FPL form guide: how to use recent form for 2026/27
By Arasi Rex · Updated 15 August 2026 · 6 min read
Form in FPL is the difference between chasing last week's points and catching next week's. The 2026/27 season brings rule changes that shift what form actually means, so the old shortcuts need updating.
This guide covers how to read form, where the new DefCon and BPS tweaks change the numbers, and which players from the 2025/26 data look underpriced if they repeat.
What form means in FPL
Form is the average points per game over the last five matches. It smooths out the one-off hauls and the blanks. A player with 6.8 points per game over a season is clearly elite, but a player who averaged 7.0 over the last five may be on a hot streak worth riding.
Last season's top scorers give a baseline. Erling Haaland scored 239 total points at 6.8 PPG. Bruno Fernandes hit 235 at 6.7 PPG. Those are season-long averages, not short-term form, but they set the ceiling for what elite output looks like.
The trick is finding players whose recent form outpaces their season average. Morgan Rogers scored 169 total points at 4.6 PPG, but his form over the last five matches of the season was higher. That kind of late surge often carries into the next campaign, especially for younger players.
The DefCon change and what it means for form
Defensive Contribution points stay unchanged for 2026/27. That is confirmed by the Premier League. Defenders earn 2 points for 10 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles in a match. Midfielders and forwards need 12 contributions, with ball recoveries included. The cap is 2 points per match regardless of volume.
Last season's top DefCon scorers were Elliot Anderson (52), Marcos Senesi (50), and James Tarkowski (44). Of the top ten, five were centre-backs and five were defensive midfielders. No forwards made the list.
This matters for form because DefCon points are consistent. A defensive midfielder who averages 3.5 points per match from defensive actions alone has a floor that attacking midfielders lack. When form dips for an attacker, the points disappear. When form dips for a defensive midfielder, the DefCon points often hold steady.
Elliot Anderson finished on 180 total points at 4.7 PPG, priced at 6.5 million. His 52 DefCon points mean nearly a third of his output came from defensive work. That is a form floor worth knowing.
BPS tweaks change bonus potential
The Bonus Points System has been adjusted for 2026/27. The goal is to reduce overlap with DefCon and improve bonus potential for goalkeepers, full-backs, attacking midfielders, and forwards.
Key changes: goalkeepers still earn +1 BPS for saving a shot from inside the box, but the "save from outside the box" metric is removed. A new +1 BPS applies for saving a big chance. That shifts bonus potential toward shot-stoppers who face high-quality chances, not keepers who rack up volume from distance.
For full-backs and attacking midfielders, the BPS tweaks matter because they were often squeezed out by centre-backs and defensive midfielders in the old system. The new rules should reward progressive actions more cleanly.
Live projected bonus points now appear 20 minutes into each match. That means you can watch bonus potential build in real time, which helps with live decision-making during gameweeks.
Players whose form deserves attention
Using the 2025/26 data, a few players stand out for their points-per-game output relative to price.
| Player | Position | Price (millions) | Total Points | Points Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | FWD | 15.5 | 239 | 6.8 |
| Bruno Fernandes | MID | 12.0 | 235 | 6.7 |
| Gabriel | DEF | 8.0 | 209 | 6.5 |
| Antoine Semenyo | MID | 8.5 | 202 | 5.5 |
| Morgan Gibbs-White | MID | 8.0 | 188 | 5.1 |
| Igor Thiago | FWD | 8.0 | 181 | 4.8 |
| Elliot Anderson | MID | 6.5 | 180 | 4.7 |
| Marc Guehi | DEF | 6.0 | 179 | 5.1 |
| Joao Pedro | FWD | 7.5 | 177 | 5.1 |
| Virgil van Dijk | DEF | 6.5 | 175 | 4.6 |
Gabriel at 8.0 million with 6.5 PPG is the standout defender. Gabriel scored 209 points from 18 clean sheets, 3 goals, and 5 assists. His expected goals of 2.94 and expected assists of 1.75 suggest the output was sustainable.
Antoine Semenyo at 8.5 million with 5.5 PPG is a mid-price midfielder who outscored many premium options. His 17 goals from 11.10 xG suggest some finishing luck, but the underlying numbers still support a strong season.
Igor Thiago at 8.0 million with 4.8 PPG scored 22 goals from 20.60 xG. That is a near-perfect conversion rate relative to chances. If he repeats, he is underpriced.
How to use form in transfers
Rolling up to five free transfers changes the form game. You can save transfers for two weeks and then make a triple move to jump on a form streak. The chip system also supports this: eight chips total, two sets of four. The first set must be used before the Gameweek 19 deadline on 13:30 GMT Saturday 2 January 2027.
The Wildcard is the ultimate form tool. Use it when your squad has multiple players whose form has dropped and you need to reset. The Free Hit works for a single gameweek where form patterns look clear.
Bench Boost is best saved for a gameweek where your bench players have good form and favourable fixtures. Triple Captain is for the player whose form is undeniable and whose fixture is soft.
Key takeaways
- Form is points per game over the last five matches, not season average. Use it to spot hot streaks before price rises.
- DefCon points remain unchanged. Defensive midfielders like Elliot Anderson offer a form floor that attackers lack.
- BPS tweaks remove the outside-the-box save bonus for goalkeepers and add a big-chance save bonus. This shifts bonus potential toward keepers who face quality chances.
- Gabriel at 8.0 million with 6.5 PPG is the best value defender in the data. Antoine Semenyo at 8.5 million with 5.5 PPG is the best mid-price midfielder.
- Up to five free transfers can be rolled. Use the Wildcard to reset form, the Free Hit for one-week form plays, and Triple Captain when a player's form is undeniable.
FAQ
What is FPL form? Form is the average points per game over the last five matches. It is a better indicator of recent output than total points, which includes early-season scores that may not reflect current performance.
How do DefCon points affect form? DefCon points are capped at 2 per match but are consistent. Defensive midfielders and centre-backs who score DefCon points regularly have a higher form floor than attackers who rely on goals and assists.
What changed in the BPS for 2026/27? Goalkeepers no longer earn +1 BPS for saves from outside the box. They earn +1 BPS for saving a big chance. The changes aim to improve bonus potential for goalkeepers, full-backs, attacking midfielders, and forwards.
How many free transfers can I roll? Up to five free transfers can be rolled. This allows you to save transfers for two weeks and make multiple changes to jump on a form streak.