As we start to turn our attention towards the upcoming round of Premier League matches, it’s time to run the rule on a selection of defenders, who could wind up being profitable Gameweek 8 assets from an FPL standpoint.
The current top-scoring defender in FPL is an unlikely name, but one available at a bargain price who should be generating significant discussion. Joachim Andersen (£4.8m) netted his second goal of the season in Double Gameweek 7 and what a goal it was, a winner for Crystal Palace against Man Utd at Old Trafford. Combine that with a clean sheet and his 15 fantasy points accrued took him to 45 for the season, two more than Kieran Trippier (£6.8m), who also recorded an attacking return plus a clean sheet this past weekend.
Trippier boasts four assists and 30 FPL points across his last two league appearances. His ownership percentage has already passed 40% ahead of Gameweek 8, which sees Newcastle travel to West Ham. Andersen’s Crystal Palace host Nottingham Forest, so expect his ownership to rise rapidly with the Eagles on the back of consecutive clean sheets.
The past three gameweeks have seen Ben White (£5.5m) accumulate 25 fantasy points, including a goal, an assist and two clean sheets for Arsenal. However, with Man City their opponents in Gameweek 8, White represents a risky selection. A more attractive right-back selection is that of Matty Cash (£4.9m), who offers value both in terms of clean sheets and attacking threat. Aston Villa face Wolves at Molineux this coming Sunday.
Spurs will no doubt be looking to secure a third shutout of the campaign away at Luton in Gameweek 8 and their defensive assets could come back into the FPL picture. The likes of Destiny Edogie (£4.8m) and Cristian Romero (£4.8m) immediately spring to mind, especially with both having gained more than one attacking return over the course of the season thus far.
