Defensive Contribution Points – GW2 Report

Defensive contribution points, or DEFCON points as they’re known in the space (we have limited characters on X) are FPL’s big change to scoring for the 25/26 season. These new DEFCON points change the way we play FPL; they change the types of players that are viable FPL picks and have altered team builds this season. GW2 was only our second data point to analyse DEFCON points and how they impacted scoring, so let’s assess what we saw and what we can take from that moving forward.

How Defensive Contribution points work?

Quick reminder on how DEFCON points are calculated:

• A Defender who completes a combined total of 10 blocks, clearances, interceptions and tackles in a single match will score two FPL points.
• Midfielders and Forwards also get rewarded for ‘ball recoveries‘ as well as blocks, clearances, interceptions and tackles. Because of this added defensive contribution for Defenders and Midfielders, they have to to get 12 defensive contributions in a match to be rewarded with 2 FPL points.
• All players can only score a maximum of 2 defensive contribution points per match, it is capped at 2.

West Ham vs Chelsea:

West Ham vs Chelsea DEFCON points

Aguerd (13) - 2 points	Tosin (9) - 0 points
Paqueta (11) - 0 points	Caicedo (7) - 0 points
Soucek (6) - 0 points	Cucurella (5) - 0 points
Ward-Prowse (6) - 0 points	Chalobah (5) - 0 points
Kilman (5) - 0 points	Gusto (5) - 0 points

• Games that are one sided and end in a comfortable win for the victors, are once again as they did in GW1, showing to be bad game states for DEFCON points. As the score becomes lopsided, the intensity levels tend to drop, the losing team sits in and concedes possession, and the winning team are comfortable playing at a slower tempo and being more safe with the ball.
• West Ham are so easy to play around with massive gaps between their front line of their ‘press’ and their defenders who are dropping, that the midfield areas were wide open for Chelsea to run in to. West Ham’s midfield is also not very talented, so this is just the worst recipe for DEFCON points. Luckily there are not any West Ham midfielders or Defenders managers should want to own. They are prime relegation candidates.
• DEFCON points will be lower for players who play for the heavy favourites in a game that plays out as we expect. Chelsea had 60% possession and barely had to do any defending in the second half particularly. That is why you see their highest DEFCON points total at 9 for Tosin, and players like Caicedo and Cucurella not getting close to hitting the DEFCON threshold.

Man City vs Tottenham:

Man City vs Tottenham DEFCON points

Stones (8) - 0 points	Bentancur (11) - 0 points
Cherki (8) - 0 points	Romero (10) - 2 points
Dias (7) - 0 points	Kudus (9) - 0 points
Lewis (6) - 0 points	Sarr (9) - 0 points
Gonzalez (6) - 0 points	Palhinha (9) - 0 points

• I am quite surprised this game only produced 1 DEFCON points scorer. It was a great game, played at a fairly high tempo and was back and forth, with Spurs defending doggedly and counter-attacking well.
• City did have 62% possession and Spurs defended in mid and low blocks, so it does make some sense that no City players racked up a ton of defensive contributions. This can also be contributed to City looking a little lightweight in duels and showing some of the same defensive fragility they displayed last season and in the Club World Cup.
• With Spurs however, it was more that it was a complete team defensive performance with many players having standout defensive games.
• Romero is a top DEFCON points candidate every week and got his 2 points this week with a standout captain’s performance.
• Sarr registering 9 defensive contributions is not that surprising. He covers a lot of ground and is excellent in duels and in aerial battles. But what is key for fantasy managers to understand is Sarr is playing a different role this season. He is less playing in his own half and instead playing a more advanced role and so he provides access to attacking returns as well as DEFCON points. He could be great value at £5.om in a Spurs team that are looking good.
• Kudus getting 9 defensive contributions is also noteworthy. It feels like he is everywhere and wins every hold up situation and duel. With his style of play, his ball carrying and physicality, as well as the defensive effort he has shown through 2 games, he is actually someone I think can occasionally hit that 12 defensive contributions threshold. You have a good chance of G/A but he also has the potential to bail you out of games he does not get attacking returns with points for minutes, clean sheets and DEFCON points. Potential high floor player with a good ceiling.
• Spurs might be one of the better DEFCON point producing teams under Thomas Frank. Romero, Spence, Sarr, Palhinha, Kudus and Bentancur all feel like players who can hit the threshold fairly consistently, to varying degrees of course.

