Which goalie fights are considered the most iconic in hockey history. How did Patrick Roy’s fights impact the sport. What makes goalie fights so captivating for hockey fans.
The Phenomenon of Goalie Fights in Hockey
Goalie fights are a rare and thrilling spectacle in the world of hockey. These unusual confrontations between the last line of defense on each team have become legendary moments in the sport’s history. While not as common as skater fights, goalie brawls capture the imagination of fans and players alike due to their rarity and the sheer audacity of masked netminders squaring off at center ice.
Why are goalie fights so captivating? There are several factors at play:
- Rarity: Goalie fights occur far less frequently than regular hockey fights, making them special events.
- Spectacle: The sight of two heavily padded goalies awkwardly throwing punches is inherently entertaining.
- High stakes: Goalies risk injury that could impact their team’s entire season.
- Emotion: These fights often occur during intense, high-emotion games.
Patrick Roy: The Godfather of Goalie Fights
No discussion of goalie fights would be complete without mentioning Patrick Roy. The legendary netminder was not only one of the greatest goalies in NHL history but also one of the most combative. Roy’s willingness to drop the gloves set a precedent for future generations of goalies.
What made Patrick Roy’s fights so memorable?
- Frequency: Roy was involved in multiple high-profile goalie fights throughout his career.
- Intensity: He approached fights with the same competitive fire he brought to stopping pucks.
- Skill: Roy was surprisingly adept at fighting for a goaltender.
- Impact: His fights often sparked his team and changed the momentum of games.
Roy’s Most Famous Brawls
While not featured in the original list, some of Patrick Roy’s most famous fights include:
- vs. Mike Vernon (1997): A legendary brawl during the infamous Red Wings-Avalanche rivalry.
- vs. Chris Osgood (1998): Another Detroit-Colorado clash that saw both goalies meet at center ice.
- vs. Dominik Hasek (2002): An attempted fight that never quite materialized but remains iconic.
The Top 10 Goalie Fights in Hockey History
Based on the original list and supplemented with additional research, here are the top 10 goalie fights that have left an indelible mark on hockey history:
- Felix Potvin vs. Ron Hextall (1996)
- Ray Emery vs. Marty Biron (2007)
- Patrick Roy vs. Mike Vernon (1997)
- Brent Johnson vs. Rick DiPietro (2011)
- Dan Cloutier vs. Tommy Salo (2000)
- Garth Snow vs. Steve Shields (1998)
- Ray Emery vs. Josh Gratton (2005)
- Byron Dafoe vs. Patrick Lalime (2002)
- Curtis Joseph vs. Tim Cheveldae (1993)
- Sean Burke vs. Mark Laforest (1988)
The Anatomy of a Goalie Fight
Goalie fights differ from typical hockey brawls in several key ways. Understanding these differences helps explain why they captivate fans so thoroughly.
Unique Challenges for Fighting Goalies
Why are goalie fights so awkward and entertaining? Consider these factors:
- Equipment: Bulky pads restrict movement and make punching difficult.
- Balance: Skates on ice while wearing goalie gear make staying upright a challenge.
- Inexperience: Most goalies have limited fighting experience compared to skaters.
- Distance: Goalies must travel the length of the ice to engage their opponent.
The Build-up and Aftermath
What typically leads to a goalie fight? The sequence of events often follows a pattern:
- Escalating tensions between teams
- A brawl breaks out among skaters
- Goalies make eye contact across the ice
- One goalie begins skating toward center ice
- The other goalie accepts the challenge
- Brief, intense fight ensues
- Penalties are assessed, often resulting in game misconducts
The Impact of Goalie Fights on Team Dynamics
When a goaltender engages in a fight, it can have a profound effect on their team and the game as a whole. These rare occurrences often become rallying points for teams and can shift the momentum of a match dramatically.
Positive Effects of Goalie Fights
How can a goalie fight benefit a team?
- Momentum shift: A goalie showing fighting spirit can energize their teammates.
- Intimidation: It may make opponents think twice about taking liberties with players.
- Team bonding: Seeing their goalie fight can bring a team closer together.
- Fan engagement: These fights often become memorable moments for supporters.
Potential Drawbacks
What are the risks associated with goalie fights?
- Injury risk: Goalies may hurt their hands, crucial for stopping pucks.
- Suspension: Fighting often results in automatic game misconducts.
- Loss of focus: The adrenaline from fighting can affect goaltending performance.
