Welcome back to another Fantasy Premier League differential article. This week Callum Read looks at three differential Double Gameweek defensive options that you could consider for Gameweek 36 and onwards.
This article will compare the last four Premier League performances of Patrick van Aanholt (£4.7m), Timothy Fosu-Mensah (£3.9m) and Adrian (£5.1m.)
Please note - if the player has a Double Gameweek they will be classed as two separate Premier League fixtures.
We are going to look at recent FPL points, fixture difficulty and defensive form before reaching a verdict on which defensive option you should consider for ahead of Gameweek 36.
Recent Form:
| # |
Player |
Mins |
Pts |
| 1 |
Van Aanholt |
360 |
21 |
| 2 |
Adrian |
360 |
12 |
| 3 |
Fosu-Mensah |
113 |
12 |
Sunderland's Patrick van Aanholt leads the recent form table by almost double the points of both Adrian and Fosu-Mensah and is also a regular starter in the Black Cats defence. A constant attacking threat who is returning a high points tally for a relegation threatened side.
West Ham have struggled to keep the goals out of late, their last clean sheeting coming against London rivals Tottenham in Gameweek 28. If the Hammers are to push for Europe then tightening their defence up is one nail that needs knocking into the wall.
Despite playing 247 minutes less Timothy Fosu-Mensah has scored the same amount of points as Adrian in his last four Premier League games. The young defender has made a good impression on Manchester United fans but is at massive risk of rotation.
Fixture Difficulty:
BC = Big Chances, GS = Goals Conceded. All data is taken from the last four Premier League games.
| # |
Player |
Vs. |
BC |
GS |
| 1 |
Adrian (WHU) |
WBA (A), STO (H), MNU (H) |
14 |
9 |
| 2 |
Van Aanholt (SUN) |
STO (A), CHE (H), EVE (H) |
19 |
13 |
| 3 |
Fosu-Mensah (MNU) |
LEI (H), NOR (A), WHU (A) |
29 |
23 |
Despite not keeping a clean sheet in six Premier League games, West Ham fans can take some solace in the fact their next three fixtures give them a very strong chance of recording a shutout. Combined their next three oppositions have only scored nine goals and created 14 big chances, all of which are positive news for Adrian owners.
Sunderland's fixtures are also give them a good chance of continuing their clean sheet run. A combined 13 goals has been scored by Stoke, Chelsea and Everton in their last four games, with the latter two being at the Stadium of Light. With Sunderland looking to secure Premier League survival for another year, Big Sam could well adopt a defensive approach to the final fixtures of the season.
Manchester United's next three fixtures take place against three teams who combined have scored 23 goals, with Leicester scoring nine and West Ham 10. Leicester City can secure the title this weekend when they visit Old Trafford giving the Foxes' even more incentive to find the back of the net.
Defensive Form:
BCC = Big Chances Conceded, GAC = Goal Attempts Conceded, GC = Goals Conceded. All data is taken from the last four Premier League games and players are ranked on their average.
| # |
Player |
BCC |
GAC |
GC |
| 1 |
Fosu-Mensah (MNU) |
4 |
36 |
3 |
| 2 |
Adrian (WHU) |
11 |
36 |
8 |
| 3 |
Van Aanholt (SUN) |
6 |
58 |
2 |
Their fixtures don't point towards a Manchester United clean sheet, but the Red Devils defensive form suggests another story. They've kept three clean sheets in their last four Premier League games, with a helping hand from David De Gea. They've only faced 36 goal attempts in their last four Premier League games and Louis van Gaal will be hoping to continue this impressive defensive form.
West Ham have conceded an average of two goals in their last four Premier League games and will be hoping to sure up their backline in the closing stages of the season. It may also provide an incentive to the players that the Hammers fixtures against Swansea and Manchester United will be their last two at the Boleyn Ground. I can't imagine they'd want to leave their historic home on two bad results.
It's been said a lot, but Allardyce deserves a lot of credit if he keeps Sunderland up this season. When he took over they looked a shambles defensively but in recent weeks they've been quite the opposite keeping three clean sheets in their last four Premier League games. They are still facing plenty of shots but Sunderland shot stopper Vito Mannone is refusing to concede.
The Verdict:
If you're wanting to transfer in one of the three players in this article then our suggestion is Patrick van Aanholt. This season has been very much a case of form over fixtures so transferring in the Dutchman isn't a bad idea. Lets not forget he also provides an attacking threat scoring five goals and assisting three this season.
If you're after a DGW keeper then Adrian provides a strong differential option, but it's hard to convince you to chose someone other than David de Gea for GW37. What works in Adrian's favour is two home fixtures after an encounter with West Brom, a side that are not renowned for scoring goals. We'd probably skip Adrian at this late stage of the season.
Although coming in at a bargain price we can't find enough substance to support the selection of Timothy Fosu-Mensah purely because he's to much of a rotation risk, especially with the FA Cup Final on the horizon for Louis van Gaal's side.
