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Should managers invest in the Leeds defence for the FPL season run-in?

At the start of the season, one of the hottest topics in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) was “Stuart Dallas or Luke Ayling?”. Both Leeds United defenders had been prominent in their team’s Championship-winning season, both were priced at £4.5m and both were regularly involved in attacks and goals. Many FPL teams started with at least one of them.

And then their season opened with seven goals conceded in two games, Wildcards started flooding in and there was a drop in ownership. Leeds steadied the ship for a few fixtures but every clean sheet was often accompanied by a four (or six) goal concession.

That 6-2 reverse at Manchester United, however, does seem to have been a catalyst for the Leeds defence gradually to become more cohesive and their recent successful rearguard action with ten men at Manchester City signalled how far that unit has come.

As we approach the final three fixtures of the season, with Leeds third in the Fantasy Football Scout Season Ticker for defensive points opportunity, should FPL managers invest?

Dallas Action Hero

One Leeds defensive asset already is, of course, in many FPL teams. Stuart Dallas (£5.2m) quickly overtook Luke Ayling (£4.4m) as the bargain way into the Leeds backline and has retained a healthy ownership throughout on his way to becoming the highest-scoring defender in the whole of FPL. His 158 points leave him currently 19 clear of his nearest rivals, the Aaron duo of Cresswell (£5.6m) and Wan-Bissaka (£5.7m).

His success stems from a combination of high achievement and sheer number of minutes played. His only time missed is 10 minutes at the end of the 4-1 home defeat to Leicester in Gameweek 7, meaning he has benefitted from all of Leeds’s ten clean sheets, and, regularly playing in midfield rather than defence, his long-range accuracy and knack for driving into the box have seen him notch eight goals, three more than any other defender. Even at his current price, he represents great value with a points-per-match average (4.5) better than any defender not playing for a Champions League finalist.

However, his nearest challenger at his own club is Spanish international centre-back Diego Llorente (£4.4m) on 3.3 points per match while auxiliary left-back Ezgjan Alioski (£4.3m) is the only Leeds defender other than Dallas to register an assist or more than one goal. Could either of them be worth a transfer to help navigate player rotation and Blank Gameweeks elsewhere?

Prior Engagements

For their closing three fixtures, Leeds will visit Burnley on Saturday lunchtime and Southampton in the early evening of Tuesday before hosting West Bromwich Albion on the final Sunday. The Official FPL game site has all of these opponents graded ‘green’ at two out of five and the initial meetings with them this season give some credence to that as Leeds ended those with a handsome aggregate advantage of 9-0.

Fans of Burnley and Southampton, though, will be quick to recall the disallowed goals they suffered as the referee’s whistle blew before the ball entered the net when James Ward-Prowse (£5.9m) took a quick Saints free-kick a micro-second before the referee was ready and also as Burnley’s Ben Mee (£4.7m) was adjudged to be impeding Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier (£4.7m) by unfairly standing upright.

A look at the match statistics in the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area shows those two matches had more in common than just grievances at borderline decisions in favour of the home team. The major goal attempt statistics are almost identical.

157 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any reason not to do

    Nacho and Fofana > Antonio and Dallas?

    Prefer Antonio over Bamford for the run in

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Go for it

      1. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks

        And what about Leno > Meslier for a hit?

        1. Bucket Man
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Wouldn’t do hit for goalkeeper

    2. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Do it

    3. ShaunGoater123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      yep like those moves

  2. DavidMunday815
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Apologies for any inconvenience caused by the glitches with this article yesterday. We've (hopefully) fixed them now so you can have a proper read 😀

  3. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thinking for doing Maguire & Ihenacho > Coufal & Antonio for a -4? gives me the following for this week:

    Ramsdale
    Coufal / TAA / Konsa / Vestergaard
    Salah / Jota / Son
    Antonio / Kane / Davis

    Foster / Greenwood / Fernandes / Holding

    Obvs nothing left on the bench and Davis is only likely to get some throwaway minutes but feels like many will be in the same position this week

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Looks good

  4. Keane There Dunne That
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Who scores more until the end of the season?
    A) Fernandes and Raphinha
    B) Greenwood and Son

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I guess B

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      If they get about the same mins. B.

    3. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    4. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

  5. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What moves would you do in this team? 0.9itb 1ft.

    Martinez
    Phillips-Dias-Digne-Lowton
    Salah-Gundo-Lingard
    Kane-DCL-Ihenacho*
    Fabri-Bruno*-Greenwood*-Shaw*

    * blanks.

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Nacho > Antonio or Bamford

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks.

    2. Oooo Matron
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Ihenacho to Antonio

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks, looks like that's the most popular advice.

    3. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Would go for Bamford as you have Lingard already.

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks

  6. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A or B? Both - 8

    A)
    Ihenacho to DCL
    Greenwood to Raphina
    Bruno to Mane
    Maguire to Godfrey/Coufal

    B)
    Ihenacho to Antonio
    Greenwood to Mahrez
    Bruno to Mane
    Maguire to Strujik

    Current (playing) team:
    Forster
    TAA Dallas
    Lingard Salah Son
    Kane Davis

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A with Coufal. Cooper may come back in for Struijk.

