Best FPL players for Gameweek 7: Top 5 best defenders | OneFootball

Who are the best FPL defenders for Gameweek 7?

Four-time top 1k and six-time top 5k finisher Abdul Rehman uses the Hub's Opta, Prediction, Comparison and Fixture tools to identify the best Fantasy Premier League defenders for Gameweek 7.

Don’t forget to check out our Ultimate FPL Gameweek 7 Guide, which has everything you need to make the best decisions ahead of the deadline.

Best FPL Defenders for Gameweek 7

Reece James (£6.0m) – Chelsea

Fixture: Fulham (a)

Chelsea haven't had the best start to the season, keeping only one clean sheet while conceding nine goals.

However, Reece James has still done okay with one goal and assist so far, and I do think the Blues will tighten up at the back, especially with Wesley Fofana (£4.4m) in the team now.

Also, the signing of Fofana now means James will be played predominantly at right wing-back (RWB) which is much better for his attacking prospects,

Chelsea come up against Fulham in Gameweek 7, who have been one of the surprise packages of this season. They have scored nine goals (seventh) with an xG of 8.48 (thirteenth).

I can’t see the Blues being this poor at the back for long, and it's only a matter of time before they shore up. Plus with James, his attacking threat is so high at RWB that he can get attacking returns in most games.

This season he has had 7 shots with an Expected Goals (xG) of 0.69, and has also created seven chances with an Expected Assists (xA) of 1.14.

Gabriel (£5.1m) – Arsenal

Fixture: Everton (H)

Gabriel has one goal this season, with eight shots and an xG of 0.79. He is the most attacking defender for Arsenal.

They have conceded in their last three games now, and suffered their first defeat last gameweek. However, looking at their defensive stats tells us they are still a good defence.

The Gunners have let in seven goals (fourth) with an xGC of 5.7 (third) and they have a very favourable fixture this week.

They take on Everton at home in Gameweek 7, who have only scored four goals (nineteenth) with an xG of 8.51 (eleventh). They have really struggled going forward, and they will have a tough job on their hands this week also.

Gabriel is one of the most nailed defenders in this team, and has the highest goal threat amongst his defensive teammates.

Mikel Arteta’s men are also the second favourites to keep a clean sheet in Gameweek 7 at 48%.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) – Liverpool

Fixture: Wolves (H)

Trent Alexander-Arnold has flattered to deceive in his first six games. He has only returned in one game, in which he picked up a 17 point haul.

However, his underlying numbers tell us he will come good.

He has had eight shots with an xG of 0.27, and has created the most chances (13) from defenders. He also has the highest xA (1.34).

Liverpool have two clean sheets so far, but they have only conceded six goals (third) with an xGC of 7 (fifth).

They have a great fixture in Gameweek 7 from a defensive point of view. They come up against Wolves, who have scored the least goals so far (three) with an xG of 6.73 (fifteenth).

They won't get many better chances to keep a clean sheet, and they will be strong favourites for this one.

The bookmakers have them at 51% (first) to keep a clean sheet and also the favourites to score 2.5+ goals (50%). Therefore this is a game Trent could well get another big haul in.

With him being on set-pieces, and boasting open-play goal and assist threat, he can get points at both ends of the pitch.

Points Prediction Tool.

Lewis Dunk (£4.6m) – Brighton

Fixture: Bournemouth (a)

Brighton have one of the best defences in the league so far. They have only conceded five goals (second) with an xGC 5.9 (fourth) and have kept the joint-most clean sheets.

They have another great chance to keep a shutout this week, as they come up against struggling Bournemouth. The Cherries have scored five goals (eighteenth) with an xG of 2.94 which is the worst in the league.

A fourth clean sheet of the season for the Seagulls looks well on the cards.

Lewis Dunk is the team captain, and their most nailed defender. He is also a goal threat from set pieces, and is always in and around the box for free kicks and corners.

According to the bookmakers, they are the third favourites to keep a clean sheet in Gameweek 7 at 41%.

Dunk also ranks well according to the Points Prediction Tool which has him at 4.0 expected points.

Joao Cancelo (£7.1m) – Manchester City

Fixture: Spurs (H)

Manchester City have conceded six goals (third) with an xGC of 4.4 (first). They have been quite unfortunate not to have kept more clean sheets, but their defensive stats show they are still the best defence in the league.

They have a tough game in Gameweek 7 against Spurs, but they will still be strong favourites to win, and the North London club will do very well to score.

City are priced as the third favourites to keep a clean sheet (41%) despite the fixture.

This shows just how strong the Citizens' defence is.

Joao Cancelo is one of the best defensive options this week, and even though his stats aren’t as good as this time last season, he still has attacking threat and plays in the best defence in the league.

He has an xG of 0.3 and an xA of 0.3, compared to an xG of 0.57 and an xA of 0.75 last season.

Hub Power Rankings

To conclude, I will rank these Gameweek 7 defenders in accordance with our Power Rankings for Hub members.

Best FPL defenders for Gameweek 7