FPL
22 October 2025 492 comments
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Defensive contribution (DefCon/DC) points are the talk of the town in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) this season.

Of the 10 top-scoring defenders in FPL in 2025/26 so far, eight of them have banked at least six DefCon points.

Most of the leading midfielders have hit the ‘DC’ threshold at least once, too.

Before the start of the season, most of our research centred around looking at 2024/25’s underlying defensive numbers. James Tarkowski (£5.5m) and Moises Caicedo (£5.9m) were among the names that stood out as potential beneficiaries, and so it’s proved in the opening eight Gameweeks of this campaign.

But might DefCons be a bigger deal than we thought? Gabriel Magalhaes (£6.4m) has already beaten the tally he would have got in 2024/25. The number of defenders hitting the DefCon threshold in 50%+ of matches has also risen.

With that in mind, we thought we’d delve into the Members Area to see if the signs point to 2025/26 being a big campaign for DefCon points.

defensive contributions

DEFCON POINTS BY SEASON

Below, we’ve mapped out the defender and midfielder DefCon points for each of the eight most recent seasons, which is as far back as our data goes.

From 2018/19 to 2024/25, we’ve converted the underlying defensive data into tangible FPL points.

For 2025/26, we’re using the actual FPL points for DefCon – and we’ve projected to the end of the campaign based on the current rate of returns after eight Gameweeks (338 for defenders, 202 for midfielders).

492 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Planning on starting Rodon over Bowen (playing each other) this week.

    A) Yes
    B) No switch

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Brave. West Ham are doing better away this season ..... although they're still crap.

      1. kysersosa
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        Yeah both middle of the table for away xG and Home conceded xG.

        Coin toss

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          10 months, 2 days ago

          One extra factor: Rodon has scored twice recently. That will give him every incentive to do it again.

          1. kysersosa
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 months, 2 days ago

            West Ham and set pieces too…

          2. kysersosa
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 months, 1 hour ago

            Called it

    2. Boleyn Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Never bench Bowen. For any goal we score he's close to 50% likely to be involved

      1. kysersosa
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 1 hour ago

        Sigh

  2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Champions league fantasy related. Play Vanaken or Pedro Goncales.

  3. Bruno G
    • 4 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    On a wildcard, mostly decided but one dilemma - Richards and Semenyo or Munoz and Enzo?

    1. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Richards and Semenyo

      1. Bruno G
        • 4 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        Thanks, I kinda know that’s the right or sensible answer but I really want Munoz and I’m hoping someone will talk me into it!

        1. BananaDrama
          • 1 Year
          10 months, 2 days ago

          In that case, get Munoz and Semenyo, and downgrade a different player if you're short of funds. Munoz is great and I really ought to learn not to leave him on the bench

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      106 points vs 87 points as of last gameweek.

  4. -GK22-
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Captain Kane or Mbappe tonight?

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Kane

  5. Lost for Wirtz
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Chalobah > James on FT too sideways? I like the higher ceiling a lot, plus I am still miffed about the red card. Already have Gab Timber Guehi and Sinesi.

    1. Cold Palms
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Wait.. If he starts and comes through tonights game injury free then possibly but then I’m thinking also you must be FT rich otherwise just keep Chalobah

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      One plays one breaks down you choose

    3. Brosstan
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Waste of transfer. I'd even say it's a negative transfer because James will last at most 3 gws before getting injured again

  6. F4L
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    4 at the back has gone from tempting to feeling necessary tbh. still think 5 might be overdoing it as value in defence starts to lose out as even if an 8 mil mid might only outscore a 5.5-6mil defender by 15-20 points you obviously need to use all your budget but yeah. maybe if salah or palmer were firing 5 back would make sense

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Agree. Went for 3 5 2 on my GW 8 WC. Plan is to shift to 4 4 2 in GW 10:

      Pope
      Gabriel Timber Munoz Senesi
      Saka Bruno Semenyo Sarr
      Haaland Mateta

      Dubravka King Mukiele Gulu

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 10 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        Or will get Gakpo for either Saka or Bruno.

