Anybody that has ever played in an annual Premier League fantasy competition will understand the importance of the goalkeeper position and how big of a difference it can make overall. The same is true in Daily Fantasy Leagues where the best of the best can truly make the difference every single week. Here is a look at the top-five fantasy Premier League goalkeepers so far this season.
Jack Butland, Stoke City
Stoke is currently sitting in the top half of the Premier League table and a big part of their success has been the play of their goalkeeper Butland, who is currently the top-ranked fantasy netminder. Butland has faced more shots than any other Premier League goalkeeper and his 76 saves ranks No. 1 in England’s top flight while his eight clean sheets are one fewer than Arsenal’s Petr Cech for the most in the Premier League this season. Butland has saved some of his best performances for some of United’s biggest games this year. On the whole, Stoke City has allowed just 21 goals this season, which is the fifth-fewest in the EPL. There is absolutely no reason to doubt his ability moving forward the rest of the way this season.
Petr Cech, Arsenal
Few expected the veteran Cech to rebound with such a fine season but he is currently ranked second among Premier League goalkeepers in fantasy points this season. He is among the biggest reasons why Arsenal is alone atop the Premier League table. As a team, Arsenal has allowed just 18 goals in 20 games this season, which is the third-fewest in the English Premier League. Cech’s nine clean sheets are the most in England’s top flight and his 65 saves rank him fourth on that list. The Gunners have shown no signs of slowing down as a legitimate title contender and Cech is right there among the biggest reasons for it.
Heurelho Gomes, Watford
Watford has been another pleasant surprise so far this year and their star goalkeeper Gomes is a big reason for it as he is tied with Butland and Manchester City’s Joe Hart for the second-most clean sheets with eight. Unlike Hart, Gomes actually ranks among the top-10 in saves this season with 56 and as long as he continues to shine, Watford should remain in the top half of the table. As a team, they’ve allowed just 22 goals on the season.
Boaz Myhill, West Brom
West Brom is coming off back-to-back wins to climb to 12th in the Premier League table and a big reason why they have been able to hang around near the top half is because of the play of their goalkeeper Myhill. The Wales international has recorded seven clean sheets this season and he ranks sixth in the Premier League in saves with 62. As a team, West Brom would probably be in the relegation zone without Myhill’s performance as they’ve allowed just 25 goals so far this year. However, when you consider that they’ve scored just 20 times in 20 games – the fourth-fewest in the EPL – you start to realize just how important Myhill has been to them. He has been one of the top goalkeepers in England this year and he currently ranks fourth among Premier League netminders in fantasy points.
Hugo Lloris, Tottenham
Tottenham has been one of the most consistent teams in the Premier League all year and a big reason why they rank fourth in the table right now is the play of Lloris. Lloris has recorded seven clean sheets and that has been enough to make up for the fact that he doesn’t rank in the top-10 in saves this season. Lloris’ 49 saves currently has him ranked 11th in the Premier League in saves but he ranks fifth in fantasy points and there is no reason to expect him to slow down the rest of the way as one of the top options on the board for a team that can be a legitimate title contender.
