Another weekend over means another FPL weekend is over and with an average of just 35 points per team, it does mean many managers had a horrible time. Things are about to get even worse for some especially since Gameweek 29 has only four games. That means a dozen teams don’t play including big-hitters like Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City…..and Chelsea.
It hands FPL managers yet another headache to deal with but for those who have saved their free-hit card, congratulations because this is the perfect moment to use it. For those who don’t have a free-hit card, they’ve got only two options; take the points hit or simply write off this gameweek. Either way, make sure you have at least one of these defenders among the Best Defenders to Pick in FPL because they might help your cause.
Pedro Porro (£5.7m)
Hands down the most must-have pick for GW29, Pedro Porro is among the best defenders in FPL. He plays for Tottenham and has played practically every minute this term. That’s barring two games (GW 25 and GW 27) where he was rested/dropped by Ange Postegcoglu. But despite that, the wing-back has already been transferred into just under 100,000 teams, making him the second most transferred player at the time of writing.
Only Heung-Min Son has been brought in, this round, by more managers. Cristian Romero is a few places below Porro but the full-back offers far more offense points than Romero. That’s because Porro is the 8th highest-scoring defender so far and while he does have a hefty price tag, it might be worth the transfer for GW 29 and beyond especially since Spurs have a nice run of four games before their toughest run of the season with games against the top three and Newcastle United.
Also Read: Predicted Lineups, Injury Updates, Team News for FPL Gameweek 28
Matty Cash (£4.6m)
Arguably Aston Villa’s most consistent player not named Ollie Watkins, Matty Cash hasn’t quite hit the run of form that made him FPL famous a few years ago. However, despite that, the defender has still been Unai Emery’s go to man and has started every game when fit. On the flip side, both Alex Moreno and Lucas Digne are rotated while Cash has often been used higher up the field as well.
It has meant that offensively, the Polish international has the best xG per 90 (0.2) and xA per 90 (0.14) of any Villa defender. Add that to Villa’s excellent defensive record and the fact that West Ham have struggled to score goals this term, and it turns into an interesting mixture.
Sergio Reguilon (£4.4m)
The Brentford defender did miss his last game through an injury but Bees’ boss Thomas Frank confirmed that the Spaniard’s knock was a minor injury and that he will be back. That is great news for FPL bosses as Reguilon is a cheap and excellent option as a defender especially given the London side’s fixtures over the next few weeks. The fact that they face Burnley during GW 29 is one thing but their biggest opponents from now until the end of the season are Manchester United and Aston Villa.
The remainder are all mid-table or sides battling against relegation which is well within Brentford’s reach and it only adds to the potential of points. Add to that the fact that Reguilon has posted encouraging numbers for a defender, it only sweetens the pot even more. The former Sevilla star has an FPL goal involvement of 43% plus has a shot on goal every 69.7 minutes. But while his chance creation has been on the lower side, it shouldn’t deter any manager looking for a cheaper option.
Alfie Doughty (£4.7m)
While DW 28 is not yet over at the time of writing, it doesn’t mean that Alfie Doughty’s value reduces any further. The defender is Luton Town’s second most creative player (0.2 xA per 90 with 2.45 key passes per 90) and given his price tag, he remains his side’s best defensive asset. Combine that with the fact that he already has six assists to his name and it makes him one of the best options for an FPL manager come blank GW 29.
He is, however, a risky long-term option as Luton faces Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City and a few other tough sides before the end of the season. While they are fixtures that could make or break the team’s season, they also happen to be fixtures where Luton Town could get beaten badly.
Charlie Taylor (£4.0m)
The craziest option on the list but what’s FPL without a little risk, right? So for those managers looking to make a mark, looking for the insane differential option then pick Charlie Taylor. There may be other options but as a defender, few consistent players will be as cheap as Taylor and few would have started nearly every game this season when fit. However, Burnley have conceded the second-most number of goals this season and have managed just one clean sheet at Turf Moor all term.
Yet the bright point in all that is the fact that their defence, as per the facts and figures, should be even worse as the Clarets should have conceded at least 12 more goals. Even then, for those on a free-hit, looking for a proper differential pick to give them an edge, and just happen to be brave enough, then look no further than Charlie Taylor. Who knows? Maybe they’ll prove the stats wrong..