The Scout explains what defensive contribution points are as they remain for 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League, and how they mean more points, more choice and more fun for managers.
Historically, attacking threat has often been the main consideration when picking outfield players in Fantasy.
That has even been the case when selecting defenders. Since clean sheets can disappear so quickly, the go-to options have often been offensive full-backs, while centre-backs have frequently been rated according to their ability to score goals from set-pieces rather than their main job of protecting their own penalty box.
Meanwhile, defensive midfielders have largely been overlooked entirely in FPL because of a lack of regular attacking returns, and because they only get one point for a clean sheet.
But that changed in 2025/26 Fantasy following the introduction of defensive contribution points.
The addition of defensive contributions rewards players for their involvement in a match.
Although players in all outfield positions can earn FPL points for making defensive contributions, the aim in particular is to recognise the completed defensive actions of centre-backs and defensive midfielders.
Indeed, as you can see in the table below, out of the 10 players who would have received the most defensive contribution points last season, five were centre-backs and the other five were defensive midfielders. None were forwards.
How does it work?
Any defender who reaches a combined total of 10 clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles (CBIT) in a single match scores two FPL points.
It’s similar to the fact that when a goalkeeper makes three saves, they earn an extra one point in Fantasy.
But unlike save points, defensive contribution points are capped at two points per match, so if a defender makes 20 CBIT in a match, they would collect just two points, not four – although they might get further rewards through the Bonus Points System.
Extra ‘ball recoveries’ for midfielders and forwards
To recognise the defensive work done by midfielders and forwards, including pressing and transitioning defence into attack, they get extra rewards that defenders don’t. In addition to their clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles, their “ball recoveries” also count towards their total of defensive contributions (CBIRT).
These recoveries include a range of actions that defensive midfielders in particular are good at, like being first to a loose ball.
Notably, what they do with the ball after securing it is taken into account when awarding a recovery. The player will often be rewarded for starting a counter-attack, or for securing stable possession for their team by making the first controlled pass after a moment where the two sides have fought for the ball.
Because midfielders and forwards can benefit from these extra recovery actions, they have to get MORE defensive contributions in total to earn their two FPL points. They have to get 12 defensive contributions, whereas defenders only need 10.
Where will you see these points?
You can see which players have earned these new points while a match is happening, in the match pages of the Fantasy website and app.
In the same way that you can see how many saves a goalkeeper has made in real time, there is a section that shows how many defensive contributions players have accumulated.