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            <p>Who are the best FPL defenders for Double Gameweek 31?</p>
<p>Four-time top 1k and 5-time top 5k finisher <a href="https://twitter.com/FPL_Salah">Abdul Rehman</a> uses the Hub's <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/">OPTA</a>, <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/predictions/">Prediction</a>, <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fpl-player-comparision-tool/">Comparison</a> and <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fixture-ticker/">Fixture</a> tools to identify the best Fantasy Premier League budget and premium defenders.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to check out our <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fantasy-premier-league-ultimate-guide-fpl-tips/">Ultimate FPL Gameweek Guide</a>, which has everything you need to make the best decisions ahead of the deadline.</p>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">The Best FPL Defenders for Double Gameweek 31</h2>
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<h3><strong>Matt Doherty (£4.8m) – Spurs</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Fixture: Newcastle United (H)</strong></p>
<p>Matt Doherty has started the last five games for Spurs, and looks to have cemented himself as the first choice right-back. In that time he has three clean sheets, with one goal and three assists.</p>
<p>Over the season he has 11 shots in the Box with an xG of 2.18, and has created 18 Chances with an xA of 2.05 in just seven starts, benefitting from the advanced wingback system that Conte plays.</p>
<p>Tottenham have a favourable fixture against Newcastle United in Double Gameweek 31. Defensively, Spurs have been pretty good this season, conceding 36 goals (6<sup>th</sup>) with an xGC of 36.5 (4<sup>th</sup>).</p>
<p>The Toon have scored 32 goals (15<sup>th</sup>) with an xG of 32.1 (17<sup>th</sup>) which makes them one of the worst attacks in the league. They have improved a lot over the last few months, but I still see this as a really tough game for them offensively.</p>
<p>Furthermore, Spurs are at 46% to keep a clean sheet this week according to the bookmakers.</p>
<p>I still feel Doherty is the best defensive option for Antonio Conte's men. He is only £4.8m, is more nailed than Reguilon, and of course, is great in the final third.</p>
<p>Tottenham also have a really good run of <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fixture-ticker">fixtures </a>until the end of the season, with at least one more double to be rearranged.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-45068 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Matt-Doherty-Stats-2.jpg" alt="Matt Doherty Stats. best budget defenders fpl double gamweek 31" width="803" height="651" /></p>
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<h3><strong>Andrew Robertson (7.2m) – Liverpool</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Fixture: Watford (H)</strong></p>
<p>Andy Robertson now has one goal and 11 assists (1<sup>st</sup> among defenders) this season, creating 55 Chances with an xA of 5.50. He has had a blistering second half of the season.</p>
<p>Liverpool have one of the best fixtures of the season for both defence and attack. They come up against Watford, who have only scored 29 goals (17<sup>th</sup>) with an xG of 34.7 (16<sup>th</sup>). They sit 18<sup>th</sup> in the league and look favourites for the drop.</p>
<p>Liverpool’s defence has only been bettered by Manchester City this season. The Reds have conceded 20 goals (3<sup>rd</sup>) with an xGC of 28.8 (2<sup>nd</sup>). They have the second best defence, with probably the most attacking full-backs in the league.</p>
<p>They are also the second favourites (53%) to keep a clean sheet in Double Gameweek 31.</p>
<p>Robertson has been one of the best defensive options for the last three seasons, and has been phenomenal again this year. A fixture against Watford gives him a good chance of returns at both ends of the pitch, and him being on corners and some free-kicks makes him even more attractive.</p>
<p>Our <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/predictions">Points Prediction Tool</a> ranks him as the second highest predicted scoring defender (6.2 points) for Double Gameweek 31.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-45069 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Andy-Robertson-Stats-1.jpg" alt="Andy Robertson Stats. best defenders DGW31" width="797" height="651" /></p>
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<h3><strong>Reece James (£6.2m) – Chelsea</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Fixture: Brentford (H)</strong></p>
<p>Reece James has an impressive five goals and six assists in only 16 starts for Chelsea this season. He has an xG of 2.43, and has created 38 Chances with an xA of 3.93. He is simply a fantastic option when he plays, and has bags of attacking threat playing in a solid defence.</p>
