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. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any news on Salah's injury?

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

      He trained

    2. PL Ball
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Klopp presser soon

    3. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What injury?

      1. PL Ball
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Was seen limping. Probably nothing though.

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

    Pick one.
    A. Keep Mitrovic for 1 more week
    B. Bamford
    C. Adams

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A.. Save the FT

    2. thewhitepele
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Save

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

      A

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

      With Antonio being out I'm actually going to move Mitrovic to Adams next week.

  3. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Captain this week?

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

      Son - think Brighton will be a bit naive and allow Spurs to counter them. Son to do well in behind Lamptey and a Dunk-less defence

    2. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kane although keep flip flopping between him and Salah

    3. thewhitepele
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son or Kane, coin toss

    4. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Salah.. as you can see this is the most open gameweek in a long time for Captains.. add Sterling and you've 4 great picks this week

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

        + Mane for those that own

    5. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      When in doubt, Salah.

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

      Son is the best option this week IMO

    7. PL Ball
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Still not sure.

      Most will go for Kane, Son or Salah

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

      Lots of solid choices, limited stand out as i expect lots of the big players to get 7-10 points+

      West Ham are going to be super defensive and i'm just not feeling confident about a liverpool win, let alone a big win (2-1 or 2-2 my gut feel). While i expect Salah / Mane to score i think a double digit return is low chance v others on this list.

      Spurs should batter Brighton as i don't think they're capable of sitting back. That said their defensive stats are actually ok, just not turned into clean sheets and at some point that will change. Overall though it just feels a bad match up so if spurs get an early lead it could easily be 4-1 territory. I'm going with Kane or Son (Kane atm).

      KDB is going to have a good game v sheffield united. Goal, assist and max bonus incoming but i don't own him and no way to get him

      It's Rashford's birthday on Saturday. He's on form in life and in football. He'll score at least 1.

    9. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kane

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

      Mane. Don't think there's too much in it between Brighton and West Ham defensively, but with Mane's high xG and West Ham's weakness down the right, I'm leaning towards the differential captain

  4. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA, Dier, Saiss, Ayling
    Salah, Son, Rodriguez, Podence
    Kane, Jimenez

    Steer, Soucek, Justin, Brewster

    £1.7m ITB and 1FT.

    A) Podence to Foden
    B) Justin to Chilwell
    C) Dier to Chilwell
    D) Save

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      D)

    2. thewhitepele
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A or Save, wouldn't put more money in defence at least

  5. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What time are pressers today?

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

    Best Maupay replacement?

    A) Antonio (injury concern, when is WHU's presser?)
    B) Bamford (he's...well, he's Patrick Bamford. Yuck.)
    C) Adams (pound-store Ings, think it has to be Ings or nothing from Soton)

    Thoughts? Means burning a FT if I don't do any of the above.

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bamford / Wilson

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

      I'd seriously keep. Spurs defense is poor and way this season is going, he'll score 2 having missed a hatful of chances in the 'easy' fixtures.

      a) Antonio is 100% out for next month.
      b) I just don't like Bamford, especially after my brother (c) him last week (double yuck). May get him at some point but don't like the next fixtures.

      c) I was super close to going Maupay -> Adams. He's on form and great value but Villa should be a tough game. It's the best of these options if you really want to do a transfer.

    3. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Think Adams and Maupay will match each other tbh. Antonio's injured. Bamford the only worth doing it for, just because of how many chances he will get at Leeds, but I would be tempted to hold this week tbh.

      Sort out your bench instead of burning maybe?

  7. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I've noticed in recent weeks the number of players making the "A" sign with their hands after scoring.
    Grealish, Chilwell, Barkley to name a few

    I note the origins of the sign was from early 2000's in support of "A star" foundation. Thats no longer being followed.

    But for this most recent glut of signers I can see no reason other than they think it looks kool.

    As a grumpy old man this really gets my goat . Its nonsense. Doesn't even represent anything. Stoopid kids, with their stoopid meaningless trends.

    I hope an interviewer pulls one of them up on it soon and asks why,...why are you doing that.
    Id love to hear their reasoning.

    Rant over.

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Fantastic taste in music, Ultra Mono is my favourite album this year

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

        Glad to meet another fan.

        They have such great sound and great message to share.

