Millions of Fantasy Premier League managers pick a squad every August without fully understanding how their points actually get calculated. Knowing the scoring system properly changes how you draft, captain, and manage transfers all season long.
Quick Answer
Fantasy Premier League awards points for appearances, goals, assists, clean sheets, saves, and defensive contributions, while deducting points for goals conceded, cards, and missed penalties. Points vary by position, so a defender’s goal is worth more than a forward’s, and only defenders and goalkeepers earn clean sheet points. Your captain’s score is doubled, and bonus points are awarded to the best-performing players in every match based on the Bonus Points System.
Points by Position: The Full Breakdown
| Action | Goalkeeper | Defender | Midfielder | Forward |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playing up to 60 minutes | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Playing 60+ minutes | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Goal scored | 10 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| Assist | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Clean sheet | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Every 3 shot saves | 1 | – | – | – |
| Penalty save | 5 | – | – | – |
| Goals conceded (every 2) | -1 | -1 | – | – |
| Yellow card | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Red card | -3 | -3 | -3 | -3 |
| Own goal | -2 | -2 | -2 | -2 |
| Penalty miss | -2 | -2 | -2 | -2 |
Why Position Changes Everything
The scoring table is deliberately weighted to make defensive positions viable picks, not just an afterthought before you spend your budget on attackers. A defender who scores earns six points, two more than a forward scoring the same goal, and defenders also earn clean sheet points that forwards never receive. This is why premium defenders at clean-sheet-heavy clubs are often among the most valuable picks in the game.
Defensive Contribution Points
Since the 2025/26 season, outfield players also earn 2 points for hitting a defensive activity threshold in a single match, separate from clean sheets and goals. Defenders need 10 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions, and tackles (CBIT). Midfielders and forwards need 12 combined actions including ball recoveries (CBIRT). This single change has made defensive midfielders and ball-playing centre-backs genuinely valuable FPL assets for the first time. See our full guide on FPL defensive contribution points explained for the complete breakdown.
The Bonus Points System
After every match, the three best-performing players receive bonus points: 3 for the top performer, 2 for second, and 1 for third. This is calculated using the Bonus Points System, which scores players across a range of statistics including goals, assists, clean sheets, saves, tackles, and passes completed, not just the headline actions.
Captaincy and Multipliers
Every manager selects a captain each Gameweek, whose points are doubled. If your captain doesn’t play, your vice-captain’s score is doubled instead. If neither plays, no player’s score is doubled that week. Choosing the right captain is one of the single biggest factors in weekly FPL performance, since a wrong pick can cost 10 or more points compared to the best option.
Common Scoring Misunderstandings
- Assists are broader than you think. They include rebounds from saved or blocked shots and winning a penalty or free kick that a teammate converts.
- Clean sheets need 60 minutes. A goalkeeper or defender must play at least 60 minutes without conceding to earn clean sheet points, though being substituted after 60 minutes does not remove already-earned points if the team concedes later.
- Two yellow cards in one match still only cost -1. A second yellow becomes a red card, which is scored as -3, not -1 plus -3.
- Own goals and penalty misses cost the same regardless of position. Both are flat -2 penalties across every position.
How This Fits Your Wider FPL Strategy
Understanding scoring is the foundation everything else builds on, including how you use chips to maximise points in specific Gameweeks. See our guide on FPL chips explained for how to turn this scoring knowledge into a season-long strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points is a goal worth in FPL?
It depends on position: 10 for a goalkeeper, 6 for a defender, 5 for a midfielder, and 4 for a forward.
Do midfielders get clean sheet points?
Yes, but only 1 point, compared to 4 points for goalkeepers and defenders.
What happens if my captain doesn’t play?
Your vice-captain’s points are doubled instead. If neither plays, no player’s score is doubled that Gameweek.
How are FPL bonus points calculated?
Using the Bonus Points System, which ranks players across a range of match statistics, awarding 3, 2, and 1 points to the top three performers.
What are defensive contribution points?
A 2-point bonus for outfield players hitting a defensive action threshold in a single match, introduced in the 2025/26 season.
Related Reading
This article reflects Fantasy Premier League scoring rules for the 2026/27 season.