- Negative perception: Some view goalie fights as unsportsmanlike conduct.
The Evolution of Goalie Fights in Modern Hockey
As the sport of hockey has evolved, so too has the phenomenon of goalie fights. Recent years have seen changes in both the frequency and nature of these confrontations.
Changing Attitudes and Rules
How have perspectives on goalie fights shifted in recent years?
- Increased awareness of concussion risks has led to more caution.
- Stricter penalties for instigating fights have reduced their frequency.
- Some leagues have implemented rules specifically targeting goalie fights.
- Teams are more protective of their valuable goaltenders.
Recent Notable Goalie Fights
Despite the overall decline, goalie fights still occur occasionally. Some recent examples include:
- Carey Price vs. Tim Thomas (2011): A rare fight between two star goalies.
- Jonathan Bernier vs. Ryan Miller (2013): A fight that sparked a larger brawl.
- Mike Smith vs. Cam Talbot (2020): A fight that brought excitement to the Battle of Alberta.
The Cultural Impact of Goalie Fights
Goalie fights have transcended the sport of hockey to become part of broader popular culture. These memorable moments have been immortalized in various ways, contributing to the mythos of hockey as a tough, passionate sport.
Goalie Fights in Media
How have goalie fights been represented in popular media?
- Movies: Films like “Slap Shot” have featured iconic goalie fight scenes.
- Video games: Many hockey video games allow players to initiate goalie fights.
- Merchandise: T-shirts and posters commemorating famous goalie fights are popular among fans.
- Social media: Clips of goalie fights often go viral, reaching beyond traditional hockey audiences.
Debate and Discussion
Goalie fights continue to spark conversation and debate among hockey fans, players, and analysts. Common topics of discussion include:
- The role of fighting in modern hockey
- Player safety concerns
- The entertainment value of goalie fights
- Whether goalie fights should be penalized more severely
Training and Preparation for Goalie Fights
While goalie fights are relatively rare, some netminders have taken steps to prepare themselves for the possibility of a confrontation on the ice. This preparation can involve both physical and mental aspects.
Physical Training
How do some goalies prepare for potential fights?
- Boxing training: Some goalies work with boxing coaches in the off-season.
- Strength training: Building upper body strength can be beneficial for fighting.
- Balance exercises: Improving balance helps when fighting on skates.
- Sparring: Some goalies practice fighting techniques with teammates.
Mental Preparation
What mental strategies do goalies employ when it comes to fighting?
- Visualization: Imagining successful fight scenarios.
- Emotional control: Learning to manage adrenaline and aggression.
- Decision-making: Knowing when fighting might benefit the team.
- Confidence building: Developing the belief in one’s ability to hold their own in a fight.
It’s important to note that while some goalies prepare for fights, many teams and coaches discourage this behavior due to the risks involved.
The Future of Goalie Fights in Hockey
As hockey continues to evolve, the place of goalie fights within the sport remains a topic of discussion and speculation. While these dramatic confrontations have been a part of hockey’s history, their future is less certain.
Potential Rule Changes
What rule changes might affect goalie fights in the future?
- Automatic suspensions for goalies who leave their crease to fight
- Increased fines for teams whose goalies engage in fights
- Stricter enforcement of existing rules regarding player confrontations
- Implementation of a “third man in” rule specifically for goalies
Changing Perceptions
How might attitudes towards goalie fights continue to shift?
- Increased focus on player safety may further discourage fighting
- Growing international influence on the sport may reduce fighting’s role
- Younger generations of players may view fighting differently
- Media coverage and fan reactions could influence the acceptability of goalie fights
Despite potential changes, the legacy of goalie fights in hockey history ensures that these iconic moments will continue to be celebrated and remembered by fans for years to come. Whether future generations of goalies will add to this legacy remains to be seen, but the impact of these unique confrontations on the sport is undeniable.
Patrick Roy and the 25 Best Goalie Fights in Hockey History | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
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April WeinerCorrespondent IMay 2, 2011
Patrick Roy and the 25 Best Goalie Fights in Hockey History
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- Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Fighting is a unique aspect of hockey. It is an exciting aspect of hockey.
There are few fights that are more entertaining than a goalie fight.
This past season, we were treated to multiple fights from Penguins goaltender Brent Johnson, as well as a fight between Carey Price and Tim Thomas.
Here are the best goalie fights in hockey history.
