Scout Network

Who are the best FPL defenders from Gameweek 6 onwards?

Which combination of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) defenders to own has been a big talking point of the opening few Gameweeks of the season.

Should Fantasy managers sell Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.6m) to budget for the desirable premium forwards? Is a double-up on £4.0m defenders a wise move? Should we trust the underlying stats and invest in the Wolves backline even after their Gameweek 5 defeat to Brentford?

We asked the Scout Network for their thoughts on the best defenders in the £5.0m-and-under bracket and the more expensive purchases.

£5.0m and under

Learning from ‘The Great and The Good’ FPL managers – Gameweek 5 1

Nelson Semedo (£4.9m) has yet to register attacking returns but sits on an xG (expected goals) of 0.79 and an xA (expected assists) of 0.4 from four appearances. Wolves have been putting up decent numbers as a team but are failing to make the most out of it. With fixtures now looking great all the way into December, Semedo should be able to deliver upon the promise shown so far.

Meltens

Nelson Semedo looks the standout pick. Yes, Wolves were handsomely beaten by Brentford but many more teams will be embarrassed by Ivan Toney (£6.3m) this season. We’re happy that the result is just a blip and if we had the budget, would grab Semedo at the drop of a hat. His penalty area involvement is impressive and, with four decent fixtures, he’s a player with lots of potential. 

FPL Experiment Podcast

It’s difficult to understand when and why Matt Lowton‘s (£4.4m) price has decreased as he is only owned now by 1.5% of the field. But Burnley is a medium-plus range defence of the Premier League and is always a tough opponent at home with more clean sheet potential than, for instance, Leeds or Watford. This year, with assists from crosses in his arsenal and a friendly price tag, Lowton looks like a good rotating option in our defense.

FPL Froggies
Is Ben White the best FPL defender option at £4.5m?

Ben White (£4.4m) is without doubt one of the better sub-£5.0m options around with the fixture ticker a lovely shade of green and there’s a renewed steel about the Arsenal defence. Gabriel (£5.0m) and White look like their partnership could blossom and there is no doubt that Thomas Partey’s (£5.0m) return this week gives them extra protection, so at £4.4m I suspect he will grace many a Gameweek 7 Wildcard team.

Greyhead

After losing to Brentford in Gameweek 1, Ben White (£4.4m) was sold by many FPL managers, especially as he missed the next two games with Covid. But the England defender has since helped his team win back-to-back games without conceding. Barring their clashes with Tottenham (Gameweek 6), Liverpool (Gameweek 12) and Manchester United (Gameweek 14), they have a run of seemingly easy games until the end of the year (Gameweek 20) and I expect White to bring solidity to an Arsenal side that were hard to break in the latter part of last season. 

FPL Poet
Torres benched as Livramento nets a shock clean sheet at champions Man City 1

Tino Livramento (£4.2m) has shown impressive potential for a defender that started in the £4.0m price point. He has started all Southampton’s matches, in which the Saints accomplished two clean sheets. Additionally, he has created four chances and 12 crosses. Not only do his potential attacking returns make him attractive, he is owned by only 10.1%, and his low cost can free up funds for other FPL assets. In the following five matches, the Saints only have one difficult fixture from Wolves (H), Chelsea (a), Leeds United (H), Burnley (H) and Watford (a).

Bendito Fantasy

Timo Livramento has to be the best budget defender in the game right now. He started the season at £4m and has started every game. With the amount of premiums we are trying to fit in our squads, he is a very good enabler, in my opinion. Despite a tough opening five fixtures, Southampton have been able to keep two cleen sheets and concede just one goal from games against Manchester Utd, West Ham and Manchester City – three of the best attacks in the league right now. Southampton’s fixtures from Gameweek 6-12 are very good (bar Chelsea in Gameweek 7) so we can expect Livramento to rack more clean sheets and offer tremendous value.

Fantasy Chat
 1

Shane Duffy (£4.3m) is one of the top budget defenders after five games. He has 27 points, one Fantasy assist and two clean sheets. At his price point, he is a great enabler, freeing up budget for other premiums elsewhere. Over the next three games, Brighton play Crystal Palace (a), Arsenal (H) and Norwich (a) and are probably good for a couple of clean sheet over that spell. From Gameweek 9 they play Man City and Liverpool back-to-back; time to jettison him.

