Fantasy Premier League 2022-23: Defender Rankings

The following expanded analysis complements the existing Best of Bets list of the ten best Fantasy Premier League defenders of 2022–23 and explores why certain players outscored peers across key metrics. This supplement provides tactical context, selection advice and fantasy strategy aimed at managers who want a deeper understanding of defensive scoring patterns without altering the original player summaries.

How the top defenders scored in 2022-23 season

This section explains the main scoring drivers in FPL for the 2022–23 defence cohort, including clean sheets, attacking returns and the influence of bonus points allocation. Understanding these drivers helps managers judge whether a defender’s tally was due to role, team system or favourable fixture runs.

Key statistics that defined defender performance

Clean sheets formed the backbone of many high defender totals, but clear attacking returns like assists and occasional goals separated the elite defenders from reliable starters and rotated options. Bonus points, minutes played and set-piece involvement amplified returns, with defenders who took free-kicks, corners or penalties enjoying a distinct advantage in overall fantasy points.

How clean sheets translate into fantasy points

A clean sheet awards defenders four points in FPL and often underpins their weekly returns; teams with organised defensive shape and quality goalkeepers tend to generate repeatable clean-sheet opportunities. Managers tracking clean-sheet probability by opponent difficulty and home/away splits can better predict when defensive assets will return value.

Why Newcastle defenders dominated fantasy scoring

Newcastle’s defensive structure and consistent selection allowed players like Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schär and Sven Botman to accrue not just clean sheets but additional bonus points and attacking returns from set plays. The club’s overall defensive record created a multiplier effect, with shared credit for sheets across multiple defenders and added value when full-backs or centre-backs contributed assists or long-range goals.

Bonus points and their effect on defender totals

The Bonus Points System (BPS) rewards influence beyond raw goals and assists, so players who record interceptions, key passes and progressive actions often gain additional fantasy points. Trippier’s unusually high BPS influence in 2022–23 is a clear example of how consistent underlying metrics convert into higher fantasy tallies for defenders.

Attacking full-backs: assist and set-piece impact

Full-backs like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben White produced strong FPL totals because their roles combined defensive duties with regular forward involvement and set-piece responsibility, producing assists and secondary attacking actions. For fantasy managers, prioritising full-backs from teams that emphasise wing overloads and progressive crossing can yield steady assist potential across a season.

Fixture structure and rotation risk explained simply

Fixture congestion, European football and domestic cup commitments increase rotation risk, and defenders are not immune to rest policies; tracking rotation likelihood by manager and squad depth mitigates premature investment. When selecting defenders, consider upcoming fixture density and whether a player is likely to be rotated, especially for clubs competing on multiple fronts.

Selecting defenders for your squad: practical tips

Balance is key: combine a premium, regularly starting defender from a strong defensive team with cheaper starting options who offer assist potential or set-piece involvement to free budget for midfield and attack. Monitor minutes played, injury history and tactical role rather than relying solely on past FPL points, because a defender’s position and responsibility can change season to season.

Captaincy and transfer strategy for defensive assets

Defenders rarely serve as weekly captains, so their primary role in squad construction is to provide reliable, incremental points and differential upside through attacking returns or double-figure hauls. Transfers should favour form and fixture run: target defenders who combine increasing minutes, improved team form and a favourable sequence of opponents over the next four to six gameweeks.

Season-to-season trends for defender returns

Trends show that high-scoring defenders often emerge from clubs that improve defensively year-on-year or from tactical shifts that increase defenders’ attacking licence, and these trends are more predictive than isolated scoring spikes. Managers who study tactical shifts, managerial style and summer recruitment are better placed to spot breakout defensive options before the market responds.

Using statistics to forecast future defender performance

Advanced metrics such as expected goals prevented, tackles in the final third, progressive passes and key pass involvement can indicate whether a defender is likely to sustain or improve fantasy returns. Combining these metrics with fixture difficulty and rotation risk gives a clearer forecast than relying solely on past point totals.

Budget defenders versus premium defenders: strategic roles

Budget defenders can be reliable starters in favourable teams and allow managers to invest in premium midfield and attacking assets, but they tend to provide smaller ceiling weeks compared with premium defenders who take set-pieces or play for top-defence clubs. A mixed approach — one premium regular and two affordable starters — often delivers the best balance between baseline points and occasional big returns.

