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
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Antonio out means one thing.....

    Alexander Arnold stays in my team for one more week

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      2-1 liverpool

  2. serpen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months 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. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

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

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

      Hattie usually for me

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

    Maupay to:
    A) Adams
    B) Ings

    A leaves me with money to get United mid later

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months 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
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

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

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

    Who's the best 4.5 defender?

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Coufal from next week for me

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        This

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

        Why not against leaky pool?

      3. Kellz86
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months 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
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kilman

    3. Kellz86
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

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

  6. AD105
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months 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
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months 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★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

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

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      *Ziyech lol sorry, already have Grealish

    3. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

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

    4. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Get another Grealish!

  8. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months 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★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

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

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

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

    4. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

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

      1. All Hail K
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Very true. When in doubt, do nothing.

        1. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months 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
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months 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
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

  10. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months 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
      3 years, 5 months ago

      7.5/10 gtg

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers mate

  11. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best defender for up to 5mill?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kilman

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cresswell

    3. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cresswell

    4. jb1985
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      R.James if he is nailed for next few games

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

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

    5. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cresswell

    6. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cresswell over Coufal?

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yup - great assist threat and BPS magnet

        1. Maddamotha
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months 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
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months 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
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Coufal > Cresswell and save the 0.5m

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

        Leaning towards that. Coufal is nailed?

  12. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start Lamptey or Taylor

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lamps

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

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

    3. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lamptey

    4. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lamptey

  13. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months 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
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

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

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not this week

    3. Kellz86
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months 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
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Madness

  14. kennethrhcp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months 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
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

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

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

  15. Young_Boobs
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months 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
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Try.... KWP to Chilwell
      Mitrovic to Bamford

  16. Millartime
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Morning All,

    Podence to Zaha

    or

    TAA & Podence to Vestergard & Sterling, -4?

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

      P to Z

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

        But probably not this week

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

      1st option

  17. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months 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
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Score predictions?

    LIV WHU
    SHU MCI
    TOT BRI
    NEW EVE

    1. Mike82
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

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

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

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

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

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

    4. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

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

  19. james 101
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who would you bench out of these?

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

    1. Mike82
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

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

      Embarrassment of riches. Zaha probably.

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

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

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Son Sterling Grealish Rodriguez Zaha
        Kane DCL

    4. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months 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
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Never EVER bench a striker

  20. Mike82
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months 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
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah, love the hold this week.

  21. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Too late to get Kane in? Own Son however

    1. Mike82
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Never too late

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yes

    2. Kellz86
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not too late no.

    3. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      32 Game weeks to go!

    4. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

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

    5. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Never too late

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

    I've a feeling Bowen will break the midfield template

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      There is no template though.

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

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah but one has to make way

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Could do but shame about Antonio being out...

      Now get back to your studying.

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Lol

    3. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Podence -> Bowen could be locked in soon

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Barkley to Bowen for me

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

    Will Regulion start this week?

    1. Mike82
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Difficult to say

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

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

      Thanks!

    4. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'd imagine

  24. Young_Boobs
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    sell Fernandes?

    1. Mike82
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No

  25. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months 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
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Zaha

  26. Millie7
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months 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
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Soucek in for Mitchell and save FT to next week

      1. Millie7
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        already have Soucek, and they play in different positons?

        1. Millie7
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          ignore me, i'm being stupid!!

          1. Mike82
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months 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
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

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

          1. Millie7
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

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

  27. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months 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
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hold i would

    2. Bullet Eder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months 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
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months 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
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months 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
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Just do KWP to Chillwell

  29. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

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

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I think so, see my points above

  30. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Werner a good option against Burnley as a differential?

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      yes

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months 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.