25. Neal Little Versus Binghamton Senators
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During a brawl in a Philadelphia Phantoms-Binghamton Senators game, Phantoms goaltender Neal Little wants to get in on the action.
So he literally jumps right in.
Not sure what that accomplished, but it was the thought that counts.
24. Brandon Hope Versus Dalton McGrath
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OHL goalie fight between the Sarnia Sting and Niagara Ice Dogs.
Goaltenders Brandon Hope and Dalton McGrath go at it.
Hope needs to work on his punching technique.
Or not, since goalies don’t fight that often.
23. Linden Rowat Versus Tyler Bunz
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During a WHL game between the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Medicine Hat Tigers, players take turns getting into fights.
Finally, it’s the goaltenders’ turn.
They meet in center ice for a pretty good bout.
22. Mark Laforest Versus Sean Burke
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Mark Laforest really wants a piece of Sean Burke.
He goes for it but is quickly separated by the linesman.
However, he finally gets his fight a few minutes later.;Composite=(type=URL,url=https/images.radio-canada.ca/v1/assets/elements/16x9/outdated-content-2011.png),gravity=SouthEast,placement=Over,location=(0,0),scale=1)
21. Rick DiPietro Versus Al Montoya
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Rick DiPietro wants to fight Al Montoya during this line brawl.
Montoya is happy to oblige and beat DiPietro to the ground.
20. Byron Dafoe Versus Olaf Kolzig
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Byron Dafoe is looking for a fight from anyone. Olaf Kolzig is too.
Naturally, the two eventually find each other to fight.
19. Miikka Kiprusoff Versus Tomas Vokoun
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Miikka Kiprusoff and Tomas Vokoun engage each other in this goalie fight.
A lot of just holding on to one another, but they manage to stay on their feet the entire time.
Impressive.
18. Pasi Nurminen Versus Ty Conklin
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Pasi Nurminen and Ty Conklin go at it in this goalie fight.
Both seem to tire before the end of the fight.
17. Carey Price Versus Tim Thomas
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Fighting is contagious apparently.
We were treated to a Carey Price and Tim Thomas fight this year.
Not an experienced fight, but not bad.
16. Brent Johnson Versus Michael Haley
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One of the more memorable moments of the past season was the massive brawl between the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Islanders’ Michael Haley fights Penguins’ Max Talbot before taking on Pens’ goaltender Brent Johnson.
He gets to take on Eric Goddard as well, who comes off the bench to help his goaltender.
15. Brent Johnson Versus Rick DiPietro
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Brent Johnson only needed one punch to knock Rick DiPietro down.
Unfortunately, everything hit the fan the next time the two teams faced each other.
14. Ron Hextall Versus Alain Chevrier
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Ron Hextall and Alain Chevrier are tenacious in this fight.
They go down but get back up, ready to go at it again.
13. Glen Hanlon Versus Phil Myre
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(Goalie fight at 3:07 mark)
Once Glen Hanlon maneuvers out of the second Philadelphia Flyer’s reach, he lays a beating on Phil Myre.
12. Dan Cloutier Versus Steve Passmore
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Dan Cloutier gave Steve Passmore a beating.
It looked like a few other Blackhawks wanted a piece of Cloutier, and he would have been happy to oblige, but the linesmen prevented that.
11. Curtis Joseph Versus Tim Cheveldae
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Tim Cheveldae was a third man in on a fight.
Then, Curtis Joseph engages Cheveldae.
10. Byron Dafoe Versus Patrick Lalime
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Byron Dafoe versus Patrick Lalime.
Dafoe takes this fight easily.
9. Felix Potvin Versus Jani Hurme
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Felix Potvin and Jani Hurme go at it during this fight.
Hurme is whacking Potvin with a gloved hand, until his teammates on the bench help him out of his glove.
I’ve never seen anything like that before, and I’m sure I never will again.
8. Corey Schwab Versus Tommy Soderstrom
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Corey Schwab is a much better fighter than Tommy Soderstrom.
Schwab lays the smackdown on Soderstrom in this fight.
7. Ray Emery Versus Josh Gratton
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One of the few goaltender versus skater fights.
Ray Emery beats Josh Gratton.
Emery really enjoys fighting, as evidenced by his post-fight celebration.
6. Garth Snow Versus Steve Shields
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Garth Snow and Steve Shields are so determined to fight each other that they’ll just fight over the linesman if they have to.
Eventually, he has the good sense to step out of the way and let the two go.
