Gather round, folks – it’s our goalkeeping and defensive Fantasy Football tips for Gameweek 14!
Our Fantasy Football tips may not be dead certs – after all, only Mystic Megson knows what the scores will be – but, as educated guesses go, they’re as educated as they are guessed.
We also ought to point out that our Fantasy Football tips are based on the official Premier League version of the game, although the principles should apply more or less across the board.
Oh aye, and you should check out our midfield and striker Fantasy Football Tips for Gameweek 14 too.
Now, let’s do this thing…
Fantasy Football Tips, Gameweek 14 – Goalkeeper and Defence
You may see Everton’s Tim Howard leading the way in the goalkeepers category in terms of points, and his teammates Seamus Coleman, Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines claiming three of the top four defenders’ spots.
Well, the Toffees’ next two games are away to Manchester United and Arsenal, so you might want to give them a virtual rest.
Baines is out injured, so he shouldn’t be in your team anyway. Shame his goal-scoring replacement Bryan Oviedo is listed as a midfielder.
Gameweek 14’s likeliest looking clean sheet is Arsenal, who welcome Hull City to the Emirates.
The Gunners have conceded only a Robin van Persie goal in their last five games, so goalie Wojciech Szczęsny looks good value at £5.5m.
Per Mertesacker’s added goal threat makes him eminently puntworthy at £5.8m, while starting full backs Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs are snips at £5.4m apiece.
Best value of all, though, is Mertesacker’s centre back partner Laurent Koscielny at just £5.3m – his form is such that he’s keeping the £5.5m-rated Thomas Vermaelen out of the side.
It’s been a few weeks since Southampton’s last clean sheet, but then they’ve had a tough run of fixtures.
On Wednesday night they play at home to an Aston Villa side for whom Christian Benteke is woefully out of form, so it could be a good time to work your Saints back in.
Tottenham Hotspur are another to have lost their defensive mojo somewhat of late, but their trip to misfiring Fulham represents a great opportunity to shore things up again.
Michael Dawson is nice and affordable at £5.4, although Vlad Chiriches’s recent run of games makes him a potential steal at £5.1m.
Liverpool may have conceded six in their last two games but they’re strong at home, where they shall be to play Norwich City on Wednesday night.
Relying on them for a clean sheet is a gamble so we’ll leave that one in your hands.
Bringing in cheap defenders on a short-term basis can pay dividends, as long as you’ve a transfer to spare.
We’ve got our eye on Crystal Palace v West Ham United as a likely 0-0, so take your pick from the array of bargains on offer there.
For our money, the Hammers’ James Collins at £4.3m and the Eagles’ Danny Gabbidon at £4m could be wise moves, even if just for Gameweek 14.
Stoke City v Cardiff City is similarly unlikely to be a thriller, so you might want to factor them into your thinking too.
Be warned, though, Stoke defenders remain disproportionately pricey, presumably due to their run of clean sheets in the first half of last season.
Goals for John Terry and Gary Cahill against Southampton reminded us what a threat Chelsea’s defenders can be at set pieces, especially with delivery from Juan Mata.
Branislav Ivanovic is another who presents a danger, but like Terry he’ll cost you north of £6m. At £5.8m, Cahill might prove to be the best punt of the three.
Chelsea have struggled to keep clean sheets, though, and you can’t very well rely on defenders to score. So, you know, keep that in mind.
In case you’re wondering, we reckon Manchester City will concede at least once away to West Bromwich Albion. They’re not the same team on the road.
NOW: check out our midfield and striker Fantasy Football Tips for Gameweek 14