.

      2. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Was thinking this too,if hes nailed maybe get him now and save transfer

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

        Not injured really

        Just had op a while back and hasn't played for ever - special training regime. He's being nursed along a bit.

        RH is cautious in introducing new blood typically and Ferguson isn't a priority. Nothing intrinsically wrong with Ward in fact - been fairly solid down the years. He even briefly displaced PvA on the left.

        Don't expect Ferguson to appear any time soon personally - even when "fit"

        1. Ser Davos
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Good insight

    3. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      for who... 2 weeks is better than none.

      1. some witty pun
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        That's a good point. I've gone without Mitchell though, don't see him in my starting 11 for the first couple of weeks

  30. ㅤRising
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Felt like switching up a bit and landed on this. Not sure if it will survive to GW1 tho.

    Ramsdale
    TAA Robertson Dier
    Salah Auba Greenwood ASM
    Werner Mitro Nketiah

    4.0/ KWP/ Bisoumma/ 4.0 0.0 ITB

    GW1: Play KWP and bench Greenwood.