English Premier League Watch
ES | EN

FPL Bench Order Explained: How to Position Your Players

By Arasi Rex · Updated 14 August 2026 · 7 min read

Introduction

If you’re still shuffling your bench every gameweek, you’re missing a key source of points that can decide a title run. The 2026/27 season caps defensive contribution at 2 points, so a defender’s contribution is worth less than it used to be, which means the bench should lean more heavily on high-scoring midfielders and forwards who can benefit from the new BPS tweaks and the 8 chips available. A well-positioned keeper on the bench can also turn a free-hit or bench-boost into a haul of points when a starting goalkeeper is injured or dropped.

In this guide we’ll break down why that is, how the new rules shift value, and the exact order you should set your bench to maximise points.

2026/27 Scoring Tweaks that Matter

The Premier League confirmed on 20 July 2026 that the Defensive Contribution (DefCon) points will stay unchanged from 2025/26, capping at 2 points per match regardless of how many actions a defender or midfielder performs. That means a centre-back with 20 clearances and tackles will still receive just 2 points, and a defensive midfielder with 12 ball recoveries will also be capped at 2. The last season’s top DefCon scorers - Anderson (52), Senesi (50) and Tarkowski (44) - all earned their points from defensive work rather than goal-scoring, but the cap now makes their value comparable to a defender’s.

BPS has also been tweaked to reduce overlap with DefCon and improve bonus potential for goalkeepers, full-backs, attacking midfielders and forwards. Goalkeepers still earn +1 BPS for saving a shot from inside the box, but the “save from outside the box” metric has been removed and a new +1 BPS now applies for saving a big chance. This shift favours goalkeepers who are likely to face big chances, and it also means that a keeper on the bench can be valuable if a starting keeper is injured.

The introduction of 8 chips - Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain, Bench Boost, one set per half of the season - and the requirement that the first set of chips must be used before the Gameweek 19 deadline on 13:30 GMT Saturday 2 January 2027, means that a bench that can deliver on a Bench Boost or a Free Hit can win a gameweek outright. With up to five free transfers that can be rolled, the bench also becomes a safety net for your core 11.

Bench Order Tactics

Keeper

The keeper is the most obvious choice for the bench. A keeper who is likely to face many shots but also has a high chance of saving a big one can deliver the 2 BPS points plus a clean sheet if the team concedes none. For example, David Raya of the same club has 19 clean sheets and a 4.4 points-per-game average, which is higher than many goalkeepers in the league.

Placing a high-scoring keeper on the bench also gives you the ability to use a Bench Boost when you need a massive haul, or to free-hit a double-header that would otherwise cost you a starting goalkeeper.

Defenders

With DefCon capped at 2 points, the marginal benefit of a defender on the bench is reduced. Pick a defender who offers a high clean-sheet probability and a decent points-per-game average, such as Gabriel with 18 clean sheets and 6.5 points-per-game, or a cost-efficient option like Truffert, who has 11 clean sheets and 4.3 points-per-game for a 55 million price tag.

If a defender is in the starting XI, the bench should feature a player who can provide a 2-point rise in points if a defender gets injured. A centre-back who has 3 goals and 5 assists, like Gabriel, offers a higher ceiling than a full-back with fewer stats.

Midfielders

Midfielders are the most valuable bench option because they can still contribute points when the bench is called upon. A midfielder like Bruno Fernandes, who has 235 total points, 9 goals and 24 assists at 120 million, provides a high return on investment. Linking his name to the article: Bruno Fernandes offers a large points pool.

Other midfielders worth benching include Elliot Anderson with 180 points, 4 goals and 5 assists at 65 million, and a high-scoring forward like Erling Haaland with 239 points, 27 goals and 8 assists at 155 million. If your squad already contains a midfielder in the starting XI, the bench should feature a forward who can deliver a 3-point boost on a Bench Boost.

Forwards

Forwards are the most flexible bench players, as a single goal can earn up to 5 points, and assists can add another 3. A forward like Erling Haaland who averages 6.8 points-per-game, 27 goals and 8 assists, is a prime candidate for the bench. When a Bench Boost is used, the extra points from a forward can be huge.

If you have a forward already in the starting XI, the bench should hold a midfielder who can still deliver a 2-point increase from a bench-boost scenario.

Chips and Transfers

Using your chips strategically is the key to turning bench points into a title-deciding edge. The Wildcard can reset your squad and your bench, allowing you to move a high-scoring player into the starting XI while keeping another on the bench for a free-hit. The Free Hit can give you a double-header advantage, but only if you have a bench player who will score in both games.

The Bench Boost, which rewards all bench players for a single gameweek, is best used when you have a high-scoring forward or midfielder on the bench. Because the Bench Boost counts all six bench players, placing a player with a high points-per-game average on the bench can push the total up by 10-15 points.

With the new BPS changes, the value of a keeper on the bench has increased, so a bench-boost that includes a keeper who has a 4.4 points-per-game average can add 4-5 points to the total. A high-scoring midfielder like Bruno Fernandes or a forward like Haaland can add 6-8 points.

Pitfalls and Common Mistakes

  1. Over-valuing Defenders - Because DefCon is capped, putting a defender on the bench when you already have a defender in the starting XI rarely pays off. Focus on midfielders and forwards instead.
  2. Ignoring BPS Tweaks - Forgetting that goalkeepers can now earn +1 BPS for saving a big chance means you might miss out on a keeper who could deliver a 3-point boost.
  3. Mis-timing Chips - Using a Wildcard too early or too late can lock you into a suboptimal bench. The deadline is 13:30 GMT Saturday 2 January 2027, so plan your Wildcard around a double-header or a fixture that could swing a title.
  4. Leaving High-scoring Players Unused - If your bench contains a player with a high points-per-game average, make sure you’re using a Bench Boost or a Free Hit to maximise that potential.

Key takeaways

  • DefCon is capped at 2 points, so bench defenders are less valuable than before.
  • A keeper on the bench can now earn +1 BPS for a big-chance save, making them a better bench option.
  • Bench Boost works best when you have a high-scoring forward or midfielder on the bench.
  • Use chips strategically: Wildcard before GD19, Free Hit for double-headers, Bench Boost on high-point benches.
  • Avoid over-valuing defenders and always consider BPS tweaks when selecting your bench.

FAQ

Q: Can I use the Bench Boost with a goalkeeper on the bench? A: Yes, the Bench Boost counts all six bench players, so a keeper who averages 4.4 points-per-game can add 4-5 points.

Q: Does the new BPS rule affect the value of forwards on the bench? A: Forwards still benefit from the standard BPS rules, but the new goalkeeper BPS tweak does not directly change forward values.

Q: When is the best time to use the Wildcard? A: The first set of chips must be used before the Gameweek 19 deadline on 13:30 GMT Saturday 2 January 2027. A common strategy is to use it before a double-header or a fixture that could swing a title.

Q: Should I keep a high-scoring midfielder on the bench? A: Yes, a midfielder with a high points-per-game average can provide a 2-point boost on a Bench Boost and can also score in a double-header if you use a Free Hit.