The Scout assesses the best goalkeepers and defenders for managers to consider in Double Gameweek 34 of Fantasy Premier League.
Sides with two fixtures
| Team | DGW34 |
|---|---|
| Brighton | WOL (H), MUN (H) |
| Fulham | MCI (H), LIV (A) |
| Liverpool | TOT (H), FUL (H) |
| Man City | FUL (A), WHU (H) |
| Man Utd | AVL (H), BHA (A) |
| West Ham | CRY (A), MCI (A) |
Goalkeepers
Ederson (MCI) £5.4m
Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy lifts the appeal of Manchester City’s No 1 as their go-to pick at the back against Fulham and West Ham United.
TV Info
Ederson has started all 31 of his side’s matches this season, at least 12 more than any defensive team-mate.
As a result, his total of 107 points is at least 26 more than any Man City defender.
With two Double Gameweeks in the final five rounds of matches, combined with Man City’s progress in Europe, Ederson seems the safest route into their rearguard for the run-in.
*Statistics prior to MW33 fixture
Alisson (LIV) £5.4m
Back-to-back home matches with Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham give Liverpool’s Brazilian the chance to extend his strong Anfield form.
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Alisson is the second top-scoring ‘keeper in home matches this season, claiming 80 points at an average of 5.3 points per appearance.
While the in-form Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) is the standout pick at the back for the Reds, Alisson’s relatively cheap cost can reward those willing to double-up on Jurgen Klopp’s regulars.
*Statistics prior to MW33 fixture
Jason Steele (BHA) £3.9m
Similarly to Liverpool, Brighton & Hove Albion also have two home matches in DGW34, hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United.
The Seagulls have been far more reliable in defence at Amex Stadium this season.
Ahead of their Gameweek 33 trip to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, they have kept seven of their nine clean sheets in home matches.
Priced at a mere £3.9m and with eight fixtures to come in the final five Gameweeks, Steele can prove outstanding value if he continues ahead of Robert Sanchez (£4.5m) as Brighton’s No 1.
*Statistics prior to MW33 fixture
Defenders
Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV) £7.5m
A move into central midfield has transformed the Liverpool star’s output in Fantasy.
Alexander-Arnold has supplied five of his eight assists in the last four matches, amassing 24 points.
His 10 key passes rank top for Liverpool in that run, placing second only to the 11 of Kieran Trippier (£6.2m) in defence.
Notably, though, five of those were big chances created, more than any other player in Fantasy over Gameweeks 30-32.
*Statistics prior to MW33 fixture
Andrew Robertson (LIV) £6.8m
Although the Scot has been overshadowed by Alexander-Arnold since Jurgen Klopp’s tactical tweak, his weekend display against Nottingham Forest shows why he should not be overlooked.
Robertson created a team-high five chances and mirrored Alexander-Arnold’s assist in the 3-2 victory.
A beautifully executed volley from @DiogoJota18 👌 pic.twitter.com/iA0pWKfUM4
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 22, 2023
Notably, Liverpool are more reliable in defence at home, keeping seven of their 11 clean sheets at Anfield.
Combined with his creative potential, Robertson’s potential for huge hauls makes him a tempting pick alongside Alexander-Arnold at home to Spurs and Fulham.
*Statistics prior to MW33 fixture
John Stones (MCI) £5.5m
Man City’s centre-back is another player to be moved into central midfield recently.
Stones has immediately shown his attacking potential, with an assist against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League and goal against Leicester City in his last three appearances across all competitions.
Pick that one out! 🤯
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 15, 2023
What a way to open the score, John Stones! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/LvbJ1RpNce
The downside with Stones is he has only lasted past the 60-minute mark in two of his side’s last four league matches due to Guardiola’s substitutions.
Nonetheless, with Man City’s most rotation-proof defender Ruben Dias (£6.0m) failing to produce any attacking returns this season, Stones’ advanced role gives him the edge as their likeliest source of a big haul from the back.
*Statistics prior to MW33 fixture
Pervis Estupinan (BHA) £4.8m
Five assists and seven clean sheets in 32 Gameweeks underline the Ecuadorian’s appeal at both ends of the pitch.
Estupinan and Seagulls centre-back Lewis Dunk (£4.8m) are near-identical for points per match, with 3.4ppm and 3.2ppm respectively.
TV Info
However, the underlying numbers show the former’s huge influence on his side’s attack.
Estupinan’s total of 36 chances created rank third for Brighton this season and is at least 28 more than any other member of their back four.
Dunk could also be worth considering due to his goal threat.
His 18 shots in the box place eighth among defenders and is twice the total of Estupinan’s nine.
*Statistics prior to MW33 fixture
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (MUN) £4.3m
Although Luke Shaw (£5.1m) is typically the go-to Man Utd defender in Fantasy, his attacking potential has been dented by a recent switch to centre-back.
With both Raphael Varane (£4.8m) and Lisandro Martinez (£4.5m) sidelined through injury, Shaw’s move into the middle makes Wan-Bissaka a more appealing pick on the right of their back four.
The latter has certainly boasted the greater goal threat recently.
TV Info
He has bettered Shaw by five shots to two in the last four matches and by four shots in the box to one.
Costing a mere £4.3m, Wan-Bissaka can be a major source of value against Aston Villa and Brighton.
*Statistics prior to MW33 fixture
Also in this series
Part 2: Best midfielders and forwards for Double Gameweek 34