Best FPL goalkeepers for GW9–GW13
A goalkeeper is rarely the most exciting transfer, but a poor combination can quietly cost points. The best GW9–GW13 keeper is not simply the goalkeeper from the highest-ranked defence. It is the one who combines reliable starts, clean-sheet opportunity, save volume and value across several fixtures.
Three different goalkeeper strategies
| Strategy | Advantage | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Premium nailed starter | Strong defence and minimal weekly decisions | More money tied up in goal |
| Budget main keeper | Funds extra attacking quality | May concede more often |
| Two rotating starters | More choice against difficult fixtures | Costs more and invites benching mistakes |
Latest FPL news
Premium benchmark: David Raya
Arsenal's David Raya is a useful premium benchmark because his club can produce clean sheets. Yet Arsenal travel to Liverpool in GW9, so paying a premium does not eliminate difficult matches. Assess the following fixtures — including a home match with Hull in GW10 — rather than downgrading a premium solely because of one bad week.
Budget keeper benchmark: Caoimhin Kelleher
The official FPL Scout included Brentford's Caoimhin Kelleher at £5.0m in its GW8 team, citing Hull’s low shot volume in the box and his clean-sheet potential. A lower-priced goalkeeper can free budget, but make sure the player is consistently starting and that the defensive fixtures hold up beyond one attractive opponent.
Save points can matter
A goalkeeper from a weaker defence may face more shots and earn saves even when conceding. Conversely, a goalkeeper from a dominant defence can face few shots, reducing save opportunities on days when the clean sheet is lost. Use saves per appearance, not just total saves, to compare the styles.
How to select a keeper in five minutes
- Remove players without secure starting roles.
- Compare the next five matches, separating home and away if possible.
- Calculate clean sheets, saves and bonus contributions per start.
- Examine total squad cost, including the backup slot.
- Avoid a keeper transfer if an outfield injury would produce a substantially bigger gain.
A keeper pairing should not be chosen solely because each has an easy match somewhere in the next five. Find how often the fixtures alternate advantageously, and whether the more expensive bench keeper earns his additional cost.
Does Wildcard change the advice?
Yes. A Wildcard allows you to redesign both goalkeeper positions without using a standalone free transfer. For normal weekly decisions, paying a transfer for a small goalkeeper upgrade often has a poor expected return, unless your starting keeper has lost his place or suffered a significant injury.
Verdict
Raya offers a premium reference point; Kelleher provides a lower-cost benchmark. The correct GW9–GW13 choice depends on the complete fixture run, your bench arrangement and where the saved funds go. Compare current player figures in OneFPL Player Lab and test squad structure using the Planner.
Sources and further reading
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Editorial correction — 26 October 2026: GW9 keeper selection after the weekend
Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool, Newcastle, Fulham, Sunderland and Leeds kept GW8 clean sheets. That does not mean every goalkeeper from those teams is the best buy. Compare save opportunities, the next five matches, starting certainty and goalkeeper price; do not publish invented save or clean-sheet percentages.