Top ten goalie fights. Top 10 Goalie Fights in Hockey History: Memorable Ice Brawls

Which goalie fights are considered the most iconic in hockey history. How did Patrick Roy influence the trend of goalie fights. What are the consequences of goalie fights in professional hockey.

The Unique Phenomenon of Goalie Fights in Hockey

Hockey is renowned for its physicality, and one of its most captivating aspects is the occasional outbreak of fights between players. Among these, goalie fights stand out as particularly rare and exciting events. These unusual confrontations between the last line of defense have become legendary moments in hockey history, captivating fans and sparking debates about sportsmanship and entertainment value.

Goalie fights occur when tensions on the ice reach a boiling point, often during heated rivalries or high-stakes games. Unlike typical player altercations, goalie fights involve two players who are usually separated by the entire length of the rink, making their clashes all the more dramatic when they do occur.

Why Do Goalies Fight?

Goalies may engage in fights for various reasons:

• To defend teammates
• To spark team morale
• In response to perceived slights or dirty plays
• As a result of building frustration during a game

While goalie fights are relatively rare, they often become instant classics, remembered and discussed by fans for years to come.

The Impact of Patrick Roy on Goalie Fights

When discussing goalie fights in hockey, it’s impossible to overlook the influence of Patrick Roy. The legendary netminder was not only known for his exceptional skills between the pipes but also for his fiery temperament and willingness to drop the gloves.

Roy’s most famous goalie fight occurred on April 1, 1998, when he squared off against Chris Osgood of the Detroit Red Wings. This brawl at center ice became an iconic moment in hockey history, solidifying Roy’s reputation as a fierce competitor both in and out of the crease.

Roy’s Legacy in Goalie Fights

Patrick Roy’s impact on goalie fights extends beyond his own altercations. His willingness to engage in physical confrontations helped normalize the idea of goalies as potential fighters, inspiring a generation of netminders to stand up for themselves and their teammates when necessary.

Notable Goalie Fights in Hockey History

While Patrick Roy’s fights are among the most famous, numerous other goalie brawls have left their mark on hockey history. Here are some of the most memorable:

1. Brent Johnson vs. Rick DiPietro (2011)

This fight gained notoriety for its brevity and impact. Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Brent Johnson knocked out New York Islanders netminder Rick DiPietro with a single punch, resulting in facial fractures for DiPietro.

2. Felix Potvin vs. Ron Hextall (1996)

Two of the most pugnacious goalies of their era, Potvin and Hextall, engaged in a spirited bout that saw both landing solid punches. This fight is often cited as one of the most evenly matched goalie fights in NHL history.

3. Ray Emery vs. Marty Biron (2007)

Known for his boxing skills, Ray Emery showcased his fighting prowess against Buffalo Sabres goalie Marty Biron. The fight was part of a larger brawl between the Ottawa Senators and the Sabres, adding to its intensity and memorability.

The Evolution of Goalie Fights in Modern Hockey

As the game of hockey has evolved, so too has the frequency and nature of goalie fights. In recent years, there has been a noticeable decline in the number of goalie fights, reflecting broader changes in the sport’s culture and rules.

Factors Contributing to the Decline of Goalie Fights

Several factors have contributed to the reduction in goalie fights:

• Stricter penalties for instigating fights
• Increased awareness of concussion risks
• Changes in team strategies and player roles
• Evolving public perception of violence in sports

Despite this decline, goalie fights continue to capture the imagination of hockey fans when they do occur, often becoming viral moments in the age of social media.

The Controversy Surrounding Goalie Fights

While goalie fights have long been a source of excitement for many hockey fans, they are not without controversy. Critics argue that these altercations have no place in the modern game, citing concerns about player safety and the sport’s image.

Arguments Against Goalie Fights

Those opposed to goalie fights often raise the following points:

• Increased risk of injury to valuable players
• Potential for escalating violence in games
• Negative impact on the sport’s family-friendly image
• Distraction from the skill and strategy of hockey

Arguments in Favor of Goalie Fights

Supporters of goalie fights contend that they:

• Add excitement and unpredictability to the game
• Allow goalies to stand up for themselves and their teammates
• Represent a unique aspect of hockey culture
• Can shift momentum and energize teams

The debate over the place of goalie fights in hockey continues, with passionate arguments on both sides.

The Role of Goalie Fights in Hockey Culture

Despite their relative rarity, goalie fights have become an integral part of hockey folklore. These moments of unexpected violence between the game’s last line of defense have a way of capturing the imagination of fans and players alike.