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I thought Grealish did it because A for Aston Villa. And that Chilwell did it because he's dimwit

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

        Well I'm interpreting it as .. "A" for A**hole.

    3. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Jimenez dedicated it to his daughter Arya. No idea about others.

    4. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What I don't get is why is it so important for you to the point of taking the time to be upset and writing about it. Is it silly? Meaningless? Maybe. Is it inflicting damage or insulting someone? No. So who cares??

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

        I enjoy having a discussion about things.

    5. Mufc202020
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      BEN CHILWELL, Ross Barkley and Jack Grealish all paid tribute to Chelsea fan Andrew Wood who passed away last Thursday.

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

        I've read that.
        Grealish has done it before I recall.

  8. JenkoJunko
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Help! So stuck! Hideous start! What would you do with this lot..?

    Steer Mcarthy
    TAA Justin Tierney Mitchel Enda
    Salah Foden Barnes JRod Bissouma
    Werner DCL Bamford

    3.3 ITB / 2FTs
    Please any advice and suggestions really welcome. I have options but i think too many which is leaving me very confused, could also WC. Many thanks all and GL

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

      Tierney to Chilwell and Barnes to Son.

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

        Thanks

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

    One defender and one attacker from each of palace and wolves.... Guaranteed disappointment whatever happens tonight...

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

      Saiss/Semedo & Jimmy

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

      2-2

      Palace 2-0 up at half time (2 returns), then the defender gets subbed off 65 mins.

      Wolves late surge for an epic 2-2 draw.

      Easy 25-30 points all round.

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

        That's what I am hoping for from PVA ... nice 65 minutes with a CS and assist

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

    Play

    A Lampty (tot)
    B Taylor (CHE)

    Thanks and good luck this week.

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lamptey.. both will concede. Lamptey is more attacking

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

        Yeah that's where I am currently. Thanks.

    2. thewhitepele
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'd go Lamptey for the attacking potential

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

        Cheers.

  11. thewhitepele
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Good spot to save FT? Got 0.1m itb and nothing pressing it seems?

    Martinez
    Chilwell Saiss Konsa
    Salah Son JRod Grealish
    Kane DCL Maupay

    Martin, Bissouma, KWP, Lamptey

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

      Yes save.

      Please help above thanks.

  12. Lukakus talking
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed on previous page, so trying again

    Martinez
    TAA – Saiss – Lamptey (Mitchell, Dunne)
    Son – Salah – JRod – Klich (Anguissa)
    Werner – Kane – DCL

    2FT 0.2ITB

    Worth doing a -4 of TAA, Klich, Werner → Masuaku (or other 4.5 def), KDB, Wilson?

    Or just Anguissa → Bissouma and roll the FT for another week?

    Thanks in advance

  13. Tribecca
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Thiago Silva as chelsea cover? Can’t fit chilwell

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Just go Zouma so?

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

        this

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

      Go Zouma - goal threat for 0.4 less than Silva

  14. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez
    James Saiss TAA
    Podence Salah Son Foden
    Kane DCL Jimenez
    (Steer Burke Lamptey Mitchell)

    1.3ITB & 2FT

    a) James > Chilwell (then perhaps Podence > Bowen next week?)
    b) Podence > Barkley
    c) James & Podence > Coufal & Grealish

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A looks good

  15. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play Ayling or Justin? They play each other, Leeds at home.

    1. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ayling

  16. dmcnam12
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Captain?:

    A. Kane
    B. Son
    C. Sterling

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

      C

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Pick a number between 1 and 3

    3. Nedvěd11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

  17. KUN_DE_BRU_YNE
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Confused captaincy again:
    Better to think this way?
    Home:salah/kane
    Away:mane/son

    So between kane & salah?
    I have son too.

  18. Lutherc71
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA KWP Targett
    Rodriguez Salah Son Zaha
    Kane DCL Bamford

    Ryan Pereira Dallas Lamptey

    - Keep the free transfers? (I have two)
    - To start: Targett or Dallas?

  19. merin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A penny for your thoughts on how to use this FT

    Martinez Steer
    Chilwell Saiss Lamptey KWP Mitchell
    Salah Son Pulisic Grealish Bissouma
    Kane DCL Maupay

    1 FT, 1.8 ITB

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Put that penny in your pocket and save it for next week

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

        Yeah, thats what I'm thinking too. Not quite sure though. I feel the urge to do something with either Maupay (maybe Wilson or Antonio next week) or Mitchell (out for Kilman). The latter is a bit sideways though...

