EPL Supercoach | Top 10 Defender Targets


<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Defensive Scramble</strong></h3>



<p>The top three most traded out players from the top 5% of managers this week? </p>



<p>All defenders: Van de Ven (peaked in price, Spurs looking shaky), Gabriel (injury timeline looking grim), and Reece James (dropping fast in price).</p>



<p>Everyone&#8217;s scrambling to get it right, and the timing matters.</p>



<p>I&#8217;ve crunched the numbers on base stats, expected goals, assists, and clean sheets for the next five gameweeks to find the genuine targets. </p>



<p>No gut feel, no ownership bias &#8211; just data showing who&#8217;s actually delivering points.</p>



<p>Here&#8217;s your top 10 defenders for the run home, with clear verdicts on who to target and who to avoid despite the hype.</p>



<a id='jooi_qMgQ6h2dN_jNt3iVQ' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2245727955' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'jooi_qMgQ6h2dN_jNt3iVQ',sig:'Fywlv8XLtF9anoqpwKrxTQLAnsIDdPd28BVDtMbvdHM=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2245727955',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>How to Read This</strong></h3>



<p>Each defender is ranked using three key factors:</p>



<p>Base stats are your foundation &#8211; tackles, interceptions, clearances, and successful passes. </p>



<p>A defender averaging 6+ base points per game is elite territory. </p>



<p>This is the bedrock of reliable scoring that doesn&#8217;t depend on attacking returns.</p>



<p>Expected output combines historical performance with upcoming fixtures.</p>



<p><a href="https://scplaybook.com.au/subscribe"><strong><em>Become a member of the SC Playbook community by subscribing for less than $2 per week! Gain access to additional premium articles on site every week, our Whatsapp community, prize money and plenty more. Check it out here.</em></strong></a></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="http://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Email-Gareth.w@cecal.org_.au-Phone-9559-4013-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2402783" srcset="https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Email-Gareth.w@cecal.org_.au-Phone-9559-4013-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Email-Gareth.w@cecal.org_.au-Phone-9559-4013-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Email-Gareth.w@cecal.org_.au-Phone-9559-4013-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Email-Gareth.w@cecal.org_.au-Phone-9559-4013-1-640x360.jpg 640w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Email-Gareth.w@cecal.org_.au-Phone-9559-4013-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Email-Gareth.w@cecal.org_.au-Phone-9559-4013-1-800x450.jpg 800w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Email-Gareth.w@cecal.org_.au-Phone-9559-4013-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 98vw, (max-width: 1199px) 64vw, 770px" /></figure>



<p>I&#8217;ve modelled each defender&#8217;s goal, assist, and clean sheet probability over the next five gameweeks based on their underlying numbers and opponent quality. </p>



<p>This separates genuine opportunities from fixture hype.</p>



<p>Value is simple &#8211; are they priced correctly? </p>



<p>A £7m defender with £9m output is a lock. A £11m defender with £9m output needs justification.</p>



<p>My verdicts:</p>



<ul>
<li>Lock: Buy immediately, clear value at current price</li>



<li>Strong Consider: Excellent option if it fits your structure and available cash</li>



<li>Wait: Good player, wrong timing (usually price-related)</li>



<li>Pass: Avoid despite the hype or model suggestion</li>
</ul>



<a id='jLnXadbNS21Eg2Gklx0E7w' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2244810337' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'jLnXadbNS21Eg2Gklx0E7w',sig:'clPdw0zkz89H1vfOXhWjiKsTX28tMkI6uJ0e6ic-QGM=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2244810337',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Top 10 Breakdown</strong></h3>



<p><strong>1. Senesi (£8.12) &#8211; WAIT</strong></p>



<p>Remember when he was £11.5m a few weeks ago? </p>



<p>His base stats are off the chain &#8211; the highest in the game at over 6 per game. </p>



<p>Bournemouth&#8217;s fixture run (West Ham, Sunderland, Everton, next three) is elite.</p>



<p>But he was battered against Villa, creating a monster breakeven. </p>



<p>I&#8217;m waiting one week and jumping on at £7.5m or less. </p>



<p>Don&#8217;t panic sell if you own him &#8211; this is exactly when to hold.</p>



<p><strong>2. Timber (£10.16) &#8211; LOCK</strong></p>



<p>You hear it from me every week: Arsenal equals clean sheets. </p>



<p>The odds makers haven&#8217;t reduced their clean sheet probability much despite the Gabriel injury, and I think the injury might be positive for Timber&#8217;s minutes.</p>



<p>Great goal threat, decent base stats, and if you&#8217;re trading out Gabriel but want to keep Arsenal coverage, he is your man. Simple.</p>



<a id='RN7xiOa4Q2BTbdSjNjM3Lg' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2244384597' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'RN7xiOa4Q2BTbdSjNjM3Lg',sig:'nSe_FyofBG3DdX8Vl9kC0RaAv8sxqyaOUn71cmPP3sk=',w:'594px',h:'379px',items:'2244384597',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>3. Tarkowski (£7.25) &#8211; STRONG CONSIDER</strong></p>



<p>Just a base stats monster. </p>



<p>Doesn&#8217;t quite have Bournemouth&#8217;s fixtures, but at £7.25 he&#8217;s cheeeap &#8211; should be £8-10m easily.</p>



<p>I&#8217;m hoping to grab someone with more upside, but Tarkowski is a safe play each week who&#8217;ll give you zero headaches. </p>



