The best defenders in FPL this season

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Getting your defender selection right is one of the keys to being successful in FPL. Full-backs have changed the game in recent years, bagging assist after assist after assist, but you can’t ever rule out the threat of a towering centre-back from a set piece.

We’ve picked out the top defenders in conjunction withFantasy Football Hub’s powerful AI Points Predictions, showing the standout predicted points over the first eight gameweeks of the season.

Trent Alexander- Arnold (£8.0m) – 18.9 Predicted Points

Having played the latter stages of last season in midfield, Alexander-Arnold headlines the defender picks due to his potential out of position.

He’s capable of an attacking return per game, especially because of his involvement in direct free-kicks and corner duties alongside Andrew Robertson. Liverpool face a tricky Gameweek 1 fixture against Chelsea but that doesn’t dampen his appeal.

Pervis Estupinan (£5.0m) – 16.5 Predicted Points

Brighton full-back Estupinan is currently one of the most owned players in the game, with more than 50% of managers picking a player who finished last season in sensational form.

The Seagulls’ clean sheet potential has vastly improved too under Roberto de Zerbi and with rotation expected in advanced positions he could be the safest route into picking up points from the south coast.

Gabriel (£5.0m) – 16.5 Predicted Points

Arsenal’s Gabriel is a rare example of the aforementioned centre-back brigade, but it’s difficult to overlook the fact he’s scored ten goals in his last three seasons.

Couple those goals with the fact he played all 38 of Arsenal’s games last season and the Brazilian’s appeal heightens further. An early run of favourable fixtures is another boost for a side who kept 14 clean sheets during 2022/23.

John Stones (£5.5m) – 18.3 Predicted Points

Another versatile defender who could slip into a midfield role this season is John Stones, having already proven to Pep Guardiola his worth towards the back end of last season.

Rotation is always a concern when picking City players, given they are competing in every competition imaginable, but Stones has the potential to deliver some devastating attacking points returns. Never rule the champions out of the clean sheet conversation either.

Kieran Trippier (£6.5m) – 15.7 Predicted Points

The highest scoring defender in FPL last season was Kieran Trippier, who only doesn’t have a higher predicted points total because Newcastle’s early fixtures are a little tricky on paper.

Trippier ranked third behind Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane for bonus points last season, and he took more indirect free kicks and corners than any other player. Those are the responsibilities you want to see your FPL defenders take on and it could be another profitable season for the England man.

Luke Shaw (£5.5m) – 14.2 Predicted Points 

Two promising home games in Manchester United’s opening three fixtures makes Luke Shaw an attractive early doors option.

Another player involved in taking set pieces, Shaw took home 20 bonus points during 2022/23 and showed he can play at centre-back as well as at left-back. He may only be a short-term option, however, with United’s fixtures tailing off in comparison to others.

Ben Chilwell (£5.5m) – 16.3 Predicted Points

With full-backs expected to play an important role under Mauricio Pochettino, Ben Chilwell could have a bumper FPL season at Chelsea.

Injuries have curtailed his progress but Chilwell has proven in years gone by that he’s good for a number of goals and assists. The Blues were pretty terrible last season but looked to have settle down if their pre-season results are anything to go by – making the former Leicester man a very interesting pick.

Rico Henry (£4.5m) – 14.7 Predicted Points

If it’s budget options you have on your mind, Brentford’s Rico Henry is one of the best. Priced at just £4.5m, he offered up 12 clean sheets last season and also chalked up three assists – playing more often than not as a traditional full-back.

Three home games in Brentford’s first four can’t be sniffed out, more so because of Thomas Frank’s super record at the GTech Community Stadium.

Sven Botman (£4.5m) – 12.7 Predicted Points

Early fixtures against Manchester City and Liverpool aside, Botman is another standout defender priced at just £4.5m.

The Dutchman started 35 of Newcastle’s 38 games last season, with the Magpies’ defence pretty stoic throughout the campaign. Botman doesn’t offer up a huge volume of bonus points but scored six with regularity, making him a decent bench option that can be converted into a starter.

George Baldock (£4.0m) – 11.0 Predicted Points 

If it’s the absolute cheapest of the cheap that you want, with points scoring potential, then Sheffield United’s George Baldock is the go-to player.

The Blades are favourites for relegation but have decent looking fixtures in the early weeks, making Baldock an attractive bench option should any of your 11 starters not play for any reason.

AI Predictions

When it comes to the Fantasy Football Hub points predictions, Manchester City defenders Ruben Dias (£5.5m) and Manuel Akanji (£5.0m) are favoured by the algorithm behind Stones for their early run of games.

Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.0m), Chelsea’s Reece James (£5.0m) and Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson (£6.5m) all also make the top ten but crucially are not the best predicted defenders at their clubs. 

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