In this blog, defenders who have at least one double gameweek on the horizon are compared using the Fix Comparison Matrix over the last six gameweeks to determine the ideal replacement if you wish to move Cancelo on.

John Stones

Stones has featured for every minute of Man. City's last six league games and appears to be one of the more nailed options in their backline, the England international has racked up six shots over that period which is joint-third behind Doherty and Gabriel (six each). He has also attempted three assists and been afforded one 'big chance'. He has also picked up bonus points on the two occasions Man. City have kept a clean sheet over the last six gameweeks.

Matt Doherty

Doherty struggled for consistent gametime prior to the World Cup break but has started the last three league matches for Spurs. The Irish international is joint-top of the comparison for goals (one) and shots (six) despite the limited gametime and has also attempted four assists. He is the cheapest option in the comparison and could be a great enabler to free up funds.

Ivan Perišić

Like Doherty, Perišić has started every one of Spurs' league games after the restart and posts some impressive numbers topping the comparison for assists (two), attempted assists (ten) and 'big chances' (three). He is also joint-third for shots (five) and appears to have cemented down the left-wingback slot over R. Sessegnon.

Luke Shaw

No player has racked up more Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points than Shaw (32) since the restart, the England international has registered 43 points over the last six gameweeks with only Trippier (58) faring better amongst defenders. The underlying numbers are not so promising though, he has taken only two shots over the aforementioned period and scored from his only shot on target. He has also created just six chances over 515 minutes which averages out to just one chance created per game.

Gabriel Magalhães

Gabriel has notched 34 FPL points over the last six gameweeks with Arsenal keeping four clean sheets over that period. He is joint-top of the comparison for goals (one), shots (six) and top for shots on target (two). Unlike the cheaper option in White, he is unlikely to get subbed in matches and is good for bonus points as well with nine so far this season.

Team Defensive Stats

A look at the above image from our Stats Sandbox feature highlights how good Arsenal and Man. Utd have been at the back with four clean sheets in the last six gameweeks. The two sides are ranked second (4.08) and third (4.49) for 'Expected Goals Conceded) (xGC) while Man. City are in fourth (5.46). The Cityzens have been a bit unlucky to keep just two clean sheets and the underlying numbers remain strong. Spurs' defensive numbers are quite poor, they are ranked 10th for xGC (8.23) and have kept just one clean sheet over the last six gameweeks. The double in gameweek 20 is tricky for the North London side as well with games against the top two teams in the league, Arsenal and City.

Algorithm projections

Trippier is the highest projected point scorer as per our Fix Algorithm over the next six gameweeks despite no double scheduled. Gabriel (26.7) is the highest projected from the defenders under consideration with Stones in fifth (25.5). Perišić is in 11th (22.4) with Shaw (18.6) and Doherty (16.1) some way behind.

Based on the above analysis, Gabriel and Stones appear to be the best picks who offer some attacking threat and they also have double gameweeks on the horizon.