Bournemouth vs Wolves:

Bournemouth vs Wolves DEFCON points

Senesi (14) - 2 points	Agbadou (14) - 2 points
Diakite (10) - 2 points	Gomes (11) - 0 points
Adams (9) - 0 points	Doherty (9) - 0 points
Scott (6) - 0 points	Arias (7) - 0 points
Adli (6) - 0 points	Toti (6) - 0 points

• We have 3 centre-backs and and only 3 centre-backs registering DEFCON points in this game. So that is the system working somewhat as intended.
• Bournemouth for the most part will play in competitive games this season, and will play with elite intensity, press high and attack aggressively. Another team I think could consistently produce DEFCON point scorers.
• This is back-to-back games that Senesi has hit 14+ defensive contributions and banked 2 DEFCON points. You add the fact that Bournemouth under Iraola are always going to be a good out of possession team that defends well as a unit, and new signing Diakite should only get better as time goes on, and Senesi could be a real value in FPL at £4.5m.
• Diakite also banks 2 DEFCON points and is very much the type of centre-back who shoud hit the 10 defensive contributions threshold most weeks. Good in the air, strong and he defends in a front foor manner.
• Agbadou with 14 defensive contributions is impressive and Wolves will cede possession and defend in low blocks for a lot of games. He should rack up DEFCON points fairly consistently but probably won’t keep enough clean sheets to have value.
• Gomes has hit 9 and 11 defensive contributions in the first 2 games of the season. With his ability to chip in goals, one to watch.

Brentford vs Aston Villa:

Brentford vs Aston Villa DEFCON points

O. Dango (15) - 2 points	Onana (9) - 0 points
Damsgaard (15) - 2 points	Cash (6) - 0 points
Yarmoliuk (15) - 2 points	Mings (5) - 0 points
Collins (13) - 2 points	Maatsen (4) - 0 points
Van den Berg (12) - 2 points	McGinn (4) - 0 points

• A tale of 2 completely different teams in this game. Brentford having 6 players who registered 2 DEFCON points (Kayode being the 6th), meanwhile Villa had none.
• Onana is the only player of note for Villa as he has had 14 and 9 defensive contributions in the first 2 games of the season.
• Brentford producing so many DEFCON point scorers might be something that can be sustained because they are a likely relegation candidate and even against a Villa side that has not played particularly well through 2 games, Brentford still only had 23% possession. If you are essentially defending without the ball all game, your players will rack up defensive contributions. The question is will you keep more than around 4 clean sheets all season? Probably not.
• Damsgaard and O. Dango racking up 15 defensive contributions is definitely something to track. Dango scored the winning goal, and has a chance of leading Bournemouth in goals this season.
• Damsgaard is the one that stands out more however. Everything Brentford do from an attacking sense goes through Damsgaard. He is one of the best 10’s in the league, a brilliant passer and creative player. But he also works his socks off and could be someone that not only gives you G/A every 2 to 3 games but also produces DEFCON points every few weeks.

Burnley vs Sunderland:

Burnley vs Sunderland DEFCON points

Ekdal (14) - 2 points	Xhaka (13) - 2 points
Hannibal (13) - 2 points	Reinildo (12) - 2 points
Anthony (11) - 0 points	Adlrete (9) - 0 points
Hartman (8) - 0 points	Le Fee (8) - 0 points
Walker (7) - 0 points	Seelt (6) - 0 points

• This was a fairly even game in terms of possession and shots, between 2 promoted sides so it is understandable it produced 4 DEFCON point scorers. 2 defenders, and 2 midfielders.
• Reinildo is the player to take most notice of from this game. He had 8 defensive contributions in GW1 and followed that up with 12 in GW2.
• Ekdal’s 14 defensive contributions is impressive but he only had 5 in GW1. I would expect Burnley centre-backs to be fairly consistent DC point scorers which helps their case in being your 5th Defender since they are so cheap.

Arsenal vs Leeds:

Arsenal vs Leeds DEFCON points

Zubimendi (8) - 0 points	Rodon (14) - 2 points
Timber (6) - 0 points	Gudmundsson (13) - 2 points
Saliba (5) - 0 points	Struijk (6) - 0 points
Gyokeres (5) - 0 points	Gnonto (6) - 0 points
Saka (4) - 0 points	Gruev (6) - 0 points

• Only 2 DEFCON scorers in this matchup, both for Leeds.
• Some might be surprised, after having 3 DEFCON point scorers in GW1 and generally being considered a combative, physical, defensive minded team first and foremost, that Arsenal had none in GW2. This shows how much game style and game state matters to DEFCON point scoring. Arsenal had 68% possession, controlled it, didn’t play a particularly high tempo, and only faced 3 shots. That kind of dominance isn’t going to produce tons of defensive contributions from your players.
• Rodon has had 7 and 14 defensive contributions through 2 GWs. Potentially Leeds most consistent DEFCON point producer.
• Gudmundsson has had 8 defensive contributions in consecutive GWs.
• Whether Leeds can be good enough defensively / any of their Defenders will offer enough attacking returns to make them worth owning is the larger question.

