fantasy premier league – “ones to watch” GKs/Defs GW16

Before I start here is the ratings are from my recent article linked here:  http://www.fantasyfootballgeek.co.uk/fantasy-premier-league-rating-defs-ha/

Best fantasy premier league defences

1.  Everton

Overall defensive rankings:  Home defence 12/40   Away defence 10/40   Clean sheets:  8

Most of the time it was an excellent defensive performance against Arsenal which elevated their defensive status in my mind.  More clean sheets than any other team with 8.  Great run of fixtures with potentially 6 clean sheets available in the next 6.

Jagielka is my top choice here at £5.9m.  No real attacking potential but an incredible 18 bonus points.  Distin is the budget option at £5.2m.  There’s still some residual gametime risk with Alcaraz fit but I think he’s proven enough to hold.    Coleman is the attacking option who plays as a winger virtually.  2 goals and an assist plus 9 bonus points.  GK Howard is too expensive at £5.7m for me

Next 6 fantasy premier league fixtures:

Fulham (H)
Swansea (A)
Sunderland (H)
Southampton (H)
Stoke City (A)
Norwich (H)

2.  Arsenal

Overall defensive rankings:  home defence  5/40   Away defence 7/40    Clean sheets:  6

A reasonably solid defensive performance at home to Everton although not getting protection from the double pivot with Ramsey practically playing as another attacking player.  I ranked them the  number 1 overall defence at the moment in my mind.  3 clean sheets in the last 5 games.  Next 2 games will be difficult to get a clean sheet though.  After that there’s a good chance of 3/4 clean sheets.

Mertesacker is definitely the top option for attacking and bonus points at the moment but far more expensive at £6.0m.  Koscielny and Gibbs are £5.4m .  i would go for Koscielny for the bonus potential.  Sagna is injured with no return date which means  Jenkinson is available short term at £4.1m.  Maybe a gamble worth taking with the January wildcard coming.  The GK Szczesny offers no price advantage at £5.6m

Next 6 fantasy premier league fixtures:

Man City (A)
Chelsea (H)
West Ham (A)
Newcastle (A)
Cardiff City (H)
Aston Villa (A)

3.  Spurs

Overall defensive rankings:  Home defence 15/40   Away defence 6/40  Clean sheets 7

I thought there defensive performance against Sunderland would have been slightly better.  Especially as they are better away than at home.  Had a couple of spectacular wobbles with a beating from City and West Ham but have been very solid to date with 7 clean sheets and 16 goals conceded.  Only Everton have got more clean sheets.  At their best there is a chance for 4 clean sheets in the next 6 fixtures

Walker is definitely my best choice here at £6.1m.  With Eriksen out he’s dominating the set pieces and doesn’t really have a rotation option.  Dawson is the cheaper option at £5.4m.  With Vertonghen injured for a month he should hold his place until the January wildcard before you have to see whether its him or Chiriches who is Vertonghens CB partner.    Chiriches is even cheaper at £5.1m but obviously has the same gametime risk as Dawson

Next 6 fantasy premier league fixtures:

Liverpool (H)
Southampton (A)
West Brom (H)
Stoke City (H)
Man Utd (A)
Crystal Palace (H)

4.  Chelsea

Overall defensive rankings:  Home defence 8/40   Away defence 14/40  Clean sheets:  4

7 goals conceded in 3 games.  6 against 2 of the worst attacking teams in fantasy premier league.  Only 4 clean sheets to date and 17 goals conceded.  I actually thought they were unlucky against Stoke.  The stats weren’t too bad and they lost to a wonder goal and a ridiculous error from Cech.  The underlying stats are why  I’ve still got faith.  Prospect of 4 clean sheets in the next 6 though.  There’s alot of talk about set piece vulnerability but I cant believe with Terry and Ivanovic that it isn’t a fixable issue.  What ever you think don’t sell before a Crystal palace home game.

Terry is my top choice at £6.6m.  He’s 23 points better off than any other option.  He’s the best attacking prospect and a bonus magnet with 13 points already.  Ivanovic is the cheaper option at £6.3m but without the bonus points or attacking prospects.  If you want to take a punt that he can keep the L:B spot ahead of Cole then Azpilicuetais good value at £5.3m. GK Cech at £6.2m is reasonable value in comparison and secure gametime wise although if he keeps playing like he did last week.

