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. F4L
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    ekitike's defensive work rate really should be enough to make him a starter tbh. gakpo/isak/salah/wirtz dont really do anywhere near as much. maybe im wrong

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

      I was going to post something similar arterie scored.

      He deserves a start ahead of both Ekitike and/or Salah atm.

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        Would be quite a feat to start ahead of himself

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

          Isak* hehe.

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

      i remember a game earlier this season maybe the newcastle one where he almost hit the defcons before being taken off. unreal for a forward

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

        Everton. 11 DC in just 66 minutes

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

      He would have gotten 12 DC the last game he started if he weren't subbed early. Meanwhile Isak hardly presses at all

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

        He should be a regular starter. With or without isak

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

    Estavaoʻoʻoʻoooooooʻ

  3. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    So both Enzo and Estevao om pens

    1. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Nah,. I think this was just Enzo being generous to the lad for winning it.

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

      Enzo gave it to the kid, diamond geezer!

    3. tutankamun
      • 17 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      If Palmer, Enzo and Pedro are not on the pitch then Estevao might be on them. Lol.

      Was a good pen in fairness.

  4. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Who are the best 2 mids just for gw9?
    Torn between gakpo, mbeumbo & saka?

  5. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Kudus to Enzo?

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

    Best option;

    A) Jeijnders to Enzo
    B) Guiu to Woltermade/Gyokeres

    Cheers.

  7. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Who scores more gw9 a) salah & rejinders +4 b) saka & mbeumbo? Cheers

    1. Kaneyonero
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Latter

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

        Cheers thinking selling salah & rejinders for -4

    2. tbos83
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      B

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

        Thanks seems crazy to sell salah for -4 but saka & mbeumbo seems good picks this gw

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

      B

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

        Thanks I am thinking saka & mbeumbo best mids for gw9 but can afford anyone if sell salah

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

      b

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

        Cheers

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

    ajax got all thar scam money from Onana, De ligt, Antony, Mazroui, ziyech, Van de beek to end up with weghorst up front

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

      They're hoping someone else will buy him.

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      £30m bid from a prem club incoming as soon as he scores a few

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

      Ajax are really poor now compared to few years ago

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

    the top 12, down to Chelsea, in the as it stands CL table probably won't change much now. wonder which 4 teams miss out on top 8

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

      last season there were a lot of upsets so i think the points tally for top 8 will be higher

      bayern psg barca real arsenal city will be 6 of the 8

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

        inter too. this is boring

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

          Yeah last year there were upsets. This year less upsets. Liverpool might be 8th team

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

    if Isak got a knock, ekitike is so back on the menu

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

      Ekiteacake.

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

    Would you Benchboost this:
    Dubravka vs wol
    Rodon vs WHU
    Sarr vs ars
    Guehi vs ars
    ?

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

      lean towards no, sarr + guehi could easily be 3 points. burnely seem a much worse side away

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

      Sure!

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

      No. 2 of them play vs arsenal. Surely better opportunities will come.

  12. FPL Sanky
    • 2 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Andersen + Reijndeers to Rodon + Minteh for free?

    1. THE Wild Rover
      • 16 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      I think Reijnders sellers will regret it personally.

      1. FPL Sanky
        • 2 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        Do you think he will start this week?

        1. THE Wild Rover
          • 16 Years
          10 months, 2 days ago

          Yes

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

      Yeah but prefer Sarr over Minteh from GW10 if you don't have him already

  13. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Isak is looking like an expensive mistake. Bought him in for Richarlison -4 last week, now probably needs to go again.

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

    Worth doing Paqueta or Reijnders to Enzo for free?

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

      Yes

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

      Yes

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

        Ta. Lose Paqueta or Reijnders?

    3. THE Wild Rover
      • 16 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Prefer Rice at that price, although I get that some might not want to take up a Gooner slot with him.

    4. Dickie1898
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      I would.

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

    enzo given a good rest, off at HT

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Or will get a rest this weekend too after halftime?

  16. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    So Enzo jut getting a rest no issue?

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

      yeah likely, maresca subbed a few off

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

    giui getting rested probably means pedro as 10 with enzo deeper on the weekend

  18. nonaynever
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    wondering who would take a next pen for Chelsea...Estevao, Guiu?

  19. Dickie1898
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Roll? 2FT 0.0ITB

    Pope
    Senesi Gabriel Rodon
    Saka Bruno Semenyo Ndiaye
    Haaland Pedro Bowen
    (Dubravka Xhaka Mukiele Romero)

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Roll, assess Pedro and Bowen next week

  20. Zack124
    • 4 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    What is better if on WC?

    A. Ndiaye & Richards
    B. Sarr & Keane

    1. Dickie1898
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      A.

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Sarr and Richards, but if must A

      1. Zack124
        • 4 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        No but thought 2 from Palace and one from Everton is better than 3 Palace and none from Everton.

  21. adstomko
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Which player to transfer in?

    A) Minteh
    B) Caicedo

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      Same questions here, perhaps B

      1. adstomko
        • 10 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        Tempted by Minteh because Caicedo might only play 60 mins against easier teams, and therefore not hit the def con

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          10 months, 1 day ago

          Hear you

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 2 days ago

      B

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

      So to simplify, a Chelsea dm or an attacking Cherry after.
      Close call.

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

        Sorry...Seagull
        I go Chelsk.just.

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

    gakpo goal + assist

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      *wirtz gets an attacking return, first i think in all comps

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Can't ignore anymore

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        getting tough to thats for sure!

    3. Pornchef
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Gapko looking incredible lately for club and country in the international break

      Ekiteke+Gapko Liverpool's two best fwds this season

  23. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 2 days ago

    Reijnders > Enzo as 7th attacker on 343 formation for free, Y or N?

  24. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Wirtz assist 😯

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Here we go 😛

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

      Gackpo is shouting from the rooftops.

  25. jacob1989
    • 4 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Wirtz with his 1st assist all season!

  26. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Gakpo really on form

  27. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    So Salah and Isak fighting for one place? 😆

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      They've got their place ... on the bench

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

    Pick 2 just for gw9 a) gakpo b) saka c) mbeumbo? Thanks

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      I will go cheap gakpo mbeumo and beef up ARS defenders

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

        Just for gw9 as wc10

  29. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Bloodbath

  30. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Another Wirtz assist