As the international break currently dominates the short-term football calendar, we’re already looking forward to Gameweek 13 and are highlighting those defenders who may wind up being profitable Fantasy Premier League assets.
Having kept four clean sheets across their last seven league matches, Crystal Palace defensive assets could prove popular come Gameweek 13. The Eagles travel to Luton and boast the second-highest scoring FPL defender within their ranks in centre-back Joachim Andersen (£5.1m). Another likely to command attention is Tyrick Mitchell (£4.7m), the left-back having recorded a 15-point haul in his last away fixture against another newly promoted side in Burnley.
While Arsenal failed to keep a clean sheet last time out at home to Burnley, that didn’t stop William Saliba (£5.4m) from picking up 9 fantasy points thanks largely to him finding the back of the net. The Gunners centre-back boasts an FPL ownership of over 30% and has accrued 18 points across the last three gameweeks. Mikel Arteta’s side travel to Brentford in Gameweek 13 and Saliba will likely command further attention. Teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko (£4.9m) was also on the scoresheet vs the Clarets and appeals more from a differential perspective.
Acquiring defensive assets from Man City or Liverpool is a big risk when taking into account the two teams are set to clash in Gameweek 13 at the Etihad Stadium, although the attacking prowess of Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.9m) and Konstantinos Tsimikas (£4.7m) does appeal from an FPL point of view, even if their chances of keeping a clean sheet are slim. Meanwhile, Man Utd are coming off the back of consecutive Premier League shutouts and one-goal victories. Both Diogo Dalot (£5.0m) and the generously priced Harry Maguire (£4.3m) was starters in each of those games and could court fantasy interest ahead of Gameweek 13, which sees Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils take on Everton at Goodison Park.
