With the international break coming to an end, it is time for club football to return. The Premier League will return on Saturday with the Leicester City vs Chelsea fixture. As the PL returns, so will the Fantasy Premier League. The FPL managers will be getting ready with their teams for the gameweek 12 as they look to surge ahead in their leagues.
Here we are with our top 5 defender picks for Gameweek 12:
1. Joao Cancelo (£6.5m), Manchester City vs Everton
Cancelo has been one of the first names on Manchester City’s team sheets this season. The full-back who can play on either side of the defence has gone on to become a key player in City’s squads. Cancelo’s contribution not only in defence but also in attack has been seen in the form of his 4 assists this season.
Against Everton too, Cancelo will be expected to play a key role. The defender is selected by 29.1% of FPL managers which makes him the 2nd most owned defender in FPL. Cancelo is a long-term pick and having him will be crucial as the season goes ahead.
2. Tino Livramento (£4.5m), Norwich vs Southampton
The Chelsea loanee Livramento has been one of the most impressive young players in FPL this season. The full back has become an undisputed starter in Southampton’s side. Livramento and co. have improved over the gameweeks which has resulted in clean sheet points for the defender. The full back has also a scored this season which displayed his attacking potential.
Norwich have struggled this season which makes it more likely for Southampton to keep a clean sheet which benefits Livramento owners. A starting defender at 4.5 is a must have in your team and with the returns that he has given, he can also be trusted in the starting 11 over other premium players.
3. Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.7m), Liverpool vs Arsenal
The Liverpool full back is one of the popular picks in FPL since last season. Trent, though a right back regularly is involved in attacking returns for Liverpool which makes him a must have in defence.
At his premium price, he should be a starter as there is always a chance for him to give attacking returns as seen this season. Arsenal will not be the easiest fixtures but when in form Liverpool can be a difficult team to beat. As the highest owned defender in the game, Trent is a must have going ahead in the season.
4. Shane Duffy (£4.4m), Aston Villa vs Brighton
Shane Duffy has been one of the most impressive defenders in the season so far, playing an important role in Brighton’s defence. The defender has also scored once in the season which makes him an interesting pick in FPL.
The fixture against the struggling Villa side will be a great chance for a clean sheet. He is currently owned by 23.8% of defenders which makes him one of the popular picks. A budget defender who regularly starts, Duffy should be a must have in your FPL team.
5. Aaron Creswell (£5.5m), Wolves vs West Ham
The West Ham defender was one of the highest scoring defenders in the last season. This season, Creswell has not been able to continue his last year’s form, but he has still been good. This might be a differential pick as he is selected by 15.2% of FPL managers.
The match against Wolves will be another chance for the high-flying West Ham to get another win. Creswell has accumulated 48 points this season which also included a 12-point haul against Spurs.