Members

The best defenders and goalkeepers to target for Double Gameweek 26

Defenders and goalkeepers come under the spotlight as we assess the best players to bring in for Double Gameweek 26.

With some plum fixtures and plenty of in-form players on offer, we’ve picked out the top options for all Fantasy Premier League (FPL) budgets.

Is a Manchester City defensive double-up still viable? Are there better options than Emiliano Martinez (£5.3m) in goal? We assess all the options in the Premium Members article below.

816 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Current team (playing BB):

    Martinez/McCarthy
    Dias/Cancelo/Shaw/Rudiger/Dallas
    Salah/Bruno/Gundo/Maddison/Raphinha
    Kane/DCL/Bamford

    Any obvious moves? I’m considering another keeper, Digne, H Barnes & Watkins. I’m not too fussed about hits as it’s a DGW.

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes for Maddison if he's out. Anyone for McCarty.

    2. akashan99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would strongly suggest against bamford for watkins, you wld have alot of value in bamford in, who wld be in for blank 29, aston villa wo grealish arent going anywhr

      For goalies, look at leno, rotates really well w martinez if you can afford

    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think I'm gunna do Bam > Watkins as I don't really have any value tied up in him and Watkins is owed another DGW as well as DGW26 so I think it's worth it. Plus Jack could be back soon (rumours it could be the second game of the DGW).

      Don't see any easy routes to get Digne and/or Barnes though unless you're sat on a pile of cash

      1. Ian Davis
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I’m thinking of doing the same move, but can see Bamford getting a goal or two which would be very annoying!

  2. Hungry Singh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Son + Vardy or Salah + Watkins......?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  3. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Predictions for the scout picks? I'm going:

    Martinez
    Digne, Cancelo, Aina, Targett
    Barnes, Bruno, Gundo, KdB
    Kane, DCL

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Martinez
      Digne, Reguilon, Cancelo, Dias
      Barnes, Bruno, Salah, KDB
      Kane, DCL

      1. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Nice

  4. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    going Vardy over Bamford on WC mad..?

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Surely not

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Why is that mad? Vardy will most likely outscore Bamford.

    3. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Do you have other Leeds cover?

  5. jimmy6363
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Current team is;

    Martinez,

    Stones / Maguire / Dier
    Maddison / Salah/ Gundogan / Sterling / Fernandes
    DCL / Antonio

    Steer / Dallas / Lewis / Bamford

    Thinking of just doing Antonio to Watkins - full squad of double gameweekers, plus retaining a little cover for GW 29.

    Worth a bench boost this week??

    Worried however about not having Kane, nor Son or KDB. Any more transfers needed? I think a WC would be overkill.

    1. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not worth BBing that

  6. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you play Lowton(tot,LEI) this week or bring in a Spurs/Villa/Fulham defender?

    If so who?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      play

    2. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If it's a FT I'd bring in Digne, Dier or Targett

      1. Konstaapeli
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Dier? Why?

        1. tbos83
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Fixtures

          1. Konstaapeli
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah, but it's totnum.

    3. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Play

    4. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm in same boat with Mee... but I do think it's entirely possibly Burnley keep a clean sheet in one (my money would be on the Spurs game) and it's not like the others are nailed on clean sheets, but obv those are steps towards GW29 blank players.
      I was actually thinking more on Villa tbh as they still have at least one more double to come as well as playing in blank 29.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah good point about Villa, may just bring in Targett or Konsa. Burnley don’t give me much confidence

  7. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    On WC 0.5m ITB

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Digne Targett
    Barnes Salah Gundo Bruno
    DCL Kane

    3.9 - Bamford White ESR

    This is about the best I can stretch to with my cash I figure, no FH for 29 so need to have a sizable contingent that play that week.
    Not 100% on double Villa defence, but probably the best call considering they double in 26 and play in 29.
    Any changes to consider? Cancelo to Dias? White to Dunk?

  8. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thought I’d break down the Captain options. Thoughts?

    Salah - just no with the form and no Henderson
    Bruno- we never score against the top 6.. we don’t even have an open play goal this season against them.
    Kane- two strong defenses spurs in poor form but Kane usually bullies these teams
    DCL- best DGW fixtures there is Everton looking decent but is he explosive?
    Gundo/Sterling/KDB - Have to monitor tonight to see mins score etc

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, but Bruno could fill his boots vs CPL

      Between Kane & Bruno for me, maybe Gundogan if he doesn’t play tonight

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        True.

