Top FPL Defenders to Pick for Defensive Contribution Points in Gameweek 1

In the discussion about the best defenders in FPL, we will see one important point in the Fantasy Premier League 2025/26, which is the newly introduced defensive contribution in FPL. It can bring some valuable points for the FPL managers throughout the season, which can be provided by the best FPL defenders.

Defenders can bring two additional points through their defensive contributions. For the defenders, the defensive contributions will be calculated through CBIT, which is the combination of clearances, blocks, interceptions, and tackles. A total of 10 CBIT in a match will bring two points for a defender, and the defender can bring only a maximum of two FPL points in a match from the defensive contributions.

While the four clean sheet points are very risky to earn and very heartbreaking to lose these points due to conceding a goal in the final minute of a match, most of the centre-backs were previously often ignored by the FPL managers due to their lack of direct involvement (goal or assist) in the goal-scoring. Only centre-backs with goal-scoring abilities were chosen by the FPL managers.

However, due to the presence of defensive contribution in FPL, the importance of the centre-backs will surely rise in FPL. The FPL has proved that the centre-backs would produce the most defensive contribution points among all defenders last season.

Who are Best Choices for Defensive Contribution Points in Gameweek 1 of FPL 2025/26?

Below, find the top five players who can produce the most defensive contribution points in Gameweek 1 of the FPL 2025-26 season:

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool): £6.0m

Van Dijk is one of the best centre-backs in the present world of football and leads the charts of the FPL defenders. Apart from the 2020/21 season, where he missed most of the season due to an ACL injury on his right knee and a subsequent surgery, the Dutch centre back Virgil van Dijk earned more than 115 FPL points in six out of the last seven seasons. After earning 208 and 178 FPL points before the 2020/21 season, Virgil produced 183, 127, 117, and 143 FPL points, respectively.

He is one of the strong names among the players with top defensive contributions. His last season’s total defensive contributions were 300 points. The defending champions, Liverpool, will take on Bournemouth at home in the new Premier League season. Just like the opening gameweek of the new season, the Dutch centre-back will play an important role for the entire season.

Dan Burn (Newcastle United): £5.0m

The English centre-back Dan Burn is an important name in Newcastle United’s defensive line-up. In the last four seasons, he recorded 90+ FPL points each season, including two 100+ points. While his best FPL points were 129 in the 2022/23 season, last season he recorded 115 FPL points.

Burn’s defensive contributions in FPL last season were 286, as he had an important role for his team’s fifth-place finish last PL season, along with winning the EFL Cup. In a budget valuation, this is definitely a good number in the defensive contributions.

Aston Villa, who finished in sixth place last PL season, will host The Magpies in the opening gameweek of the new PL season. As Burn is considered among the best FPL defenders, he should be in the FPL squad, especially as a budget name.

Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest): £5.5m

Nottingham Forest’s Nikola Milenkovic should be considered among the best FPL defenders. He was the second most FPL points producer among defenders with 145 FPL points. It was the first PL season for the Serbian, and he had an important role in Forest’s seventh-place finish and reaching the semi-finals in the FA Cup.

In the last FPL season, Milenkovic recorded 310 defensive contributions, the sixth most among defenders. In their PL 2025/26 opening gameweek, Forest will face Brentford at home, and Milenkovic will be a key name for his team.

James Tarkowski (Everton): £5.5m

The Everton centre-back James Tarkowski is another name of consistent performances in the Premier League. In the last six seasons, serving for Burnley and Everton, he crossed 100 FPL points five times. Even before the last six PL seasons, he recorded 101 and 97 FPL points for The Clarets. Surely, he has set a great example of the best FPL defenders.

Last season, the English centre-back recorded 356 defensive contributions, the second most among defenders. However, according to the FPL calculation, he could earn the most defensive contribution points last season, which were 44 points. Everton will start the PL 2025/26 with the away game against the promoted club Leeds United. So, there is no doubt about his place for the defensive contribution in FPL 2025/26 for the Gameweek 1.

Murilo (Nottingham Forest): £5.5m

Talking about the best defenders in FPL, Nottingham Forest’s Murilo also comes to the list, who had an important role in Forest’s top-class performances last season. In his first two PL seasons, the Brazilian centre-back produced 58 and 130 FPL points, respectively.

Last season, Murilo was at the top of the list of defenders with the most defensive contributions in FPL with 376. According to the FPL website, he would have earned 38 FPL defensive contribution points last season, the joint fourth most in that list. Forest will host Brentford in the opening gameweek of the PL 2025/26. Murilo can be a key factor for his team in the season opener.

Why are Defensive Contribution Points Crucial for FPL Managers?

The introduction of defensive contribution points may not seem very lucrative yet, but it can still be proven very important for FPL managers. Even without a clean sheet, the defenders can bring important extra points from the defensive contributions, which can be better expected, especially from the best FPL defenders. In the presence of a clean sheet, the top defender will not only have a chance of adding valuable points from the defensive contributions but can also fight strongly for the important bonus points. Although the two points from a match aren't very lucrative, these can still play a massive role in every FPL competition, as we always see very tough and tight battles between the FPL managers to reach the best place.