<p>Set and forget defender.</p>



<p><strong>4. Mitchell (£8.53) &#8211; STRONG CONSIDER</strong></p>



<p>I&#8217;ve been banging on about Palace for weeks &#8211; still not too late to jump on. Mitchell came out on top in my model: only slightly below Richards on base stats but with great assist potential.</p>



<p>The clean sheet odds are solid and he won&#8217;t break the bank. Quality pick.</p>



<a id='FsN501ZmTkJLcHRDROcBrA' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2245595062' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'FsN501ZmTkJLcHRDROcBrA',sig:'hZjc6uTYOsXNXxJH2zoly4mn-aUy38-ysKJpK6uMWqY=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2245595062',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>5. Neco Williams (£5.61) &#8211; PASS</strong></p>



<p>I triple-checked these numbers, thought my model was broken. </p>



<p>Strong base stats, decent clean sheet odds after Liverpool this week.</p>



<p>But I think the odds are overvaluing Forest. </p>



<p>He&#8217;s a pass for me despite what the numbers say &#8211; sometimes you trust the gut over the model.</p>



<p><strong>6. Reece James (£11.09) &#8211; STRONG CONSIDER (controversial)</strong></p>



<p>My head says trade him out &#8211; I&#8217;m still annoyed I didn&#8217;t check Chelsea teamsheets last weekend and copped his benching. </p>



<p>17 breakeven with Arsenal next week screams sell.</p>



<p>The model says I&#8217;m wrong. </p>



<p>Great base stats, solid assists, and yes, Arsenal next is horrid, but it&#8217;s sandwiched by Burnley and Leeds. Maybe he stays&#8230;</p>



<a id='qSZ2R3SBTdhVte0FoMI39A' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2245834151' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'qSZ2R3SBTdhVte0FoMI39A',sig:'iz7mSrAggTjgVhVohi_ua8v66D0Z4zA8McmPVZnrcDs=',w:'594px',h:'419px',items:'2245834151',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>7. Truffert (£7.61) &#8211; WAIT</strong></p>



<p>The other Bournemouth defender. </p>



<p>Still a beast on base stats, but not at Senesi&#8217;s level.</p>



<p>I&#8217;d only buy if he&#8217;s £2m cheaper than Senesi. </p>



<p>Same fixture run, same &#8220;wait one week&#8221; strategy. </p>



<p>Can&#8217;t believe people are trading them out &#8211; hold on!</p>



<p><strong>8. Munoz (£11.01) &#8211; STRONG CONSIDER</strong></p>



<p>An attacker disguised as a defender, taking clean sheet points with the highest expected goals and assists in the Palace defence.</p>



<p>At £11.01, he&#8217;s premium-priced, but the output justifies it. </p>



<p>If you want Palace attacking upside with defensive points, this is your option.</p>



<a id='kO6EETkURHFEffdfVHdJyw' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2245395355' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'kO6EETkURHFEffdfVHdJyw',sig:'ZEZjJNdSBQspHrhxEBNjXFNx_4-4zzCSZQ0GgpkXI_k=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2245395355',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>9. van Dijk (£5.25) &#8211; LOCK</strong></p>



<p>One of the highest value picks in the game, according to my model. </p>



<p>Good base stats with exceptional clean sheet odds over the next five weeks.</p>



<p>I was cheeky and got him last week despite City (copped a -1, lost £800k), but I want him from now.</p>



<p>He&#8217;s not a £9m defender this year with Liverpool&#8217;s defensive record, but £5.25 is way too good to pass up.</p>



<p>Jump on if you need cash generation.</p>



<p><strong>10. Richards (£8.60) &#8211; LOCK</strong></p>



<p>Your Palace base stats monster. </p>



<p>Not a lot of attacking upside, but has a -1 breakeven, which is juicy.</p>



<p>He&#8217;s currently traded into my team. </p>



<p>If you want Palace coverage without the Munoz price tag and prefer consistency over explosiveness, Richards is your man.</p>



<a id='8sZuoI1sQEJSCrO9NuWPrA' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2244749985' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'8sZuoI1sQEJSCrO9NuWPrA',sig:'sko1y-8ndvKsdwFQ5r80_004-3IyJqvOH__y2Krehxs=',w:'594px',h:'420px',items:'2244749985',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Final Word</strong></h3>



<p>Currently, I have James to Richards lined up, which gives me the cash to go Murphy to Rice. </p>



<p>But this analysis has me second-guessing myself &#8211; Arsenal sandwiched between Burnley and Leeds makes it tough to sell. </p>



<p>Also gives me a benching headache with too many defenders if I trade to Richards and upgrade to Rice in midfield.</p>



<p>Pedro is going next week (or this week if he&#8217;s benched for Chelsea), likely to Mbeumo or Salah, depending on how things shake out.</p>



<p>Point being: even with the data, these decisions aren&#8217;t straightforward. </p>



<p>Use this analysis as a guide, but trust your structure and what fits your team.</p>


EPL Supercoach | Top 10 Defender Targets

Discussion (0)

EPL Supercoach | Finding Your Ownership Edge

EPL Supercoach | Elite vs Exposed, the Fixture-Adjusted Truth

EPL Supercoach | Cracking the code to pricing and breakevens

Supercoach EPL Strategic Downgrades | Finding gold in the bargain bin