Breaking: Five Fantasy Premier league Standouts Surface As Gameweek Value Picks
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Five Fantasy Premier league Standouts Surface As Gameweek Value Picks
- 2. Key picks at a glance
- 3. Table: Swift facts about the five players
- 4. Live takeaways for managers
- 5. **Verbruggen – southampton (Goalkeeper)**
- 6. How to Build a Value‑focused FPL Squad Around These Picks
- 7. Real‑World Example: Week 16 Performance Snapshot
In the latest wave of Fantasy Premier League strategy, managers are eyeing a Brighton goalkeeper and five standout defenders who could deliver consistent returns. Here’s a concise briefing on who to watch and why they could shape your next line-up decisions.
Key picks at a glance
Bart Verbruggen,Brighton & Hove albion — £4.5m
The Brighton stopper has been active between the posts, with multiple saves contributing to clean sheets.Even though Brighton have only four clean sheets in 19 matches, a home contest against Burnley represents a favorable chance for a clean sheet and a solid point haul. He has recorded at least one save point in six of his last eight appearances, underscoring his potential for defensive points in addition to any clean sheet.
Gabriel, Arsenal — £6.4m
Return to action has coincided with a price rise, fueling optimism among FPL managers. Gabriel combines reliable defensive work with a notable goal threat, already accumulating 16 bonus points this season, making him an appealing option for teams prioritizing clean sheets and occasional attacking contributions.
Malick Thiaw, Newcastle United — £5m
Acknowledged as Newcastle’s most dependable defender, Thiaw has doubled as a consistent defensive presence. Palace’s early-season high team xG dimmed after an injury to a key wing-back, but Thiaw’s reliability remains evident, with scoring contributions noted this campaign and defensive points across multiple starts.
James Tarkowski, Everton — £5.6m
Tarkowski delivered a standout defensive performance with a remarkable defensive contribution haul in a win at Nottingham Forest. He’s become a steady choice for Everton, with two clean sheets in a row and regular two-point bonuses across many appearances, highlighting his value for both defensive stability and occasional bonus points.
Jeremie Frimpong, Liverpool — £5.7m
A bold pick and a bit of a wildcard, Frimpong operates as a defender who can contribute in attack by shifting to right-wing duties.His form was highlighted by a strong showing in a goalless draw against Leeds, where he helped create a key scoring chance and demonstrated the upside of a defender playing in a high-tempo attack system.
Table: Swift facts about the five players
| Player | Club | Price | Position | Recent Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bart Verbruggen | Brighton & Hove Albion | £4.5m | Goalkeeper | Six saves points in eight games; 11-point haul vs Sunderland |
| Gabriel | Arsenal | £6.4m | Defender | Back in action; 16 bonus points this season |
| Malick Thiaw | Newcastle United | £5m | Defender | Newcastle’s most reliable defender; scored twice this season |
| James Tarkowski | Everton | £5.6m | Defender | 19 defcon in a Forest win; two clean sheets in a row |
| Jeremie frimpong | liverpool | £5.7m | Defender (wing-back) | Zero goals in latest display but played as an attacking full-back; impressed vs Leeds |
Live takeaways for managers
These picks reflect a broader trend in Fantasy Premier League: value often appears in well-priced defenders who contribute both defensively and offensively, especially when fixtures tilt in their favor. Keep an eye on fixture schedules and incoming injuries, as even the most reliable names can shift value quickly in a fast-moving game.
For deeper stats and official match data, you can explore the Premier League’s official player profiles and match reports.
What is your preferred blend of defensive stability and attacking upside in your next lineup?
which of these five players would you prioritize for your next gameweek, and why?
Share your picks in the comments and tell us how you’re balancing risk and reward in your squad.
Further reading: BBC Sport for in-depth match coverage and player news, and Premier League for official stats and fixtures.
**Verbruggen – southampton (Goalkeeper)**
Matz Verbruggen – Brighton & Hove Albion (Goalkeeper)
Current price: £4.5m
Season stats (as of 02 Jan 2026): 14 clean sheets, 1.12 GAA, 2 saves per game average
Why Verbruggen is a value pick
- First‑choice starter – Injuries to Jason Steele and a clear tactical preference from Roberto De Zerbi have cemented Verbruggen as Brighton’s number 1.
- Favourable fixture block – Brighton faces Southampton, Wolverhampton, and Leicester in the next six gameweeks, all below‑average attacking sides.
- Low ownership, high upside – At 3.9 % ownership, Verbruggen offers a differential boost when he earns a clean sheet or a save point.
Practical tips
- Pair with a cheap defender from the same team (e.g., Lewis Tarkowski) to maximize clean‑sheet points.
- Activate the “keep” chip on a double‑game‑week when Brighton has two home fixtures.
- Monitor Brighton’s defensive statistics; a dip in clean sheets should trigger a swap for a higher‑priced goalkeeper.
Gabriel Magalhães – Arsenal (Centre‑Back)
Current price: £5.0m
Season stats: 7 goals, 5 assists, 9 clean sheets; average of 1.5 points per game
Why Gabriel delivers value
- Set‑piece threat – Gabriel’s aerial prowess accounts for 40 % of Arsenal’s defending‑corner goals.
- Consistent starts – Arteta’s rotation policy keeps Gabriel in the starting XI for at least 85 % of league games.
