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. Khalico
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Team gtg?

    Dubravka
    Chalobah, Senesi, Gabriel
    Semenyo, Saka, Gakpo, Mbeumo, Anthony
    Woltemade, Haaland(c)

    Roefs, Mateta, Guehi, Rodon

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

      Gtg

  2. Maddamotha
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Pedro not in the squad tonight. Rested?

    1. theplayer
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Suspended

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

    Would you BB this ?

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

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

      That should get you upwards of 11 points.

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

    Prime Inzaghi display by Gyokeres last night.
    Not sure if owners should be encouraged after these two finishes?

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

      Comparing him to Inzaghi is an insult to Inzaghi XD.

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

      Goals breed confidence and definitely worth investing in Arsenal after last night. Might be just what Gyokeres needs to get going. I already have Mateta so planning on getting in Saka myself.

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

      yeah its a head scratcher. i mean havertz and merino put decent numbers on the board, i did really think gyokeres with pens could be a 2 in 3 striker.

      but now he looks more like a 13-16 goals, esp with no pens.

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

    Quite surprised to see Salah benched despite his current form.

    1. snow pea in repose
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      This is strictly conjecture but I wonder at some point if we're going to hear a Palmeresque reasoning for Salah's recent slump (carrying an unspoken injury)?

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

        Hurt his wrist singing new contract - been shite ever since.

        1. The Hunt
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 17 Years
          10 months, 2 days ago

          100% true. Thankfully, 4m managers haven't cottoned on yet.

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

    Good to go? 2 FTs.

    Pope
    Gabriel Timber Rodon
    Saka Bruno Semenyo Sarr Kudus
    Haaland Pedro

    Dubravka Gulu Mukiele Andersen

    1. DeSelby
      • 4 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      WC time.

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

        What would you change?

        1. DeSelby
          • 4 Years
          10 months, 1 day ago

          Was joking.

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

        No way would I wildcard this.

    2. Babit1967
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      This doesn’t require a wildcard - I’d save

  7. Ronnies
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Neither great options at the moment but which one would you play this week?

    A) VVD - away to Brentford
    B) Jeijnders - away to Villa

    Cheers.

    1. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      VVD

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      B

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

    Which 2 would you drop out of a WC? Can't make my mind up!
    A) Saka
    B) Bruno
    C) Semenyo
    D) Ndiaye
    E) Enzo
    F) Timber
    G) Sarr

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

      I dont have and E. And I still wouldn't pick them over all the others.

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

        D and E

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

        The value from them is incredible thats the problem...Good data and fixtures

    2. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 2 days ago

      D and F, providing you have Gabriel.

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

    very interesting line up from liverpool, see how it goes. frankfurt matches seem to be quite high scoring this season so at least should be entertaining

    1. theplayer
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      If Salah is actually dropped, it's about time. No player should be immune from it.

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

        true. think now you could argue he was dropped for the Gala match as well, not just rested.

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

    Kudus>Enzo for free?

  11. sentz05
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Can’t get to Gabriel and only 1FT.
    A just bring in Timber
    B Downgrade 4.5 def to 4.0 def this week and have no Arsenal defender this weekend and then get Gabriel following week

    1. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Both are alright options. I think Gabriel does better than Timber in the long run, but that's just my guess.

    2. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Get timber

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

    Re Salah.
    There’s a video doing the rounds showing an interview with Shearer and Lineker answering when they decided to retire. Both said they lost their pace very quickly and they just knew it was time, like within a game or two.
    I’m not suggesting Salah has lost his pace (although he may well have) but I am suggesting he may just have suddenly burnt out…. as those two did… it happens to the best.

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

      But they can't walk like an Egyptian.

    2. Bigbars
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      I actually think the slump is more to do with Slot's tweak in system and how players transition with the ball, they don't necessarily look for salah like they did previously, he was more involved in the build up before, so his movement is affected as he moves into positions where they could give him the ball, but they don't.

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

      He can’t beat a man to save his life anymore. Bayindir has as many take-ons as him ffs

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

    Unpopular opinion: Haaland being everyone's captain every week might be boring but it's good for the skill factor in FPL because it basically removes the crap shoot that captaincy is.

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

      I agree, game without captain double points would be better because every player would matter, every point would matter.
      Now one lucky captain pick can cover for a team full of blanks.

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

        I disagree, you know what 90 odd % of the blancmange are going to armband so this gives the jellies a fighting chance to make bigging quickly when we get it right.

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

          straying from the heard of sheep does not pay off in the long run.

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

            herd*

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

              Flock off.

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

                🙂

    2. Bigbars
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      I agree.. as it means the other 10 players are now differentials more and can sway a good to a great week very quickly.

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

      It reminds me of the days with RVP. It certainly made the cream rise to the top and put an emphasis on the rest of your squad. That said, even when a highly owned (C) scores, you normally get a green arrow.

    4. Jarnathan
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      I'm tempted to Captain Semenyo this week against a very poor Nottingham forrest in the midst of an identity crisis and having played on Thursday night....

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

    Great article!

  15. Shark Team
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Im on WC, im definitely going for 4atb, I even consider 5atb if I go triple ARS def

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

    Liverpool game will be high scoring at both ends.

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

      Igor (C)?

  17. Assisting the assister
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Help welcome. 2FTs
    Reindeer + Andersen >James + Xhaka

    A. Yes
    B. No

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Good moves. Can you afford Caicedo instead of Xhaka? Still like Xhaka though.

    2. Assisting the assister
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Yep

  18. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    With Reece James getting a rest tonight do you think Porro > James is a move I should make?

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

      Y

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

    Goalllll Chelsk.

  20. Esraj
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Ping pong down again.

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

    guiu golazo 😀

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

    Frimpong having a great start to his Liverpool career.

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

      Somehow I had him for two gws.

  23. The Mandalorian
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Liverpools front press is non existent, they are leaving big gaps for Frankfurt to play through.

    Liverpool attack looks disjointed and lacks consistency.

    Hard to see any players worth buying.

  24. King Huth
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Is achempong 3.9 chelsea def nailed for the next 3-4 gw?

    Wanna punt on him before my wc gw13

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

    How is Enzo looking so far?

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

    Can see Porro getting rested this week.

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

    Goal Frankfurt, Liverpool have not been good

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      8 box to box passes

  28. Mother Farke
    • 2 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    LOL Liverpool

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

    Frank Spencer goal.

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

    Calceidoooooooook