According to Fantasy Premier League, Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny continues to lead all defenders in points. The Gunners’ centre-back was in the FantasySports.co.uk top 5 defenders list a week ago. Will he or any other Arsenal defender make this week’s squad?
Let’s look and see.
Cesar Azpilicueta – Chelsea
Games: 8; Clean sheet: 2; Total FPL points: 30
Cesar Azpilicueta was a part of Chelsea’s back three that kept only their second clean sheet of the season on Saturday against Leicester. The Spaniard finished another solid 90 minute shift for Antonio Conte’s Blues.
Azpilicueta had two tackles and completed over 90% of his passes. Not bad.
Sure, Azpilicueta and Chelsea take on Manchester United in gameweek 9, but they will do so at home. With United coming off a bore draw against Liverpool, Chelsea’s defence should be up to the task of handling Manchester United’s attack.
Ahead of gameweek 9, Azpilicueta will cost your Fantasy Premier League side £6 million. Perhaps a bit steep, but he should be a solid addition to your team.
Laurent Koscielny – Arsenal
Games: 7; Goals: 2; Clean sheets: 3; Total FPL points: 43
We at FantasySports.co.uk love Laurent Koscielny in our Fantasy Premier League team. As a matter of fact, the Frenchman has regular featured in our top 5 defenders list.
Arsenal’s defence may not have performed to the same standard we have become use to this season, but Arsene Wenger’s team still got a massive three points in gameweek 8.
Koscielny will cost £6.2m for your fantasy team, however, his form is excellent. He is also piling on the points, and leads all FPL defenders.
Arsenal have Middlesbrough up next at the Emirates. Middlesbrough haven’t won in their last six and are currently third bottom in goals scored this term.
Erik Pieters – Stoke City
Games: 7; Clean sheets: 1; Total FPL points: 15
Erik Pieters is a steal for your Fantasy Premier League team. Pieters may only have 15 points thus far, but Stoke City are finding form for the first time all season.
Undefeated in three games, Stoke travel to Hull for gameweek 9. The Tigers have lost four straight and have looked awful in doing so.
Pieters is a bargain at only £4.4m and would make a perfect addition to your fantasy football team.
Kyle Walker – Tottenham
Games: 8; Assists: 2; Clean sheets: 4; Total FPL points: 42
Just one point behind Koscielny in total points for all defenders, Kyle Walker is in fantastic form for Tottenham. Costing £6m, Walker is the alternative to buying his Arsenal rival.
The defender played all 90 minutes in gameweek 8, and it expect the durable full-back to do it again this week.
Spurs take on Bournemouth on the south coast. Spurs have won all four encounters against the Cherries they have played, which stretches back to 2009. Spurs shouldn’t lose this fixture and Walker should put in another strong shift.
Antonio Valencia – Manchester United
Games: 8; Clean sheets: 3; Total FPL points: 30
Often overlooked by fantasy managers, Antonio Valencia has been solid at full-back for Manchester United all season. The 31-year-old currently costs £5.6m.
Against Liverpool in gameweek 8, he was one of Manchester United’s best player – if not the best. His last ditch tackle on Roberto Firmino may have been the difference between Liverpool winning 1-0 and the two rivals sharing the spoils.
Sure, United will have their hands full against Chelsea, but expect Jose Mourinho to stifle the Blues with tactics. Mourinho showed a new “park the bus” tactic against Liverpool. Expect him to do it again in gameweek 9.
Bonus goalkeeper
Maarten Stekelenburg – Everton
Games: 8; Clean sheets: 2; Total FPL points: 37
It has taken Maarten Stekelenburg several years, but he has final got his career back on track. The Dutch goalkeeper currently sits atop the FPL goalkeeper points chart at 37.
In gameweek 8, Stekelenburg made two tremendous penalty saves. Those saves helped Everton obtain a point against Manchester City.
Next up for the Toffees is Burnley, a team that have scored the fewest goals – along with Sunderland – in the Premier League. Stekelenburg isn’t cheap at £5.1m. However, a clean sheet or a penalty save could mean everything to your Fantasy Premier League team in gameweek 9.
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