Wildcard targets: Martinez the go-to goalkeeper

The Scout is pinpointing the best players for Fantasy Premier League managers to target with their second Wildcards.

Goalkeepers

Emiliano Martinez (AVL) £5.0m

The summer signing has transformed Aston Villa’s defensive prospects this season.

Villa have already surpassed the seven clean sheets they kept in 2019/20, managing eight so far.

That has helped Martinez to 83 points, more than any other goalkeeper or defender in Fantasy over the first 17 Gameweeks.

Crucially, Villa are among only four sides who not only play in Gameweek 18 but also have a Double Gameweek 19.

Furthermore, Dean Smith’s men have only played 15 matches due to postponements, which means Martinez will likely have another Double Gameweek at some point later in the campaign.

Nick Pope (BUR) £5.4m

The Burnley No 1 also has three fixtures over the next two Gameweeks, lifting his appeal as a target for managers with their Wildcards active.

Pope has claimed six clean sheets in his 14 outings, with his ability to bring in additional points boosting his potential in FPL.

His 14 bonus points are more than any other goalkeeper and have helped him average 5.4 points per match.

He has also been the most explosive 'keeper for FPL returns, with his four double-figure hauls top for his position.  

Illan Meslier (LEE) £4.6m

The Leeds United goalkeeper looks a strong option for managers planning to Wildcard in Gameweek 19.

Meslier has two home matches in that round of fixtures, against Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton.

He has proven a standout source of value, with his 15.2 points per million (ppm) spent second only to the 16.6ppm of Martinez among all goalkeepers.

Meslier's 67 saves this season rank behind only the 74 of West Bromwich Albion's Sam Johnstone (£4.5m). As a result, 17 of his 70 points have come from saves alone.

Alex McCarthy (SOU) £4.7m

His average of 4.4ppm is more than any first-choice goalkeeper priced under £5.0m in FPL.

McCarthy has been a key figure in a Southampton side who have matched Villa’s total of eight clean sheets this season.

Like Meslier, he too blanks in Gameweek 18 but follows that up with a Double Gameweek 19 in which he travels to Leicester City and Leeds. 

Also in this series 

Part 2: Dallas an all-round performer
Part 3: Cancelo worth premium price
Part 4: Get Soucek for Double Gameweek
Part 5: Fernandes a must-have
Part 6: Fixtures point to Bamford
Part 7: Time to back Vardy