FF Titan

Shane Duffy has to be our value pick for the next three games. Travelling away to both Palace and Norwich, sandwiched around a home fixture against Arsenal, combined with Brighton’s strong start to the season and a price tag of £4.3m makes him a prime candidate to get into the Mini League Mate first XI.

Mini League Mate

Over £5.0m defenders

City have four clean sheets in five games and their defenders are set-and-forget options from Gameweek 8 onwards (barring any Pep roulette) due to their great run of fixtures. There’s no guessing what Pep might do, but it’ll be worth investing in the pricier pair of either Ruben Dias (£6.1m) or João Cancelo (£6.0m) for as much safety as possible. There’s not much to split them currently, as both have played every minute in every game so far and both have an assist, Dias just stealing a few more bonus points than his team-mate. There will be rotation once the Champions League kicks in but hopefully, with the pressure on, Pep will call on his trusted defensive pair more times than not in the Premier League.

FPL Nymfria

While no one is really “nailed” for Manchester City as we are all aware, João Cancelo has started all five games in the league so far and his the advantage of being able to play both on the left and right hand sides of the defence. His xG is 0.82 and xA is 0.86 so, even if the very short-term prospects could be dicey against Chelsea and Liverpool (both away), the medium and longer-term prospects of Cancelo continue to look great.

Meltens

It’s boring but can you ignore a player who has averaged 6.8 points per game and is £1.5m cheaper than Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.6m)? Ruben Dias faces tough opposition in Chelsea and Liverpool in the next two fixtures but Burnley in Gameweek 8 at home makes up for this, especially with the fixtures becoming much greener thereafter. Plus. with the likes of Dias and the City defence, the fixtures are less important because of the solidity of their backline.

Mini League Mate
Sarr underlines differential potential as Chelsea earn another clean sheet 9

It is starting to reach the point where we are just overthinking it when it comes to Marcus Alonso (£5.8m) this season. He has always had the potential to reach Trent Alexander-Arnold levels of returns but the game-time was the worry. Now he has started every match this season, produced four clean sheets, a goal and an assist in just five games and quite frankly, he was unlucky not to come out with 20 points against Spurs rather than 10. He plays for the best defence in Europe and the fixtures turn green starting from Gameweek 7. Sure, there can be the odd benching every now and then but if you have decent squad depth to cover this, the upside of owning him is too good to pass.

Fantasy Chat

Marcus Alonso. Answer me, why not? Without using the word rotation. Every man and his dog is aware of the lovely run of fixtures coming up for Chelsea from Gameweeks 7 to 12 – couple that with their defensive strength with four clean sheets already and the much-fabled swashbuckling ways of the Spaniard and you are onto a winner. He has created 12 chances already and appears to think he is a striker with nine shots, six of those in the box, so there are some potentially huge hauls coming his way. I am sure he will miss the odd game but there are enough cheap options this year to cover his absences and the upside is too good to ignore.

Greyhead
Mendy injury latest as Chelsea defence impresses again 1

Antonio Rüdiger (£5.5m) has started all five of Chelsea’s league games so far, recording a clean sheet in four of them besides scoring a goal. From Gameweeks 7 to 11, they have five easy games which bodes well for the London side’s tight defence while their Gameweek 6 opponents Manchester City can also be contained, which Southampton showed last weekend. For anyone using a Wildcard, the German is a ‘must have’ while people not taking a wildcard now should also aim to cash in on Chelsea’s excellent run of fixtures and transfer him in before Gameweek 7. 

FPL Poet

Over £5.0m, we’re looking at Chelsea assets for their fixtures from Gameweek 7 onwards. The challenge is choosing the Chelsea defender that won’t be benched! With that in mind Antonio Rudiger looks the best bet, especially if you have a playing bench option. Chelsea don’t tend to bring on centre-backs as subs, so if Rudiger is benched, there’s a strong chance he won’t come on and your bench option can fill in. 

FPL Experiment Podcast
Salah on target as Liverpool assets prosper at Leeds 1

Trent Alexander-Arnold has delivered every season and has continued to do so this time, despite missing Gameweek 5 with an illness. The Liverpool right-back ranks highly in almost every creativity metric, including expected assists and successful crosses. When he returns, he will contribute significantly and is an absolute season-keeper. He is one of the first names on my squad at any given time of the season.

