The Scout's panel of Fantasy Premier League experts share their thoughts on who to pick at the back in a season where only one defender features among the 15 top-scoring players.
What the FPL experts say
Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily)
I'm happy to own Gabriel (£4.9m), Pedro Porro (£5.3m) and Konstantinos Tsimikas (£4.7m), but I'm likely to sell Matty Cash (£5.1m) this week.
Kieran Trippier (£7.0m) would be the go-to if I had the money, but since I don't, I might have to move for the cheaper Jamaal Lascelles (£4.1m), particularly since every Newcastle United set-piece is now looking for him, and of course he got off the mark for the season in Gameweek 13.
Pranil Sheth (@Lateriser12)
Arsenal have one of the most reliable defences at the moment, with both their centre-backs great options. Alongside them, I quite like Porro's attacking threat despite Tottenham Hotspur being short of their first-choice centre-backs. Newcastle's fixtures also look enticing, and at the moment Fabian Schar (£5.2m) is a good pick if you don't have the budget for Tripper.
Utkarsh Dalmia (@ZopharFPL)
Arsenal are definitely the top defence to target, but after the next two against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Luton Town, their fixtures toughen up as they face Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool. Defenders taking set-pieces are always gold and Porro has caught the eye over the last two matches. He's taking all set-plays and playing a lot more advanced.
Nick Harris (@WGTA_Nick)
I have William Saliba (£5.5m), Cash, Tsimikas, Destiny Udogie (£4.8m) and Charlie Taylor (£4.0m) currently in defence. Clean sheets have been hard to come by for most clubs, but Arsenal have looked the most resolute at the back.
I subsequently have been considering a double-up and have been looking at Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.1m) as an option. Brentford and the likes of Ethan Pinnock (£4.6m) may be another team to target due to a good run of fixtures, though it is worth noting they have a Blank Gameweek 18.
Gianni Buttice (@GianniButtice)
Tsimikas looks a standout pick for the immediate run of matches. I own him alongside Gabriel and Cash and my loose plan was to buy Reece James (£5.4m) by Gameweek 16, using the funds from a Cash sale.
An Arsenal double-up is also on my mind and there's a strong argument to invest heavily on them in defence even if they don't come with the same upside as James.
See: How to invest in Arsenal's rearguard in Fantasy
Pras (@Pras_FPL)
Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle have, for more than a season, been the three best defences in the league. With an upcoming blank for Man City and tough fixtures for Newcastle, it is natural to look at an Arsenal double-up in defence. In terms of other teams, Porro for attacking threat and a Chelsea defender, for their kind fixtures from Gameweek 16, appeal the most.
Harry Daniels (@FPL_Harry)
Arsenal look great, with stats showing they're expected to concede a goal every 127 minutes. I plan on adding Newcastle, Spurs and maybe Chelsea defenders for their upcoming fixtures.
Mark McGettigan (@FPLGeneral)
My current starting defenders are Cash, Gabriel and Tsimikas. The plan is to sell Cash in Gameweek 15 for Saliba or Porro. I'm hoping that Tsimikas continues to start with Liverpool's favourable run of fixtures.
Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily)
Cash has likely played his last match in my FPL team after he was substituted at half-time against Spurs last Sunday and produced zero points. I currently have Saliba, Marc Guehi (£4.7m), Tsimikas and Taylor as my defenders. The double-up on Arsenal with Zinchenko is appealing, as is Porro, but maybe after Spurs' trip to Man City.
I am also watching Luke Shaw's (£5.2m) return from injury. After three back-to-back clean sheets for Manchester United, I might look to invest in him ahead of Gameweek 15.
View all the latest FPL tips ahead of Gameweek 14 in Fantasy Premier League
