Defenders:
Luke Shaw (Southampton 4.7) Whilst Southampton are keeping clean sheets it's worth jumping all over their defence. Luke Shaw is the first-choice left back, and as well as keeping clean sheets in the young England player is attack-minded. A couple of goals and assists may be on the cards for Shaw this season. Luke Shaw's value has only risen 0.2 despite picking up 32 points in 6 matches. Ben Davies (Swansea City 5.0) An even more attack-minded left-back than Luke Shaw is Swansea City's Ben Davies. Europa League action must be taken into consideration when selecting Swansea players this season squad rotation and fatigue etc. But with two goals to his name already this season makes Ben Davies a tempting proposition. After picking up 1 point in his first two games combined, Davies has picked up 33 points from his last 4 Premier League matches. A trip to Southampton awaits he and his team on Sunday. Sylvain Distin (Everton 5.0) Everton have made an impressive start to life under Roberto Martínez the last remaining unbeaten side in the Premier League, have kept 3 clean sheets from their first six matches and beat Chelsea to kick-start their current 3-match winning streak. Leighton Baines gets most of the points being involved in the goals from left-back, but if you cannot afford him, Sylvain Distin is available as Everton's only regular starting defender at 5.0 or less. Everton travel to one of Sylvain Distin's former teams, Manchester City this weekend. This doesn't make it tempting to transfer Distin in this weekend, but a home match against Hull City followed up by a trip to Aston Villa may persuade you. James Collins (West Ham 4.6) Scoring goals has been a problem for West Ham this season, hindered by the absence of Andy Carroll through injury. So when Sam Allardyce's side aren't scoring he's shoring things up at the back not to lose matches. They were unlucky last weekend in a 1-0 loss at Hull through a soft penalty decision, but they already have 3 clean sheets this season, two of which were 0-0 draws. A trip to Tottenham is on the cards this weekend for West Ham which makes James Collins less appealing. But keep him on your watchlist for matches in November and December you may too feel West Ham will be capable of keeping more clean sheets. Kolo Touré (Liverpool 5.0) An impressive start for Liverpool saw them keep 3 consecutive clean sheets. That has since dwindled away with no clean sheets in their last three. Brendan Rodgers' side must be confident of keeping one this weekend though at home to a Crystal Palace side who have failed to score in their last three matches. Kolo Touré is currently covering for the injury Glen Johnson at right-back, who has a lengthy lay off. The Ivorian has looked pretty solid to begin his career at Liverpool and looks a good threat from set pieces too. Liverpool at home to Crystal Palace. You may be considering the attacking threats of Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge to score goals in this match, but don't overlook the defence keeping a clean sheet. Kolo Touré is the cheapest option in Liverpool's defence. Alternatives worth considering: José Fonte (Southampton 4.9), Liam Ridgewell (West Brom 5.0), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City 5.0), Steven Caulker (Cardiff City 5.0), Winston Reid (West Ham 5.0), Nathanial Clyne (Southampton 4.4), Curtis Davies (Hull City 4.5), Marc Wilson (Stoke City 4.5), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle 5.0), Billy Jones (West Brom 5.0), Guy Demel (West Ham 5.0), Jonas Olsson (West Brom 4.9), Michael Turner (Norwich City 4.4), Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (Newcastle 4.5) , Russell Martin (Norwich City 4.8)
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Barrie's View is a football stat man focusing mainly on the English Premier League. Barrie also contributes to other large football blogs, including Back Page Football and Football Talk, and has been cited by the USA Today.
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