FPL’s Fresh Focus: Rewarding the Defense
If your Fantasy Premier League picks only chase goals and assists, it’s time to rethink everything. The 2025/26 season is rolling out the boldest scoring change in years, putting the spotlight right on hardworking defenders and midfielders. Defenders will now snag two extra points every time they rack up 10 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions, or tackles (commonly called CBIT) in a match. It’s like save points for goalkeepers, except it finally rewards the gritty work done by outfield players.
Midfielders and forwards aren’t left out either. If they can hit 12 defensive actions—including ball recoveries—they’ll earn the same bonus. Like goalkeeper save points, this defensive bonus is capped at two points per game, no matter how much a player gets stuck in. It’s a big endorsement for players who do the dirty work but hardly make the headlines.
Who Stands to Benefit from the New Scoring?
This tweak is a game-changer for anyone managing a FPL squad, especially those who look deeper than just attacking stats. Suddenly, center-backs and defensive midfielders get a whole new value boost. Take Murillo, for example. He topped last season’s Premier League with a staggering 246 clearances—a stat line that almost guarantees new bonus points under these rules. Defenders like Nathan Collins and Dara O’Shea weren’t far behind, racking up high numbers in clearances plus plenty of interceptions and blocks along the way.
And then there’s James Tarkowski. Known for his defensive work rate, there were matches last season where Tarkowski hit 18 defensive actions—a number that would have banked extra fantasy points even if his team conceded goals. Suddenly, defenders in teams under heavy pressure most weeks (think those scraping for mid-table safety) become better FPL assets instead of last-ditch options.
Midfielders who play in the engine room—those dropping deep to shield the backline—also get a fresh appeal. The likes of a ball-winning midfielder in a defensively-minded team could now quietly rack up bonuses that used to go unnoticed. It’s not just about goals and assists anymore. A player’s total impact is measured match to match, and that could tip the balance when it comes to tight head-to-head FPL contests.
Strategy-wise, managers should eye teams known for their defensive set-ups. That means more focus on defenders and midfielders who are always busy tackling, blocking, or reading the game with interceptions—no longer just the full-backs and wingers who bomb forward every attack. It could mean that a £4 million centre-back you’ve been ignoring for years is now a shrewd pick.
Don’t forget, these changes sync up with the other 2025/26 updates: two sets of chips like Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain, and Bench Boost. It opens up room for wider strategic planning, from stockpiling defensive workhorses for those tough gameweeks to combining chip plays with players who reliably reach that defensive action threshold.
So, while eye-catching goals will still draw all the love, those quiet leaders hauling in clearances and tackles are about to become fantasy game-changers. Get ready to look at your FPL squad in a whole new way come draft time.
Arlen Fitzpatrick
My name is Arlen Fitzpatrick, and I am a sports enthusiast with a passion for soccer. I have spent years studying the intricacies of the game, both as a player and a coach. My expertise in sports has allowed me to analyze matches and predict outcomes with great accuracy. As a writer, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and love for soccer with others, providing insights and engaging stories about the beautiful game. My ultimate goal is to inspire and educate soccer fans, helping them to deepen their understanding and appreciation for the sport.
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