- affordable compared to peers – moast Arsenal centre‑backs sit at £5.5‑£6.0 m; Gabriel remains under the “mid‑price” threshold.
Practical tips
- Use Gabriel as a captain‑eligible defender when Arsenal faces teams with weak set‑piece defense (e.g., Burnley, Brighton).
- Combine with a budget full‑back like Ibrahima Thiaw to secure both clean‑sheet and attacking returns.
- Keep an eye on Gabriel’s injury history; a niggling thigh issue in Oct 2025 caused a three‑week absence.
Ibrahima Thiaw – Southampton (Full‑Back/Left‑Wing‑Back)
Current price: £4.0m
Season stats: 5 assists, 3 secondary‑assist points, 2 clean sheets
Why Thiaw is a hidden gem
- Attacking emphasis – Southampton’s 4‑3‑3 system gives Thiaw the freedom to overlap, resulting in a crossing accuracy of 27 %.
- Fixture sweet spot – Southampton’s next four games are against Chelsea, everton, Newcastle, and West Ham – all teams that concede from wide areas.
- low price, high minutes – At £4.0 m he is the cheapest starting full‑back with over 75 % minutes played.
Practical tips
- Deploy Thiaw on your “wildcard” budget defender slot to free up funds for premium midfielders.
- Pair with a strong central defender (e.g., Lewis Tarkowski) to lock in clean‑sheet points.
- Switch Thiaw to a captain slot in a double‑game‑week when Southampton faces Everton (home) and Stoke (away).
Lewis Tarkowski – Southampton (Centre‑Back)
Current price: £4.2m
Season stats: 6 clean sheets, 1 goal, 0.9 GAA
Why Tarkowski offers elite value
- Reliability – Started 30 of 32 league matches; rarely rotated.
- defensive solidity – Southampton’s defensive duels win rate sits at 61 % with Tarkowski contributing to 48 % of those wins.
- Differential potential – Ownership under 4 % makes him a useful wildcard pick for managers chasing the top 10 % of rankings.
Practical tips
- Combine Tarkowski with Verbruggen for a “defensive twin” strategy: clean sheet + save points.
- use the “bench boost” chip on a week where Southampton has a double‑home fixture, maximizing both defenders’ points.
- Keep an eye on disciplinary records; tarkowski received two yellow cards in November 2025—monitor for potential suspensions.
Ibrahim Frimpong – Brentford (Wing‑Back)
Current price: £5.5m
Season stats: 6 assists, 1 goal, 112 crosses completed, 4 clean sheets
Why Frimpong is a high‑return pick
- Explosive pace – Top speed of 35 km/h recorded in a March 2025 match; creates space on the flank for Brentford’s high‑press system.
- Set‑piece involvement – Takes most of Brentford’s indirect free‑kicks, adding a 0.3 point per game boost.
- Home‑heavy schedule – Four of Brentford’s next five fixtures are at the Gtech Community Stadium, where Frimpong’s crossing success rises to 32 %.
Practical tips
- Consider Frimpong as a captain candidate when Brentford faces teams conceding high numbers of wing‑back crosses (e.g., Leicester, Wolves).
- Pair with a budget midfielder who benefits from his assists (e.g., James Coady) to compound points.
- If Brentford’s forward line struggles, switch Frimpong to a bench flag to preserve budget for midfield upgrades.
How to Build a Value‑focused FPL Squad Around These Picks
- Allocate ≤ £30m for defence and goalkeeping
- Verbruggen (£4.5m) + Tarkowski (£4.2m) + Thiaw (£4.0m) = £12.7m
- Leaves ~£17.3m for midfield and attack, freeing up premium assets.
- Use the “Free Hit” chip in a double‑game‑week
- Deploy Verbruggen, Frimpong, and Gabriel to capitalize on clean‑sheet and assist spikes.
- Balance ownership
- Pair low‑ownership picks (Verbruggen, Tarkowski, Thiaw) with a few high‑ownership stars to avoid excessive risk.
- Monitor fixture difficulty curves
- Rotate the cheap defenders based on upcoming fixture ease; for example, swap Thiaw for a premium left‑back when Southampton faces top‑six opponents.
- Track price changes weekly
- Gabriel’s goal‑scoring form could trigger a price rise to £5.2 m, boosting overall team value.
Real‑World Example: Week 16 Performance Snapshot
| Player | Points earned | Key contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Verbruggen | 6 | 1 clean sheet + 2 save points |
| gabriel | 8 | 1 goal + 2 clean‑sheet points |
| Thiaw | 5 | 1 assist + 2 crossing points |
| Tarkowski | 5 | 1 clean sheet + 1 defensive bonus |
| Frimpong | 9 | 2 assists + 1 goal + 2 crossing points |
Total from value picks: 33 points, representing 38 % of a typical 86‑point weekly haul for a top‑10 manager.
Key takeaways for FPL managers
- Target low‑price starters with clear fixture advantages.
- Combine defensive value picks to amplify clean‑sheet returns.
- Leverage chips (Wildcard,Free Hit,Bench Boost) when these players have double‑game‑week potential.
By integrating Verbruggen,Gabriel,Thiaw,Tarkowski,and frimpong into a balanced budget,managers can preserve capital for premium midfield and forward assets while securing consistent point streams from the back line.
