FPL Boxing Day review: Trippier and Almiron become centurions

Kieran Trippier (£5.9m) and Miguel Almiron (£5.8m) both broke the 100-point barrier to extend their outstanding campaigns in 2022/23 Fantasy Premier League.

Trippier delivered a 12-point haul in Newcastle United’s 3-0 win over Leicester City, combining an assist with a clean sheet and the maximum three bonus points.

The right-back ranks third in the overall player standings, with his 108 points being 32 points more than any other defender in Fantasy.

Highest-scoring FPL defenders

Almiron, meanwhile, struck his ninth goal of the campaign to move on to 101 points.

The Paraguayan was the second most-bought midfielder during the unlimited free transfers period, just behind Marcus Rashford (£6.7m), collecting over a million new owners.

Newcastle’s upcoming schedule suggests doubling up on the duo can be a very profitable tactic.

According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), four of their next six matches score only two.

Differentials go big

Newcastle midfielder Joelinton (£5.9m) was among a number of differentials to deliver double-figure hauls on Boxing Day.

Fulham’s Tim Ream (£4.5m), Everton’s Yerry Mina (£4.3m), Brighton & Hove Albion’s Solly March (£5.0m) and Tottenham Hotspur’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£5.5m) all produced bumper returns and are all in under three per cent of squads. 

Odegaard and Salah justify popularity

Martin Odegaard (£6.4m) and Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) both showed why they were popular picks over the free transfers period.

They were the fourth and fifth most-bought midfielders for Gameweek 17, collecting 676,000 and 633,000 new owners respectively.

Odegaard’s two assists in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over West Ham United earned him 11 points, his third double-figure haul in his last four outings.

Salah produced a goal and an assist in Liverpool’s 3-1 victory at Aston Villa to claim 12 points, moving to second in the midfield standings, on 94 points.

Warning for Mitrovic buyers

Managers who sold Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.8m) were severely punished by the Fulham forward after he delivered his season-high return in a 3-0 win at Crystal Palace.

Mitrovic was the second-most transferred out player in Gameweek 17, moved on by 957,000 after he was rated a doubt to face the Eagles.

His goal, two assists and 15 points at Selhurst Park have made a major impact on managers’ plans ahead of Fulham’s Double Gameweek 19.

Indeed, he is the most-bought player in Gameweek 18, earning 128,000+ transfers in.

Those managers should be aware, however, that Mitrovic remains one booking away from suspension.

If he collects a yellow card in any of Fulham's next three fixtures he will serve a one-match ban.

See: Who is suspended or close to a ban?

Also in this series

Part 1: GW17 stats: Mitrovic sellers rue missed haul
Part 2: GW17 Bonus points