How to review your FPL team after the first half of the season

After 19 games, the main focus is on your points per game, chip usage and budget - the three pillars that will dictate the rest of the season. The question many managers ask is whether the half‑season review is a wake‑up call or a green light to keep pushing.

What the numbers actually tell you

The raw data you see on the FPL board hides a few key signals. Take the top scorer, Erling Haaland - 239 total points, 27 goals and 8 assists in 2953 minutes. His points‑per‑game of 6.8 is a benchmark for a premium striker. Compare that with a midfielder such as B. Fernandes who sits at 235 points, 9 goals and 24 assists with a 6.7 points‑per‑game average. The difference in cost (155 vs 120) and the distribution of points across positions provides a clear picture of value.

Player	Position	Cost	Total points	Goals	Assists	PPG
Haaland	FWD	155	239	27	8	6.8
B. Fernandes	MID	120	235	9	24	6.7
Gabriel	DEF	80	209	3	5	6.5
Anderson	MID	65	180	4	5	4.7

The table shows that a defender like Gabriel produces a 6.5 PPG - a strong return for a 80‑price defender. Conversely, a midfielder such as Anderson, with 180 points, is delivering less than 5 points a game, even though his cost is only 65.

Chip calculus

The Premier League confirms that there are eight chips available - two sets of four, one for each half of the season. The first set must be used before the Gameweek 19 deadline, 13:30 GMT Saturday 2 January 2027. If you missed the first deadline, you lose that set entirely.

Bench Boost

Bench Boost can turn a 5‑player bench into a 10‑player score. The best way to gauge its value is to compare the bench points in the week you used the chip against the same week without it. A typical bench boost adds 8-12 points depending on the quality of the bench.

Triple Captain

Using the Triple Captain on a high‑output player like Haaland can give a 9‑point swing in a single gameweek if he scores. The risk is that the chip can become a waste if the player is injured or out of form.

Budget breathing room

The 25-player squad must contain at least 8 home‑grown players. With the cost of the top 10 players ranging from 155 to 80, the average squad cost hovers around 600. If you have already spent 650, you will need to identify a drop‑off player or a bargain in the transfer market.

The transfer market is dynamic. You are allowed up to five free transfers per gameweek, and any additional transfers cost points. Rolling transfers can be a strategic move if you know a player is about to be out of favour.

Defensive point structure

Defensive Contribution (DefCon) points have remained unchanged for 2026/27. A defender earns 2 points for 10 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles (CBIT). Midfielders and forwards earn 2 points for 12 defensive contributions, inclusive of ball recoveries (CBIRT). There is no scaling beyond the cap of 2 points per match.

The top DefCon scorers last season - Anderson with 52, Senesi with 50 and Tarkowski with 44 - were all centre‑backs or defensive midfielders. No forwards cracked the top ten, underscoring that defensive output is a specialised skill.

Bonus Points system tweaks

BPS was tweaked for 2026/27 to better align with DefCon. Goalkeepers now earn an extra +1 BPS for saving a shot from inside the box, while the old “save from outside the box” metric has been removed. A new +1 BPS applies for saving a big chance. Full‑backs, attacking midfielders and forwards also see an improved bonus potential.

These changes mean that a player like Raya with 19 clean sheets and 162 points can see a small bump in future BPS if he continues to keep opponents from scoring.

Live features to help you decide

The official Price Change Predictor tool now exists, and projected bonus points appear 20 minutes into each match. Mini‑league standings and overall ranks update live, giving you a real‑time snapshot of where you stand.

Use these tools to spot players whose prices are about to jump - a price increase can signal that a player is in form, while a drop might indicate that the manager is looking to cash in.

Practical steps for the next 19 games

1. Analyse your points per game - compare your PPG with the league average of around 4.5. A PPG above 5 is excellent.
2. Check your chip usage - if you used Bench Boost earlier, did it give the expected 8-12 points? If not, consider saving it for a high‑profile match.
3. Look at your budget - calculate the total cost of your squad. If it is above 650, identify a drop‑off player with a cost below 70 that has a high chance of scoring.
4. Assess your defensive contribution - ensure you have at least one defender with 10 CBIT in the last 5 games. This will give you 2 points per game.
5. Plan for the transfer window - the second chip set is available after the halfway break. Identify a player with a high projected BPS who is likely to play more minutes.

Key takeaways

• The half‑season review focuses on points per game, chip usage and budget.
• Haaland’s 239 points and 6.8 PPG set a benchmark for premium forwards.
• Defensive Contribution points are capped at 2 per match, with top scorers last season being centre‑backs and defensive midfielders.
• The Triple Captain can add a 9‑point swing if used on a high‑output player like Haaland.
• Budget breathing room is critical; a squad cost above 650 needs immediate adjustments.

FAQ

Q: When must the first set of chips be used? A: Before the Gameweek 19 deadline, 13:30 GMT Saturday 2 January 2027.

Q: How many defensive contribution points can a defender earn? A: A defender earns 2 points for 10 CBIT in a match, capped at 2 points.

Q: What is the new BPS bonus for goalkeepers? A: A goalkeeper receives +1 BPS for saving a shot from inside the box and another +1 for saving a big chance.

Q: Can I roll transfers after the halfway break? A: Yes, you can use the second set of chips to roll transfers, but the exact timing aligns with the second chip deadline.