What is Law 10 scoring in Fantasy Premier League?

Law 10 scoring in Fantasy Premier League is the points system that awards players for goals, assists, clean sheets and other actions. Each position has a distinct value: goalkeepers and defenders earn 6 points for a goal, midfielders 5, and forwards 4, while assists are worth 3 points regardless of role. The system also rewards clean sheets for goalkeepers and defenders with 4 points, midfielders with 1 point, and penalises players for cards and own goals.

How it works

Scoring starts with the most obvious actions: goals and assists. A goal from a striker nets 4 points, a midfielder 5, and a defender or goalkeeper 6. Assists are worth 3 points for every player, no matter their position. The difference in goal values reflects the relative rarity of scoring from defence and the strategic emphasis on attacking play. When a Virgil van Dijk finishes a set‑piece, his 6 points can swing a squad's standings more than a single forward's 4.

Clean sheets reward defensive solidity. Goalkeepers and defenders receive 4 points when their side concedes nothing, midfielders 1 point, and forwards receive none. The system also penalises those who let in goals: every two conceded cost a goalkeeper or defender −1 point, while midfielders and forwards are not affected. A clean sheet can be worth as much as a striker’s goal, so a well‑organized defence can be as valuable as a prolific attacker in a fantasy budget.

Appearances give a baseline of involvement. Players who start and play 60 minutes or more earn 2 points; those who play less than 60 earn 1 point. This rule keeps squads honest, ensuring that bench players do not accumulate points merely by being named. Bonus points are awarded to the top three performers in a match, with 3, 2, and 1 points respectively. These points are independent of position and depend on a player’s total contribution, which is calculated by an algorithm that weighs goals, assists, tackles, and other statistics.

Card discipline and negative events subtract points. A yellow card costs 1 point, a red card −3, an own goal −2, and a missed penalty −2. Goalkeepers receive a bonus of 1 point for every 3 saves, and a penalty save earns 5 points. The cost of conceding is balanced by the defender’s or goalkeeper’s clean‑sheet reward, but every two goals against bring a −1 penalty. Captains double all their points, so a 4‑point goal becomes 8, and a 3‑point assist becomes 6. The doubling effect can turn a 10‑point swing into a decisive advantage, which explains why the captaincy is a key tactical decision in squad selection.

Key details

Fantasy squads are constrained by a strict budget and roster rules. A manager builds a 15‑player team, with 11 starters and a 4‑player bench, and has a total spend of £100.0m. Only three players can be selected from the same club, and the squad must include a minimum of 8 homegrown players - those trained in England or Wales for three years before turning 21. These constraints force managers to balance star performers with affordable depth and to respect the league’s squad‑size and home‑grown regulations. A typical squad could include a blend of Arsenal defenders and Brighton forwards to meet the 8‑homegrown rule.

Substitutions are limited by both number and timing. Five substitutions can be made, but only in three windows plus half‑time. Managers must decide when to deploy their bench, whether to bring on a fresh defender for a defensive stand or a striker for a late push. The substitution rule encourages tactical flexibility while preventing endless changes, mirroring the real‑world rhythm of the Premier League where teams can only switch five players during a match.

Common confusions

One frequent misunderstanding is that a goalkeeper’s goal is worth 6 points like a defender’s, but the reverse is not true; a defender scoring a goal also earns 6 points. The rule applies to all defenders, whether centre‑back or full‑back, and even to goalkeepers who score a rare long‑range effort. Because defenders rarely get the chance to score, managers sometimes view the 6‑point reward as a lottery, but the statistical likelihood is higher for a defender than for a forward, who only earns 4 points.

Another point of confusion lies in the clean‑sheet distribution. Goalkeepers and defenders both receive 4 points for a clean sheet, but midfielders only receive 1 point and forwards receive none. Some managers mistakenly assume that a mid‑field clean sheet should be worth more, but the rule reflects the defensive contribution of the player. Since a forward rarely influences a team’s defensive record, the system rewards the defensive side proportionally.

Finally, the captaincy rule often causes debate. The captain’s points are doubled, so a 4‑point goal becomes 8, and a 3‑point assist becomes 6. Managers sometimes pick a player just because they are a frequent starter, overlooking the fact that the captain must be a player who will begin the match. The doubling effect can turn a 10‑point swing into a decisive advantage, which explains why the captaincy is a key tactical decision in squad selection.

Key takeaways

• A defender scoring a goal earns 6 points, the same as a goalkeeper.
• Clean sheets reward defenders and goalkeepers with 4 points, midfielders with 1, forwards with none.
• Substitutions are capped at five, made in three windows plus half‑time.
• The captain’s points are doubled, turning a 4‑point goal into 8.

FAQ

Q: How many points is a goal worth for a defender? A: A defender receives 6 points for a goal, matching the goalkeeper’s reward. This higher value reflects the rarity of defensive goals and is a common source of surprise in fantasy. Managers often keep a defender on the bench until a set‑piece threat emerges to maximize the chance of this 6‑point haul.

Q: What happens if a player is substituted before 60 minutes? A: The player earns 1 point for the appearance, regardless of the minute played. Only the 2‑point reward applies if the player completes at least 60 minutes. This rule encourages managers to keep players on the field longer to maximise their return on the budget.

Q: Do penalty saves count for midfielders? A: No, only goalkeepers receive the 5‑point bonus for a penalty save. The rule applies exclusively to the player in goal, regardless of the match context. Managers should therefore focus on the goalkeeper’s save tally when targeting the 5‑point reward.

Q: How many substitutions are allowed in Fantasy Premier League? A: Teams can make five substitutions during a match, but only in three windows and at half‑time. The manager must decide when to use each change, balancing fresh legs against tactical needs. This limitation mirrors the real‑world substitution rule and forces fantasy managers to plan ahead.