FPL DEFCON Points
TL;DR
DEFCON is FPL's defensive contribution bonus: 2 points for a defender who makes 10 clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles (CBIT) in a match, or a midfielder or forward who makes 12 of those plus recoveries (CBIRT). The starters with the highest rates this season are Disasi (CRY, 14.1 per 90), Mendy (HUL, 13.0 per 90) and Mukiele (SUN, 11.9 per 90) in defence and Palacios (IPS, 15.5 per 90), Mainoo (MUN, 14.5 per 90) and Janelt (BRE, 12.3 per 90) in midfield, ranked on defensive contributions per 90 against the threshold; every player's DEFCON chance is in his projected points.
Best DEFCON defenders
Per 90: this season's defensive contributions per 90 minutes against the 10 needed, starters with at least three full matches played. xPts 6 GW: projected points over the next six gameweeks.
How Do FPL Defensive Contribution (DEFCON) Points Work?
- Defenders need 10 CBIT. Clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles, added up across one match.
- Midfielders and forwards need 12 CBIRT. The same actions plus ball recoveries.
- Capped at 2 points a match. A defender with 20 CBIT still scores 2, not 4.
- Per 90 is the tell. A starter who averages at or above his threshold per 90 minutes earns DEFCON in a typical full match. The tables rank starters with at least three full matches this season on exactly that.
Best DEFCON Midfielders
Per 90: this season's defensive contributions per 90 minutes against the 12 needed, starters with at least three full matches played. xPts 6 GW: projected points over the next six gameweeks.
- The leaders. Palacios (IPS, 15.5 per 90), Mainoo (MUN, 14.5 per 90), Janelt (BRE, 12.3 per 90), Adams (BOU, 11.9 per 90) and Anderson (MCI, 11.7 per 90) have the highest rates in midfield this season.
- Twelve is a high bar. Few midfielders clear it every week, so a midfielder near the top earns DEFCON on top of any attacking return.
- Forwards rarely get there. Very few forwards average 12 CBIRT per 90, so DEFCON is a defender and midfielder bonus in practice.
Is DEFCON Worth Chasing?
- Two points most weeks adds up. A defender who earns DEFCON in half his matches adds about a point a week, on top of clean sheets.
- Budget defenders benefit most. Many of the best DEFCON defenders are cheap starters, so DEFCON turns a budget slot into steady points. The best value picks rank them on projected points per £m.
- It is already in the projections. Every player's predicted points include his DEFCON chance, and the FPL team builder picks your squad on those numbers.
- Minutes first. DEFCON needs a full match of work, so a rate is only worth buying on a starter; the predicted lineups show who plays.
FAQ
What is DEFCON in FPL?
DEFCON means defensive contribution, the part of the FPL points system that pays 2 points for enough defensive actions in one match. Defenders, midfielders and forwards can earn it on top of their clean sheet, goal and assist points.
How many DEFCONs do defenders and midfielders need for points in FPL?
A midfielder needs 12 clearances, blocks, interceptions, tackles and ball recoveries (CBIRT) in a match, the same as a forward, and a defender needs 10 clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles (CBIT), with recoveries not counted. Either way it pays 2 points, and 2 is the most DEFCON can earn a player in one match.
Who gets the most DEFCON points in FPL?
On this season's defensive contributions per 90, the defenders most likely to reach 10 in a match are Disasi (CRY, 14.1 per 90), Mendy (HUL, 13.0 per 90) and Mukiele (SUN, 11.9 per 90), and the midfielders most likely to reach 12 are Palacios (IPS, 15.5 per 90), Mainoo (MUN, 14.5 per 90) and Janelt (BRE, 12.3 per 90). Many of the best DEFCON defenders are cheap, and the best FPL value picks rank them per £m.
What counts as DEFCON in FPL?
Clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles count for every defender, midfielder and forward, and ball recoveries count too for midfielders and forwards. Goalkeepers can't earn DEFCON; they score from saves and clean sheets instead.
Is there an FPL DEFCON tracker?
Yes: the two tables on this page track it, ranking starters with at least three full matches on defensive contributions per 90 against the 10 or 12 they need. To sort every player by DEFCON next to his projections, use FPL predicted points, which include each player's DEFCON chance.