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Fantasy managers generally start at the front when building their FPL squads for Gameweek 1, meaning the goalkeeper position is often overlooked. It’s an important position though and getting it right provides a crucial eleventh man each week. So, who are the best goalkeepers to select for this coming season?
We've picked out the top picks in conjunction with Fantasy Football Hub’s powerful AI Points Predictions to show their predicted points over the first eight gameweeks of the season.
Aaron Ramsdale (£5.0m) - 31.1 Predicted Points
When we delve into the goalkeeper price points, the £5.0m bracket is the standout given the security of starters and the clean sheet potential they provide. Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale is a clear favourite given he kept 14 clean sheets last season, finishing inside top five shot-stoppers for the campaign.
Ramsdale made 94 saves last season on his way to 143 points and started the season strongly as Arsenal forced their way into title contention. The Gunners have a favourable run of fixtures on paper, including three home games in their first four outings.
Mark Flekken (£4.5m) - 30.5 Predicted Points
The goalkeepers priced at £4.5m don't provide as much security for FPL players, simply because their starting places are not guaranteed. Brentford's Mark Flekken falls into that bracket, though he may well get the nod over David Raya (£5.0m) as the Spaniard draws transfer interest from the likes of Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
Brentford's top half finish yielded 12 clean sheets last season, though Raya, who was the Bees' number one, also scooped up a bundle of points through saves and bonuses points. That's a perk that may pass on to Flekken, who also has clean sheet potential in the early weeks.
Sam Johnstone (£4.5m) - 30.9 Predicted Points
One £4.5m who will be first choice is Crystal Palace's Sam Johnstone. After dislodging Vicente Guaita between the sticks, he notched 36 points in nine games including three clean sheets and 26 saves. Not only that, he's the leading option according to Fantasy Football Hub's AI predicted points tool.
His small sample size must be taken into account, as should a tricky run of opening fixtures against the likes of Arsenal, Brentford, Aston Villa and Manchester United, but there's save and bonus point potential that helps make Johnstone a solid long-term option.
Alisson (£5.5m) - 31.0 Predicted Points
There's many reasons why avoiding premium price goalkeepers is a good idea. For one, your attacking options are limited (should you wish to triple up from the same club) and there's also a good chance that they won't be as involved from a shot-stopping point of view - simply because they are playing for a better team.
Nevertheless, Liverpool number one Alisson is still a decent pick, evidenced by his 14 clean sheets last season. Save and bonus points may be at a premium but a six-point return isn't anything to be sniffed at. The Reds' opening fixtures aren't great - Chelsea, Newcastle United and Aston Villa among them - but things quickly improve and there's certainly points to be had.
Alphonse Areola (£4.0m) - 0 Predicted Points
When it comes to selecting a second goalkeeper, West Ham’s backup Alphonse Areola is the current favourite. A regular in the Hammers' UEFA Europa Conference League winning side, the Frenchman may eventually get the nod in the league ahead of veteran Lukasz Fabianski, who is now into the final year of his contract.
Will Areola start on the opening weekend? It's tough to call, particularly as David Moyes is known to be loyal to his regular starters. But even if he doesn't, there's a good chance he'll force his way in at some point - over 30% of owners at the time of writing have already taken that gamble.
AI Predictions
In terms of points predictions from the AI tool, Manchester City's Ederson (£5.5m) is the go-to goalkeeper. But that premium price argument again comes into play, making the Brazilian an outsider pick for the long-term.
Nick Pope (£5.5m) and Emi Martinez (£5.0m) are other sound options, though they are unlikely to see their prices rise unless they string together a superb run of early season form, making them an appealing prospect later in the campaign.
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This article was originally published on 90min as The best goalkeepers in FPL this season - 2023/24.