5. Dan Cloutier Versus Tommy Salo
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Dan Cloutier gives Tommy Salo a beating in this goalie fight.
Wow.
The taunting of the Islanders bench is a nice finishing touch.
4. Ray Emery Versus Marty Biron and Andrew Peters
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It’s very rare that a goaltender has more than one fight in a season or career.
It is even rarer that a goaltender engages in two fights in one game, back-to-back.
First, Ray Emery takes on Marty Biron. Then, he takes on Andrew Peters.
Looks like Emery enjoyed every moment. We did too.
3. Patrick Roy Versus Chris Osgood
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You would be hard-pressed to find a goalie fight that would be that good or last that long nowadays.
Pretty amazing.
2. Felix Potvin Versus Ron Hextall
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Goalies used to be a lot tougher than they are today.
Here is Felix Potvin and Ron Hextall’s lengthy bout.
1. Patrick Roy Versus Mike Vernon
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There is a massive brawl in this Colorado Avalanche-Detroit Red Wings game.:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58887779/108955156.jpg.0.jpg)
Goaltenders Patrick Roy and Mike Vernon drop the gloves too.
Best Goalie Fights – Hockey Fights
The top rated goalie fights ever, as voted by the fans on hockeyfights.com
8.68
Felix Potvin vs. Ron Hextall
Toronto Maple Leafs at Philadelphia Flyers
November 10, 1996
8.57
Patrick Roy vs. Chris Osgood
Colorado Avalanche at Detroit Red Wings
April 01, 1998
8.34
Patrick Roy vs. Mike Vernon
Colorado Avalanche at Detroit Red Wings
March 26, 1997
8.34
Patrick Roy vs. Mike Vernon
Colorado Avalanche at Detroit Red Wings
March 26, 1997
7.99
Dan Cloutier vs. Tommy Salo
New York Rangers at New York Islanders
April 04, 1998
7.59
Mike Smith vs. Cam Talbot
Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames
February 01, 2020
7.41
Patrick Lalime vs. Byron Dafoe
Ottawa Senators at Boston Bruins
January 17, 2002
7.23
Ryan Miller vs.
Jonathan Bernier
Buffalo Sabres at Toronto Maple Leafs
September 22, 2013
6.93
Ray Emery vs. Martin Biron
Ottawa Senators at Buffalo Sabres
February 22, 2007
6.76
Garth Snow vs. Steve Shields
Philadelphia Flyers at Buffalo Sabres
May 03, 1997
6.67
Dan Cloutier vs. Steve Passmore
Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks
March 03, 2000
6.58
Patrick Lalime vs. Robert Esche
Ottawa Senators at Philadelphia Flyers
March 05, 2004
6.57
Rick DiPietro vs. Brent Johnson
New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins
February 02, 2011
6.57
Pasi Nurminen vs. Ty Conklin
Atlanta Thrashers at Edmonton Oilers
February 11, 2004
6.48
Sean Burke vs. Mark Laforest
New Jersey Devils at Toronto Maple Leafs
October 23, 1989
6.48
Sean Burke vs. Mark Laforest
New Jersey Devils at Toronto Maple Leafs
October 23, 1989
6.
44
Tommy Soderstrom vs. Corey Schwab
New York Islanders at New Jersey Devils
December 09, 1995
6.29
Al Montoya vs. Rick DiPietro
New York Rangers at New York Islanders
September 24, 2007
6.2
Lanny McDonald vs. Billy Smith
Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Islanders
March 15, 1979
6.16
Tomas Vokoun vs. Miikka Kiprusoff
Nashville Predators at Calgary Flames
March 20, 2004
6.13
Felix Potvin vs. Jani Hurme
Los Angeles Kings at Ottawa Senators
December 20, 2001
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Top 10 goalkeepers in Europe who can bet bottoms
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You won’t believe it, but Igor is on the list!
The European football season is in full swing! Statistics return to normal, which allows you to use trends as a betting strategy.
Today we will talk about the best goalkeepers of the top 6 championships of the Old World. When are bets on “total under” in their matches justified? And when can expectations be too high?
A small spoiler: the Russian Championship and the goalkeepers of our teams are among the best on the continent at low wages.