<p>The Blues come up against Brentford in Double Gameweek 31, which is a great fixture defensively. The Bees have scored 33 goals (14<sup>th</sup>) with an xG of 38.9 (12<sup>th</sup>) and I don’t see them adding to their goal tally in this fixture.</p>
<p>Chelsea have been great at the back as usual. They have conceded only 19 goals (2<sup>nd</sup>) with an xGC of 28.8 (2<sup>nd</sup>) and I really can't see Brentford causing them many problems this week.</p>
<p>They are the third favourites (52%) to keep a clean sheet in Double Gameweek 31, and also the third favourites (49%) to score 2.5+ goals, so James will have ample opportunity for returns at both ends of the pitch.</p>
<p>James is such a good asset when he starts, which has been a problem for him this season with so many injuries. He played his first game in Gameweek 29 since Gameweek 21, and managed a goal, assist and a clean sheet.</p>
<p>He did suffer another setback after that game, but according to Thomas Tuchel he should be fit for this week. The Chelsea press conference is going to be important in Double Gameweek 31.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-45070 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Reece-James-Stats.jpg" alt="Reece James Stats. fpl double gameweek 31 defenders" width="800" height="651" /></p>
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<h3><strong>Joao Cancelo (£6.9m) – Manchester City</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Fixture: Burnley (a)</strong></p>
<p>Joao Cancelo has one goal, eight assists and 15 clean sheets this season. He has the highest xG amongst defenders (4.29) and has also created 34 Chances with an xA of 4.51 (3<sup>rd</sup> amongst defenders).</p>
<p>He also has the most final third passes (889) of any player in the league. The full-back has been a phenomenal asset this season.</p>
<p>Manchester City have now kept 17 clean sheets (1<sup>st</sup>) and boast the best defence in the league. They have conceded 18 goals (1<sup>st</sup>) with an xGC of 21.8 (1<sup>st</sup>).</p>
<p>The Citizens come up against Burnley this week, which looks as nailed on a clean sheet as you can get. The Clarets have really struggled in front of goal, and have been one of the worst attacking sides. They have scored 22 goals (19<sup>th</sup>) with an xG of 26.3 (19<sup>th</sup>). Only Norwich have a worse attacking record.</p>
<p>The bookmakers have City as the favourites to keep a clean sheet this week at 54%, and also have them as the favourites to score 2.5+ goals (56%). This is a prime fixture for the Portuguese to get defensive returns, as well as attacking.</p>
<p>He looks almost essential from now until the end of the season.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-45071 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Joao-Cancelo-Stats.jpg" alt="Joao Cancelo Stats. best captains double gameweek 31" width="800" height="652" /></p>
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<h3><strong>Marc Cucurella (£5.0m) – Brighton</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Fixture: Norwich (H)</strong></p>
<p>Marc Cucurella has started every game for Brighton since he came to the Premier League. He has one assist, but has created 36 Chances with an xA of 2.43, as well as an xG of 0.44.</p>
<p>Brighton haven’t kept a clean sheet in seven league games, but they won’t get a better chance to keep one than this week. They come up against bottom of the table Norwich, who have only managed 18 goals (20<sup>th</sup>) with an xG of 25.6 (20<sup>th</sup>). They are literally the worst attacking side in the league.</p>
<p>Despite Brighton’s recent run of poor form, they still have decent defensive numbers over the season, and are certainly good enough to keep the Canaries out. The Seagulls have conceded 36 goals (6<sup>th</sup>) with an xGC of 40.7 (7<sup>th</sup>).</p>
<p>This is a fixture I feel the Spaniard could profit from, at both ends of the pitch. He hasn’t had many attacking returns this season, but his stats do suggest more to come.</p>
<p>He is the best defensive asset for Graham Potter's men, as he is nailed and is good going forward too. Historically Cucurella has a decent offensive record, with 8 goals and 20 assists in 209 games before he came to the South Coast.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-45072 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Marc-Cucurella-Stats.jpg" alt="Marc Cucurella Stats. top 5 best defenders gameweek 31" width="803" height="652" /></p>
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<h2><strong>Hub Power Rankings</strong></h2>
<p>I will now rank the<strong> Best FPL Double Gameweek 31 Defenders </strong>in accordance with our Power Rankings for Hub members!</p>
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Best FPL Defenders For Double Gameweek 31 | Fantasy Football Tips 2021/22

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