In fantasy football, as in real life, a good goalkeeper can make all the difference between winning a league and not.
Shot-stoppers don't command the same sort of fees that forwards do, but they are nonetheless quite capable of surpassing them when it comes to points tallies.
With the Premier League campaign resuming after the Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, Goal takes a look at the best goalkeepers to select in your fantasy football team, including a few bargain picks.
Don't forget to listen to our brand new fantasy football podcast for more tips and advice throughout the season!
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Best fantasy football goalkeepers
When pondering which goalkeepers to put into your team, the first consideration should always be: does this guy keep clean sheets?
That means you will also have to think about the defence the net-minder has in front of them.
After that, attributes such as shot-stopping, saving penalties and so forth - things that earn bonus points - should come into your thinking.
*Prices from the official Fantasy Premier League game .
Nick Pope | Burnley | £5m
Burnley have established a reputation as being one of the hardest teams in the Premier League to break down and behind their backline lies a formidable goalkeeper in Nick Pope.
His form for the Clarets two seasons ago earned him international recognition, but he spent last season on the sidelines due to injury. However, he has returned with a point to prove in 2019-20 and it one of the best scoring goalkeepers in FPL.
Kasper Schmeichel | Leicester City | £5.4m
Leicester City shotstopper Kasper Schmeichel has arguably been the most consistent goalkeeper in the Premier League over the past few years.
The Denmark international looks to be full of confidence once more after a difficult campaign last season and that has resonated with the Foxes defence, which is comparable to Liverpool in meanness.
Rui Patricio | Wolves | £5.3m
In Rui Patricio, Wolves boast one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League and one who can put his hand up as a European champion.
The experienced campaigner has a solid defence in front of him too, which has helped in the acquisition of points in fantasy football. Indeed, he has already surpassed his points tally from last term.
Dean Henderson | Sheffield United | £5.2m
The success of Sheffield United on their return to the Premier League this season has been built on a solid defensive foundation and a key part of that is Dean Henderson.
A Manchester United loanee, Henderson's performances for the Blades over the past few years have demonstrated quality which belies his experience and he has been lauded as David de Gea's natural successor.
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Vicente Guaita | Crystal Palace | £5m
Former Valencia and Getafe shot-stopper Vicente Guaita may not be the first option for a goalkeeper for most, but the Spaniard has collected a few clean sheets this season.
If choosing Guaita, though, it's crucial to keep an eye on Palace's form and fixtures as they can be inconsistent.
David de Gea | Manchester United | £5.3m
He has been on the receiving end of serious criticism from former Manchester United stars such as Roy Keane for his performances in recent seasons, but David de Gea remains a key man for the Red Devils.
In FPL terms 2019-20 has not been particularly great, but he still looks set to improve significantly on his points tally from last term, especially if he can continue performing well into the conclusion of the campaign.
Alisson | Liverpool | £6.2m
Brazil Number One Alisson made an incredible difference to the Liverpool defence following his record move from Roma and he finished his maiden Premier League campaign with the Golden Glove award.
As a result, he is one of the most expensive goalkeepers in fantasy football. With Virgil van Dijk and Co. in front of him, it is a case of 'more of the same' from the Reds backline this season.
His price may be off-putting to some fantasy football gamers who like to spread their budget, but Alisson has shown that he can be worth it.
Best fantasy football bargain goalkeepers
It's generally wise not to shy away from spending a portion of your budget on a reliable goalkeeper, but occasionally bargains can be found.
They usually come from teams whose strength lies in their defensive solidity or the newly promoted clubs who are forced to contend with an onslaught each week.
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Mat Ryan | Brighton | £4.7m
Australia international Mat Ryan has featured in the FPL Dream Team on a number of occasions over the season and has posted some strong scores in recent seasons.
The former Valencia man is an excellent cheaper option - even as a substitute perhaps - even if his price has gradually increased.
Aaron Ramsdale | Bournemouth | £4.7m
Bournemouth may be struggling somewhat in front of goal, but at least they can rely on the talents of Aaron Ramsdale at the other end of the pitch.
Ramsdale has cemented his position as the Cherries' number one and has marshalled his defence to some creditable results.
Ben Foster | Watford | £4.9m
It doesn't seem to matter which team Ben Foster is playing for, he has the capacity to win points on his own.
Now lining out for Watford, he has continued to impress and has bettered his clean sheet tally from last year, boasting a points haul that is similar to more expensive goalkeepers De Gea and better than Alisson.