What are defensive contributions?
Players can earn an additional two points for their defensive efforts in a game. The threshold for earning these points is as follows:
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Defenders: A defender earns two points for accumulating a combined total of at least 10 clearances, blocks, interceptions, and tackles (CBIT).
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Midfielders and Forwards: These players must reach a total of at least 12 defensive contributions to earn the two-point bonus. Their metric, however, also includes "ball recoveries," which count towards their total (CBITR).
This change is capped at two points per player per match, meaning even if a player exceeds the threshold by a large margin, they will still only receive the two point bonus. However, these defensive actions also contribute to a player's Bonus Points System (BPS) score, increasing their chances of earning an additional 1-3 bonus points. See our bonus points tracker to see which players have achieved bonus, live during games or afterwards.
Tracking Defensive Contributions
Using the "defcon" page you can follow FPL DCs live during games, or check post-match to see how your players got on.
The +2 indicator means those players reached the threshold and have two additional points locked in. There is also a "Saves" area to show any FPL save points which have been achieved during that match.
There are a couple of toggles.
- The "xG" toggle shows the xG for each match, this is available on both the DCs and Bonus Points pages.
- The "Hide completed" toggle hides any matches which have concluded. This is a members only feature.
Impact on FPL Strategy
The new scoring system has a major impact on FPL strategy, as it adds a new layer of consideration for managers. Previously, FPL managers often favored attacking full-backs and goal-scoring center-backs due to the unpredictable nature of clean sheets. Now, players who are prolific in the defensive stats—such as central defenders and defensive midfielders—are more viable and consistent point-scoring options.
You can use the stats page to view which players are good for defensive contributions free.
Players from teams that do not have a lot of possession and face frequent attacks, like those from newly promoted sides, are now more attractive FPL picks. The sweet spot is potentially mid-table teams that have clean sheet potential but still have to defend lots. For example, data from the 2024/25 campaign showed that players like James Tarkowski and Murillo would have been the top-scoring defenders for defensive contributions. Similarly, defensive midfielders such as Moises Caicedo and Elliot Anderson would have seen a significant boost to their total points.
While the new system widens the pool of viable players, it also presents a new challenge for us: finding the right balance between players who deliver consistent defensive returns and those who offer explosive attacking hauls.