Set-piece takers and their outsized fantasy returns

Defenders who take corners, free-kicks or penalties increase their expected point ceiling because set-pieces directly create goals and assists, and they frequently score bonus points through involvement. When such responsibilities change in preseason or through injury to teammates, fantasy value can shift rapidly, so keep an eye on confirmed set-piece assignments in training reports and early fixtures.

Rotational patterns at clubs and how they affect selection

Some managers prefer fixed defensive partnerships while others rotate personnel based on tactical opponent profiling, and defenders in fixed partnerships provide consistent minutes which is a key asset in FPL. Reviewing starting XI patterns across the first eight gameweeks offers an early read on a manager’s propensity for rotation and helps managers avoid investing in high-risk defenders.

How fixture swings affect defender value through a season

Fixture swings — a run of favourable or difficult opponents — can dramatically change a defender’s short-term value and justify temporary transfers or wildcard plays; these swings should be weighed against longer-term form and underlying metrics. Use fixture difficulty ratings alongside home/away splits to prioritise defensive transfers in the build-up to heavy run of games.

Injury, suspension and cover planning for defenders

Always plan for injuries and suspensions by keeping at least one flexible bench option who starts regularly and can be dropped in when needed, because losing a starting defender to an extended absence can significantly harm weekly point totals. Bench cover strategy should weigh minutes guarantee, role and fixture difficulty rather than purely price or past points.

Balancing short-term punts with long-term stability

Short-term punts on defenders who face a favourable double gameweek or weak opponents can yield immediate gains, but long-term stability with established starters reduces the need for frequent transfers and value loss through price changes. Managers should use one or two calculated punts per season while keeping a backbone of reliable starters to protect against excessive hits and risk.

Practical checklist before selecting defensive assets

Before confirming a defender pick, check minutes history, position clarity, set-piece role, fixture run, rotation risk and any manager comments on team selection for upcoming matches to ensure a well-rounded choice. Applying this checklist reduces surprises and improves the probability that selected defenders will deliver consistent minutes and meaningful points.

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Summary: applying these insights to your FPL decisions

Combine an understanding of underlying defensive metrics with fixture planning and rotation assessment to select defenders who will contribute both baseline points and occasional high returns through attacking involvement. Use the guidance here alongside the original Best of Bets defender list to build a balanced, resilient squad that targets high-probability returns without overexposure to risk.

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Frequently asked questions about Fantasy Premier League defenders

Which defender stats matter most when choosing assets?

Clean sheets, minutes played and attacking returns are primary, while bonus points and set-piece duties are key secondary factors that raise a defender’s ceiling. Always consider fixture difficulty alongside these metrics for a fuller picture.

How important are set-piece responsibilities for defenders?

Very important; defenders who take corners, free-kicks or penalties often yield additional assists or goals, boosting fantasy returns beyond typical defensive points. Confirm set-piece takers early in the season to gain an advantage.

When should I prioritise a premium defender over budget options?

Prioritise a premium defender when they offer guaranteed minutes, set-piece involvement, and a clear run of favourable fixtures, or when their ceiling justifies the budget hit for sustained periods. Mixing one premium with affordable starters is an effective compromise.

How do I manage rotation risk across my defensive picks?

Track manager comments, early-season lineups and squad depth to estimate rotation likelihood, and keep at least one bench player who starts consistently as insurance. Avoid overloading on players from clubs with heavy European schedules unless rotation patterns are clear.

Can defenders be used as captaincy options in FPL?

Defenders are rarely optimal captain choices, but occasional double-figure hauls and set-piece takers can make them profitable differentials in rare weeks. Reserve captaincy for reliable high-return players unless a unique fixture prompts a defender pick.

How do fixture swings affect short-term defender value?

Fixture swings can temporarily increase a defender’s appeal, especially when a double gameweek or run of weaker opponents aligns with rising form and minutes. Use fixture analysis for targeted transfers while maintaining long-term squad stability.

Is it better to buy defenders from top teams or in-form mid-table clubs?

Top-team defenders offer consistent clean-sheet potential, while in-form mid-table defenders can provide attacking returns and value; the best approach mixes both types to balance baseline points and upside. Consider team tactics and minutes rather than club name alone.

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