FF Titan

Sam FPLFamily <p>Fantasy Football Scout's General Manager. Half of the FPLFamily. Pundit on the FPL Pod, Fantasy Show and Sky Sports News&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

344 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ct mariner
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Play Coufal or Duffy - have Sanchez in goal

    1. Lemongrab
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Coufal

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Coufal

  2. Redranger
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Which one?

    A) Ayling > Duffy
    B) Raph > Sarr

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Keep Raphinha

    2. Lemongrab
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A out of those

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

  3. smix
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    The best move ?
    A. Forres to Gray (-4)
    B. Toney to Saint Maximan (-4)
    C. Hold

    1. Evla5000
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      C

  4. HD7
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    A) Save and just play Marcal
    B) Raph to Benrahma
    C) Raph to Gallagher

    Ramsdale
    Trent James Dias Livra
    Salah Raph* Gray Sarr
    Ronaldo Lukaku

    Steele Marcal Sissoko Scarlett

    1. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

  5. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Hey guys, how nailed on is Duffy long term? Does Webster take his place when he returns?

    Cheers

  6. Lemongrab
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Christensen or Semedo? Christensen is likely to tick over with 6 points most weeks, Semedo could go either way has he got some hauls in him? But might end up with 2pts each week. Really can't decide!

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I went with Christensen, also got Coady tocover any Wolves cs's . Semedo attacking returns yet to materialize

    2. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I need more evidence to be confident Christenen is first choice still.

      1. Lemongrab
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        He's played 4/5 league games. I think he will miss the odd one but I can accept that.

    3. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Semedo is one of the worst footballers in the league. Wouldn't get either tbh.

  7. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    What to do with this team?

    Sánchez, Foster
    Alexander-Arnold, Shaw, Marcal, White, Ayling
    Salah, Jota, Greenwood, Benrahma, Gilmour
    Ronaldo, Antonio, Saint-Maximin

    one free transfers and 0.3 in the bank.

    Thank you!

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Save FT

    2. Evla5000
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Just need to Decide if you start Marcal or White... Marcal for me

  8. Evla5000
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    A: Ayling > Livra (Orignial plan)
    B: Raph > Sarr (Save FT)
    C: Raph / Toney > Sarr / Dennis (leaves 1.4 ITB for Ayling to Chelsea def next week)
    D: Any other Ideas

    Guess it depends on who will sore more Dennis or Toney. I like the idea of saving transfers with Covid and injuries more of a concern.

    Sanchez
    TAA / Shaw / White
    Grealish / Salah / Jota / Raph
    Toney / Ronny / Antonio

    Steele / Gilmour / Ayling / Goode

  9. BigBarn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Evening, all.

    Does anybody know which Watford forward (out of King and Dennis) is likely to start most games in the medium-to-long term, especially with Pedro on his way back? I've done a bit of digging and it seems like Pedro and Dennis are more similar in what they offer, suggesting that King might be a touch more nailed? I'll admit I'm not really that clued-up on the Hornets front-line ...

  10. Admiral Benson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Who to transfer in for this week only:

    A) Sarr
    B) Gray

    Thanks all

    1. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

      Without DCL, Richa don't think EVE looks like scoring many..

    2. nolard
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      sarr

  11. Erez Avni
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    I know Sar is trending but between him and Benrahma, who’s the best option for this GW?

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Sarr

    2. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Ben

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      For just this GW, Sarr. I am assuming you have Tonio.

    4. FPLMACKEM
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      It's a close call. Both playing poor defences and in form.

    5. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Benrahma is a much better player

  12. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Which 5 defenders out of these would you choose regardless of price?

    A) TAA
    B) Cancelo
    C) Alonso
    D) James
    E) Rudiger
    F) Semedo
    G) White
    H) Livramento

    1. Admiral Benson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A,B,C,E and Dias

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Lol I have the other 4 (and TAA). Ergo, the above answer is correct.

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

      Abcde

    3. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      ABCEF

    4. fc_skrald
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      My plan is get Cancelo to join Alonso and TAA from gw8. Not the anwser for your question but my last two will be Duffy and antother cheap one (Tsimikas maytbe)

  13. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Which one do you prefer for the wildcard?

