The curtain has lifted on a dramatically reimagined Fantasy Premier League season, and if you thought chip strategy was already complex, 2025/26 is here to blow that wide open. With defensive contributions now rewarded, assist rules simplified, and every chip doubled across the season, managers face an exciting (and chaotic) landscape. It’s no longer just about picking the most explosive assets — it’s about anticipating defensive patterns, gameweek splits, and maximizing chip flexibility like never before.
Here’s a deep dive into everything new, and how it could reshape how you play.
🛡️ Defensive Contributions: The Rise of the Unsexy Hero
One of the most seismic shifts this season is the introduction of Defensive Metric Points, often dubbed “CBIT returns” by the analytics crowd. Here’s the breakdown:
- Defenders earn +2 points for every 10 CBITs: Clearances, Blocks, Interceptions, and Tackles.
- Midfielders/Forwards earn +2 points for every 12 CBIRTs: CBITs plus Recoveries.
- A max of 2 extra points per match, operating similarly to the goalkeeper save bonus.
The implication? Holding midfielders and rugged centre-backs just became viable assets. Rodri, Caicedo, Gabriel, and Tarkowski — once relegated to budget filler status — now have underlying value beyond clean sheets. For tacticians, this demands a rethinking of formations. It’s no longer just 3-4-3 every week; 4-5-1 or 5-3-2 could thrive if defensive metrics align.
📊 Tip: Monitor “CBIT density per 90” when analyzing fixture projections. FPL tools and optimizers are already racing to integrate this metric.
🎯 Assist Rules: More Crosses, More Chaos
Gone is the ultra-pedantic “intended target” rule inside the box. FPL has officially relaxed what counts as an assist:
- Deflections inside the box count — even if the ball loops or ricochets.
- One defensive touch is now allowed, unless it’s a deliberate pass.
- Handball assists are awarded regardless of whether the defender was “forced.”
- Outside-the-box assists still require obvious intent.
What does this mean in practice? Tricky wingers and attacking full-backs now have a higher assist floor. Expect players like James, Doku, Estupiñán, and Eze to benefit from ambiguous deflections and chaotic passages of play. In fact, expected assist (xA) metrics may undersell the real upside — so eye-test and heatmaps could regain relevance.
🧠 Tip: Track high-volume crossing zones in your scouting process. This rule change rewards volume more than precision.
🎮 Double Chips: Strategy Multiplied
Here’s the headline: every manager now has two of each chip — one set for GW1–19, and another for GW20–38.
| Chip Name | Function | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Wildcard (x2) | Permanent squad overhaul | GW1–19 / GW20–38 |
| Free Hit (x2) | Temporary squad for one week | GW1–19 / GW20–38 |
| Triple Captain (x2) | Captain earns 3x points for one GW | GW1–19 / GW20–38 |
| Bench Boost (x2) | Bench players contribute for one GW | GW1–19 / GW20–38 |
The Assistant Manager chip is gone — no more automated picks or bonus boosts.
But there’s a catch: unused chips from the first half expire. That means you must use four chips by Gameweek 19 deadline (30 Dec 2025).
This introduces aggressive early-season strategies:
- Bench Boost GW1 becomes viable again — pick a balanced 15-man squad, boost in Week 1, and Wildcard in GW3 to reset.
- Early Triple Captain opportunities are golden, especially with stacked fixtures like Arsenal vs Sunderland in GW2.
- Free Hit flexibility allows you to swerve difficult fixtures (like City vs Liverpool) without sacrificing squad structure.
- The second Wildcard is best saved for post-AFCON recovery or to prep for DGW season.
🧠 Tip: Map chip usage into your planner with conditional burn windows. FPL optimizers can now project differential burn curves across elite mini-league clusters.
🌍 AFCON Transfer Boost: No Hit Necessary
With the Africa Cup of Nations falling mid-season again, FPL has added a helpful bonus: 5 free transfers in GW16, designed to help managers pivot away from AFCON-bound players.
Think of it as a mini-wildcard. If you’ve saved transfers prior to GW16, you can stack them — so ideally, use your banked transfers before the deadline to unlock full value.
Key players impacted: Salah, Mbeumo, Marmoush, Chukwueze, and Onana. Build your exit strategy around GW14–15 fixtures to avoid point hits and maximize squad fluidity.
🏆 Elite Mini-Leagues: A Touch of Prestige
Top performers now automatically join exclusive global mini-leagues:
- Top 1% and Top 10% finishers from 2024/25 are pre-enrolled
- Bragging rights, merch, and invites to FPL content creator events are up for grabs
For serious players, this adds another layer of competitive prestige. Ranking isn’t just about OR anymore — it’s about proving your mettle in elite company.
Final Thoughts: The Meta Is Malleable
2025/26 won’t be solved in a spreadsheet alone. Defensive points, relaxed assist definitions, and doubled chips shake the foundations of how we optimize, strategize, and iterate across gameweeks. The age of formulaic planning is over.
Whether you’re a casual player, a mini-league warrior, or a data-driven optimizer, adaptability will be key. This season rewards creativity, discipline, and tactical nuance — and the smartest managers will be those who embrace fluidity without losing structure.
Bought to you by Co-pilot and JAM-IE
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