        Palace -12/15 points
        Chelsea - 2/3

        It is not bad.

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I would take that on TC right now, if offered 😀

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            And on non-open goal penos 😉

    2. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      So... no one from above? 😆

    3. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It's definitely a challenging one this week.
      I've been between Son, Bruno and Salah so far (don't have Kane) but I also have DCL and Gundo in the line-up.
      I think it's going to be a late punt either way.

  9. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I have seen somewhere that Everton and Villa could have a DGW before BGW 29. Possibly GW 28. What is the probability that it really happens?

      1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        So if Spurs play tomorrow, then we most likely have the double right?

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          No, it depends on how the fixtures pan out for the next round R16. We are still in round 32

          "If Spurs are scheduled to play their UEL R16 2nd leg at home on Wednesday, March 17th - then highly unlikely that Sky would have AVL v EVE clash with it. If Spurs play on Thursday, then good opportunity for DGW28"

          1. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Yup exactly. All in the comment thread.

  10. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Please don’t start tonight Foden, although sadly, I think he will 🙁

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      perks of being a big game player 😉

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Naughty Holmes.....save him for the more important PL games Pep, please 😛

  11. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DCL or Richarlison ?

    1. N00B
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL

  12. N00B
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Good to go? I will play BB this week.

    Martinez
    Cancelo Dias Dier Targett
    Salah Bruno Son Gundogan
    DCL (C) Watkins

    Bench: Pope, Bamford, Raphinha, Dallas

  13. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pope (McCarthy)
    Stones Lowton Targett (Coufal Dallas)
    Sterling Gundogan Bruno Salah (Saka)
    DCL Bamford Antonio

    Thoughts on Saka to Barnes?
    Only trouble is I'm 0.1m short. Would a 4 point hit to do this move by also doing McCarthy > 4m be worth it. Its transferring a single game player for a dgw player (Barnes in form with 2 nice fixtures also)so really its only a 2 point hit?? It allows me to bench Antonio this week and then play him next week home to Leeds. Thoughts please guys???..

  14. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What a disaster Antonio > Ings was.

    Dropped 4pts and wasted a transfer.

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Actually two transfers as he’s probably going straight out the door again, even with a DGW37

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        *27

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I did DCL to Ings and now may do it back again. Essentially a point and 2 transfers down on the deal.

    3. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Guilty

    4. Ruinenlust
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ings got me 8 points last week 😎

  15. merin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Using BB this week, and are prepared to use 2 transfers (-8) if there are any good ones
    Any suggestions for transfers?

    Martinez Areola
    Dias Cancelo Dunk Targett Dallas
    Salah Bruno Son Gundogan Raphinha
    DCL Bamford Watkins

    0 FT, 3.1 ITB

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe Dunk, Raph > Digne, Barnes

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

        Interresting! Who do you think will score most points this week of Dunk or Dallas?

  16. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lads, a little help please? Leaning towards A or C. (Only TC available as a hit.)

    Martínez / Pope
    Dias / Stones / Cresswell / Digne /  Dallas
    Salah / Bruno / Gündogan / Raphinha / Soucek
    DCL / Bamford / Watkins

    A. Bamford to Kane
    B. Bamford to Kane, Salah to Barnes (- 4)
    C. Bamford to Kane, Soucek to Barnes, Pope to Areola (- 8)
    D. Bamford to Kane, DCL to Vardy, Salah to Barnes (- 8)

    1. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not so sure about C, if you can just do A then I'd go with that.
      Salah to Barnes feels very sideways (although brings in cash I appreciate), same with Pope to Areola (although I'm presuming there's one eye on 29, but if you have so much belief in Kane hauling, not sure why you'd want Areola this week).

      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Aréola would be to fund Soucek to Barnes, actually!

  17. seanie3
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    would you transfer out Sterling to Barnes for free if it meant I could then, for a hit, get Kane in for Antonio

  18. European Bob
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Does this wildcard look OK? Also building for 29*

    Ederson / (Sanchez*)

    Pereira / Stones / Konsa* / (Holding*) / (Struijk*)

    Salah / Fernandes / Son* / Gundogan / (Smith-Rowe*)

    Kane* / Calvert-Lewin / Watkins*

  19. Aaa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on bb with these?

    Johnstone/Bamford/Dallas/Lowton

    Current team:

    Martinez
    Cancelo/Digne/Targett
    Salah/Fernandes/Barnes/Gundo/Raph
    Kane/DCL

  20. tollers74
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1st post this season, but need your help with a decision that I’m sure others are facing....

