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The gap between full-backs and centre-backs is closer in FPL this season, with the introduction of defensive contribution points rewarding clearances, blocks, tackles and interceptions.
The premium picks provide the lure of regular clean sheet points and they look hard to ignore in terms of AI predicted points across the opening four gameweeks.
With just two days left until Friday’s 6.30pm deadline, Fantasy Football Hub’s HOLLY SHAND takes a look at five defenders you should consider for your 15-man squads.
3rd Place: Josko Gvardiol (£6.0m) & Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m)
18.3 predicted points
It’s the premium defenders dominating these rankings, with a tie in third place between Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, both predicted to score 18.3 points over the opening four gameweeks.
How to win at FPL: Daily Mail Sport takes a look at the top defenders you should consider
Man City’s Josko Gvardiol and Virgil van Dijk are predicted to score plentifully according to AI
Just two defenders are tipped to score higher than Gabriel Magalhaes at the start of the season
Gvardiol saw his position shift last season from flying full-back to centre-back. He still scored five goals and would have gained ten defensive contribution points. Competition for Ederson between the sticks in newcomer James Trafford could also boost clean sheet potential.
Liverpool kept a leading tally of 14 clean sheets last season, with Van Dijk the most secure route into their defence. We are now more drawn to him over the full-backs because of those defensive contribution points: Virgil would have gained 24 last season.
2nd Place: Gabriel (£6.0m)
18.5 predicted points
Arsenal centre-back Gabriel was a popular pick when the game launched in late July, a trend which we’ve seen in three consecutive seasons. However, reduced minutes in pre-season due to an injury niggle has seen his ownership decline to the 20% mark.
The Gunners have been one of the most consistent defences in the Premier League in recent seasons, including 13 clean sheets last campaign. Gabriel also offers some attacking threat, scoring a minimum of three goals in four consecutive seasons for Arsenal.
Away trips to Manchester United and Liverpool in two of the opening three gameweeks don’t scream clean sheets, but they are favourites for a shut-out in Gameweek 2, when Leeds United visit the Emirates.
Rayan Ait-Nouri has a huge points potential at £6.0m following his summer move to Man City
Meanwhile, Marc Cucurella is joint top for predicted points across the opening four gameweeks
1st Place: Rayan Ait-Nouri (£6.0m) & Marc Cucurella (£6.0m)
18.8 predicted points
It’s two left-backs sharing the top spot, with Manchester City summer signing Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella. Both come in at £6.0million to be among the most expensive defenders in the game.
Rayan Ait-Nouri faces his former employers Wolves at Molineux in Gameweek 1. He carried bags of attacking threat when in a Wolves shirt, with four goals and seven assists last season – the most goal involvements of any defender in the game.
Chelsea were among the top defences in the Premier League at the end of last season, keeping seven clean sheets in 19 games. Cucurella amassed five goals and two assists last season, his most prolific attacking output in a Premier League campaign.
