Bournemouth boast one of the best upcoming fixture runs in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), but the recent emergence of a budget-friendly option has shaken up the status quo.

That option is James Hill (£4.0m), and he’s coming for Marcos Senesi’s (£4.8m) crown as the go-to Cherries defender in FPL.

Below, we assess the recent returns of both men as well as the underlying data backing them up.

IS HILL NAILED?

First, though, we should address the inevitable question of whether Hill is a nailed-on starter, as we know Senesi is. The Argentine has started every Premier League match under Andoni Iraola this season, except for his one-game suspension.

Well, the 24-year-old Bristol-born defender has had to wait his turn, making just six league starts last season and only two in the first 18 rounds of the current campaign.

However, since beginning against Chelsea in Gameweek 19, Hill has been an ever-present feature in Iraola’s XI.

He is yet to miss a minute of league action in that time, which roughly coincides with Bournemouth flipping an 11-match winless streak (up to Gameweek 20’s narrow loss to Arsenal) into a run of four wins and two draws from their last six games.

Bafode Diakite (£4.2m) and Veljko Milosavljevic (£4.4m), the two likeliest alternatives at centre-back, have hardly featured, let alone started a game, since Hill’s run in the team began.

All that, plus continued praise from the gaffer, suggests this spot alongside Senesi is very much Hill’s to lose.

SENESI V HILL: THE OUTPUT

So, how have Iraola’s current favoured central defensive duo’s points stacked up?

Both have played every minute between Gameweeks 19 and 26. Just one rather fortuitous clean sheet and 12 goals conceded in that time is a worrying stat, but a shared one.

Each man has been booked once in that time as well, although that’s more of a potential issue for Senesi as it represents his seventh caution of the season. Another three in the five matches prior to Gameweek 32 would see him suspended.

Hill – highlighted by Iraola as Bournemouth’s go-to laker of long throw-ins – has registered three very recent assists to Senesi’s one between Gameweeks 19 and 26, also beating him for bonus points (2 v 0) and total FPL points (40 v 28).

SENESI V HILL: DEFCONS

Where it gets more interesting is defensive contribution (DefCon) points, which have been Senesi’s bread and butter this season.

The 28-year-old comfortably remains FPL’s leader for those across 2025/26, but he has notably missed the threshold twice in a row coming into Gameweek 27.

In contrast, Hill has registered DefCon points on seven out of eight occasions since his regular stint in the team began, with the only missing entry a result of a late Opta data update when Bournemouth played on a Monday in Gameweek 22.

Above: The recent DefCon actions of James Hill (left) and Marcos Senesi (right)

In reality, then, Hill technically has a 100% DefCon record over his eight recent appearances, during which time he is also vastly outperforming Senesi for actual defensive actions (106 v 84). 

SENESI V HILL: ATTACKING STATS

Attacking returns are a bonus when it comes to defenders (especially centre-backs) and won’t arrive that often. Still, it’s worth a quick look at the two centre-halves to see how they stack up for goal and assist potential.

All in all, not much in it either way.

Both players have exclusively been shooting from set pieces, with Senesi on more attempts (5 v 3), shots on target (1 v 0) and Opta-defined big chances (1 v 0).

Things flip back in Hill’s favour when it comes to playmaking ability. He has created five chances (CC) to Senesi’s three, despite the pair being equal on two ‘big chances’ created (BCC). Hill’s superior pass completion rate – particularly in the final third – has helped him outperform his teammate in the bonus points system.

Senesi boasts greater figures for expected goals (xG, 0.63) and expected assists (xA, 1.08) than Hill (0.10 and 0.57) over these last eight matches, meaning his expected goal involvement (xGI) remains higher (1.71 v 0.67) despite his actual involvement being lower.

FINAL THOUGHTS

What to make of all that, then?

Well, with Bournemouth’s solid upcoming run of games and no imminent blanks to worry about, Senesi should by no means be a priority ‘sell’ despite his recent DefCon dip.

He will likely start hitting the threshold again and, with the potential for points clearly still there to some degree at the other end, some FPL points hauls could be around the corner if the Cherries can manage to record a shut-out or two.

If you’re in the fortunate position of having a free transfer surplus, though, or are considering deploying your second Wildcard, then the £0.8m in savings by opting for Hill over Senesi could prove to be helpful elsewhere for the run-in. 

Long-throw duties, assist potential from open play and a DefCon-enabled points ‘floor’ all make him an appealing pick. The comparative lack of suspension tightrope-treading is another plus in Hill’s favour.

Crucially, he is earning plaudits from all corners – and most importantly from his manager – so there doesn’t seem to be any imminent danger to his place. With plenty of credit in the bank, there would likely have to be a few iffy performances before talk re-emerged of a threat to his start.