Who are 5 Best FPL Defenders for Defensive Contribution Points in GW 3?

The Fantasy Premier League managers are busy setting their teams for the third gameweek of the 2025/26 season. Selecting the Fantasy Premier League defenders for Gameweek 3, defensive contribution points are also very helpful, while the clean sheet is a risky subject for defenders.

What are the defensive contribution points for defenders?

The new defensive contribution points have been introduced for the FPL 2025/26 season, where the defenders, midfielders, and forwards can generate two FPL points from defensive contributions. For the defenders, the defensive contributions have been calculated as CBIT, which means the cumulative contributions of clearances, blocks, interceptions, and tackles in a match. With 10 CBIT in a match, a defender can generate two FPL points, which is also the maximum for a defender in a game.

So, for defensive contributions, we look at some of the best FPL defenders who are consistent on the field. Generally, centre-backs, among the defenders, are best at generating regular defensive contributions.

5 Best FPL Defenders for Defensive Contribution Points in Gameweek 3

Marcos Senesi (AFC Bournemouth): £4.5m

The Argentine centre-back Marcos Senesi is leading the chart of defensive contributions with 29 CBIT. In the first two games of the season, AFC Bournemouth defender Senesi recorded 15 and 14 CBITs against Liverpool and Wolves, respectively. He has delivered two and nine FPL points in the first two matches, where he earned two FPL points from defensive contributions in both games.

Bournemouth will now face Tottenham Hotspur in an away fixture in the third gameweek of the season. It will be a challenging fixture, but Senesi is ready to continue his defensive contributions as one of the best FPL defenders.

Sepp van den Berg (Brentford): £4.5m

Brentford defender Sepp van den Berg started the new Premier League season strongly, especially in terms of defensive contribution points. The Dutch centre-back has earned 11 FPL points in the first two games, while he has recorded 26 defensive contributions, the joint third most by a defender this season. After recording 14 CBIT in the first game against Nottingham Forest, he recorded 12 CBIT in the next game against Aston Villa, as he produced two FPL points in both games from the defensive contributions.

In the third gameweek, Brentford will travel to promoted club Sunderland, and as one of the best defenders at present, Van der Berg can be a strong choice for the managers.

James Tarkowski (Everton): £5.5m

In the third gameweek, Everton will face the hosts Wolves, and their English centre-back James Tarkowski is one of the favourites in this list.

Tarkowski has already recorded 26 defensive contributions, the third most in this season by a defender. After generating 15 CBIT in their season opener against Leeds United, he recorded 11 CBIT in the next game against Brighton. He produced four and eight FPL points in the first two games, respectively, including two FPL points from defensive contributions in both games. One of the best FPL defenders for Everton is now ready for the next challenge.

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool): £6.0m

Talking about the best FPL defenders, Liverpool's defensive rock Virgil van Dijk always comes to mind. The Dutch centre-back started the new season strongly in the defensive contributions, as he recorded 21 defensive contributions in the season opener game against AFC Bournemouth, which the defending champions won by 4-2.

After facing the hosts Newcastle United in the second gameweek, Liverpool will host Arsenal in the third gameweek. In both fixtures, the Reds' defence will majorly depend on the Dutch centre-back.

William Saliba (Arsenal): £6.1m

Arsenal’s French centre-back William Saliba is another must-take name in the list of best FPL defenders in this generation. With the help of back-to-back clean sheets in the first two games of the season against Manchester United and Leeds United, Saliba has delivered nine and six FPL points, respectively. In their season opener against the hosts, Red Devils, Saliba recorded 14 defensive contributions to secure two FPL points from it. In their second game, he recorded five defensive contributions.

Arsenal will now face the defending champions Liverpool in their third gameweek fixture, and we clearly know the importance of William Saliba in the Gunners' defence.