Best Defender picks in FPL Gameweek 28

With only four teams keeping clean sheets in Gameweek 27, that number further reduces to three the previous Gameweek to four in Double Gameweek 25. It has meant that the last few game weeks haven’t been good for defenders although for those with Arsenal assets, that changes. But while the Gunners do have affordable options, it’s the budget-friendly options that have struggled.

It leaves managers little to pick from even with Double Gameweek 28 mere days away. Those options whittle down even further with news of Kieran Trippier’s injury as well as Stefano Sensi. Yet it doesn’t mean there aren’t any options at all as there are five potential best defender picks in FPL who could do well.

Jakub Kwior | Arsneal | £4.3m

Arsenal are in fine form much like Liverpool and Manchester City but the Gunners have conceded just three goals in their last six games. During that run, their xGc (expected goals conceded) is less than 2, to be more exact it’s 1.72 from six games. It shows just how much the club has changed defensively and Kiwor has played a key role in that lately. With Oleksandr Zinchecko, Jurrien Timber, and Takehiro Tomiyasu all injured, Kiwor has stepped in and contributed to three goals since GW21.

Add to that the fact that they face Brentford next, who have conceded 11 goals in their last four league games, it does make for an excellent pairing. But if that’s not enough, the defender is already owned by 1% of FPL managers and has been brought in by less than 5000 new managers ahead of GW28. Sure William Saliba and Gabriel are the more popular options but at nearly £1m cheaper than the other two, Kiwor offers managers a slightly cheaper route into the Arsenal defense.

Also Read: Man City and Arsenal Rise in Premier League Standings; Liverpool Maintains Top Spot | GW 27

Vladimir Coufal | West Ham United | £4.6m

Now, this might be a crazy option but bringing in Vlad Coufal wouldn’t be the worst option for GW28 especially given who Burnley faces. The full-back thrived in his first season at West Ham but has since struggled for form and clean sheets from an FPL manager’s perspective. However, things have marginally changed this term and while the Hammers have kept just four clean sheets, that could change too.

That’s because the Clarets are the division’s lowest scorers which makes both Coufal and Emerson Palmieri decent differential options for managers. The former has been in decent form off late with an assist in West Ham’s GW26 win over Brentford but wasn’t at his creative best against the Toffees. Things could change against Burnley although he may be a dice roll of a pick.

Alfie Doughty | Luton Town| £4.7m

Arguably one of the best options as a pick for Double Gameweek 28, Alfie Doughty has been one of Luton Town’s better defenders this season. The wing-back has done his best to keep his side in the Premier League with eight assists and one goal in his 22 appearances. That does include an assist in his side’s 3-2 loss to Aston Villa but his side have lost their last four games on the trot.

Still, with Luton Town one of only two teams playing twice in DGW28, it offers managers a chance to take a risk on a cheap defender with the hope of getting a big haul. And since Alfie Doughty has started every game this season when fit, he might be the best option to make the most of the double-game week.

Illia Zabarnyi | AFC Bournemouth | £4.4m

A watchlist star for many last weekend, Illia Zabarnyi proved his mettle as the Cherries walked away with a 2-0 win over Burnley. However, the fact that the defender’s partner Senesi walked off injured while Zabarnyi got six points to his name makes all the difference. It does mean that while his lack of goal threat may hurt those point totals, his consistency and the fact that he will likely play both games against Sheffield United and Luton Town in the double gameweek helps his case.

And, for managers looking for a cheap option to rotate in until the end of the season, Bournemouth and Zabarnyi have a nice fixture list going ahead. The Cherries face Everton, Crystal Palace, and Luton Town before going into a tough run of games. Not the worst run and given Bournemouth’s form, it could be an interesting few weeks for them.

Lewis Dunk (£5.1m)

Sure, Brighton and Hove Albion haven’t had the greatest season ever with the added load of European football weighing heavily on them. But despite that, the Seagulls are still amongst the better sides in the league and when they play well, Lewis Dunk has tended to shine. Since Gameweek 20, Dunk has collected 37 points while his side have won twice, lost thrice, and drawn three games.

The kicker? Dunk’s major points scores in that time have come when the Seagulls have managed to win points, with him collecting 21 points from their two wins and 16 from their three draws. It’s why the defender is the eighth-best defender according to the ICT rank, only behind superstars like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Virgil van Dijk, and Pedro Porro. Not bad company to be in.