      2. F4L
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        yeah very nice team, similar to what i might move to:

        Raya
        Gabriel VVD Lacroix Senesi
        Saka Bruno Mbeumo Sarr
        Haaland Mateta

        can get there with two -4s in next 2 GWs. my tv isnt the best so, would prefer semenyo and munoz to sarr and vvd but yeah

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 10 Years
          10 months, 2 days ago

          VVD can prove to be a good pick foe that period. I want to pick one Liverpool, hence considering Gakpo. Might actually play with 2 Arsenal defenders and move Saka out for Gakpo. Leaves more in the bank for future upgrades.

  7. Make FPL Casual Again
    • 7 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    People switching to 2 forwards and a fodder, when Mateta, Woltemade and maybe Pedro if he drops to 10......

    1. Make FPL Casual Again
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      .....are better than similar priced or even premium mids at this stage ?

      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        People are getting defenders, not midfielders - rather have Timber + change than someone like Pedro , who has seen 3 Forest managers since he last scored

        1. Make FPL Casual Again
          • 7 Years
          10 months, 2 days ago

          Well, I said Woltemade and Mateta which is 3 forward slots incl Haaland, based on current form/fixtures, and "maybe Pedro if he drops to 10"....... *maybe*

          Its obvious money needs to be put in defence, which leaves midfield as the downgrade area

          What point were you trying to make ?

          1. x.jim.x
            • 11 Years
            10 months, 2 days ago

            That I would rather play a 4-4-2 and that Pedro is a rubbish pick

            1. Make FPL Casual Again
              • 7 Years
              10 months, 2 days ago

              Why focus on Pedro when the main picks I mentioned were Woltemade and Mateta who are outperforming similarly priced mids?

              1. x.jim.x
                • 11 Years
                10 months, 2 days ago

                Why focus on midfielders when people are swapping their forwards for defenders?

                1. Make FPL Casual Again
                  • 7 Years
                  10 months, 2 days ago

                  You know you can have alm the defenders you want and 3 forward slots?

                  Are you saying Woltemade and Mateta are bad picks?

                  1. Jacquet or chips
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 2 Years
                    10 months, 2 days ago

                    Agreed.

                  2. x.jim.x
                    • 11 Years
                    10 months, 2 days ago

                    You can't play them all though.

                    Not bad picks in a vacuum, but they're being outscored by all the premium defenders at the minute, hence why people are dropping a forward and shifting to 4-4-2 (like I said 4 comments ago)

                    1. Make FPL Casual Again
                      • 7 Years
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      You do know there's such thing as a 433, right?

                      Or hybrid 433/343 rotating 4th defender etc ?

                      1. x.jim.x
                        • 11 Years
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        Yeah but there's more choice in the midfielder pot - you've already outlined the only 2 real non-Haaland options for strikers.

                      2. Make FPL Casual Again
                        • 7 Years
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        As it stand mids not really doing it outside of couple of picks, could change obviously...

                        You can still have 4 playable mids, and can even rotate one of the cheaper options..

                      3. x.jim.x
                        • 11 Years
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        Players with 5+ PPG by position:

                        GKP: 4
                        DEF: 16
                        MID: 12
                        FWD: 4

                      4. Make FPL Casual Again
                        • 7 Years
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        You can only start 11 players

                        Woltemade is 6th highest total ppg of all players, ahead of all mids except Semenyo, good upcoming fixtures

                        Mateta is posting ridiculous Haaland level underlyings, coming into form with good fixtures

  8. One Wheels Enough
    • 7 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    If you have 2 free transfers when you use a WC do you get 2 free transfers the following week or 3?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      2

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      2.

      no ft is gained when playing wc/fh chip

  9. el polako
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Went early on Isak and now thinking about selling after just 2 games.
    It would allow me to upgrade injured Romero to Gabriel or Timber.

    Yay or nay?

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Yes

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      For a hit or no?

      1. el polako
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        Use my both FT’s.

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 9 Years
          10 months, 2 days ago

          Go for it then

          1. el polako
            • 9 Years
            10 months, 2 days ago

            Think so, sometimes need to admit you’ve made a mistake and don’t be too proud.

    3. Jacquet or chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Yes.

    4. el polako
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Pretty conclusive, thanks all.

  10. Jacquet or chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    I’ve had a suspicion for quite a while that, by seasons end, Xhaka and Rice will be right up the top end of the mids with their drip, drip points.

