Fantasy premier league GW19 best defenders and defences

Here’s my view for the fantasy premier league GW19 best defenders and defences.  I’ve used a number of stats, actual and underlying.   I’ve kept with the blended home and away version rather than splitting them out.   I’ve also added the premium attacking defender and the value defender and also given you the value of the player as at Sunday

fantasy premier league GW19 best defenders and defences 

I’ve provided the information in a very simple table form with a few general notes on the table and an attempted explanation for any surprises.  I’ve tried to sacrifice some value and attacking where there isn’t a decent amount of gametime security.  Obviously in the top 4 challenging teams the squad sizes and the number of games sees that rotation can be a risk so it’s impossible to be 100% especially around Xmas.    I’ve also added my fixture ease ranking as a proxy for defensive fixtures although it is intended as an attacking fixture check.  The first number is the ranking ease of the next 6 fixtures and the 2nd number is the next 3.  It’s also important read the notes on each club below as they include the clean sheets in the last 6 games.  The stats are over the season but I’ve now also taken into account more recent form going back 10 games or so.  In the narrative I’ve tried to deal with recent form and injury issues which will help you make an adjustment on the overall ranking

Notes

Arsenal – The no Coquelin no defensive resolve theory getting more and more mileage.  Its 1 clean sheet in the 5 games without Coquelin and 1 in the last 6.  Terrible defensive performance against Southampton could see changes with Mertesacker particularly in the firing line.  However in perspective with any defensive stats they are there or thereabouts as the best team

Spurs – 2 consecutive clean sheets makes it 3 in the last 6.  Value at full back although more rotation risk.  Davies has started the last 2 but far more needed before it can be thought he’s secure

Man Utd – Another horrible defensive performance against Stoke to add to the Norwich game.  Again though stats wise they still measure up against most defences.  Jones has some cheap potential given he can play CB or RB.    1 clean sheet in the last 6 and 6 goals conceded in the last 3 games.

Liverpool – No Skrtel no problem as a long awaited clean sheet finally arrived against Leicester.  2 clean sheets in the last 6.

Stoke – Great cheap pick in Wollscheid at £4.5m. The £5.1m GK Butland is a great GK option.  Unreal 4 clean sheets in the last 6.

Watford  – 3 clean sheets in the last 6.  Great value defence.

C Palace – GKs Hennessey and McCarthy are a great cheap double up.    Dann at  CB is a great attacking option.  2 clean sheets in the last 6

Man City – Another false Kompany dawn and the hope that the defence would improve with him back is delayed againas his calf injury comes back to haunt him after 9 minutes on the pitch against Sunderland.  With him 7 from 8 games have seen clean sheets.  11 games without him have seen none and they’ve conceded 4 goals twice.  The team who’s defensive rank has suffered the most with the recent form adjustment.  N0 clean sheets in the last 6

Southampton – A fantastic defensive performance at last.  Goal of the season contender Martina at RB and £4.1m is great value if he can hold his place over the injured Cedric and part time RB Yoshida.   1 clean sheet in the last 6.

Chelsea –   The Watford match didn’t show a miraculous return to defensive solidity  2 clean sheets in the last 6.

Leicester – Not a strong defensive team but Simpson is probably the most nailed on £4.0m ish defender.   2 clean sheets in the last 6

WBA – Not performing at all at the moment. The test for £4.3m Olsson will come when Yacob is back which will be in the next gameweek or 2.   0 clean sheets in the last 6

Swansea – 2 consecutive clean sheets and Rangel is starting to show some selection certainty at £4.1m although a new manager could very well change that.  2 clean sheets in the last 6

Everton – Not performing defensively and Jagielka injured certainly isn’t helping.  2 clean sheets in the last 6.

Bournemouth – £4.0m cheapie Smith has had some gametime and started the last 4.   Captain and CB Elphick will be back in a few weeks which could see Francis move to RB and Smith ousted.  2 clean sheet in the last 6

Newcastle –  GK Elliot offers a £4.0m GK option.  LB Dummett at £4.3m also offers some savings having started the last 10. 1 clean sheet in the last 6.

A Villa – Richards injured doesn’t help the lack of defensive resolve.  Hutton though seems a good FPL bench warming prospect.  0 clean sheet in the last 6.

West Ham – A recent very defensive approach due to attacking injuries has seen 3 clean sheets in the last 6.   Tomkins and Cresswell are injury doubts for GW19.  Reid injured is also not helpful.

Sunderland – Another terrible defensive performance against City as even Big Sam seemingly can’t help them.  2 clean sheets in the last 6 although 11 goals conceded in the last 4 games.

Norwich – The Spurs game was a return to the bad old days of the season after some bus parking had stemmed the goal flow.  0 clean sheets in the last 6.   £3.9m GK Rudd started his 4th consecutive game
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