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. built_this_city
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Antonio out means one thing.....

    Alexander Arnold stays in my team for one more week

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      2-1 liverpool

  2. serpen
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Any thoughts? Got 2 FTs and 0.2 ITB.

    Martinez (Fabri)
    Robertson - Chilwell - Saiss (Mitchell, Lamptey)
    Salah - Son - Rodriguez - Grealish (Bissouma)
    Kane - DCL - Watkins

  3. Lallana_
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Do you ever wonder what happens to your players after you sell them?

    1. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Hattie usually for me

  4. trinzoo
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Maupay to:
    A) Adams
    B) Ings

    A leaves me with money to get United mid later

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      A if you're set on getting a United mid but I do think Ings is worth the extra

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      B

      1. trinzoo
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        Thanks, Ings is my plan, just see a lot of love for Rashy here. Will stick to the plan.

  5. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Who's the best 4.5 defender?

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Coufal from next week for me

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        This

      2. Jebiga
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        Why not against leaky pool?

      3. Kellz86
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        I jumped in early this week to sort out Vinagre sucking away price points from my budget. Not expecting a CS but considering the defensive crisis at Liverpool I'm taking the chance on an attacking return.

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Kilman

    3. Kellz86
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Coufal (WHU) - next 3 matches Fulham, @SHU, Aston Villa

  6. AD105
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Any suggestions? 2 FT and 0.3 ITB

    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwell Saiss
    Salah Son JRod Grealish
    Kane DCL Maupay

    Steer, Dallas, Mitchell, Bissouma

    1. GE
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Same team as me, beside you have Steer, I have Button! Haha 🙂

      I have 2FT and 0.0 itb.

      Not sure, I was set on Maupay -> Antonio but he’s out so not sure. Maybe Mitchell -> Kilman?

  7. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    In case JRod is ruled out would you consider a move to Grealish?..
    Have exact funds

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Yes

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      *Ziyech lol sorry, already have Grealish

    3. No Professionals
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      if it is only going to be one game i would be tempted to hold

    4. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Get another Grealish!

  8. No Professionals
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    psychology question.

    what will I regret more, if it goes against me.

    A) being on Kane all week and making a last minute switch to Salah.

    B) being on Kane all week feeling like I should should make a switch to Salah, but sticking with Kane

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      A

      1. No Professionals
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        feels like a last minute switch hurts worse doesn't it.

    2. Flair
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      B

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Pick who you think the best option is. It really is that simple and be happy no matter the outcome.

    4. Bubz
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Probably B because thats what your gut is telling you to do

      1. All Hail K
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        Very true. When in doubt, do nothing.

        1. No Professionals
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 12 days ago

          that would mean doing the opposite and sticking with Kane.

          It will be Kane I think. Not reading too much in to last night's result.

  9. dezille
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Morning all, a little advice for this week please!

    2.8 ITB, 1FT

    Martinez
    TAA Saiss James (Justin, Mitchell)
    Salah Son Grealish Foden Podence
    Kane DCL (Brewster)

    A) Podence > Rodriguez (hopefully confirmed fit today?)
    B) Save and reassess, especially with international break/covid cases looming. May decide to change plan and use the funds to jump onto a United asset. Also have other fires in James, Mitchell and possibly Foden.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      B

  10. Pep Roulette
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Hey fam! GTG? 0 FT 0.4 ITB

    Did Johnson to Dallas for free!

    McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Dallas
    Salah(C) Son Havertz Foden Podence
    Kane DCL

    Button Mitchell Davis Ferguson

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      7.5/10 gtg

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        Cheers mate

  11. Maddamotha
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Best defender for up to 5mill?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Kilman

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Cresswell

    3. Flair
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Cresswell

    4. jb1985
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      R.James if he is nailed for next few games

      1. Maddamotha
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        I'd like to get R.James, but he is not nailed no?