Top 10 best goalkeepers in Europe according to current statistics
National championships in Europe did not start at the same time, different number of matches were played everywhere. Therefore, I take two figures as a basis: the number of matches “at 0” and the percentage of these games from the total number. The data is very curious:
Goalkeeper (club) | 0-0 matches | % of 0-0 matches |
Benoit Costille (Bordeaux) | 7 | 58% | 7 | 78% |
Alejandro Remiro (Real Sociedad) | 6 | 54% |
Keylor Navas (PSG) | 6 | 75% |
Mike Meignan (Lille) | 6 | 50% |
Igor Akinfeev (CSKA) | 6 | 38% |
Mikhail Kerzhakov (Zenith) | 6 | 38% |
Sergey Pesyakov (Rostov) | 6 | 50% |
Anton Shunin (Dynamo) | 6 | 40% |
Before the last round of the championship France’s sole leader in dry games was Benoit Costil of Bordeaux.
But the goalkeeper failed to cope with the PSG attack and conceded twice. In the next round, “Bordeaux” plays against “Brest”, and Kostil has a chance to defend “at 0” again.
So, Bordeaux – Brest, December 6, 17:00 Moscow time.
1xBet: prediction competition for Lokomotiv’s goals in the Champions League
Russian goalkeepers
Now for the unexpected: five goalkeepers from the Russian Championship in the top 10 best goalkeepers in Europe right now! Of course, you can immediately recall that the RPL is the lowest championship of the European six and generally falls into the study simply as our beloved championship.
But it is worth noting two nuances:
- Until the last round, Mikhail Kerzhakov, the goalkeeper of Zenit, the current champion of Russia, was not in the top 10.
- Marinato Guilherme has an excellent performance not only in the RPL, but also in the Champions League – 4.
3 saves per game on average, 5th place among those who played all matches (4 games).
3 saves per game on average, 5th place among those who played all matches (4 games).Therefore, we pay attention to the RPL match “Zenith” – “Ural” (December 5, beginning at 17:00 Moscow time), where we choose either a bet on the goal of “Ural”, or a slightly more expensive option with “both teams to score”.
Lokomotiv has the next game in the Champions League: at home, Marko Nikolic’s team, which has not yet lost its chances of reaching the playoffs (the only Russian club), will play against Salzburg on December 1 at 20:55 Moscow time. Let’s play a risky option as a bet:
Goalkeepers in trends
You can’t just take the statistics for the current season and say that they are a trend. Digging further, which top ten goaltenders have the best career and last season records in their respective leagues?
Goalkeeper | Career shutouts | 9001 1% shutouts last season |
Jan Oblak | 77% | 60% |
Igor Akinfeev | 43% | 43% | David Soria | 43% | 39% |
Just think about this figure: 77% of all matches involving Jan Oblak ended with a cracker for the Slovenian goalkeeper! Space!
Atlético Madrid’s defense also plays a big role in Oblak’s statistics, but the goalkeeper should not be forgotten either.
Last season, the Slovenian saved 82 shots out of 105, which is 78% of saves.
As part of the next round of the Spanish Championship, Atlético Madrid will host Valladolid at home (December 5, beginning at 20:30 Moscow time). The opponent is not particularly dangerous, so the odds of bookmakers are not the highest here.
But in the case of Atlético Madrid, one should not be afraid of high quotes for the lack of opponent’s goals – this is an obvious trend.
CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev has long entered the Hall of Fame not only in Russian football, but also in the world. Over the past 20 years (in the 21st century), the goalkeeper has played 324 matches without conceding goals (data as of November 26, 2020), and the figure continues to grow.
Igor Akinfeev is only 67 clean sheets short of third place in the list of the best goalkeepers of the 21st century (Petr Chekh is located there).
Igor Akinfeev, together with CSKA, will begin to collect the necessary figure on December 3 in Moscow, when he will meet with the Austrian Wolfsberg at 20:55 Moscow time within the framework of the Europa League.
Saves leaders
It’s one thing when a team has an excellent defensive game and goalkeepers rarely come into play. It is quite another when the goalkeeper has to work hard, pulling out the necessary results for his clubs. Let’s go through the list of leaders in saves in each of the top 5 European leagues + RPL. Enough of the current season – a lot of matches have passed.
Goalkeeper | League (club) | Col -in saves (average) |
Sam Johnston | Premier League (West Brom ”) | 43 (4.30) |
Baptiste Rene | Ligue 1 (Nimes) | |
Robin Centner | Bundesliga (Mainz) | 34 (3. |
Alessio Cranio | 42 (4.67) | |
Jaume Domenech Sanchez | La Liga (Valencia) | 41 (3.73) |
Alexander Maksimenko 90 003 | RPL (Spartak) | 63 (3.94) |
78)As you can see, there is neither Cloud, nor Akinfeev, nor anyone else from the list with dry matches. These guys don’t have the best job.
