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            <p>Wondering who the best FPL defenders are for Gameweek 1?</p>
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<h2><strong>Best Defenders for FPL Gameweek 1</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>Gabriel (£6.0m) – Arsenal</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Fixture: Wolves (H)</strong></p>
<p>Gabriel looks like one of the best defenders for Gameweek 1, despite an unexpected benching at the same phase of last season.</p>
<p>The Brazilian scored three goals and created one assist last season with an xG of 4.48 (first among defenders). I would expect Gabriel to hit at least three goals again this season looking at his underlying numbers</p>
<p>Arsenal also have the best defence in the league. They kept the most clean sheets (18) – five more than second placed City and Everton. They also conceded the least goals (29) and had the best xGC.</p>
<p>Gabriel has huge goal threat, and it looks like he is still first choice despite the signing of <strong>Riccardo Calafiori (£6.0m). </strong>We may see some rotation later down the line but at the beginning of the season I think the Brazilian starts..</p>
<p>Mikel Arteta's team are the favourites to keep a clean sheet (55%) in Gameweek 1.</p>
<p>It's no surprise given how good the defence is, and their opponents Wolves aren't exactly free scoring. They netted the fifth least goals (50) and had the fourth worst xGC (47.21).</p>
<p>Arsenal are the favourites to keep a clean sheet in Gameweek 1 (55%) and the favourites to score 2.5+ goals (55%) so Gabriel could profit at both ends of the pitch.</p>
<p>He is also the highest predicted scoring defender for the opening gameweek (5.5 points) according to our<a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/predictions"><strong> <b>Hub AI Tool.</b></strong></a></p>
<div id="attachment_65869" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-65869" class="size-full wp-image-65869" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/FFStuffImage-64.jpg" alt="Gabriel " width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-65869" class="wp-caption-text">Gabriel</p>
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<h3></h3>
<h3><strong>Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) – Liverpool</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Fixture: Ipswich (a)</strong></p>
<p>Alexander-Arnold looks a fine option this season at his price.</p>
<p>He wasn't at his best last season, as he only managed three goals and five assists in 25 starts with 122 points.  However his underlying <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta" aria-label="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/">stats</a> have been great for years, and I'm more inclined to believe this was a one off.</p>
<p>He was injured for large parts of the year and played in midfield a lot too which hampered his overall returns.</p>
<p>In his career, Alexander-Arnold has 23 goals and 85 assists, which makes him one of the most attacking defenders in world football.</p>
<p>Liverpool probably have the best fixture of the gameweek for both attack and defence. They are they second favourites to keep a clean sheet (42%) and also the third favourites to score 2.5+ goals (48%).</p>
<p>They come up against promoted Ipswich who could be in for a rude awakening and Alexander-Arnold could profit here and both ends of the pitch.</p>
<p>The right-back is the fourth highest predicted scoring defender (4.9 points) according to our<strong><a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/predictions"> Hub AI Tool.</a></strong></p>
<div id="attachment_65870" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-65870" class="size-full wp-image-65870" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/FFStuffImage-65.jpg" alt="Trent Alexander-Arnold " width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-65870" class="wp-caption-text">Trent Alexander-Arnold</p>
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<h3><strong>Pedro Porro (£5.5m) – Spurs</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Fixture: Leicester City (a)</strong></p>
<p>Porro had a fine season with Spurs as he finished as the fourth highest scoring defender in the game.</p>
<p>He scored three goals, created the second most assists (eight) from all defenders, and also had the second best xA (6.18).</p>
<p>The 24-year-old is nailed to start, and over his career has 23 goals and 34 assists in 207 games. The Spaniard is one of the best defenders in the game.</p>
<p>Spurs are not great defensively – they conceded 61 goals (sixth-best) with an xGC of 63.6 (13th) and kept seven clean sheets.</p>
<p>However Porro is so good going forward that I still think he is worth the investment.</p>
<p>They also have a great fixture for defensive and offensive returns which is why I like Porro for the opening gameweek.</p>
<p>Spurs play Leicester and are the fifth favourites to keep a clean sheet (32%) and to score 2.5+ goals (38%).</p>
<p>Porro is also on some set-pieces so has many avenues to points.</p>
<div id="attachment_65871" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-65871" class="size-full wp-image-65871" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/FFStuffImage-66.jpg" alt="Pedro Porro " width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-65871" class="wp-caption-text">Pedro Porro</p>
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<h3><strong>Luke Shaw (£5.0m) – Manchester United</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Fixture: Fulham (H)</strong></p>
<p>Shaw is nailed as United’s number-one left-back. He was injured a lot season, but if he can stay fit he could be a steal at £5.0m, and Manchester United have a good first fixture to kick off the season.</p>
<p>United weren't great at the back last term. They conceded 58 goals (fifth) but had an xGC of 69.6 (16th) and recorded their worst ever finish to a season in more than 30 years in 2023/24.</p>
<p>Shaw is the best United defender to own, as he provides both defensive and attacking returns and has that left-back spot nailed. He also takes some corners for his side, so has set-piece threat too.</p>
<p>I do expect United to improve next season, as they have the quality of players at their disposal to finish in the top six.</p>
<p>They are the fourth favourites to keep a clean sheet in Gameweek 1 (34%) as they welcome Fulham to Old Trafford.</p>
<p>The Cottagers scored 55 goals (thirteenth) with an xG of 51.57 (fourteenth) and United will be strong favourites.</p>
<div id="attachment_65872" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-65872" class="size-full wp-image-65872" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/FFStuffImage-67.jpg" alt="Luke Shaw" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-65872" class="wp-caption-text">Luke Shaw</p>
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<h3></h3>
<h3><strong>Lewis Hall (£4.5m) – Newcastle United</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Fixture: Southampton (H)</strong></p>
<p>Lewis Hall is currently looking like the best Newcastle defender. He looks to be first choice left-back judging by pre-season.</p>
<p>Hall has played plenty of minutes there, and has also contributed in attack with a goal and two assists.</p>
<p><strong>Tino Livramento (£4.5m)</strong> has been playing at right-back and <strong>Kieran Trippier (£6.5m)</strong> got his first minutes against Brest in their pre-season friendly, so that spot is uncertain at the moment especially with reports of Trippier moving away.</p>
<p>With <strong>Sven Botman (£4.5m)</strong> out until late December, <strong>Dan Burn (£4.5m)</strong> should partner <strong>Fabian Schar (£4.5m)</strong> in the centre of defence.</p>
<p>The Magpies weren’t the best at the back last season, conceding 62 goals (thirteenth) with an xGC of 62.7 (twelfth) however we know they can be a good defensive side.</p>
<p>However getting<strong> Nick Pope (£5.0m)</strong> back fit should improve their clean sheet prospects.They also have a very kind fixture at home to promoted Southampton.</p>
<p>Eddie Howe's team are the third favourites to keep a clean sheet (41%) in Gameweek 1.</p>
<div id="attachment_65873" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-65873" class="size-full wp-image-65873" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/FFStuffImage-68.jpg" alt="Lewis Hall" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-65873" class="wp-caption-text">Lewis Hall</p>
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<h2><strong>Hub Power Rankings</strong></h2>
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Best Gameweek 1 FPL Defenders for 2024/25

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