Three games in, a handful of defensive assets have already stacked up clean sheets and bonus points. The sample is small, but the early trend is worth tracking closely, especially with Hull City and Arsenal supplying most of the names below.
Top of the list
Tzolakis (GKP, HUL, £4.6m) leads the way with 26 points from a form score of 8.7. He has kept 3 clean sheets in 270 minutes and picked up 6 bonus points, all on an ownership of just 8.8%. That bonus haul stands out this early and suggests he is doing more than just standing behind a solid defence.
Ajayi (DEF, HUL, £4.1m) sits second with 25 points and a form of 8.3. He has 3 clean sheets, a goal, and 2 bonus points in 243 minutes, all at £4.1m and just 10.6% selected. That combination of price and output is rare this early.
Egan (DEF, HUL, £4.1m) rounds out the top three with 23 points, form of 7.7, and the full 3 clean sheets across 270 minutes. His ownership sits lowest of the trio at 6.1%, with only 1 bonus point so far, meaning his underlying defensive work has not been as heavily rewarded by the bonus system yet.
Strong contenders
Giles (DEF, HUL, £4.0m) has quietly banked 3 clean sheets in 264 minutes for 20 points, though his 1.2% ownership shows he remains under the radar. Mendy (DEF, HUL, £4.0m) has 2 clean sheets and a goal in 191 minutes for 24 points, a strong points-per-minute return worth monitoring. Calafiori (DEF, ARS, £5.7m) brings 2 clean sheets and 2 assists for 22 points, and his 47.0% ownership shows the FPL crowd already trusts him. Bogle (DEF, LEE, £4.5m) has 2 clean sheets, a goal, and 3 bonus points in 217 minutes, all at a tiny 1.1% ownership, the definition of an early differential.
Watch list
- White (DEF, ARS, £5.5m): 2 clean sheets, an assist, and 3 bonus points, 20 points overall.
- Raya (GKP, ARS, £6.0m): 2 clean sheets in 270 minutes but zero bonus so far, 15 points at 38.7% ownership.
- Gabriel (DEF, ARS, £8.0m): 2 clean sheets, no bonus yet, 15 points despite the price tag.
- Mosquera (DEF, ARS, £5.4m): 2 clean sheets in 168 minutes, 12 points, form still at 4.0.
- Coyle (DEF, HUL, £4.0m): 2 clean sheets in 177 minutes, 12 points, another cheap Hull option worth a glance.
Verdict
Through three matches, Tzolakis is the standout with 26 points, 3 clean sheets, and 6 bonus points at just 8.8% ownership. For value, Egan at £4.1m with 3 clean sheets and 23 points is hard to overlook. The sleeper pick is Bogle at £4.5m and 1.1% ownership, already showing a goal, 2 clean sheets, and 3 bonus points in limited minutes. All of this comes with the obvious caveat: three games is three games, not a verdict on the season.
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