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
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Team gtg?

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

    Roefs, Mateta, Guehi, Rodon

    1. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      Gtg

  2. Maddamotha
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Pedro not in the squad tonight. Rested?

    1. theplayer
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      Suspended

  3. DagheMunegu
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Would you BB this ?

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

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      That should get you upwards of 11 points.

  4. el polako
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

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

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      Comparing him to Inzaghi is an insult to Inzaghi XD.

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 21 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
      3 months, 21 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
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Quite surprised to see Salah benched despite his current form.

    1. snow pea in repose
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 21 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
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

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

        1. The Hunt
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

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

  6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 21 days ago

    Good to go? 2 FTs.

    Pope
    Gabriel Timber Rodon
    Saka Bruno Semenyo Sarr Kudus
    Haaland Pedro

    Dubravka Gulu Mukiele Andersen

    1. DeSelby
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      WC time.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        What would you change?

        1. DeSelby
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          Was joking.

      2. BeaversWithAttitude
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        No way would I wildcard this.

    2. Babit1967
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

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

  7. Ronnies
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 21 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
      3 months, 21 days ago

      VVD

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      B

  8. Saka White Rice
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 21 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
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

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

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        D and E

      2. Saka White Rice
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

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

    2. Punned It
        3 months, 21 days ago

        D and F, providing you have Gabriel.

    3. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 21 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
        3 months, 21 days ago

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

        1. F4L
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

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

    4. Pylynen
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 21 days ago

      Kudus>Enzo for free?

    5. sentz05
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 21 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
          3 months, 21 days ago

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

        • jacob1989
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          Get timber

      2. MVDP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 21 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.
          • 2 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          But they can't walk like an Egyptian.

        2. Bigbars
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 21 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
          3 months, 21 days ago

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

      3. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 21 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
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 21 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.
            • 2 Years
            3 months, 21 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
              3 months, 21 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
                3 months, 21 days ago

                herd*

                1. The Night Trunker.
                  • 2 Years
                  3 months, 21 days ago

                  Flock off.

                  1. Canadian Football
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    3 months, 21 days ago

                    🙂

        2. Bigbars
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 21 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
          3 months, 21 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
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 21 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....

      4. mixology
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Great article!

      5. Shark Team
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

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

      6. el polako
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Liverpool game will be high scoring at both ends.

        1. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          Igor (C)?

      7. Assisting the assister
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

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

        A. Yes
        B. No

        1. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

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

        2. Assisting the assister
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          Yep

      8. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

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

        1. JBG
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          Y

      9. The Night Trunker.
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Goalllll Chelsk.

      10. Esraj
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Ping pong down again.

      11. F4L
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        guiu golazo 😀

      12. JBG
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Frimpong having a great start to his Liverpool career.

        1. Esraj
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          Somehow I had him for two gws.

      13. The Mandalorian
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 21 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.

      14. King Huth
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

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

        Wanna punt on him before my wc gw13

      15. Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        How is Enzo looking so far?

      16. The Night Trunker.
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Can see Porro getting rested this week.

      17. JBG
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Goal Frankfurt, Liverpool have not been good

        1. Freshy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          8 box to box passes

      18. Mother Farke
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 21 days ago

        LOL Liverpool

      19. The Night Trunker.
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Frank Spencer goal.

      20. The Night Trunker.
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 21 days ago

        Calceidoooooooook