Best FPL defenders for the next five Gameweeks

As the November international break allows FPL managers to relax, unwind and – eventually – plan for the future, here is a collection of the best defenders between Gameweeks 13 and 17.

We’ve already looked at the stand-out goalkeepers.

BEST FPL DEFENDERS

Kieran Trippier (£7.0m)

Newcastle’s shock defeat at Bournemouth perhaps wasn’t that unexpected. Decimated by injuries, the remaining patched-up XI looks absolutely exhausted – it’s hard to find a team more thankful for this two-week break.

So let’s put Gameweek 12 down as an off-day and remember that the Magpies had three clean sheets from the previous five outings. No team has conceded fewer big chances (10) and premium defender Trippier is still justifying his price tag.

A bonus points magnet, he’s still the top-scoring FPL defender thanks to six assists from a league-high 33 chances created. Home games with Chelsea and Man United won’t intimidate Eddie Howe’s side. The last four St James’ Park opponents haven’t scored and last season’s equivalent meetings both ended up with clean sheet victories.

William Saliba (£5.4m)

Unlike Trippier, the selection of Saliba is good timing after his weekend goal versus Burnley. It puts him third amongst defenders with Wolves (h) and Luton (a) nearby.

At a time when Gabriel gets rotated and Ben White is hurt, Saliba has played all 1,080 league minutes for a team that has conceded the least goals (10) and shots on target (27).

After Newcastle, they’ve allowed the fewest big chances (14), whilst behind only Man City when preventing attempts (101).

Tyrick Mitchell (£4.6m)

Joining both Arsenal and Newcastle on five clean sheets is Crystal Palace, the team that’s conceded the fourth-fewest shots on target (44).

Left-back Mitchell netted in Gameweek 11. With Luton (a) and Bournemouth (h) within their next three matches, covering such a strong defence is advised.

James Tarkowski (£4.4m)

Over one million FPL managers were left fuming at Jordan Pickford’s inability to pick up points during Everton’s generous early schedule.

However, once the first clean sheet arrived in Gameweek 8, another one soon followed. If not for a late own goal in Gameweek 11, it would’ve been three shut-outs from four for the Toffees.

Generally better in recent times, Everton have actually conceded the third-fewest shots on target (43). In Tarkowski, they have a centre-back who has already scored in the league and EFL Cup. His 29 touches inside the penalty are the most of all non-Aston Villa defenders.

Nayef Aguerd (£4.5m)

Finally, someone who joins Tarkowski on seven headed chances – joint-second in defence. Yet it’s a reluctant pick of West Ham’s back line, as they’ve allowed the third-most shots (200) over the campaign, conceding 12 goals during the most recent five outings.

At least with Aguerd, you get an attacking threat on the end of James Ward-Prowse’s set-pieces who is about to go against Burnley (a), Crystal Palace (h), Fulham (a) and Wolves (h).