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. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Adam's or Wlison ?

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wilson for me

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wilson

    3. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Adams

    4. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tricky

  2. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which one if these to go with?

    A. TAA Dier Ward-Prowse Wilson
    B. Robertson Ayling Soucek Ings
    C. TAA Doherty ASM Adams

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C but Adams is a small risk for minutes

  3. Paanmonkey
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Egan or Davies ?

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

      Short-term Egan; longer-term Davies

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

        thanks ! I'll go for Davies then

      2. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        This

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      D

  4. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Sorry bottomed. Appreciate any comments 🙂

    Pretty happy with this draft. Any gaping holes?

    McCarthy
    TAA, Robbo, Buur, Egan
    Auba, Havertz, Alli,
    Wilson, Werner, Ings

    4.0, Doucoure, KWP, Bissouma

    0.5 ITB

    Don't know if Buur will play but cover on the bench if he doesn't

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

      Nice

  5. Twelve years a slave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Where are all these changes FFS promised for the members area etc?

    Cannot even bring up Callum Wilson on the comparison tool. Pretty poor tbh.
    If they spent as much time working on their site as they do on Twitter it might see some actual improvements,

    Bloody annoying

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

      Nah mate its all about gambling and twitter now.

      1. Up the tics
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Ayli

      2. Up the tics
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Reply fail, yeah there sure seems to be a lot of advertising this season. This website is about 10 years out of date

        1. Twelve years a slave
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Honesty I am really annoyed, have to sort my team out today and nothing on Wilson. If they cant sort their stuff out now, when can they.
          Refund would be good

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

      Good question, I saw the images and was really surprised when nothing was different

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

      Bloody Monday

    4. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Did you search for C Wilson?
      Found it very easily.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        or "Wilson"

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

    dallas or ayling

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

      why would you want either?

      1. The Hunt
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        They can defend reasonably well; 10 clean sheets in their last 14 Championship games is quite impressive. If they could perform anywhere near half as well in the PL then someone like Dallas who had 8 attacking returns last season could be worth having.

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

          They’ll be camped in their half being bombarded all season this time though, rather than dominating a weaker league.

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      D for me

    3. The Hunt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dallas has higher quotes for goals/assists on the spread markets fwiw.

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

    Hi all! RMT please.

    Ryan
    KWP | TAA | Davies
    Son | Salah | Auba | Haverts | Soucek
    Ings | Wilson
    (Steer | Lewis | Mitchell | Brewster)

    1. Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very good, prefer mccarthy in goal myself though

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

        Don't particularly feel like doubling up on Soton defenders. Any suggestions for a 4.5 replacement to KWP? Justin perhaps?

    2. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son => Alli
      Soucek => Bissouma

      If no load for Brew to a PL team, upgrade
      Brewster => Mitro

      • Soucek risky for GW1 start and fixtures not great afterwards.

      1. TKC07
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        *loan*

  8. Theholygoalie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Fully aware this may be shot down in flames but is anyone considering Pogba at 8m? If the guy screws the nut and concentrates on playing instead of getting daft haircuts and De Beek sits for him he could be a nice saving of 2.5m on Bruno.

    1. Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not yet id like a few GWs of data first to see how deep he plays

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

        This. More likely Pogba sits deeper for Der Beek anyway

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

        think this is the smart move, could be quality as we know, but there are a lot of potential issues

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

      No

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

      Sits deeper and VDB, Pogba and Bruno won't play together unless Ole brings back the diamond.

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

      Pulisic/Havertz 0.5 more

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

        Yeah looking add him to one of them or Alli for now. Just looking at alternatives, there have been a few times in the past when Pogba has smashed and eveyone wanted him. Would be nice to cream the points then say bye.

  9. Up the tics
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Does the price change system work the same on Fanteam as FPL? So players will only move up or down 0.1m at a time etc? And is their a predictor out there for fanteam as im sure they will change at different times from FPL?

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

      I predict you will lose your money.

      1. Up the tics
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Probably

  10. jamichael
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Havertz or Ziyech or Pulisic? Thanks

    1. Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Havertz
      Pulisic
      Ziyech

      That order for me

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

        Havertz

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pulisic

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

      Pulisic or wait for me

  11. TONFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A few opinions here would be appreciated:

    1 - Dier or Davies most nailed?
    2 - Wilson or Antonio for GW1 only? Or any other

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

      Trying again, last part missing above!

      A few opinions here would be appreciated:

      1 - Dier or Davies most nailed?
      2 - Wilson or Antonio for GW1 only? Or any other below 6.5 for that matter
      3 - Chances of Nketiah playing?

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

        1) we don't know yet, but my guess is Dier
        2) For GW1 only go Antonio
        3) We don't know, but I think he'll start.

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

          Thanks!

          Dier should be "100%" nailed, or?

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

            Davies 100%
            Dier 99%

  12. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any suggestions here folks? Thanks

    ryan
    taa bavies kwp
    salah auba alli asm
    werner ings mitro

    button bissouma mitchell taylor

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

      Arise, Sir Disturbed!