        1. Dexters Laboratory
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Definitely want Antonio after the IB if fit

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

        Oh and Pulisic is a concern, and Rashford is tempting...

        1. Dexters Laboratory
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Doing Hav to Rashford this gameweek myself. Have Pulsic who could come good but two Chelsea mids are overkill

  20. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mccarthy
    TAA KWP Saiss
    Salah Bruno Son Rodriguez Grealish
    Jiminez Bamford

    Nyland Taylor Mitchell Davis

    Or WC
    Martinez
    Chilwell Konsa KWP
    Salah Son Bruno Jorginho Barkley
    Kane Jiminez

    Steele Kilman Balbuena Robinson

    Cheers

    1. Oggle22
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Jiminez is DCL sorry

    2. Nedvěd11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      -4 instead of Wildcard if your main goal is to get in Kane imo..

      1. Oggle22
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Would be a -8 as used my ft to do Mitrovic to Bamford

  21. Andy Mac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    GTG? Think I am sticking with Kane(c)...(0.6itb)

    Martinez
    Robbo - Saiss - Chilwell
    Salah(vc) - Son - Pulisic - Foden - Grealish
    Kane(c) - DCL

    Steer - Kilman - Mitchell - Brewster

  22. Manani
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    ditch one
    A Barnes
    B Podence

    get one
    A Grealish
    B Zaha

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

      BA

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      AA.. Podence out next week

    3. Champione
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      BA

  23. Jones Kusi
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Chilwell nailed?

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

      yES

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

      hope so! he should be

  24. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed

    2ft 1m itb - No fires this week so...?

    A Forster/Martin in for Nyland GK
    B Podence to Bowen
    C Podence to Barkley
    D Burke/Podence to Riedeweld/Foden
    E TAA/Podence to Chilwell/Grealish

    1. Champione
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      E

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

      B

  25. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Salah v Son/Kane (c) debate.

    If Brighton's defence are without Dunk then might they be shakier than West Ham? I don't own Kane but am leaning towards Son (c) but equally Salah could easily haul. Thoughts?

  26. JelliedSpark968
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Soucek > Pulisic or Barnes > Son ( I have Kane)

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

      First one for me

    2. Champione
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son

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

      Son

  27. Shankly611
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best defender up to 4.5m? Thinking of Coufal. Not sold on Kilman, we still don't know if he is nailed and I already have Saiss.

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

      Probably Coufal or Leeds boys. Personally, I have Kilman and Saiss so one should always start and the other is 1st bench choice...saves a few quid too!

    2. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Coufal for sure. Otherwise, probably KWP or Justin

    3. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      yep Coufal, agreed. KWP alternatively.

  28. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Lateriser bigging up Sterling as a (c) choice this GW, but confident that when it comes to his team he will go Salah(c).

    Same as when he went Werner(c) and Werner wasn't even mentioned by him as an option.

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What's ya point?

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Don't blindly trust the FPL Twitterati, FPL 'Pros', FPL Pundits etc.

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I agree with that. All this pro and elite made up nonsense has done is made certain people's pockets fatter and give them an excuse not to do a real job and earn a proper living but i don't think LR should have to give his team out or his captain and he has a right to change last minute without justifying it.

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

          Like Pumps above I agree but there is the odd exception. Most of them would pay good money for LR's history over last few years.
          132,668
          189
          2,212
          77
          49,211
          8,621
          12,202
          30

          Pretty good you'd agree and all his own work. 😉

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

        LateReesesCup is fooling us

  29. Reeker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Almost take a risk and bring in Bowen. Reckon he could start up front

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      they have Haller

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

        He doesn't fit their system. Bowen played up front when Antonio came off

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      good shout. Allowing them to put Benrahma on the wings. I get the feeling that Moyes doesn't rate Haller so this would make sense.

  30. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Anything worth a hit here? 0.5 itb.
    Bench order right? Annoying to have so much skin in the AVL-SOU game...

    McCarthy
    TAA Justin Konsa KWP
    Salah Son Grealish Bruno
    DCL Werner

    Mitchell Brewster Soucek