Who are the best goalkeepers and defenders for Double Gameweek 34?

This will be the largest Double Gameweek of 2023/24, with SEVEN sides playing twice – Arsenal, AFC Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, Sheffield United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Scout is comparing players in each position who have a Double Gameweek 34 (DGW34) to help Fantasy Premier League managers make the right moves.

Goalkeepers and defenders

What are their chances for clean sheets?

Analysing the opposition attacks over their respective last six matches can help give a better indication of each DGW34 side’s potential for clean sheets.

In terms of Expected Goals (xG), the data suggests Bournemouth are facing the least in-form attacks. The Cherries’ opponents Aston Villa and Wolves have a combined xG score of 12.27 across their last six matches.

Sheff Utd rank second in this analysis, with their DGW34 opponents boasting a combined xG of 15.59 across their last six. The statistics also show that there is little to separate Wolves and Arsenal's DGW34 opponents. 

Although both Palace and Everton play at home twice, they appear the least likely to deliver a clean sheet based on the strength of their opponents' attacks.

While the Eagles delivered a defiant display against Liverpool last weekend to claim a rare clean sheet, the data will only further deter managers from going near Everton’s backline, particularly after their 6-0 loss to Chelsea on Monday. 

Opposition attacks, last six matches

Who's had the greatest goal threat?

The underlying numbers over the last six Gameweeks certainly offer encouragement for managers looking to invest in DGW34 assets.

Each of the top three defenders for shots in the box will play twice in the next round of fixtures. 

Sheff Utd’s Jayden Bogle (£4.5m) has produced eight shots and eight shots in the box over Gameweeks 28-33, placing him first in his position in Fantasy on both counts. The wing-back, who is a minor doubt for the Blades' matches with Burnley and Manchester United, has scored once and supplied an assist. 

Arsenal’s Gabriel (£5.4m) and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk (£6.6m) also boast a strong goal threat.

Although they have both failed to score in this period, the pair have produced seven and six shots in the box respectively. They have each had six headed shots but suffered from poor accuracy, with only one shot on target. 

Bogle, by contrast, has had five shots on target, which places him joint-top with another DGW34 asset, Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.8m). 

As evidenced by his total of four big chances, Ait-Nouri has profited from an advanced role in Wolves’ front three recently. He has scored both his goals this season in that period, and also supplied an assist.

Ait-Nouri is, however, a slight doubt for Wolves' matches against West Ham United and Newcastle United, having missed the 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest last weekend due to a calf complaint.

Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez (£4.4m), Wolves’ Max Kilman (£4.5m) and Everton’s James Tarkowski (£4.6m) complete the list of DGW34 defenders who have had at least four shots in the box in the last six Gameweeks. 

Kerkez’s team-mate Marcos Senesi (£4.4m), meanwhile, has made a successful return from injury recently. The centre-back supplied two assists against Man Utd last weekend, taking his tally to three goals and four assists for the season.

Shots on target/big chances, GW28-33

Who's been the most creative?

Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson (£6.4m) is the standout creator among all defenders in Fantasy in the last six Gameweeks.

Although he has made only four appearances in that spell, the Scot has recorded 12 key passes, four more than his nearest DGW34 rival, Arsenal’s Ben White (£6.0m).

That duo are also the top two defenders overall for big chances created, with four and three respectively. While White has collected two assists for his endeavours, Robertson has managed just a single assist. 

Wolves’ Nelson Semedo (£4.5m) and Bournemouth’s Adam Smith (£4.4m) show promise in the budget bracket, with the pair tied on seven key passes, one big chance created and one assist.

Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell (£4.5m) has created six chances in the last six Gameweeks, earning an assist and a 12-point haul in the Eagles’ 1-0 win over Liverpool last weekend. 

Assist potential, GW28-33

So, who should managers buy?

The goal threat numbers, added to Arsenal’s league-high haul of 14 clean sheets, show why Gabriel will be a key figure in most DGW34 sides in Fantasy.

If you’re planning to double up on a DGW34 defence, pairing Gabriel with his Gunners team-mate White certainly looks the best strategy for returns at both ends of the pitch.

Van Dijk’s set-piece threat and security of starts gives him the edge over Robertson as the best Liverpool asset, with rotation at full-back far more likely. 

Elsewhere, Bogle’s big goal threat has to be considered for managers who are playing FPL Challenge in DGW34, where all three promoted sides earn double points.

Ait-Nouri is another one to consider if he is fit, although the recent return of attackers such as Hwang Hee-chan (£5.4m) suggests that the former is by no means certain to occupy a role in the front three again.

The team opposition data, meanwhile, offers encouragement for Bournemouth’s chances of clean sheets. While Senesi is certainly one to consider, it may be goalkeeper Neto (£4.7m) who emerges as their best pick.

Although Senesi's average of 3.1 points per match (ppm) ranks top among Cherries defenders, Neto's potential for save points has helped him to 3.6ppm.