Pro Pundits

The case for a cheap FPL defence as premium assets continue to disappoint

Fantasy Premier League managers could find value in spending as little money on defenders as possible in the coming weeks.

With Liverpool conceding for the fourth consecutive match in Gameweek 7, and the injury to Fabinho (£5.5m) exacerbating the loss of Virgil van Dijk (£6.4m), Trent Alexander Arnold (£7.4m) and Andrew Robertson’s (£7.1m) certainly offer less Fantasy value than before.

It’s not just Liverpool who are letting the premium defenders union down though. Last season’s top six have kept just seven clean sheets combined over the first six Gameweeks (Liverpool 1, Manchester City 1, Manchester United 1, Chelsea 2, Spurs 1, Arsenal 1) so justifying ownership of their expensive defenders is proving harder and harder each week.

Using some underlying statistics in the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area, I want to analyse if teams with defenders at the more budget end of the spectrum (say, up to £5.0m) can possibly provide similar returns to their more expensive counterparts at the bigger clubs. 

For the purpose of this analysis, I have used data from the last four Gameweeks:

1,790 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Are there any other double Liverpool defence owners (TAA and Robbo) holding for this week? Or are people shipping one out or both?

    1. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Keep Robbo and ship TAA my feeling

      1. gribude
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I'll do just oposite after this GW (got Robbo last week and wanna keep TAA as get back that .1)

        1. gribude
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          want*

      2. FPLMACKEM
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        TAA to chilwell is tempting me. But I want two ft for next week. Plus I'm worried TAA will start hauling once I take him out!

    2. Cruz88
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Both have assist potential this week I think, if historic Liverpool/West Ham results are anything to go by

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

        TAA also looked dangerous in the CL this week. Should have had a few assists.

  2. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Next weeks deadline is 4pm on Friday

    1. gribude
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I can imagine how will be funny next friday afternoon here...

  3. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Why do I get a feeling now is the time to get Pulisic.

    1. The Albatross
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Too many prunes?

  4. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Morning all, could use your input here,
    What to do next? Kinda really want Bruno in my team

    Ramsdale, Steer
    TAA, Webster, Taylor, Davies, KWP
    Salah, Son, Trossard, Soucek, Bissouma
    Kane, Jimenez, DCL

    1FT
    1.8 ITB

    A) TAA, Trossard -> Bruno, Coufal (-4)
    B) Davies -> Coufal
    C) Trossard -> Zaha

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Save and make 2 FTs or even 3 with one hit next gw?

      1. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Makes sense mm but can't see Trossard getting any points this weekend

  5. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who to Captain?

    A- Salah
    B- Kane
    C- Son

    Who to play?

    1- Dallas (LEI)
    2- Maupay (spurs)

    1. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A for me with Maupay, Spurs not really solid at the back

    2. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B 2

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      2

  6. Transferred Out
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you sell Sterling to fund Kane? Is Kane considered essential due to his high ownership and form?

    1. Cruz88
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      You may want Sterling/KDB over Kane after the next two

  7. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Order of preference for the following 3, please. One starts and 2 go to the bench.

    A) Mitchell (wol)
    B) Lamptey (tot)
    C) Taylor (CHE)

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Play A bench BC

      1. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Currently on this. Thank you!

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      ACB

  8. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who is your C this gw?

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Will flop between kane and son

      1. The Albatross
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Same

    2. Pomp and Circumstance
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kane

    3. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sonny boi

    4. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son or Kane

    5. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mo

    6. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son

  9. ElliotJHP
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Doing the hokey cokey on my final mid spot on draft.

    Who would you rather have for this weekend only?
    A) Torres (Shu)
    B) Periera (ful)

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B as he plays

      1. ElliotJHP
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Feran has looked really sharp in Europe but you're right, no need for the risk

  10. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Gtg? Or should I play soucek (liv) over Dallas (LEI)?

    Martinez
    TAA Chilwell PVA Dallas
    Salah (c) Son Grealish Barkley
    Kane (vc) DCL

    Button Soucek Brewster Lamptey

    1. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Soucek over Dallas makes sense

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah doing my head in. Cheers

  11. Johnny too hotty
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I have 2 FT which feels like I should use 1 rather than waste ? Any ideas .... Trent to chilwell and change Watkins is an option however I feel Trent will bite me.
    Can you see a 1 transfer option ?

    Martinez
    Trent semedo lamptey
    Salah son zaha havertz
    Kane dcl Watkins

    Steer. Dallas. Ferguson. Bissouma

    1. gribude
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kilman>Ferguson

      1. skodaole2
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        This and play him ahead of Lamptey

  12. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Help guys, not sure what to do here? 2 FT and 2.4 ITB...

    Ryan Button
    Robbo Dallas Lamptey Saiss Ferguson
    Salah Son Grealish JRod soucek
    DCL Kane Brewster

    Was thinking of doing Saiss + Grealish to Chilwell + Rash?

  13. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Morning all. In my draft should i swap out Soucek for:

    A) Jota
    B) JWP
    C) Millojevic
    D) Stay with Soucek

    1. The Albatross
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      D good fixtures and some returns are coming

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers i'll keep the faith - i have Trossard and Podence, worth taking them out for the above?

        1. The Albatross
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Snap. I'd like to get rid of them both but not worth it for a hit imo. And in the draft, I think there are better players in that price bracket. Planet FPL had a podcast on that theme this week.

          1. Bobby_Baggio
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Ah sorry this is for Draft. Cheers

    2. Tingate
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      D

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers - have Podence and Trossard, worth swapping them out for any?