  7. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Better plan:

    a)
    GW36: Dawson + Davis
    GW37-38: Holding as 3rd defender

    b)
    GW36: Coufal + Struijk -4
    GW37-38: Coufal as 3rd defender

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A. Think cooper may come back in for Struijk this week

      1. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        It couls be other up to 4.5 def really

  8. Bucket Man
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Sorry to be a pain and ask again

    Is it silly to take a hit for Mount and Nacho to Foden and DCL when I will probably sell both in GW38?

    Best to go for Foden and Ings or Mahrez and Antonio instead?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not silly

      I like Mahrez and Antonio though

      1. Bucket Man
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks. I probably prefer Mahrez to Foden. DCL I’m worried about this week then I prefer Antonio but already have Lingard

    2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Tough one. I would probably still go Foden and DCL. Why do you think you will sell Foden in 38?
      Think he will start 36 & 38 to keep the rhythm (Mahrez same).

      The other two options are both great as well, so totally understand your dilemma.

      1. Bucket Man
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks. Think they will play this week and possibly 38 but can’t tell. DCL I would sell final GW.

        1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          I think DCL has best fixtures this GW (and next is not bad either), his ownership is also higher than the alternatives.

          Of course if you need a differential, then Antonio and Ings are probably better. I just don't think they will outscore him in next two GWs.

          That's why I am getting DCL in myself. I will either transfer him out or bench him in 38 (could upgrade a bench player).

          For me it works because I optimise 36 & 37 they way I look at things, while I will have more info regarding 38.
          A downgrade from DCL to any forward is easy (depending on who you have already: Antonio, Wood, Bamford etc.), and an upgrade not to expensive (Ings; Laca even)

          Good luck either way 🙂

          1. Bucket Man
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Thanks for your thoughts. Just trying to sneak into top 200k so not sure whether I need differential or not. I like Antonio but already have Lingard. Have Perreira who I can play next week too instead of City asset. DCL looks good though so may go for him and Foden and hope for the best. Always overthinking think I need to stop that to improve next season.

            1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 10 months ago

              No worries.
              Definitely don't overthink it. I did that in the past and it was not always helpful.
              Looks like you have a decent bench as well.
              All the best!

              1. Bucket Man
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 10 months ago

                Thanks. And to you. Going Mahrez and Antonio I like them. Mahrez doesn’t tend to get subbed on either so can play and get Perreira off the bench.

  9. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thinking Bruno+Nacho >> Son+Bam/Ant (-4). Is it worth another -4 for either of these?

    A. Shaw >> Digne
    B. Rudiger >> Dallas / Coufal

    Forster
    TAA. Ward
    Salah. Jota. ASM
    Kane. DCL
    (Mendy. Shaw. Nacho. Bruno. Greenwood. Holding. Rudiger)

    1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B with Dallas

    2. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Would stick with the 10. -8 a lot. Think Burnley will score against us unfortunately.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Will be 9 if Forster doesn’t play! Right mess I know!!

        1. Bucket Man
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          It’s not a mess. Southampton GK situation a pain. Would go for Rudiger to Coufal if anything. Shaw has Fulham next week

  10. fpork
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mendy out for a hit or just keep?

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Do you have a playing GK?

      1. fpork
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Forster, but he probably won't play?

        1. JBG
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah, do it. Or wait and see if Hasselhoff says anything in his press conference.

  11. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    On FH, A or B?
    A. Robbo, Digne, Antonio
    B. Dallas, Coufal, Mane
    Different formation, thanks.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

    3. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

  12. Chief Break-Everything
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    WC Active

    Martinez (Fabri)
    TAA Dallas Coleman (Strujk Mitchell)
    Salah Mahrez Son Lingard (Greenwood)
    Kane DCL Bamford

    This good for the run in?

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Would be tempted by Antonio and Rapha over Paddy and Lingard. Maybe then upgrade Struijk

    2. patricktaynz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      could be famous last words but I actually don't quite fancy Bamford.

      My rationale is Rodrigo is back fit and Bielsa will give him game time alongside Bamford or eat into his minutes. Small sample but when they played together eye test and statistics suggest Bamford gets impacted with poor FPL performance.

      On the other hand, Raphinha should be better bet than Lingard-inho

      1. Chief Break-Everything
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks. Would give me this:

        Martinez (Fabri)
        TAA Dallas Coleman (Coufal Mitchell)
        Salah Mahrez Son Raphinha (Greenwood)
        Kane DCL Antonio

        ...which works. Ta

        1. Bucket Man
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Looks good. Best of luck!

  13. BHA_Seagull
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is Jesus a good differential punt?
    Chasing 40 points in mini league but worry Pep Roulette will burn me.

    1. patricktaynz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      personally don't think so ... go Ings if you need a differential, he's in form and could be explosive

    2. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Lots of good strikers. Would go Ings or Antonio instead as differential

  14. fpork
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    1) Shaw->Dallas
    2) Mendy->Pickford

    First allows me to play Dallas over Coady, and the latter to play Pickford over Forster.