Next 6 fantasy premier league fixtures:

Crystal Palace (H)
Arsenal (A)
Swansea (H)
Liverpool (H)
Southampton (A)
Hull City (A)

5.  Man City

Overall defensive rankings:  Home defence 1/40   Away defence 25/40  Clean sheets:  6

A reasonably good defensive performance away at Southampton from a team that is improving attack wise every week.  6 clean sheets and 15 goals conceded is pretty good but there is a distinct home and away difference. Kompany should make a difference now that he’s fit.  I also think there is a good chance that they will improve away from home given some of the underlying stats which is why I’ve included them.  I personally think there is 3/4 clean sheets in the next 6

Kompany is my top choice at what is a bargain price of £6.2m.  He should get plenty of bonus points and has good attacking potential.  Zabaleta has assist potential and is slightly cheaper at £6.1m .  Kolarov is my punt at £5.3m.  He has no gametme security but should play against easier teams when attacking potential is required or as a wing back. GK Pantmilion is a great punt at £5.0m if you think he will continue starting.  Difficult to say at the moment.

Next 6 fantasy premier league fixtures:

Arsenal (H)
Fulham (A)
Liverpool (H)
Crystal Palace (H)
Swansea (A)
Newcastle (A)

Fantasy premier league home rotation defences only

1.  Hull

Overall defensive rankings:  Home defence 2/40

4 clean sheets and only 3 goals conceded.  Steve Bruce is an excellent defensive coach and  did wonders at Wigan.

Next 6 home fixtures could be better with 3 very tricky ones and 3 reasonable one.

 Chester at £3.8m is my top choice.   He started against Swansea in a back 5 which does make the situation a little unclear over gametime but my hunch is he will hold his place.    Davies is the bonus magnet more expensive version at £4.6m .  GK MacGregor is reasonable value at £4.4m.

Next 5 fantasy premier league HOME  fixtures:

Man Utd (H)
Fulham (H)
Chelsea (H)
Tottenham (H)
Southampton (H)

2.  Southampton

Overall defensive rankings:  Home defence 3/40

4 clean sheets and only 6 goals conceded in 8 games.  3 in the Villa game which was a bit of a wobble.  produced an excellent defensive performance against City with injuries to Schneiderlin and Wanyama

Clyne (injured but expected to return this week) is my top choice here at £4.7m.  Lovren and Fonte have more attacking and bonus potential at £5.8m and £5.3m but dont warrant the expenditure in my view

Difficult home games though with only 1 maybe 2 clean sheets in the next 5 home games.   Gazzaniga at £3.9m is good short term value with Boruc out until 11 January and Davis with no return date

Next 6 fantasy premier league HOME  fixtures:

Man City (H)
Tottenham (H)
Chelsea (H)
West Brom (H)
Arsenal (H)
Stoke City (H)

3.  Stoke

Overall defensive rankings:  Home defence 4/40

Despite 2 goals against them defended well on the whole against Chelsea.  4 clean sheets and only 6 goals conceded at home. In contrast to their disastrous away form.  Home games aren’t easy though.  Possibly only 2 clean sheets in next 5.

Cameron at £5.om is my top choice.  Shawcross at £5.4m is the better bonus and attacking option but for me too expensive for home rotation.

Next 6 fantasy premier league HOME  fixtures:
Aston Villa (H)
Everton (H)
Liverpool (H)
Man Utd (H)
Swansea (H)

4.  Crystal Palace

I’m not going  to give the historical stats as this is all about the Pulis effect.  2 clean sheets in consecutive games and a good set of home games coming.  Pulis will make Selhurst park a fortress.

Gabbidon seems the best bonus choice at £4.2m.  Ward is the secure RB at £4.0m but without the bonus potential and is yet to get an attacking return.

Next 6 fantasy premier league HOME  fixtures:
Newcastle (H)
Norwich (H)

Stoke City (H)
Hull City (H)
West Brom (H)
Man Utd (H)

Hope you like the new format

Follow us on twitter @fantasyfoot20 or facebook at www.facebook.com/fantasyfootballgeek.co.uk