    If I sell (probably) Salah this week that’s my next ploy. Set and forget (injuries aside).

    Also. A lot of ink being spilt about Bruno… he may also drip, drip to the higher reaches as well, imo.

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Bruno might not leave my team till the end of the season. And Rice can prove to be a great pick alongside two Arsenal defenders.

      1. Jacquet or chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        ….. and Xhaka the stand out sub imo.

  11. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
    • 1 Year
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Toying with the idea of givingSemenyo the armband this week, is it madness takingit off haaland?

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Risk Reward

    2. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Would have been a canny pick on paper last week, but Forest's main goal this week will be staying compact and keeping a clean sheet.

      Villa are still giving up chances, so I'm finding it difficult to bet against Haaland in the form he's in.

      1. JBG
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        Pretty much this

      2. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        Especially as Villa play a high line.

      3. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
        • 1 Year
        10 months, 2 days ago

        True that, I failed to take into account the Dyche factor

  12. JBG
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Pick uno:

    A) Gakpo
    B) Gordon*

    1) Burn
    2) R.James
    3) Chalobah

    *Already have Woldermort

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      B2

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      A3

    3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      A3

    4. Hutchiniho
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      B2

  13. Skogen89
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    What to do here? Priority to get wirtz out of my team. I want Gabriel/ and raya

    Dubravka/ sels
    Munoz porro cucurella esteve dorgu
    Reijnder chan eze semenyo wirtz
    Haaland Mateta gyokeres

    2ft and 0 itb

    A) wirtz, hee-chan and gyokeres > woltemade, enzo and bruno (-4)
    B) wirtz and gyokeres > saka and 7.1 for (could go kroupi jr, and play 442 most weeks)
    C) wirtz and dorgu > Enzo and Gabriel
    D) other??

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      D) Wirtz and HeeChan out

  14. Prison Mike
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Who to start this week?

    A) Munoz (ars)

    B) Gudmundsson (WHU)

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      B

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      B

    3. Hutchiniho
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Wow. Two votes for Leeds makes me question the value of Munoz.
      Maybe I could go Richards and save £1m

      1. BananaDrama
        • 1 Year
        10 months, 2 days ago

        Munoz won't be playing Arsenal every week though

      2. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        This logic makes no sense to me, it's one GW.

        If the question was Gabriel (liv) vs Mukiele (WOL) would you question the former's value?

    4. Snoopydog
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 2 days ago

      fwiw plan to start Gud over Guehi

  15. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Start 1:

    A)Reijnders
    B)Rodon

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      B

    2. Hutchiniho
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      I’m starting Rodon

    3. Lost for Wirtz
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Not Reijnders, we have had so much patience with him, probably the price tag was tempting too. But the 1 point in gw8 was the final nail in the coffin.

  16. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 15 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Team for the GW - 1FT

    Pope (Dubravka)
    Tark Gabriel Senesi
    Semenyo Saka Reinjders Stach Ndiaye
    Haaland (C) Pedro
    Subs Richards Alderete Richarlison

    A Stick
    B Richarlison to Welbeck
    C Richarlison to woltemade
    D Stach to Sarr
    E Stach to Bruno

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      C

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      C

    3. Hutchiniho
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      I’d want Sarr but Richarlison is a waste of money right now

    4. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      C

  17. DavvaMC
    • 5 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Would you make this transfer?

    Foden > Enzo

    Thanks

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Yes - Phil Foden retired from professional football last summer

      1. DavvaMC
        • 5 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        🙂

      2. DavvaMC
        • 5 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        Would you do it for a hit?

        1. x.jim.x
          • 11 Years
          10 months, 2 days ago

          Probably not - even if you assume Enzo is okay, Chelsea aren't that great and Sunderland aren't that bad. You'd have thought Foden would start at least.

  18. CoracAld2831
    • 5 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Sell or keep Andersen?

    A: Sell for Richards
    B: Sell for Truffert
    C: Keep him

    1. Hutchiniho
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Richards

  19. Saka White Rice
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Would you have all 4 of Gabriel, Timber, Munoz and Senesi on a WC?