    A) Antonio + Manquillo
    B) Benrahma + Christensen (or any defender up to 5.4m)

    1. FPLMACKEM
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A Antonio is essential atm

  14. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Good evening all!!! Just got in from work, has there been any rumblings about the amount of time Bamford shall be out for??? Wondering whether to transfer him our or just play White and have 2 frees for next week, cheers!!

  15. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Best captain?

    A CR7
    B Salah
    C Antonio

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. Admiral Benson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

  16. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Sanchez
    TAA, Shaw, Semedo
    Salah, Greenwood, Benrahma, Barnes,
    Toney, CR7 (c)

    Steele, Amartey, Tsimikas, Gilmour

    1FT £1.1M itb

    My initial thoughts are to bank the transfer this week.

    Would you do anything with this?

  17. nolard
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Am I ready?

    Sanchez
    Trent, Dias, Shaw,
    Jota. Salah, Raphinia, Greenwood
    Vardy (c), Antonio

    Steele, Livra, Brownhill, fodder

    Will probably WC in week 8.
    Thinking about Jota to Sarr for free,

    1. nolard
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      And Dunk, at the back.

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

      Looks good to me.

      1. nolard
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks!

        Not tempted to use that one FT?

        1. FPLMACKEM
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          No I'd roll it.

          1. nolard
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Ta!

    3. luk46
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Greenwood > Sarr much better imo

      1. nolard
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Even if I wildcard in week 8?

    4. Admiral Benson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I’d roll FT there

      1. nolard
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks!
        What about the captain? It is a tough choice - close between Antonio and Vardy for me, and then there is Salah who has scored a lot.

  18. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    "Lots of potential", also known as "utter garbage".

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah, Joe Allen never became the Welsh Pirlo.

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I disagree, Wales shouldnt expect bettrt

  19. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Reguilon to Pereira?

  20. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    PANTS DOWN!!!

    Good luck all!

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Ban

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Oh no thought there was a game tonight!

  21. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Head and heart, Salah and Antonio …. Feel this is a great opportunity for a Antonio captain moment … but I’m also a great big wimp …. He who dares moment, or slow and steady?

  22. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Salah or Ronaldo cap?

    1. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Between them.. Ronaldo is popular pick

  23. Bart82
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Forres, Jota, Archer ---> Sarr, Gray, Antonio worth -8?
    other mf and f - Sallah, Benrahma, Gilmour, CR7, Lukaku

    1. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      No

  24. Amartey Partey
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Is Raphinha limping in this video?

    https://twitter.com/rugbyleaguelady/status/1441451584576233475

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Looks like his leg is about to fall off

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Just needs super glue to hold it tomorrow for 60 mins.

  25. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Am I only one keeping and benching Bamford?
    Im one of those who did DCL -> Bamford earlier so might affect... 😀

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Think I might, for all we know he starts next week against Watford, if not I will take him out next week.

    2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I’m keeping and benching at the moment to have 2 frees next week, will just start White this week and hope for the best, having 2 frees next week might be more helpful

  26. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Raphinha and Ayling with squad

    1. N00B
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Link?

      1. Garfield1001
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        See above

    2. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Starting Raph. Not worth a hit imo.

  27. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Dias Coufal
    Salah Greenwood Gray Grealish
    Ron(C) Toney

    Foster | Livramento, Gilmour, Obafemi

    1FT, 2m ITB. Bank it or change something?

  28. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Is it better going for Kovacic then 2 Chelsea defenders?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Depends if you like points

  29. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    I’ll be doing Jimenez to Pukki as part of a bigger transfer plan. Would you do it this week or next? It’ll be a free transfer.

    Basically, would you want Pukki away at Everton or Jimenez away at Southampton?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Jimmy at Sou

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Do it next week

    3. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks guys.

  30. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Will get any early lineups tomorrow?

    With James, Torres & Greenwood could be vital!

    1. Burger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Sold Torres this week, couldn't endure a second more pep roulette pain. I'm sleeping better this week now for it.

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        The roulette ruins it for me

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Who are your 3 bench players?

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Livra, Sissoko, Bamford

        1. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Maybe sell Torres with a FT

          1. g40steve
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Possibly,
            Benny
            Zaha,
            Ode
            The crowd are going Sarr, Gallagher or Kova