Otamendi alternatives
Friday 17 November 2017 17:00, UK
Nicholas Otamendi’s sublime start to the season has been the foundation for many of Sky Sports Fantasy Football’s top-scoring sides, but they must cope without him this weekend.
For all Otamendi's positives, his ill-discipline means he misses out as Manchester City travel to Leicester on Saturday, after collecting five yellow cards.
More than 10 per cent of players will have to transfer the game's highest scoring defender out this week, but here are three options to replace him…
Phil Jones (£7.5m)
Perhaps the bargain of the season, Phil Jones is just a shade less popular among Sky Sports Fantasy Football players then Otamendi, but a quite significant £1.1m cheaper - allowing for a few extra pennies elsewhere in your team this weekend.
Manchester United's fantastic defensive performance this season - eight clean sheets in 11 games - makes up most of his points, and Jones allows you to tap into that scoring source for just £7.5m.
He is a slight doubt for this weekend's clash with Newcastle United, but, if fit, will be most people's first-choice replacement for Otamendi.
Joel Matip (£8.4m)
The most expensive option on this list, Joel Matip - like Jones - is one of few defenders among the big teams in Otamendi's price range.
Liverpool's defence has come in for plenty of criticism recently, but this weekend they welcome low-scoring Southampton to Anfield - where they have conceded just once in the Premier League this season.
A ball-playing centre-back, Matip is a player who can also scoop up the passing bonuses like Otamendi. He's done so six times already this season, just three times fewer than the City man, and has also found the back of the net.
James Tarkwoski (£6.1m)
Away from the big teams, James Tarkowski is impressing quietly for a Burnley side typically strong at the back.
He lacks the ability to score the passing and tackling bonuses that Otamendi does, but this weekend he comes with huge chance to clinch a clean sheet as struggling Swansea visit Turf Moor.
Tarkowski has helped Burnley keep their opposition out on five occasions this season, while also earning two Sky Sports match of the match awards, and, for just £6.1m, is an option for those looking to free up some funds and tinker elsewhere in their team.
