A great keeper can be worth plenty of points in the Premier League title race and that was case last term as David Raya kept 19 clean sheets in Arsenal's march to glory.
That was enough to earn the Spaniard the Premier League's Golden Glove award – and he's hot favourite to hold on to that prize in this campaign.
But there's plenty more top goalies in England's top flight and here's the rundown on the contenders for the 2026/27 Golden Glove.
David Raya (Arsenal) 11/10
Arsenal were deserved champions last term and a mean defence was a big reason for their success, with the Gunners conceding just 27 goals across their 38 games.
That was eight goals fewer than nearest challengers Manchester City and Raya enjoyed the best campaign of his career, with those 19 shutouts.
He kept another clean sheet in the Community Shield win over City on Sunday and it looks like Mikel Arteta's side will make a strong defence of their title.
So it's no surprise to see Raya as hot favourite for the Golden Glove at just 11/10 with Bet365.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City) 2/1
Italian keeper Donnarumma had a strong first season at the Etihad and finished runner up for the Golden Glove after keeping 15 clean sheets.
He's second in the betting this year at 2/1 with Bet365 but didn't get off to a great start in the Community Shield, shipping three goals against the Gunners.
It could be a season of transition at the Etihad, with Pep Guardiola standing down as boss after 10 years and Enzo Maresca replacing him in the dugout.
Maresca's Chelsea sides didn't keep a lot of clean sheets so I'd be wary of having a punt on Donnarumma being the meanest keeper this season.
Alison Becker (Liverpool) 7/2
Liverpool's Premier League title defence turned into a bit of a disaster last season and they defended poorly, conceding 53 times.
That was almost double the tally of goals shipped by champions Arsenal and the Reds will need to tighten up if they're to make a title push this season.
Andoni Iraola has taken over from Arne Slot and the former Bournemouth boss will be looking for a big season from keeper Alisson.
The Brazilian is arguably the best in the world on his day and should get a bit more protection this term with Iraola bringing in Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet in defence.
Senne Lammens (Manchester United) 12/1
Young Belgian keeper Lammens has cemented his position as Manchester United's No.1 and will be looking to push on this season.
United were in disarray at the start of last term but they picked up form after Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in the dugout.
A strong run saw them finish third and if Carrick's side can repeat that consistency they could rack up a few clean sheets.
But Lammens only has eight shutouts from his 32 Premier League outings and that's why Bet365 have him as a 12/1 outsider for the Golden Glove.
Other contenders
Keepers from sides in the bottom half of the league racked up plenty of clean sheets last term, with Everton's Jordan Pickford and Crystal Palace's Dean Henderson finishing joint third in the race of the Golden Glove along with Bournemouth's Djorde Petrovic.
England keepers Pickford and Henderson are both 80/1 in the betting this season, with Petrovic a bit shorter at 66/1.
Henderson impressed under Oliver Glasner, who has now swapped Palace for Nottingham Forest. The Austrian should make Forest harder to beat and Matz Sels, their most likely No.1, is a 100/1 shot for the Golden Glove.
MFT'S Golden Glove prediction
- David Raya (Arsenal) 11/10 Bet365
KevinMac is a sports journalist with almost three decades of experience in the industry since starting out in 1997. He has covered games at every level, from Scottish Junior football to English Premier League games and internationals, and has been tipping for the MFT site since 2018.
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