Use the new rules in three places: DEFCON as a tiebreaker, the revised bonus system when comparing similar players, and the new score-lock time before checking your final rank.

Quick answer

What to do

  • Use DEFCON to separate two otherwise similar defenders or midfielders.
  • Watch attacking full-backs and busy goalkeepers under the revised bonus system.
  • Wait until 09:00 after the final match before treating your Gameweek score as final.

DEFCON stays, with the same cap

Defenders need 10 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles for two points. Midfielders and forwards need 12 when ball recoveries are added. The reward remains capped at two per match.

That keeps centre-backs and deeper midfielders in the player pool, but it also rewards consistency rather than huge one-off action counts. Anderson (MID – Man City) is the obvious case study after 52 contribution points last season.

Anderson2 pts

Bonus moves slightly away from centre-backs

Players now receive one BPS for every three clearances, blocks and interceptions instead of every two. That reduces the overlap between defensive contribution points and bonus.

At the same time, the penalty for being tackled has gone. Kayode (DEF – Brentford) and other attacking full-backs should be less likely to lose BPS simply for carrying the ball into pressure.

Kayode13 pts

Goalkeepers get better credit for difficult saves

Every save earns two BPS, with extra credit for shots inside the box and big chances. Pickford (GKP – Everton) led the league for big-chance saves last season, making him an obvious profile to watch under the new calculation.

This does not guarantee bonus for a busy goalkeeper. Goals conceded and distribution still matter. It does make the quality of shots faced more relevant than a simple save count.

Pickford7 pts

Positions and final scores need a fresh habit

Kroupi (MID – Bournemouth) is now a midfielder, so goals are worth five points and clean sheets can add another. Every reclassified player needs to be assessed under the new scoring route, not the label from last season.

Gameweek scores now lock at 09:00 UK time on the day after the final match. Live bonus and contributions can still move during the Opta review window, so wait for the lock before treating a marginal score as final.

Kroupi0 pts
Sources

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