Why FPL Managers Should Consider Two Goalkeepers from One Team

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers are always looking for an edge, especially in budget positions like goalkeeper. A strategy that flies under the radar is owning both goalkeepers from the same team — and starting the backup every gameweek. It sounds odd at first, but the data shows this approach has surprising upside with little downside.

Let's outline the benefits of the same-team goalkeeper pairing strategy, compare it to traditional goalkeeper setups, and walk through real-life scenarios where this tactic could earn you unexpected points. Whether you’re playing safe or chasing rank, it’s worth understanding.

Common FPL Goalkeeper Strategies

Most FPL managers follow one of these common goalkeeper approaches:

• Premium + Dead Bench: One nailed-on GK like Alisson or Ederson, plus a non-playing £4.0m GK.

• Budget Rotation: Two £4.5m goalkeepers rotated for fixtures.

• Budget + Dead Bench: One £4.5m starter and a non-playing £4.0m bench keeper.

Each of these setups has pros and cons. The premium route is safe but pricey. Rotations can backfire. And budget + dead bench leaves you exposed to unexpected absences. That’s where the same-team duo enters the chat.

What Is the Same-Team Goalkeeper Strategy?

This strategy is simple:

• Choose a club where the starter costs £4.5m or £5.0m, and the backup is available for £4.0m.

• Own both in your FPL squad.

• Always start the backup. Put the starter on your bench.

Why? Because if the starter plays as usual, your auto-sub will kick in and you’ll get their points anyway. But if the starter gets injured, suspended, or sent off mid-game — the backup enters and you get their points directly.

It’s like goalkeeper insurance. But with upside.

Key Benefits of the Same-Team GK Strategy

Guaranteed Playing Keeper

If your starter gets benched last minute or injured in warm-up, you still get a playing GK from the same team. This prevents the dreaded 0-point gameweek from a non-playing GK combo.

Red Card & Penalty Save Upside

When a starter gets sent off, the replacement often comes on and faces a penalty. If they save it? That’s +5 points. Even without a save, the backup avoids the -3 red card deduction.

In 6 of 7 recorded red card scenarios involving GKs, the backup outscored the starter in FPL points. For example, in 2023, Newcastle's Nick Pope was sent off in the 22nd minute. His backup Dubravka came in, earned 6 points for playing over 60 minutes with no goals conceded in that span — while Pope ended on -4. That’s a 10-point swing just from one event.

Another example: Liverpool’s Doni was sent off in 2012. Backup Brad Jones came in and saved a penalty, scoring 6 points vs Doni’s -2. Similar stories played out for Courtois/Begović and McGregor/Harper.

Injury Substitution Advantage

If a keeper gets injured before 30 minutes, they typically get 1 point. The backup often plays the remaining 60+ minutes, earning 2 points plus any clean sheet or save bonuses. For example, in early substitutions, the backup outscored the starter in 3 of 3 such cases in a multi-season sample.

In contrast, late substitutions (after 60') favored the starter, who already locked in 2 points and possibly a clean sheet. Across all 42 historical substitution incidents (red cards + injuries), backups outscored starters 12 times, scored less 10 times, and tied 10 times — but the average point total favored the backup 48 vs 40 points.

Rotation Simplicity

No fixture planning, no keeper rotation headaches. One team, one setup, zero decision fatigue. You focus on outfield transfers while letting your GKs manage themselves.

When This Strategy Works Best

• Pre-Season: Avoid making a keeper transfer by planning ahead.

• Wildcards: Gain a better understanding of teams that might rotate keepers (e.g. Raya/Ramsdale) or rest starters for Europe.

• When Price Points Align: Like Ward/Iversen (£8.0m combo) or Raya/Kepa.

Real Match Examples: When It Pays Off

• Newcastle 2023: Nick Pope red card. Dúbravka comes in, plays 68 minutes, earns clean sheet. Pope scores -4, Dubravka scores 6. A 10-point swing.

• Liverpool 2012: Doni sent off, Brad Jones subs in, saves penalty. Starter: -2. Backup: +6. Net gain: 8 points.

• Hull 2014: McGregor red card leads to West Ham penalty. Harper enters and concedes but avoids -3. Outscored McGregor.

• Chelsea 2015: Courtois sent off, concedes pen. Begović enters, scores higher FPL points than Courtois.

Across multiple seasons, backups scored better than starters in 12 of 32 total keeper sub incidents (injuries + red cards).

Comparing to Classic Rotation

Over a season, this strategy won’t outperform by 30+ points. But it can add 5–10 points across freak events. That might win you a mini-league.

Who Should Avoid It?

• Managers who don’t trust the team’s defense at all

• Teams with ambiguous GK hierarchies

• If both GK options are £4.5m+ (too expensive for value)

Final Verdict

If your goal is clean, no-stress coverage and small upside in chaotic moments, this is a solid strategy. It’s not for aggressive rotators or those chasing every 0.5 margin. But it does offer a unique way to earn when chaos strikes — and that can make all the difference.

Recommended GK Pairings for 2025/26

• Burnley: Dubravka (£4.0m) + Green (£4.0m)

• Crystal Palace: Henderson (£5.0m) + Benitez (£4.0m)

• Brentford: Kelleher (£4.5m) + Valdimarsson (£4.0m)

Choose wisely. Start the backup. And wait for chaos.