    Current team
    Martinez
    Stones, Mee, Dier, McGuire
    Salah, Fernandes, Gundogan, Sterling, Raphina
    DCL

    Bench: Bamford, Creswell, Ings

    1FT, 0.8m ITB. FH, WC and TC all available.

    So, do I bring in Kane and Son for Sterling and Ings (-4 and dropping Raphina to the bench), or simply swap Ings for Watkins (again replacing Raphina) and keep Sterling in place for next weeks’ DWG?

    Any other options I haven’t considered? Cheers

  21. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    This lot g2g? FT used.
    Pope
    Cancelo digne dias Dallas
    Bruno son sterling raph
    Bamford kane(c)

    Button Antonio bissouma Pieters*

    1. Lord of Ings
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Also no bench Boost or tc used.

  22. jimmy6363
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Antonio to Kane (TC)
    Sterling to Raphinha
    Lewis to Cancelo

    Worth 8 point hit?

  23. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    The more I look at the stats the more I think Gundo (c) is the way. As long as he doesn't play the full 90 tonight, I think I'm gonna do it. He got huge points in 68 minutes vs Spurs. The only fear is rotation. And Gundo is one of the most rotation proof players. He started every PL game except the one game he was out injured in the busy period for City and the FA cup game where him and Dias were rested.

    Risky yes. But the upside is huge and I can definitely see Gundo starting both.

    1. jimmy6363
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think he's a better choice than Fernandes, not sure about Kane though. Although Kane is a risk as well with his form.

    2. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’d be on Gundo all day but with KDB back in the mix does that affect Gundo overall?

      1. No Kane No Gain
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes. Gundo moved forward and had his best ever points scores when KDB has been out of the team. Gundo will still do well, but not as well.

      2. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It does not really affect Gundo. His strong run of form began with KdB in the side.

    3. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Do you think even if gundo plays 60 mins, he might have minutes managed as he’s got man United in 27 followed by even more of a busy schedule?!

      Kane, barring injury, will play 120 mins. You won’t lose sleep thinking about it.

    4. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He is a great option but he's not playing a team as poor as Spurs have been this week. West Ham are having a great season and Wolves have had a revival of sorts of late

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        In current form, every fixture is green for City.

    5. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What about DCL versus two very poor sides? the Southampton game could be very high scoring.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No thanks. Don't trust Everton. They have a tendency to blank randomly in 'easy' games.

    6. lespaul
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      hopefully City get a penalty tonight to clear things up

  24. tuturututu
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who scores more in next gw?

    A) Sterling and Bamford
    B) Son and Vardy (-8)

    1. jimmy6363
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A with the 8 point hit.

  25. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hi all, want to get rid of Coufal this week to maximise my bench boost. Would be for a total -8 is it worth doing him out for one of the following?

    A) Targett
    B) Konsa
    C) Reguillon
    D) Aina
    E) keep Coufal and stay at -4 playing BB

    Thanks in advance!

    1. claretparrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think that move in isolation is worth it. Probably C given Grealish injury

  26. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play one:
    A) Mee
    B) Bamford
    C) Raphina
    D) hit out mee, 5.5m to spend

    1. claretparrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      D for a DGWer (Shaw, Villa, Reguillon, Everton).
      Otherwise C

  27. claretparrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Robbo & Soucek > Digne & Barnes (-4)?
    Would then bench Raph.

    Johnstone
    Dias - Cancelo - Robbo* - Shaw
    Salah - Bruno - Gundo - Raphinha
    DCL - Kane
    [Bamford - Dallas - Soucek*]

    GL all!

  28. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guys planning to bb

    A) Antonio son Martin to Kane Barnes areola -4
    B) Antonio salah Martin to kane Barnes areola -4
    C) Go without Kane and do Antonio raphina Martin to Watkins Barnes

  29. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Coufal to Digne or Pereira for -4 worth it or just play Bamford or Dallas?

    1. claretparrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah I would. Probably for Digne

  30. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Interesting point in article about Fulham possibly going on the attack. Had been wondering about this. Their game against WBA was a positive goalfest.

    Strange times when Palace don't figure among the bottom 4 teams for misfiring attack - only a couple behind Arsenal for the season. And well If Fulham do get suckered into pouring attacks onto Palace I imagine Palace will score - they generally do at home against bottom 12.

    Areola or Aina may be a dodgy call this week.