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Tough one. Coady tough game but plays for sure where as can’t say that with Forster. Would also want Shaw next week so maybe B

  15. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any folks looking to get back Gundogan?

  16. FPL Theorist
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Really want Bale for WOL/AVL. Is it worth the sacrifice in option A or B?

    A. Shaw, Pulisic, Nacho -> Mitchell, Bale, Antonio (would have to play Mitchell this week only)
    B. Dunk, Pulisic, Nacho -> Ayling/Alioski/Llorente, Bale, Benteke (keep Shaw)
    C. Dunk, Pulisic, Nacho -> Dallas, 7.6 mid, Antonio (keep Shaw)

    All options are for -8 (only way to get 11 out).

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      C. I don’t think Bale worth it for them options. Siggurdson, Raphinha, Foden punt good options

  17. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC? I’m chasing so there are a few risks in there, but hopefully the bench is strong enough to handle the odd benching…

    Meslier, 3.9
    Trent, Digne, Dallas, Stones, Coufal
    Salah, Son, Bale, Mahrez, Jota
    DCL, Antonio, 4.2

    Bank 0.0m

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      How about Jota and your 4.2 striker to ESR and Bamford?

      1. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yep that works and gives me 0.7m left over. Where would you use it though?

        1. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          could go digne to robbo and stones to coleman

        2. Boss Hogg
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          I'm not so keen on Coufal. Maybe upgrade? Or just bank it for now?
          I just think a 4.2 striker, plus Mahrez and Jota is too much of a rotation risk up front. I'd want 6 or 7 absolutely nailed on forwards.

    2. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Bale/Son & Jota > Mane & Raph

      1. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        1.1m short of that

  18. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Moyes not got a press conference?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Likely to be tomorrow

    2. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Usually 1:30 on Fridays

      1. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        thanks

  19. Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Why did they remove the centering of FDR numbers on a players profile on FPL? Irritating me an irrational amount

  20. Phlajo
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A -8 hit to field 11?

    Mendy, Nacho, Rashford to Meslier, Son and Antonio/Bamford

    And...
    A) Bamford
    B) Antonio

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

      Not sure about the GK hit unless necessary to fund the other moves. Leeds will not set up as defensively against lower teams as they did to limit MCI/LIV/MUN.

      1. Phlajo
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah agree.. But need Meslier to fund the others

  21. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Martinez
    Veltman* Webster KWP Phillips
    Salah (c) Mahrez Jota
    Kane DCL (vc) Antonio

    GTG? Got enough to do Veltman > Dallas but would be a -8

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      G2G stick with Veltman and hope for best. Don’t think we will keep clean sheet anyway

  22. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A) Bamford
    B) Antonio
    C) Ings

    * have Lingard

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B, unless you fancy blowing an extra 2m on Ings just to have a stronger differential.

      1. Ian Davis
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Home games against Fulham and Leeds are quite tempting though, fans back for the Leeds one as well. Southampton will be playing quite freely I reckon as nothing to play for.

        1. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          It sounds like you're flush with cash to go for Ings, unlike me, so go for it!

          1. Ian Davis
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            I can only do it if I bring Phillips (4.1) in for Castagne, but that’s not the worst move...

  23. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What a funny game......Kane>DCL, Vydra>Watkins, Holding>Digne for -4 has me down 19 points over the other move I was considering (Mendy>McCarthy, Vydra>Benteke for free).

  24. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    For -8 worth it?

    Nacho Vardy Bruno OUT

    Kane DCL Mahrez IN

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yesss

    2. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Definitely.
      All could get double figures this week.

  25. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is Bale over Kane a huge risk next gw ?

  26. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Salah Mahrez Or KDB?

  27. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Veltman/Rashford/Nacho >> Dallas/Mahrez/Antonio (-8) Y or N

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes if Veltman is out

  28. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Jota or:

    1. Rapinha
    2. Lingard

  29. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Forster / Mendy owners

    All intel suggests Forster is getting rotated again this GW.

    Do we think it's worth a -4 to replace on of them?

    1. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      wait for Hassenhutl to tell you in the next couple of hours

      1. More Cowbell
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks - if he confirms no Forster do you think a -4 is worth it?

        1. DannyDrinkVodka
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Yes, for two reasons:

          1) Somebody like Pickford is on average going to return more than 4 points against SHU
          2) There may be another gameweek where both Mendy and Forster blank

    2. Big Mac 24
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I think he stated very clearly that he will play Forster for these two games snd then back to Mccarthy

      1. More Cowbell
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yep, that's my current thought. Is a -4 hit to get a starting keeper worth it then in your opinion?

  30. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    People doubling up on Meslier/Dallas, talk to me.......what are you thinking?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Their arent many standout options for GK spot.

      Leno, Henderson, Kasper and Mendy with no games
      McCarthy/Foster rotation risk
      Ederson, Allison expensive
      Dubravka/Patricio/Fabianski probably wont keep CSs

      Pickford and Meslier feels safe. Dallas picks himself.

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, it's the Meslier double-up which I find somewhat strange.....Leeds haven't been able to keep a clean sheet away from home since they played West Brom in December!