For all the Harry Kanes and Mo Salahs in the Premier League there are a bunch of defenders and goalkeepers working hard for their respective Fantasy Premier League trying to keep Premier League Clean Sheets.
Whilst not as exciting as seeing the goal hitting the back of the net, those six points are still vital every game week.
But is there any particular combination or strength/weakness for each team’s ability to keep a clean sheet?
Well for the upcoming FPL season we’ll be keeping an eye on just that with our Premier League Clean Sheets Stats.
Since the season hasn’t started just yet, how about some 2020-21 Premier League Clean Sheets Stats.
2020-21 Premier League Clean Sheets Stats
It will come as no great surprise that Manchester City top the Premier League clean sheets stats for 2020-21, and at 50% no less. But is there a weakness there?
What about a lower midfield team causing with a surprise?
Was is just the relegated teams with an awful clean sheet record?
We have split the clean sheets into a few categories below.
TOP SIX v BOTTOM SIX
Well, like most teams, Manchester City found it easier to keep a clean sheet against the bottom six teams than the top six throughout last season.
But there were a couple of exceptions.
Their cross-town rival Manchester United seemed to find it easier to keep a clean sheet against the better sides, their best clean sheet % was against the top six.
Talking of good clean sheet results for top six v bottom six there are just a handful of teams who broke the 50% barrier last season.
- Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Burnley, West Brom v bottom six
- Aston Villa, Liverpool v middle eight.
Everton’s record across all three categories is almost equal.
FPL SUMMARY
One would think at least Man City asset is a good idea this season, as they are hardly going to go backwards.
Aston Villa were outstanding against the non top six sides last season, a similar record to Man City. They have kept that defence and it does offer value.
Liverpool’s clean sheets should improve with Van Dijk back. Their stats are low
v BIG SIX TEAMS
The big result here is Man Utd v big six teams. Keeping a clean sheet over 50% of the time against the big sides. They conceded just one goal in five away games to the big six last season.
Chelsea were one of the other rare teams to have more clean sheets against big six than not. They did concede the second fewest goals in total to big six sides last season (10 in 10). Man City were best with only one less goal conceded.
One point down the other end of the table to note is that West Ham failed to keep a clean sheet against a big six sides last season. The only team to do so.
Although not exactly clean sheet related, Brighton were the best of the non big six for goals conceded against the big six last season, followed by Fulham. They finished 16th and 18th last season.
FPL SUMMARY
Man Utd are always up for the big games and tighten up to dolphin arse-like. So a hard fixture is not always a bad thing. Defensive points are up for grabs, especially looking at the goal scoring stats for some of their stars.
Chelsea are also going under the radar a bit for clean sheets and defences in general with Liverpool’s assets grabbing the headlines and budget. But given their attacking prowess and the clean sheets here, perhaps Chelsea defenders should be given a second glance / thought.
West Ham look best avoided for games against the big sides.
1ST / 2ND HALF SEASON SPLIT
Following on from the above, Chelsea look the most impressive for second half of season improvement, as Mendy took over as keeper and Tuchel imposed his style on the team. Man Utd also improved in the second half, but not as spectacularly as Chelsea.
Man City dropped off in the second half of the season, but that can happen when you win the league by a mile and have Champions League to worry about. Hang on, didn’t Chelsea also have the Champions League to worry about?
Brighton and Everton were some non big six sides that made progress in the second half of the season. One reason why the Brighton goalkeeper Sanchez is so popular this season.
Some teams to drop off in the second half of the season were Southampton as their season imploded from the 9-0 loss to Man Utd and injuries. Aston Villa also dropped off in the second half of the season.
FPL SUMMARY
We’re talking ourselves into finding an appropriate Chelsea defensive asset the more we write.
Brighton too are worth a look in the bargain bin. Not just the goalkeeper but Adam Webster looks good value at 4.5M.