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Does that mean Im good to go or completely screwed?

  13. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martial or Pulisic?

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

      Two different positions, you mean Werner?

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        No. I'd change formation to accommodate one of them. Right now I'm on Ings -> Tony but thinking about bumping a 4.5 up to Pulisic.

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno and Pulisic

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I have Bruno already

  14. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Adams
    or
    B) Mitro

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

      Mitro main man and nailed for 90.

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C) Nketiah

    3. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Adams

  15. TheBabyfacedAssassin
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    With these Pulisic 'News' (I'll wait for pressers), I've need reconsidered;

    A) Robertson, Dier and ASM
    B) Pulisic and 2x 4.5 DF

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

        Yep, but will he stsrt and get managed minutes? Probably not very shaped.

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

          May not play 90 but when he’s fit he starts

  16. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Whos everyone capt?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Aubameyang

    2. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salah or Auba

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Gw1-2 Aubamayang - before I kick him out of my squad for ever.

    4. TheBabyfacedAssassin
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Easy Salah

    5. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Auba

  17. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Quick poll:

    A) Zaha and 5.5m mid
    B) Bowen and 6m mid
    C) None 😀

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

      C

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A for easier fixtures for Zaha than Bowen

    3. Kevtheotter
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

    4. TheBabyfacedAssassin
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

    5. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks all, back to drawing board...

    6. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      c

    7. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B with ASM probably

  18. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any other site that shows shots conceeded in the box and stuff like that?

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

      Its easiest just to buy membership here. But I'm sure that stuff is available elsewhere

  19. Kevtheotter
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Quick one

    A) Mitro and Saiss
    B) Wilson and Justin

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Adams and saiss

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    3. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A. Agree with Soto Atam, get Adams if you don’t already have him.

      1. C0YS
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Why Adams?

  20. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I keep dreaming about fpl - time to log off

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

      Me too, last draft had Havertz Werner and Pulisic

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      you'll be back in 5

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Ok I’m back

    3. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Last season I had double Burnley defence. Their match was on in the middle of the night here and I randomly woke up and checked the score at around 60 mins. 0-0. Must have drifted off and had a vivid dream that I checked the score again at full time and they had held out for a 0-0. Confidently checked my team a couple of hours after waking up and was shocked to see a couple of 1 pointers. They'd lost 2-0.

      What normal person dreams about a Burnley 0-0? Haha

  21. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which option?

    A) Salah, Alli, Mitro
    B) Havertz, Son, Ings

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      I’m on b but I’ve been back and forth

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

      A

    5. TheBabyfacedAssassin
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      A

    7. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    8. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

      Β by far imo

    10. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B easy

    11. C0YS
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B for overall points, A for captain pick. Tough spot to be in

  22. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Doherty, Alli and Fernandes
    B) Robertson, Salah and ASM

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

      B

    2. TheBabyfacedAssassin
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  23. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is nketiah likely to start ahead of Lacazette??

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

      We don't know..

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Good chance given Laca is behind in fitness.

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

    Best striker up to 6.5?

    a)Wilson
    b)Mitro
    c)Adams
    d)Ayew
    e)Antonio
    f)Rodrigo
    g)Other..

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

      A

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

      Adams, Nketiah, Mitro, Antonio, Wilson, Rodrigo, Ayew

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

      C

    4. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      g

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

    Mitrovic, Adams or Nketiah?

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

      Mitro, nailed, on pens

    2. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I got nketiah for first 2

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        You, me, Pukki party.. we need more for the group hug

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

        The first two fixtures are gold but with Laca there theres just no telling how much game time Nketiah will get.

        1. Emiliano Sala
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          There is not better option for first 2. Fulham is too weak for my liking.

  26. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which 2??

    Saliba
    KWP
    Justin

    Mccarhty in goal.

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

      Saliba

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Not sure on his minutes tho

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

        Is he attacking?

      3. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        And who’s his competition?

    2. Live Lad
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Justin
      Could be Saliba if we know he starts.

  27. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Points projection area shows (for first 6 GWs)

    - Jimenez to outscore Werner
    - Robbo and Doherty to match Ings, Werner
    - Boly to match or outscore most of the midpriced attackers

    Would you agree with this and go with 5 at the back?

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

      No. Three at the back for me.

    2. The Hunt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I've dabbled around with 5 at the back and in theory it looks good but I've started a season with that formation before and it ended in tears. Maybe I just picked the wrong players then though!

    3. Pommie22
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I've gone similar
      Davies Doh VVD Egan Robbo
      Son Willian Aub
      Werner Vardy
      Only time will tell re Big 5

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

        I like that (Willian aside)!

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

      4 atb is the way I am going.

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

    A: Saint-Maximim and Mitrovic
    B: another 5.5mid and Wilson

    1. C0YS
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A hands-down

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

      Saka Wilson

  29. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    FPL Wire is brilliant. Great knowledgeable presenters. Bonus points for not pushing gambling platforms!

  30. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which pair out of these? Same price.

    a. alli ings
    b. jwp kane

    1. C0YS
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Neither