Let’s single out Sam Johnston in this list. West Brom have conceded the most goals in the Premier League so far (18 goals), but if not for the goalkeeper, they would have had a goal – two more on average per match.
West Brom and Johnston have a chance to play at 0 this coming weekend. The team will host Crystal Palace on December 6 at 15:00 Moscow time.
Bookmakers are not waiting for productive football, and Sam Johnston is waiting for his only third “cracker” of the season.
The leader in the RPL in terms of the number of saves is unexpected – Alexander Maksimenko from Spartak. The defense players of the red-whites do not let their goalkeeper get bored.
In the 17th round, Spartak takes on the drowning Tambov. It is hardly worth expecting a large number of attacks and goals from the opponent. So Alexander Maksimenko has a day off and a rare “rusk” in the piggy bank of the current season. The match will be held on December 5 and will start at 16:30 Moscow time.
The look from the gate, Stanislav Salamovich Cherchesov will not let you deceive, is always different from what the players see on the field. It is useful to look at the stakes through an unexpected angle, isn’t it?
And remember: betting is fun. But even in your favorite hobby, you need to try to be the best!
See also:
How does VAR affect the number of penalties and bookmaker odds?
Premier League Top Scorer Betting: Dutching Strategy in Action
All bonuses of legal bookmakers in Russia for football bets
Football
Benoit Costil
Marinato Guilherme
Jan Oblak
Alejandro Remiro
Keylor Navas
Igor Akinfeev
Mikhail Kerzhakov
Anton Shunin
FIFA 23 FUT Top 10 Goalkeepers
This ranking will feature the very best FIFA 23 FUT goalkeepers, from Edwin Van Der Sar to Petr Cech.
Most FIFA 23 players in the stellar Ultimate Team are looking for the best strikers and wingers as they always aim to score as many goals as possible to guarantee victory. However, you can still win single target games as long as you have someone trustworthy in front of your target to protect your advantage. It’s not what you would call an elegant approach, but even if he’s not ahead of the curve, a world class goalkeeper is a huge asset for any team.
Building a great defensive line in FIFA Ultimate Team is much cheaper than getting top-notch strikers. With the budget you need for someone like Haaland or Messi, you can easily get a top tier goalkeeper as well as two centre-backs. While it sounds smarter, the defensive style of play is not to everyone’s liking. However, if you still feel like you need to prioritize the very best goalkeepers, you better check out this list.
10 Alban Lafon
24-year-old Ligue 1 star Alban Lafont is already on the radar of some of the big European clubs, but he’s also one of the spectacular goalkeepers in FIFA 23.
That’s especially true if you manage to get his birthday variant. Goalkeepers are generally inexpensive in Ultimate Team, and the birthday version of Lafont is a great catch at just 60,000 coins. With a dive stat of 92 and a reflex stat of 93, Lafon is fairly quick to negate danger from both close and long range. However, he may not (yet) be quite on par with some of the other great goalkeepers.
- Option: Birthday
- Approximate Price: 60,000 coins
- Features:
- Diving: 92
- Hand treatment: 86
- Kick: 76
- Reflexes: 93
- Speed: 55
- Positioning: 89
9 Wojciech Szczesny
The Polish Juventus goalkeeper has a Centurion card that puts him straight into the top 10 goalkeepers in FIFA 23.
Szczesny may not be as good at diving as Lafon, but he has better reflexes, making him the best option for winning 1v1 opportunities.
Also, it can be tricky to create a Ligue 1 based team without spending millions of coins, so in this case Lafont was placed behind Szczesny despite having more cheap price tag.
- Option: Centurions
- Estimated price: 85,000 coins
- Statistics:
- Diving: 90
- Hand control: 86
- Kick: 76
Reflexes: 90
- Speed: 52
- Positioning: 89
8 Gianluigi Donnarumma
If you’re looking for someone a little better than Lafont in Ligue 1, you can find Paris Saint-Germain’s Donnarumma. This goalkeeper’s TOTW variant offers almost the same performance as Lafon but with better kicking skills.
Donnarumma’s TOTW is more than three times more expensive than Lafon. Honestly, the difference between the two goalkeepers is not worth spending the extra 140,000 coins, unless you insist on having a goalkeeper from the legendary French club.
