FPL Value Season Explained: How to Spot the Best Picks

FPL value in 2026/27 continues to be measured by points per million, but the new DefCon points and BPS tweaks shift how you pick players. The DefCon cap means a defender with 20 CBIT still only earns 2 points, so value comes from clean sheets, bonus points and transfer activity. Players who already provide bonus potential, such as Gabriel, who has 30 bonus points at 80m, remain attractive. The season also brings new live features that let you react to price changes faster than ever.

Points per million (ppm) is the metric that tells you how many points you get for every £1m invested. It is calculated by dividing total points by the player’s cost in millions. For example, Haaland’s 239 points at 155m give him a ppm of 1.54. Players with a high ppm but a low cost can be the best buy for a budget‑constrained squad.

The DefCon system was introduced in 2025/26 and stayed unchanged for 2026/27. Defenders earn 2 points for 10 CBIT in a match, and midfielders and forwards earn 2 points for 12 CBIRT. The cap means that a player who racks up 20 CBIT still only receives 2 points. Last season’s top DefCon scorers were Anderson (52), Senesi (50) and Tarkowski (44).

Premier League tweaked Bonus Points System (BPS) to reduce overlap with DefCon and improve bonus potential for goalkeepers, full‑backs, attacking midfielders and forwards. Goalkeepers now receive +1 BPS for saving a shot from inside the box, while the old outside‑box save metric was removed. A new +1 BPS applies for saving a big chance. This change makes goalkeepers and midfielders that regularly get big chances more valuable.

FPL offers eight chips, split into two sets of four for each half of the season. The first set must be used before the Gameweek 19 deadline, 13:30 GMT Saturday 2 January 2027, and cannot be carried over. The chips include Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain and Bench Boost. Players can also roll up to five free transfers each season.

Because the deadline for the first set of chips is fixed, planning transfers around the 19th Gameweek is essential. Rolling five free transfers each season allows you to adjust for injuries or fixture swings but using them too early can lock you into sub‑optimal squads. The price change predictor tool lets you see how a player’s cost is likely to move after a strong or weak Gameweek.

The new live features show projected bonus points 20 minutes into each match, keep the mini‑league standings updated in real time and provide an overall rank that refreshes after every game. The official Price Change Predictor tool is now available to anticipate price swings. Gameweek scoring cut‑off has been extended to let more post‑match Opta review data feed into BPS and DefCon calculations.

The Premier League has 20 clubs, each playing 38 matches, for a total of 380 games in a season. Three points are awarded for a win, one for a draw, and no points for a loss. The bottom three clubs are relegated, while the top four qualify for the Champions League. Tiebreakers are points, goal difference, goals scored and head‑to‑head record.

Keeping a core of high‑ppm players while filling the bench with budget options is a common approach. For example, a squad built around Erling Haaland, Bruno Fernandes and Gabriel can generate high points while leaving room for cheap midfielders in the second eleven. Players who are inexpensive but still deliver a decent ppm keep the squad flexible.

Midfielders now benefit more from BPS tweaks because they often get big chances. Bruno Fernandes’ 235 points at 120m give him a ppm of 1.96, and his 24 assists add to his value. Other midfielders like B.Fernandes and Wilson also show strong points per million when combined with their assist tallies.

Goalkeepers receive a fixed 20 bonus points for a clean sheet in a 38‑match season. With the new BPS rule, a goalkeeper who saves a big chance gets an extra point. Raya, who has 162 points at 60m, shows how a reliable keeper can add value without breaking the budget.

Player value comparison

Player	Position	Cost	Total Points	Clean Sheets	Bonus
Gabriel	DEF	80	209	18	30
Virgil	DEF	65	175	10	10
Senesi	DEF	60	175	11	14

Choosing the right defenders for value

Choosing the right defenders for value is a balancing act between clean sheets, BPS and the DefCon cap. A defender who racking 10 CBIT earns 2 points, but a player with a high clean sheet count and bonus potential can offer more value. Gabriel, for instance, has 18 clean sheets and 30 bonus points at 80m, giving him a total of 209 points. In contrast, Virgil’s 10 clean sheets and only 10 bonus points mean he offers less bonus upside despite a high cost.

Value across the board: The role of BPS and DefCon

Value across the board is shifted by the BPS tweaks and DefCon cap. Players who regularly generate big chances, such as midfielders and goalkeepers, now have a higher ceiling for bonus points. Defenders who are part of a solid defensive unit also benefit from clean sheets, but the DefCon cap ensures that defensive actions alone do not inflate value.

Season planning: Chips, transfers, and live data

Season planning involves aligning chips and transfers with live data. Using the Wildcard before GW19 can reset a squad built on a run of high‑ppm players. The Free Hit chip can rescue a squad during a fixture dump, while Bench Boost maximises a strong bench. Tracking projected bonus points and price changes lets you decide when to drop or upgrade a player.

Budgeting with chips

Budgeting with chips means you can afford more premium players if you use the Wildcard to reset your squad. A Wildcard before GW19 allows you to drop high‑priced players and bring in cheaper alternatives that still offer high ppm. The key is to keep at least one high‑ppm player in each position to maintain stability. Using the Free Hit chip during a fixture dump can also temporarily increase your budget without sacrificing points.

Monitoring price changes

Monitoring price changes is essential because players’ values can swing after a strong or weak performance. The Price Change Predictor shows the expected direction of a player’s cost, letting you decide whether to buy or sell. If a player has a high projected bonus and a rising price, it might be a good time to hold. Conversely, a player who has dipped in form and a falling price can be sold early to recoup cost.

Player rotation and injury risk

Rotating players and managing injury risk is part of value maximisation. Players with a high injury risk but high ppm can be risky; use them only in the starting XI if you have a strong bench backup. The new live injury updates let you react quickly and replace a player before the match starts. A balanced squad with depth across all positions keeps you safe from unexpected point losses.

Key takeaways

• FPL value is measured by points per million; a high ppm player can deliver more points for a lower cost.
• DefCon points are capped at 2 per match, so defenders should be valued on clean sheets and bonus points rather than defensive actions alone.
• BPS tweaks give goalkeepers and midfielders an extra bonus point for saving a big chance, raising their value.
• The eight chips, split into two sets of four, must be timed strategically; the first set is locked before GW19.
• Live features such as projected bonus points and the Price Change Predictor give an edge when deciding transfers mid‑season.

FAQ

What is the best way to use the Wildcard? The Wildcard can reset your squad after a strong run or before a fixture dump, but it must be used before GW19. Using it earlier can lock you into a sub‑optimal squad if the remaining fixtures are favourable.

How does the DefCon cap affect my defender picks? Because a defender can only earn 2 points from defensive actions, focus on players with high clean sheet totals and bonus potential rather than those who rack up many CBIT.

Do the BPS changes benefit goalkeepers? Yes; a goalkeeper who saves a shot from inside the box earns +1 BPS, and a new +1 BPS is awarded for saving a big chance, making reliable keepers more valuable.

Can I use the Free Hit chip after GW19? No; the Free Hit chip belongs to the first set of chips and must be used before the GW19 deadline.