This is the first of what will hopefully be regular posts on Fantasy Premier League. I’ll look at specific player tips, general strategies, and week by week advice using the data to maximise your points.
The defence is often a neglected area for FPL players. Of the players who scored the most points in 2016/17 in FPL, defenders accounted for 9 of the top 50, so it’s understandable that most would rather pack their teams with expensive attacking options. Picking cheap defenders who can perform well in terms of points is key to being able to maximise you can spend a greater amount on your attack.
As you can see in the chart below, at cheaper price points there is a lot of value to be had. Whilst the most expensive defenders understandably accumulate the most points on average, there are some bargains for under £5m who are performing as well, on average, as players who cost £1m more.
Option 1: Ben Mee: £4.5m, 45 points
Burnley have been on a great run, keeping 5 clean sheets in their 11 games so far this season. There’s some uncertainty over whether manager Sean Dyche will remain in charge following interest from Everton, but their schedule looks very kind over the next few weeks (see right- would you bet on Arsenal to win at Turf Moor?). Ben Mee is a great budget choice at £4.5m, and has also managed 9 shots so far this season- of all centre backs, only Nicolas Otamendi and Scott Dann have had more. Mee will continue to be a threat at set pieces and no doubt will rack up more clean sheets.
Option 2: Kiko Femenia: £4.5m, 34 points
A summer signing from Alaves, Femenia has become Marco Silva’s first choice at right back in recent weeks. Whilst defensively Watford haven’t been great recently, conceding 3 at Everton in the last gameweek, their run of fixtures through December looks more kind, with home fixtures against Huddersfield, Swansea, and Leicester.
Option 3: Alberto Moreno: £4.5m, 29 points
Moreno is definitely not known for being defensively solid, but since Gameweek 6 he has been a starter for Liverpool, who will probably finish in the top 6. They’ll accumulate clean sheets throughout the season with Moreno in the line-up, so he’s worth it as a rotation option.
These are just three examples- there are a whole host of defenders under £5m who can be valuable additions to your squad.
Thanks for reading!