    5. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Cresswell

    6. Maddamotha
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Cresswell over Coufal?

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        Yup - great assist threat and BPS magnet

        1. Maddamotha
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 12 days ago

          Interesting. So worth 0.5 over Coufal? Probably not a good idea to get him anyways this week, since he plays Liverpool.

          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 12 days ago

            Yeah, worth the 0.5 extra. Coufal weould be an easier move for me but looking at the stats Cresswell is worth stretching to. Low scoring wins to nil he should be in the BPS, high scoring wins and hopefully he has had an assist or two.

    7. Kellz86
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Coufal > Cresswell and save the 0.5m

      1. Maddamotha
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        Leaning towards that. Coufal is nailed?

  12. Dirty Harry
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Start Lamptey or Taylor

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Lamps

    2. No Professionals
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      toss a coin. probably both going to get 1 pointers.

    3. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Lamptey

    4. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Lamptey

  13. Ci Siamo
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Jimmy to Wilson for free?

    Wolves and Newcastle both seem to be scoring similar amounts so why not save 2m?

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      i'd trust Jimi alot more than Wilson but 2m can be used well i guess

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Not this week

    3. Kellz86
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Just waiting for that day when Jimi actually scores more than once in a match, maybe it will never come sigh.

      The question is how would you use the 2mil? If you haven't planned it out just yet then I'd hold Jimi for now.

    4. Bullet Eder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Madness

  14. kennethrhcp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    1 FT 4.5itb

    A: Bank FT, play Podence (CRY) & Lamptey (tot) 352
    B: Taylor to Justin (lee), bench Lamptey 352
    C: Brewster to Ings (ast) & bench Podence 343

    1. Millartime
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      C

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        cheers. was leaning that way but hid it at C 🙂

  15. Young_Boobs
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Hi Guys,

    What to do?

    McCarthy
    Trent, Saiss, Justin, Walker-pieters, Mitchell
    Salah, Son, Fernandes
    Kane, Mitrovic

    Nyland, Saint Maxim, Adams, Bissouma

    Any suggestion I have 1,4 mln in bank and 2 ft

    1. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Try.... KWP to Chilwell
      Mitrovic to Bamford

  16. Millartime
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Morning All,

    Podence to Zaha

    or

    TAA & Podence to Vestergard & Sterling, -4?

    1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      P to Z

      1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        But probably not this week

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      1st option

  17. No Professionals
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Martinez
    Robertson Saiss Mitchell
    Salah Son Grealish Foden
    Kane(c) Jimenez DCL

    Steer Mitchell Lamptey Alzate
    0.9m 1FT

    looking to hold as no major injury news (Mitchell a doubt but can live with that).

    Plan is to get Rashford and KDB in across the next 2-3 weeks by losing Son or Kane, so really want to roll the FT.

    GTG?

  18. King Kohli
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Score predictions?

    LIV WHU
    SHU MCI
    TOT BRI
    NEW EVE

    1. Mike82
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      3-1
      0-2
      4-1
      1-1

    2. ElliotJHP
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      2-1
      0-3
      1-1
      1-1

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      2-1
      0-3
      4-2
      1-2

    4. Flair
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      3-0
      0-2
      3-1
      1-3

  19. james 101
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Who would you bench out of these?

    A. Grealish
    B. Rodriguez
    C. Zaha
    D. Bamford

    1. Mike82
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      C

    2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Embarrassment of riches. Zaha probably.

    3. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      honestly never seen such a hard call... who else is in your front 8?

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        Son Sterling Grealish Rodriguez Zaha
        Kane DCL

    4. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      B. Thinking that even if he does play I don't think he can do everything on his own with Digne and Richarlison out.

    5. built_this_city
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Never EVER bench a striker

  20. Mike82
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Am I right to save a FT this week or anything I can do to improve now?
    McCarthy
    TAA, Semedo, Justin
    Salah, Armstrong, Havertz, Son (C), Barnes
    DCL, Kane
    Ryan, Brewster, Mitchell, Dunne

    1. Millartime
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Yeah, love the hold this week.

  21. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Too late to get Kane in? Own Son however

    1. Mike82
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Never too late

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        Yes

    2. Kellz86
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Not too late no.

    3. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      32 Game weeks to go!

