Matz Sels, Nottingham Jungle, goalkeeper, £4.6m – home of West Ham
The Belgian is on a good streak: with miraculous help and a blank slate in his second generation matches.
Jungle remains fifth in top defensive stats and has conceded just seven goals, the second-lowest total in the league.
At home and with blank sheets often at a good price, Sels is smart.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool, defender, £7m – home in Brighton
At the end of time, only three of 20 teams kept a blank sheet. Before there were 5, thanks in part to the 0-0 draw between Aston Villa and Manchester United.
In that context, choosing the most offensive defensive asset in a home game is an easy decision, even though Brighton represents a significant blackmail in the future.
Alexander-Arnold is still miles ahead of any alternative defender in expected assists (3.05) and only has one. When you imagine in the figures a regression to the cruel – and I do – next “it’s your turn.”
Rayan Ait-Nouri, Wolves, defender, £4.6m – home at Crystal Palace
One FPL too much clientele chooses life and another was marked as a participant to follow in this column 3 weeks ago.
Super attacking and budget friendly, Ait-Nouri scored with three of his five shots in the right direction and now has a series of matches in which he can put together a clean sheet to move forward with everything else.
Leif Davis, Ipswich, defender, £4.5m – home to Leicester Town
Taking into account the results of this time, it is difficult to expect a blank slate. Then another offensive full-back comes into the house.
We’ve mentioned Davis’ attacking stats before – he had a splendid season in the Championship in 2023-24 and already has some assists in this round.
Ipswich should be at the bottom, at home against relegation opponents, so expect plenty of attacking positions from Davis.
