We have come up with our pick of the Top 5 Best FPL Defenders This week. The final Gameweek of the 2025–26 Fantasy Premier League season is here, and defenders could play a decisive role in determining overall rank and mini-league success. With every Premier League fixture taking place simultaneously, managers can expect high intensity, attacking football, and unpredictable moments across the board. While goals often dominate attention, defenders capable of delivering clean sheets, assists, bonus points, and attacking returns remain crucial in GW38. Selecting the right defensive options for the season finale could provide the perfect boost needed to end the FPL campaign strongly.
Best Fantasy Premier League Defenders This Week- Gameweek 38
Gabriel (Arsenal, £7.3m)
Gabriel has arguably been the best defender in the Premier League this season. His attacking stats in particular are simply phenomenal for a centre-back, which includes 3 goals and 4 assists. Arsenal are already Premier League Champions, but will probably face a weaker Crystal Palace side since Oliver Glasner will have an eye on the Conference League final later. This makes Gabriel a really attractive defender pick for this week
Marc Guéhi (Manchester City, £5.1m)
Marc Guéhi's time at Manchester City has been a fantastic one so far. Although he has lost out on the opportunity to win the Premier League with Pep Guardiola's side, he's sure to become a league champion with City in the future. City will face Aston Villa in their final game of the Premier League season. Unai Emery's side have been really underwhelming in the league, and City at home should beat them easily. Thus, Guéhi is a great FPL pick.
Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool, £6.3m)
Liverpool conceded 4 goals against Aston Villa last week. Despite that we have still included Virgil Van Dijk in this best defenders for this week list due to his defensive capabilities and attacking threat he possesses. The Liverpool captain still managed to end that game with great FPL points due to his 2 goals, which shows how he can give you great returns even when Liverpool struggle as a team.
Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton, £4.7m)
Jan Paul van Hecke has been Brighton's best defender this season, and Manchester United at home looks like a great fixture where he can get you some decent returns. At a price of just £4.7m, he is arguably one of the best cheap defenders you can get for this week, and also a risk worth taking.
Pedro Porro (Spurs, £5.2m)
Speaking of risks, if you wanna go hold and think of going high-risk high-reward in your final Gameweek in FPL, then Pedro Porro might be the perfect player to target. The Spaniard has improved a lot under new Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi, and they'll face Everton at home, who've had bad results recently.
Final words
Gameweek 38 offers one last opportunity for FPL managers to gain valuable points through smart defensive selections. In a week where some teams are still chasing European qualification, survival, or momentum, motivated defenders can deliver strong returns at both ends of the pitch. Clean sheets may be difficult to predict in such an open round of fixtures, making attacking involvement and bonus-point potential equally important factors. With so much still at stake across the league, choosing the right defenders could make all the difference in finishing the 2025–26 FPL season on a high.