    3. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Like A

  14. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    TAA to Chilwell and Podence to Grealish (best mid under 8.9m) for - 4 points?

    1. Tingate
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldn’t be taking the hit, id give Podence and TAA one more week then review next week with 2 FTs personally

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nope

  15. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone still have KDb? I kept him throughout his knock and am licking my lips at a differential Kevin over the foreseeable.

    No snarky comments about his percentage ownership pls.

    1. Le Bluff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      See below - thinking of captaining KDB this week as a differential to try and make up some ground.

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I was thinking the same but with Son/Kane against the high line of Brighton, it seems needlessly reckless

  16. Saka_me_sideways
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any thoughts on a double chelsea defence?
    I’m thinking Chilwell + Zouma... Not normally a fan of doubling up but TAA to Zouma frees up money for elsewhere and they have form and fixtures on their side.
    If not what other 5.5?

    1. The Albatross
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Could bring dividends over their good run of games. Different from the template too

  17. Le Bluff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KDB (c) as a differential?

    Most are obviously split between Salah and Kane/Son. I own Salah and Kane so figure the damage won't be huge if either hauls.

    KDB's ownership has dropped, he had 2 assists midweek where City played well, and SHU are conceding chances.

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No. Kane and Son are so explosive. If they were out of form, it'd be close but they are capable of 20+ hails. KDB isn't really.

    2. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Do it, consider getting him and C myself great differential captain

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

      if you have him, why not.

  18. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Guys got 2ft and 0.0 itb

    A) maupay to bamford
    B) havertz to pulisic for free
    C) maupay saiss to bamford and chilwell

    1. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

  19. Mane Mane Mane
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    My team is
    Martinez 4.0
    Dallas TAA Mitchell Justin C.Taylor
    Son Grealish Zaha Mane Bissouma
    Ings Maupay Kane

    Thinking of taking Maupay out for Bamford which leaves me with 0.7 to improve the defence perhaps:

    Don’t know if it’s silly but wanting to keep TAA as I still think a big game week is coming up.

    Any suggestions as I fancy a bit of a mix up but don’t know the best strategy.
    Any help is appreciated cheers.

  20. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Gtg guys?

    McCarthy
    Saiss TAA Robertson
    Salah(C) Trossard Son(vc) Klich
    DCL Ings Jimenez

    Nyland Bedna Mitchell Bissouma

    £1.5 itb 1FT

    Was going to do Mitchell>Kilman but missed his price rise

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kilman's price rise shouldn't be the reason to not do the transfer, if you were sure to do the transfer. However, saving a ft looks fine to me as well.

  21. SOTHPAW
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Premier League news conferences

    From 09:00 GMT: Man Utd, Newcastle, Villa & West Ham

    From 12:30: Liverpool, Leeds, Man City, Everton & Southampton

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers. Hopefully some surprises to punish the early transferrers.

  22. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Gtg and save a FT? Not confident about the order of defenders.

    McCarthy
    TAA, Justin, Mitchell
    Salah, Son, Zaha, Grealish
    Kane, DCL, Jimenez

    Forster, Lamptey, Taylor, Stephens

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Gtg

  23. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How would you use 2FTs? Maupay to Bamford? Also waiting for any Hamez news.

    Martinez
    Robo/Reguilon/Chilwell
    Salah/Son/Grealish/Hamez
    Kane/DCL/Maupay

    Martin/Lamptey/Mitchell/Stephens

    1. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      If you want to risk a bit, I d do Hamez + Maupay our Foden + Watkins in, low ownership players is the way to go

  24. skodaole2
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Morning everyone and good luck! Appreciate any help here

    Martinez
    Dier Rob Justin
    Salah Son James R. Pereira
    Kane(c) Jimenez Mitrovic

    McCarthy Targett Reed Castagne
    1FT 0.6 itb

    A) Save FT
    B) Salah -> KDB (I feel MCI will do better than Liv this GW)
    C) James -> Foden
    D) Salah + James -> KDB + Foden (-4)
    E) Anything else

    1. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'd be looking to move on one of Mitro, James or Pereira to Bamford or Foden.

    2. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Salah out is a suecide.

  25. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hi all

    How do you see this weekend's games going - any shock results on the cards?

    After their midweek trip to Russia, I think Chelsea will be held to a 0-0 draw at Burnley. Weather could also play a part.

    What do you reckon?

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Big scores this GW

      Law of averages

    2. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Palace at Wolves could be an away win

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

      i fancy West Ham to get a result at Liverpool, Haller + Soucek will bully that makeshift defense

    4. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think Chelsea might lose this one, Burnley weren’t too bad vs Spurs and Chelsea are totally unpredictable. Spurs seem unable to win at home but hope they won’t do it again. An Arsenal win would be welcome although they are amazingly boring so far

  26. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Podence to Foden?

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nope

  27. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hi, I've changed my profile name on here, but it hasn't registered when in the members' zone where it still has my old one. How do I get that changed?

  28. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Pulisic or Grealish?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Tough...

      LT Pulisic scores more frequently for me.

  29. Babelcopter
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    So far every captain decision wrong this season! So much pain and tears.. Please Mo bring back my happy face!

  30. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    2FT + 2.4ITB

    Mccarthy, Steer
    Robbo, Saiss, KWP, Mitchell, Ferguson
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Podence, Pereira
    DCL, Werner, Davis

    A) Pereira --- Grealish + save FT
    B) Davis + Podence + Pereira --- Adams (leader has bamford) + Grealish + Bissouma (-4)
    C) Davis + Pereira --- Brewster + Grealish
    D) Ferguson + Pereira --- Coufal / Dallas + Grealish