Scoring Points in FPL

Attacking and defensive players have different base costs. Attackers start at 4.5 whereas defensive players start at 4.0. They also score points in very different ways.

Attacking players

Forwards and midfielders score attacking points from goals, assists and bonus. Midfielders get an extra point for a goal (5) and can also get a single defensive point for a clean sheet. Therefore the bulk of their points come from the individual's involvement in attacking play - creating and converting chances. So, in terms of stats this is a good area to focus on.

Defensive players

Goalkeepers and defenders have more routes to points, in theory. They can score attacking points from goals, assists and bonus as well as defensive points from clean sheets and bonus, and in the case of goalkeepers, saves.

Clean sheets scoring 4 points is the most common way to score for defensive players yet it's risky. It only takes one lucky shot for those points to evaporate. Therefore it may be prudent to avoid doubling up on multiple defenders or goalkeeper from the same team, to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. It may also mean that you want to focus on players with attacking points potential so that if the team concedes early they still have potential to return points. This certainly makes watching games less painful.

Bonus points for defensive players are awarded for blocks, clearances, interceptions, saves and passes. So, defenders who are under fire and have to defend a lot can score well. Equally, teams who have a lot of possession with defenders who play a lot of passes can also do well. Teams that play out from the back rather than hoof the ball clear generally do better for bonus.

Goalkeepers

It's very rare for goalkeepers to score any attacking points. It's possible for a keeper to come up for a corner at the end of a game and score, or punt a long ball down field for a forward to chase and pick up an assist but these cases are very rare and not really something we can plan for. Therefore, the bulk of their points are scored from clean sheets (4) and saves (1 point for every 3 made). Clean sheets are more down to the team performance than an individual so team stats can be more useful in trying to predict these. Saves is partly down to the ability of the keeper and partly down to the quality of chances that the team concede. If a team can limit their opponents to taking long shots which are easier to save then this gives a higher potential for save points on top of a clean sheet.

Defenders

This is probably the most difficult position to assess in terms of points potential. Defenders scoring attacking points is less common than forwards or midfielders, as you would expect, but not uncommon. Centre backs can be quite threatening in the air and can score a few goals. Full backs or wing backs can play in very attacking roles at times, more like wingers and can shoot and cross as well as taking set pieces. Therefore, defenders need to be measured both on their individual merits as attackers as well as on their team's defensive abilities.