    4. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Robbo + Maupay -> 4.5 + Kane then for free?

    5. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Never too late

  22. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    I've a feeling Bowen will break the midfield template

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      There is no template though.

      Salah, Mane, Sterling, KDB, Son, Rodriguez, Grealish, Zaha, Foden all are good options.

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        Yeah but one has to make way

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Could do but shame about Antonio being out...

      Now get back to your studying.

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        Lol

    3. Flair
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Podence -> Bowen could be locked in soon

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        Barkley to Bowen for me

  23. KGFC
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Will Regulion start this week?

    1. Mike82
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Difficult to say

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Yes

    3. KGFC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Thanks!

    4. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      I'd imagine

  24. Young_Boobs
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    sell Fernandes?

    1. Mike82
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      No

  25. FPL Daniel
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Who goes for Bruno / Rash?

    Grealish or Zaha or out of the box Kane? Kane will be after the WBA game ofcourse and will still have Son

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Zaha

  26. Millie7
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Mcarthy
    Coady - TAA - Mitchell - Taylor
    Son - Barnes - Salah
    Werner - DCL - Watkins
    Nyland - Bissouma - Soucek - Holding

    1 transfers 5.7m in the bank
    Think its about time I WC?

    1. Mike82
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Soucek in for Mitchell and save FT to next week

      1. Millie7
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        already have Soucek, and they play in different positons?

        1. Millie7
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 12 days ago

          ignore me, i'm being stupid!!

          1. Mike82
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 12 days ago

            No worries, you could do a lot of damage with 2 FT and 5.7m to play with, maybe even worth a -4 next week for 3 transfers

        2. Mike82
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 12 days ago

          Yeah, I mean bench Mitchell and play Soucek, or leave as is, either way id save your transfer.

          1. Millie7
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 12 days ago

            Thanks mike, I've actually just check and already have 2 transfers so will need to use one up this week

  27. Jet5605
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Bit nervous about not having Kane v Brighton and next week too. Is it worth disrupting my team and taking a hit in order to get Kane or should I just upgrade Egan? I'd need to ship both Ings & Jimi or either one of them plus Grealish.1 FT and 0.2 ITB

    Or should I save the transfer seeing as Egan on my bench?

    McCarthy
    Konsa - Saiss - Mitchell
    Son (c) - Bruno - Salah - Grealish
    Ings - DCL - Jimi   

    Steer - Soucek - Taylor - Egan    

    1. Mike82
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Hold i would

    2. Bullet Eder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Hold, great team, especially in midfield and attack. While I wouldn't usually advise spending transfers on defence, it might be necessary in your case with Mitchell and Egan. Egan to Creswell from next week looks dreamy, and you've have two free transfers.

      1. Jet5605
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        Thanks mate. Yeah Cresswell is a good shout as West Ham's fixtures turn. Coufal is also an option and 0.5 cheaper than Cresswell.

  28. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Hi Guys,

    Thinking of the following moves for a -8.

    KWP - Chilwell
    Fernandes - Pulisic
    Maupay - Bamford

    Thoughts?

    Current team:

    McCarthy
    TAA - Ayling - Justin - Mitchell - KWP
    Salah - Fernandes - Son - Barkley - Bissouma
    Kane - DCL - Maupay

    1. Chelsea91
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Just do KWP to Chillwell

  29. Flair
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Do set pieces make Cresswell worth the .5 over Coufal/Masuaku?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      I think so, see my points above

  30. KGFC
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 12 days ago

    Is Werner a good option against Burnley as a differential?

    1. Chelsea91
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      yes

    2. thegaffer82
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 12 days ago

      Definitely.

      I actually feel with Werner that he is absolutely destined to be in my team again this season.

      Quality striker, decent attacking side, loads of pace and great technique. He will be a fantasy asset for sure this season.

      For me, it's just a matter of timing.