    1. Hutchiniho
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Yes

      1. Hutchiniho
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        That’s the Def I’d want

    2. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Yep

    3. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Yes.

  20. Hutchiniho
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Munoz and Enzo
    Or
    Richard’s and Mbeumo

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Both are better in option A

    2. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      A

    3. Jet5605
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      A

  21. jonnybhoy
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    What to do? 3FT 0.1ITB

    Raya
    Gabriel Gvardiol Sensei
    Bruno Semenyo Ndiaye Reijnders
    Haaland J Pedro Gyokeres

    Dubravka Tarkowski Stach Gudmundsson

    A) Bruno and Gyokeres to Saka and Woltemande
    B) Gvardiol and Reijnders to Enzo and def up to 4.5m
    C) Roll
    D) Something else

    1. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      No way sell.
      Bruno and Gyok are a keep.
      Save.

  22. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Which Forward for FPL Challenge this week?

    Bowen ( gets double points ) or Haaland

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Feel like with Challenge, it's more fun to just go all in on the bonus.

      Pickford
      Gabriel - James (C)
      Bruno - Salah
      Bowen

      1. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        Pope
        Gabriel James VVD
        Bruno (C)
        Bowen???

        1. x.jim.x
          • 11 Years
          10 months, 2 days ago

          Pope's not been there 5 years has he? Fancy Brentford to score anorl

          1. Revival
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 months, 2 days ago

            Not seeing a Pickford clean sheet so just going with Pope ( single points ) as has a better fixture. VVD for Defcon points more than a cleanie I suppose.

      2. iFash@FPL
        • 2 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        This is my exact team config. 🙂

  23. Jet5605
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Best Paqueta replacement

    A - Enzo (if fit)
    B - Bruno
    C - MbeumoD - Roll 

    Pope
    Gabriel - Timber - Senesi 
    Gakpo - Semenyo - Paqueta - Grealish
    Haaland - Wolt - Mateta

    Dubrav - Reijnders - Andersen - Gudmund 

    1. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      B.

  24. DagheMunegu
    • 5 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Would you BB ?

    Dubravka (wol) Larsen (BUR) Rodon (WHA) Richards (ars)

    1. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      No

  25. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Salah benched finally. And that's not a rest at all!

    1. iFash@FPL
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Plus he needs the rest.

    2. Ball Ake
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      The BBC have Ekitike and Isak in a front two with Wirtz in central mid, surely can't be right. Frimpong on the right instead of Chiesa

      1. The Night Trunker.
        • 3 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        The BBC have been on the fake news gravy train for some time now.
        It's our version of the State's "Mockingbird" program.

        1. Ball Ake
          • 2 Years
          10 months, 2 days ago

          I suspect it's more that their football journalists know jackshit

          1. The Night Trunker.
            • 3 Years
            10 months, 2 days ago

            Journalists is slightly flattering I feel.

  26. Bobbyg1
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Enzo starts

    1. iFash@FPL
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Hope he’s subbed early, to keep him fresh for the weekend.

  27. Fingerspitzengefühl
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Hi all!

    Would you rather play Stach or Rodon in GW9?

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Stach

    2. iFash@FPL
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Rodon

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Stach

  28. The Big Fella
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Liverpool’s good fixtures start in a couple of GWs - I am unsure whether to keep Virgil or sell for somebody else better in form. What will others do?

    1. iFash@FPL
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Virgil is one of my noodle scratchers. I’m keeping for now.

      1. The Big Fella
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        He’s a lot of money for the points he is returning but fixtures are going to get good soon and Salah has been dropped tonight which may continue in the league if tonight goes well

    2. Nightcrawler
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      im keeping him now for the fixtures. he's a differential and ive already sat through most of the tough games so ill just hope that has a pay off

  29. Nightcrawler
    • 7 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Smart from Maresca

    chelsea won't finish outside top 24 and cant really get top 8 so might as well just rest most the first team. UCL format needs tweaking to add more jeopardy

    1. The Night Trunker.
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Looking forward to a full game from Estevao.

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Chelsea can still get top 8. Reckon about 5 wins and 1 draw from 8 the games would do it, but they have good cover in every position so qualms about them resting players.

  30. The Night Trunker.
    • 3 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Marshmallowdevile clean sheet tonight please.