Goalie Fights in Popular Culture

The impact of goalie fights extends beyond the rink, influencing popular culture in various ways:

• Featured in hockey-themed movies and TV shows
• Immortalized in video games
• Celebrated in fan merchandise and memorabilia
• Frequently highlighted in sports documentaries and retrospectives

This cultural significance ensures that even as the frequency of goalie fights decreases, their legacy remains an important part of hockey’s identity.

Training and Preparation for Goalie Fights

While goalie fights are not a regular occurrence, some netminders have taken steps to prepare themselves for potential altercations. This preparation can include boxing training, studying fight techniques, and even informal sparring sessions with teammates.

The Goalie’s Perspective on Fighting

Many goalies view fighting as a necessary skill, albeit one they hope to never use. Some of the reasons goalies prepare for fights include:

• Self-defense against aggressive opponents
• Ability to stand up for teammates if necessary
• Maintaining a reputation as a tough competitor
• Building confidence in physical confrontations

However, it’s important to note that most professional goalies prioritize their primary role of stopping pucks over any potential fighting skills.

The Future of Goalie Fights in Hockey

As the sport of hockey continues to evolve, the future of goalie fights remains uncertain. While these altercations have become less frequent in recent years, they still occur occasionally, often to great fanfare and media attention.

Potential Rule Changes

Some potential changes that could affect the future of goalie fights include:

• Harsher penalties for goalies who leave their crease to fight
• Automatic suspensions for goalie fights
• Fines for teams whose goalies engage in fights
• Increased emphasis on sportsmanship and player safety

Despite these potential changes, it’s likely that goalie fights will continue to be a part of hockey’s landscape, albeit in a diminished capacity compared to previous eras.

The Lasting Legacy of Goalie Fights

Regardless of their future frequency, goalie fights have left an indelible mark on hockey history. These rare and explosive moments have provided some of the sport’s most memorable highlights, sparking debates and discussions that continue long after the final whistle has blown.

As hockey moves forward, the legacy of goalie fights will likely be preserved through highlight reels, documentaries, and the shared memories of fans who witnessed these unique spectacles firsthand. While the game may change, the impact of these iconic moments in hockey history will continue to resonate with fans and players alike for generations to come.

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.

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.

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 FIFA 23 FUT 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 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 goalkeeper from Juventus has a Centurion card that puts him right in the top ten 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 slightly 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
  • Driveability: 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.

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 attacks, 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 side, 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
  • Machining: 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 Thibaut Courtois

The King of Melee and 1v1 Salvation, Courtois offers the highest Reflex stat, further backed by impressive handling and positioning skills. If you feel you are too vulnerable to corners and crosses, Courtois can save you the agony of missing one of the dreaded set pieces, as well as penalties and free kicks.

He is the best of the best. when it comes to stopping sudden shots and other maneuvers that can confuse weaker goalkeepers. However, you will pay a lot of coins to purchase the TOTY variant of this spectacular star.

• Option: Team of the Year
• Estimated price: 700,000 coins
• Features:
  • Diving: 90
  • Drive: 95
  • Kick: 85
  • Reflexes: 97
  • Speed: 60
  • Positioning: 95

Top 10 goalkeepers in Europe who can bet bottoms

14orange

November 30, 2020 13:49

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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 grassroots rates.

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:

Jan Oblak (Atletico M)

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).

Therefore, we pay attention to the RPL match “Zenit” – “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 its 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. As a bet, let’s play a risky option:

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?

90 508

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 of Russian football, but also of 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.

To the third place in the list of the best goalkeepers of the 21st century, Igor Akinfeev lacks only 67 clean sheets (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.

Leaders in saves

It’s one thing when a team has an excellent defensive game and goalkeepers rarely come into action. 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. 9

League (club)

Col -in saves (average)

Sam Johnston

Premier League (West Brom ”)

43 (4.30)

Baptiste Rene

Ligue 1 (Nimes)

90 509

42 (3.50)

Robin Centner

Bundesliga (Mainz)

34 (3.78)

Alessio Cranio

90 509

Serie A (Cagliari)

42 (4. 67)

Jaume Domenech Sanchez

La Liga (Valencia)

41 (3.73)

Alexander Maksimenko 90 003

RPL (Spartak)

63 (3.94)

As you can see, there is neither Oblak, 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.