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest:

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest DEFCON points

Lacroix (12) - 2 points	Anderson (11) - 2 points
Hughes (10) - 2 points	Sangare (8) - 0 points
Wharton (9) - 0 points	Milenkovic (7) - 0 points
Richards (8) - 0 points	Murillo (6) - 0 points
Devenny (8) - 0 points	Aina (6) - 0 points

• This was a really even game, played between two very good defensive sides who we would tend to think should consistently produce DEFCON point scorers. There were a lot of fouls and 6 cards but in the end only 3 DC point scorers. No real reason to overreact to a 1 game sample for most players.
• Lacroix is a DEFCON monster. He was last season and he has 28 defensive contributions through 2 games this season. He trails only Van Dijk, Senesi and Wieffer as things stand.
• Anderson might be his midfield equal despite not actually registering any DEFCON points yet this season, but he has 11 defensive contributions in back-to-back games. He won’t continue to be so unlucky and will start to hit that 12 DC threshold.
• Richards has 8 defensive contributions in GW1 and GW2. One to monitor as Palace look very solid defensively through 2 games.

Everton vs Brighton:

Everton vs Brighton DEFCON points

Garner (16) - 2 points	Wieffer (13) - 2 points
Keane (13) - 2 points	Dunk (8) - 0 points
Irroegbunam (11) - 0 points	Minteh (7) - 0 points
Grealish (11) - 0 points	Van Hecke - (6) - 0 points
Tarkowski (10) - 2 points	O'Riley (6) - 0 points

• This was the type of game you expect to produce a few DEFCON point scorers. The first half was back and forth, both teams creating chances, playing at pace, taking some risks on the ball, and it was a physical battle. It produced 4 DC point scorers in the end but 2 Midfielders, Grealish and Irroegbunam were 1 defensive contribution away from returning.
• Everton lived up to their reputation. 3 players returning DC points. Of course the big man Tarkowski and also Keane – 2 centre-backs.
• Garner in midfield with an amazing performance and return for any owners, with a goal, 2 DC points plus 1 bonus point.
• Grealish hitting 11 defensive contributions while registering 2 assists can’t be ignored. He has to start in GW3 and he almost certainly will. If we get maverick Grealish back from an attacking sense plus he still has the defensive effort he showed during City’s treble season, he could be a really good FPL pick.

Fulham vs Man United:

Fulham vs Man United DEFCON points

Lukic (12) - 2 points	Fernandes (13) - 2 points
Andersen (11) - 2 points	De Ligt (11) - 2 points
Muniz (6) - 0 points	Yoro (8) - 0 points
Bassey (5) - 0 points	Casemiro (7) - 0 points
Sessegnon (4) - 0 points	Amad (6) - 0 points

• This was an even game in terms of possession and chances, and ended even at 1-1. It was played at a solid pace and we’re seeing these more even games, where the game is in the balance do help to produce DEFCON point scorers.
• Andersen is the only real player of player of note for Fulham with 8 and 11 points in GW1 and 2.
• We as a fantasy community can’t ignore Fernandes defensive contribution total through 2 GWs.  11 in GW1 and 12 in GW2 is very impressive and if he continues to play this deeper midfield role, there is no reason it can’t continue. That value being added to the fact he is on penalties, and creates a lot of chances could make his £9.0m price-tag fair value.
• De Ligt has hit produced DC points in back to back games and with the lack of dominance United show in game under Amorim, there is no reason that won’t continue.

Newcastle vs Liverpool:

Newcastle vs Liverpool DEFCON points

Burn (12) - 2 points	Van Dijk (15) - 2 points
Guimaraes (11) - 0 points	Jones (10) - 0 points
Schar (8) - 0 points	Kerkez (9) - 0 points
Joelinton (7) - 0 points	Gakpo (9) - 0 points
Hall (5) - 0 points	Szoboszlai (9) - 0 points

• You would think a game of this intensity, with emotions high and the crowd raucous, and Newcastle playing as physically and intensely as they did, would have produced more than 3 DEFCON point scorers, but the Gordon sending off obviously limited Newcastle’s ability to press and defend man to man as well as they did pre red card. A red card is not really something we can anticipate as FPL managers.
• Van Dijk might be the best DEFCON player in the game. He has been through 2 weeks. He is so dominant aerially and in any duels he does take on that he racks them up. Liverpool’s loss of control of games after building 2-0 leads in back-to-back weeks has also contributed to his ability to rack so many defensive contributions up. If Liverpool start to control games better with Mac Allister coming back and Gravenberch settling in top form after his first game of the season, and maybe a couple more additions in the market, then maybe he won’t be as dominant, but for now, he has been.
• Burn is a DEFCON monster. But with Joelinton and Tonali now injured, Newcastle’s defence will suffer.

DEFCON scoring GW2:

Highest DEFCON scorers GW2

1. Garner - 16

2. Van Dijk - 15

3. Damsgaard - 15

4. O. Dango - 15

5. Yarmoliuk 15

6. Senesi - 14

7. Rodon - 14

8. Agbadou - 14

9. Ekdal - 14

10. Fernandes - 13

• Even games, that are more back and forth, that are in the balance until late into the game seems to be an optimum game state for DEFCON points.
• As we saw in GW1, games played at a faster pace, with teams that play high tempo, high pressing football also help produce DC point scorers.
• Comfortable wins where one team dominates possession and the chance creation numbers, are clearly the worst game stat for DC points because the second half of those games tend to be played at a slower tempo with far less risks being taken by both teams.

 

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