FPL Points System Explained: How Players Earn Scores

FPL points scoring can seem confusing, but it boils down to how players perform in real-life Premier League matches. In every gameweek, the players get FPL points based on their match results and performance in the English Premier League, and those points are then accumulated by your team of players and added to your overall score. Different FPL points contribute to your team like goals scored, assists given, clean sheets kept, saves by goalkeepers, etc.

How Do Players Get Points in FPL?

Players get FPL points as they play it live on the field. Different points are given for different actions and the FPL scoring rules are as follows:

• For playing up to 60 minutes: 1 point
• For playing 60 minutes or more (excluding stoppage time): 2 points
• For each goal scored by a goalkeeper: 10 points
• For each goal scored by a defender: 6 points
• For each goal scored by a midfielder: 5 points
• For each goal scored by a forward: 4 points
• For each goal assist: 3 points
• For a clean sheet by a goalkeeper or defender: 4 points
• For a clean sheet by a midfielder: 1 point
• For every 3 shots saved by a goalkeeper: 1 point
• For each penalty save: 5 points
• For each penalty miss: -2 points
• Bonus points for the best players in a match: 1-3 points
• For every 2 goals conceded by a goalkeeper or defender: -1 point
• For each yellow card: -1 point
• For each red card: -3 points
• For each own goal: -2 points

Understanding FPL Scoring for Different Positions

Different points are awarded to players in different positions. Even midfielders and forwards score points differently. Basically, the points awarded to players are based on their position. For example, goalkeepers earn exclusive FPL points for saves, and defenders/goalkeepers get clean sheet points if they don’t concede a goal.

How Goalkeepers Accumulate Points in FPL

Other than scoring the basic points that apply to every player regardless of their position such as starting a match and playing for 60 minutes or more, goalkeepers also get points for keeping a clean sheet, shot saves, penalty saves, etc. They also get minus points or negative points for conceding a goal, scoring an own goal, etc. Detailed points for goalkeepers are as follows:

• 1 point for playing up to 60 minutes.
• 2 points for playing 60 minutes or more.
• 4 points for keeping a clean sheet (not conceding any goals).
• 1 point for every 3 saves made.
• 5 points for saving a penalty.
• 10 points for scoring a goal.
• 3 Points for an assist.
• -1 point for every 2 goals conceded.
• -1 point for a yellow card.
• -3 points for a red card.
• -2 points for an own goal.

How Defenders Accumulate Points in FPL

Defenders are awarded points in the same way that the goalkeepers are awarded points, with just a few differences: they don’t get any save points, and they score 6 points for scoring a goal in comparison to goalkeepers scoring 10.

From the FPL season onwards, defenders will earn additional points if they complete 10 defensive contributions i.e. (CBIT - Clearances, Blocks, Interceptions and Tackles). For every 10 CBIT, the individual striker will earn 2 points in the Fantasy Premier League. For example, If Jeremie Frimpong had 4 clearances, 1 block, 3 interceptions and 2 tackles in a match, he would earn an additional 2 points.

How Midfielders Accumulate Points in FPL

Midfielders are given 5 points for scoring a goal and they also get 1 clean sheet point in comparison to 4 clean sheet points that the defenders/goalkeepers get. Basic points are the same for all the players like playing time, and negative scoring is also the same as every other player in every position.

Similar to defenders, midfielders are also going to be rewarded for their defensive actions, for every 12 (CBIRT - Clearances, Blocks, Interceptions, Recoveries and Tackles) midfielders will earn an additional two points. This rule is set to be implemented in the new Fantasy Premier League.

How Forwards Accumulate Points in FPL

Forwards score 4 points for scoring a goal and they neither get any clean sheet points nor any save points. Although they do get negative points for scoring an own goal or if they get shown a yellow card or red card.

Forwards will earn an extra 2 points for their defensive contribution if they accumulate 12 CBITR.

How Are Bonus Points Awarded in FPL?

Bonus points (1-3) are awarded to players in every match based on the Bonus Point System/BPS ranking of the players in the same match. Bonus points can be earned by any player regardless of their position as it is solely based on the BPS ranking of the match. The BPS are based on the following statistics of the match:

• Playing 1 to 60 minutes: 3 points
• Playing over 60 minutes: 6 points
• Goalkeepers and defenders scoring a goal: 12 points
• Midfielders scoring a goal: 18 points
• Forwards scoring a goal: 24 points
• Assists: 9 points
• Goalkeepers and defenders keeping a clean sheet: 12 points
• Saving a penalty: 9 points
• Scoring Penalty: 12 points (Earlier, different bonus points were given based on the player's position, but now 12 points will be granted for each penalty scored, irrespective of the position.)
• Save: 2 points
• Successful open play cross: 1 point
• Creating a big chance (a chance where the receiving player should score): 3 points
• For every 2 clearances, blocks, and interceptions (total): 1 point
• For every 3 recoveries: 1 point
• Key pass: 1 point
• Successful tackle (net): 2 points
• Successful dribble: 1 point
• Scoring the goal that wins a match: 3 points
• Goal line clearance: 3 points
• Foul won: 1 point
• Shot on target: 2 point
• 70 to 79% pass completion (at least 30 passes attempted): 2 points
• 80 to 89% pass completion (at least 30 passes attempted): 4 points
• 90%+ pass completion (at least 30 passes attempted): 6 points
• Goalkeepers and defenders conceding a goal: -4 points
• Conceding a penalty: -3 points
• Missing a penalty: -6 points
• Yellow card: -3 points
• Red card: -9 points
• Own goal: -6 points
• Missing a big chance: -3 points
• Making an error that leads to a goal: -3 points
• Making an error which leads to an attempt at goal: -1 points
• Being tackled: -1 points
• Conceding a foul: -1 points
• Being caught offside: -1 points
• Shot off target: -1 points