- Option: Team of the Week
- Estimated price: 200,000 coins
- Stats:
- Diving: 92
- Handling: 86
- Kicking: 82
- Reflexes: 91
- Speed: 55
- Positioning: 88
7 Mike Maignan
Meignan is another Italian Serie A talent with a perfectly balanced statistic. The AC Milan goalkeeper is not the best in any of the skills, but he does rank among the best players in his post in almost all of them. A shot statistic of 87 is a rarity among goalkeepers.
If speed is excluded, Menyan’s TOTY card will have 85+ stats in all other skill categories. The French goalkeeper is another available player on this list that will help increase your chances of losing.
- Option: Team of the Year Honorable Mention
- Estimated price: 90,000 coins
- Statistics:
- Diving: 87
- Handling: 85
- Kick: 87
- Reflexes: 91
- Speed: 55
- Positioning: 87
6 Petr Cech
Chelsea and the legendary Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech is currently an icon in FIFA Ultimate Team. It offers impressive statistics across the board. With a positioning rating of 92, it’s hard to surprise Cech with long shots outside the box.
Cech looks more like an upgraded version of Menian, but lacks the latter’s famous kicking ability.
At the same time, Cech is one of the most affordable options for Premier League squads among the best FIFA 23 goalkeepers.
- Diving: 89
- Drive: 88
- Kick: 80
- Reflexes: 91
- Speed: 55
- Positioning: 92
5 Peter Schmeichel
With three 90+ stats, Peter Schmeichel’s iconic card in FIFA 23 is even better than the Petr Cech card, although it costs almost the same price. He is only slightly slower than Cech, but speed is not a big deal for a goalkeeper, unless he is in the role of a sweeper, a rare talent indeed.
When it comes to Kicking, Schmeichel is even taller than Maignan. However, apart from this boon, it also offers better reflex and positioning stats. As in real sports, Schmeichel is one of the best.
- Option: badge
- Estimated price: 200,000 coins
- Statistics:
- Diving: 92
- Hand control: 87
- Kicking: 88
- Reflexes: 94
- Speed: 49
- Positioning: 90
4 Edwin Van Der Sar
Another Manchester United and Premier League star, Edwin Van Der Sar, received the TOTY Icon variant earlier this year. He has an exceptional position rating of 96, which is the highest of any fantastic goaltender on this list.
The
Van Der Sar is like a rock wall against long-range strikes, but there’s only one problem, and that’s a big one: its price. The TOTY van der Sar card is currently one of the rarest goalkeepers on the FIFA 23 transfer market, which does not make him an affordable choice for every player. However, those who have money are unlikely to be disappointed with his game.
- Option: Team of the Year Badge
- Estimated price: 1.5 million coins
- Statistics:
- Diving: 87
- Handling: 91
- Kick: 85
- Reflexes: 90
- Speed: 50
- Positioning: 96
3 Iker Casillas
Iker Casillas is the fastest goalkeeper on this list, making him ideal for players looking for a sweeping goalkeeper. With four 90+ stats, Casillas is a priceless icon, and with a price tag equal to that of Donnarumma, Casillas is an absolute booty in terms of the stats he brings to the team.
If you can’ If you can’t afford a Courtois for your La Liga team, Casillas is a great alternative for less than half the amount you have to pay for Courtois.
- Option: Trophy Titans Badge
- Estimated price: 200,000 coins
- Statistics:
- Diving: 94
- Processing: 91
- Kick: 87
- Reflexes: 96
- Speed: 62
- Position: 92
2 Lev Yashin
Legendary Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin is an icon in FIFA Ultimate Team, always offering superb stats in diving, positioning and reflexes.
Barring the Kick ability, Yashin is a great choice for defending the goal from long-range shots.
The
Yashin boasts some of the best diving performance on this list, but it’s not too budget-friendly. Thus, despite its quality, it is important to think twice before getting your hands on it. As with our final pick, the financial factor is really all that really holds Yashin back. Perhaps the Moments mode will help you?
- Option: badge
- Estimated price: 600,000 coins
- Statistics:
- Diving: 95
- Driveability: 89
- Kick: 75
- Reflexes: 96
- Speed: 60
- Positioning: 95
1 Thibault Courtois
The King of Melee and 1v1 Salvation, Courtois offers the highest Reflex stat, further backed by impressive handling and positioning skills.
