How the defender bonus-points system actually works — and who to pick

The three bonus triggers

The defender bonus-points system rewards three actions: clearances off the line, blocks inside the six-yard box and interceptions leading to a successful pass out of defence. Each action is worth a fixed bonus. The bonuses are not cumulative within a single match — the highest single action is counted.

Most fantasy managers only count the clean sheet. The clean sheet is the base points. The bonus triggers are added on top of the base points, and they are the difference between a defender who scores average and a defender who scores above average.

Who qualifies as a defender

The defender classification is fixed by position, not by role. A full-back is classified as a defender. A wing-back is classified as a defender. A centre-back is classified as a defender. A defensive midfielder is not classified as a defender, even if the player spends most of the match in the defensive third.

The classification matters because the bonus triggers are only counted for players classified as defenders. A defensive midfielder who makes six interceptions in a match scores zero bonus points, because the classification is a midfielder.

The most valuable defenders this week

Three defenders stand out this week. The first is the right-back of the league-leading side, who has averaged 4.2 interceptions per match across the last five matches and has scored in two of those matches. The second is the centre-back of the second-placed side, who has averaged 6.8 clearances per match and has taken two blocks off the line in the last three matches. The third is the left-back of the mid-table side, who has averaged 3.1 successful passes into the final third per match.

What to avoid

Avoid the defender who plays for a side that concedes a high volume of shots but rarely concedes goals. The defender racks up the base points (clean sheet) but the bonus triggers (clearances, blocks, interceptions) are not triggered because the goalkeeper is making the saves, not the defender.

Avoid the defender who plays for a side that dominates possession. The defender rarely has to make a clearance or a block, because the opposition is not getting into the final third. The defender’s bonus triggers are low.

How the system has changed

The system was updated at the start of the season. The previous system rewarded tackles won. The current system rewards interceptions leading to a successful pass out of defence. The change rewards defenders who read the play rather than defenders who commit to the tackle.

The change has shifted the value profile. The defenders who score under the new system are the ones who were high-volume tacklers. The defenders who score under the new system are the ones who read the passing lanes and intercept without committing to a tackle.