FPL Autosub Order Guide: How to Rank Your Substitutes

FPL Autosub Order Guide: The way you slot your substitutes can swing a gameweek’s score by more than a point. The simplest rule is to rank your bench by projected points per game, then place the highest‑value player in sub-1, the next in sub-2, and reserve sub-3 for rotation or fixture changes. For example, Erling Haaland averages 6.8 points per game for 155 million, while Antoine Semenyo sits at 5.5 for 85 million - a clear 1.3-point advantage that makes Haaland the natural sub-1 choice.

Each team starts eleven and has three substitutes. If a starting player is injured, suspended, or simply drops out of the line‑up, the first unused substitute on your bench steps in automatically. The order you set matters because only the top‑ranked sub that is not already playing will be used. You can change the order each gameweek, but you cannot swap a sub into the starting XI once the match has begun.

Defensive Contribution (DefCon) points were unchanged for 2026/27, as confirmed by the Premier League on 20 July 2026. Defenders earn up to 2 points per match for 10 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles (CBIT). Midfielders and forwards earn up to 2 points for 12 defensive contributions (CBIRT). The cap means a defender with 20 CBIT still only scores 2 points, so the marginal value of a big defensive contribution is limited. This cap should be factored into your sub ordering: a defender who is a consistent 2-point provider can be a safe sub-3 if you have higher‑scoring midfield options.

The 2026/27 season saw a tweak to Bonus Points System (BPS) aimed at reducing overlap with DefCon and boosting bonus potential for goalkeepers, full-backs, attacking midfielders and forwards. Goalkeepers still receive +1 BPS for saving a shot from inside the box, but the save from outside the box metric has been removed. A new +1 BPS applies for saving a big chance. For instance, goalkeeper David Raya has 162 total points and 19 clean sheets, showing how BPS can boost a keeper’s value when coupled with high defensive output.

With eight chips in total - two sets of four - the way you deploy them can amplify or diminish the benefit of a well‑ordered bench. The Bench Boost chip gives points to all bench players, so a strong sub-2 and sub-3 can significantly lift your score. However, the chip must be used before the Gameweek 19 deadline (13:30 GMT Saturday 2 January 2027) and cannot be carried over. Planning the order of your bench players around the chip’s activation window can make the difference between a 0-point and a 5-point swing.

Up to five free transfers can be rolled, allowing you to adjust your squad without penalty. Rolling transfers is useful when rotating a high‑value striker into sub-1 for a favorable fixture, while keeping a backup keeper in sub-3 for a congested schedule. Because the transfer window resets each gameweek, you can experiment with different sub orders, but remember that each transfer beyond the five free ones costs £2-million, so keep your bench economical.

New live features now show projected bonus points 20 minutes into each match, and mini-league standings update in real time. By monitoring a player’s projected bonus early, you can decide whether to keep them on your bench or move them to a higher sub rank if their likelihood of a bonus increases. For example, if a midfielder’s projected bonus rises after a goal from a teammate, moving them to sub-1 could capture those extra points.

Below is a sample sub ordering for a typical squad, using the latest points per game data and cost considerations. The table compares the top five bench candidates by PP/G and cost.

Player	Position	Cost	PP/G	Total Points
Erling Haaland	FWD	155	6.8	239
B. Fernandes	MID	120	6.7	235
Gabriel	DEF	80	6.5	209
Antoine Semenyo	MID	85	5.5	202
Morgan Gibbs‑White	MID	80	5.1	188

With this order, Haaland sits in sub-1, Fernandes in sub-2, Gabriel in sub-3. If a fixture becomes a defensive stalemate, you could swap Gabriel to sub-1 to lock in the 2-point DefCon cap, while keeping the higher‑scoring midfielders as rotation options. The key is to keep the top‑scoring player at sub-1 unless a tactical shift justifies a swap.

Fixture difficulty is a major driver for sub ordering. If your starting XI faces a top‑flight striker, moving a high‑scoring winger to sub-1 can guarantee points if the starter is likely to be dropped. Conversely, if you have a defender facing a low‑scoring side, you might want to keep a high‑scoring midfielder in sub-3 to exploit the defensive contribution cap. Always cross‑check the fixtures before finalising the order.

Injury and rotation risk are the only variables that can overturn a well‑planned sub order. A sudden suspension of your starting striker means your sub-1 will be called upon. If that sub-1 is a defender with only 2 points from DefCon, you could be missing out on 4 or 5 points from a striker. To hedge, keep a versatile player like Dominik Szoboszlai who can slot into midfield or attack and has 4.4 PP/G for 70 million.

Special chips - Triple Captain, Wildcard, Free Hit - can also be aligned with sub ordering. A Triple Captain on a high‑scoring defender is rarely optimal unless the fixture guarantees a clean sheet. Using a Free Hit to rotate your squad for a double‑game fixture allows you to reset the bench entirely, then re‑order based on the new matchups.

Choosing the right sub order is less about superstition and more about data‑driven prioritisation. Rank your bench by projected points per game, respect the DefCon cap, use BPS changes to your advantage, and time your chips to maximise bench output. Regularly re‑evaluate as fixtures change, injuries appear, and the live bonus projection updates.

Key takeaways

• Sub-1 should be the highest‑scoring player by PP/G, even if they are a striker or midfielder, not a defender.
• Defensive Contribution points are capped at 2 per match, making a consistent defender a safe but lower‑value sub-3.
• Bench Boost amplifies the value of a strong sub-2 and sub-3, so plan the bench order around its activation.
• Free transfers allow you to shuffle the bench, but each extra transfer beyond five costs £2-million.
• Live projected bonus points provide early signals to shift a player up the bench before the match starts.

FAQ

How many free transfers can I roll?

You can roll up to five free transfers in 2026/27; any beyond that cost £2-million each.

When must I use the first set of chips?

The first set of chips must be used before the Gameweek 19 deadline (13:30 GMT Saturday 2 January 2027).

Does the new BPS rule affect goalkeeper selection?

Yes, goalkeepers now earn +1 BPS for saving a big chance, and the outside‑box save metric has been removed.

What is the best sub order for a defender?

Place a defender in sub-3 unless the fixture guarantees a clean sheet; the 2-point cap limits upside.