It feels like the English Premier League has been away for far too long. Which means that Fantasy Premier League has been away far too long as well. After another international break, the league will return with gameweek 12.
FPL managers have plenty of decisions to make this week as players return from the international break with injuries. Who gets into FantasySports.co.uk’s defenders’ list this week? Here are 5 defenders for gameweek 12.
Cesar Azpilicueta – Chelsea
Games: 11; Clean sheets: 6; Total FPL points: 51
Rising up the FPL defenders’ points chart is Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta. The Spaniard is playing some excellent football right now, and currently ranks third in FPL points for defenders.
Chelsea thrashed Everton last time out with Azpilicueta tallying six points. This week the Blues travel to Middlesbrough before tough matches against Tottenham and Manchester City.
Marcos Alonso – Chelsea
Games: 6; Clean sheets: 5; Total FPL points: 40
Although he got off to a slow start with Chelsea, Marcos Alonso has played the full 90 minutes in their last five matches. Five clean sheets and a goal to his name, Alonso tallied 13 points in Chelsea’s win over Everton. Can he match that against Middlesbrough? If he could get at least half the points, plenty of FPL managers will be happy. The really question is, can he do it against Tottenham and Manchester City?
John Stones – Manchester City
Games: 11; Clean sheets: 1; Total FPL points: 23
Looking for a bargain? Look no further than John Stones. Sure, his price has dropped and so has his form; but with Crystal Palace and Burnley up next, Stones could be a wild card for gameweek 12 and 13.
He has only scored 23 points this term, but the next two matches could make him look like FPL gold and not an FPL bust.
Kyle Walker – Tottenham
Games: 11; Clean sheets: 5; Total FPL points: 53
Currently second in points for all defenders, Kyle Walker has cooled slightly in the last few gameweeks. Spurs take on West Ham in gameweek 12, giving Walker a chance to bounce back. However, Spurs see two out of three difficult fixtures after that as they go away to Chelsea and Manchester United. Things will ease up in mid-December, however. Perhaps that is the best time to get Walker in your side. If you have him now, however, he is worth playing.
Games: 11; Clean sheets 2; Total FPL points: 39
Gareth McAuley isn’t a big name defender, yet he has turned in a few solid gameweeks this term. The Baggies have three favourable matches up next with Burnley, Hull and Watford in back-to-back-to-back weeks.
A bargain at £4.7 million, McAuley is worth a punt over the next three gameweeks if you are looking for a cheap replacement for your injured FPL defenders.
Bonus goalkeeper:
Thibaut Courtois – Chelsea
Games: 11; Clean sheets: 6; Total FPL points: 45
Costing just £5.5m, Thibaut Courtois could be the difference between a win and a loss in gameweek 12. The Chelsea shot-stopper has scored no less than six points per game in his last five matches. All of which were clean sheets.
Chelsea face Middlesbrough on the weekend, a team that is tied for scoring the second fewest goals in the Premier League this term. Expect Chelsea to get their six straight Premier League clean sheet.
Add Comment