How FPL Bonus Points Are Calculated
In Fantasy Premier League (FPL), bonus points are awarded to the top-performing players in each match. These bonus points can make a significant difference in your FPL score, especially if your captain or key players are involved. But how exactly are these points calculated? Let's break down the system that determines which players get the extra points.
What Is the Bonus Points System (BPS)?
The Bonus Points System (BPS) is a metric used to calculate which players performed best in a particular match. The system tracks a variety of on-field actions such as goals, assists, clean sheets, and other positive or negative contributions. Based on their performance, players earn BPS points, and those with the highest BPS totals receive bonus points at the end of the match.
How the BPS Works
At the end of every Premier League match, the three players with the highest BPS scores are awarded bonus points. The allocation is as follows:
- 1st place receives 3 bonus points
- 2nd place receives 2 bonus points
- 3rd place receives 1 bonus point
If two or more players have the same BPS score, bonus points are shared as follows:
- If two players are tied for 1st, both receive 3 bonus points, and the 3rd player receives 1 point.
- If two players are tied for 2nd, the 1st receives 3 bonus points, and both 2nd and 3rd players receive 2 points.
- If two players are tied for 3rd, the 1st and 2nd receive their respective points, and both 3rd-place players receive 1 point.
Key Factors That Influence BPS
The BPS system considers a wide range of factors, both positive and negative, to calculate a player's score. Here's the full breakdown of how BPS is awarded:
Positive Contributions
- Playing 1 to 60 minutes: 3 BPS
- Playing over 60 minutes: 6 BPS
- Goalkeepers and defenders scoring a goal: 12 BPS
- Midfielders scoring a goal: 18 BPS
- Forwards scoring a goal: 24 BPS
- Assists: 9 BPS
- Goalkeepers and defenders keeping a clean sheet: 12 BPS
- Saving a penalty: 9 BPS
- Save: 2 BPS per save
- Successful open play cross: 1 BPS
- Creating a big chance: 3 BPS
- For every 2 clearances, blocks, and interceptions: 1 BPS
- For every 3 recoveries: 1 BPS
- Key pass: 1 BPS
- Successful tackle (net*): 2 BPS
- Successful dribble: 1 BPS
- Scoring the goal that wins a match: 3 BPS
- Goalline clearance: 3 BPS
- Foul won: 1 BPS
- Shot on target: 2 BPS
- Pass completion (70 to 79%, 30+ passes): 2 BPS
- Pass completion (80 to 89%, 30+ passes): 4 BPS
- Pass completion (90%+, 30+ passes): 6 BPS
Negative Contributions
- Goalkeeper/defender conceding a goal: -4 BPS
- Conceding a penalty: -3 BPS
- Missing a penalty: -6 BPS
- Yellow card: -3 BPS
- Red card: -9 BPS
- Own goal: -6 BPS
- Missing a big chance: -3 BPS
- Making an error leading to a goal: -3 BPS
- Making an error leading to an attempt on goal: -1 BPS
- Being tackled: -1 BPS
- Conceding a foul: -1 BPS
- Being caught offside: -1 BPS
- Shot off target: -1 BPS
*Net successful tackles is calculated as successful tackles minus unsuccessful tackles. Players will not receive negative BPS for this stat.
Examples of BPS in Action
Let's take a look at how BPS can accumulate in different match situations:
Example 1: Forward Scores and Assists
A forward scores a goal (24 BPS) and provides an assist (9 BPS), accumulating 33 BPS before any other actions are counted.
Example 2: Goalkeeper Keeps a Clean Sheet
A goalkeeper keeps a clean sheet (12 BPS), makes 5 saves (10 BPS), and completes over 30 passes with 70% accuracy (2 BPS), giving them a total of 24 BPS.
Example 3: Defender Concedes and Scores an Own Goal
A defender concedes 2 goals (-8 BPS) and scores an own goal (-6 BPS). They also receive a yellow card (-3 BPS), resulting in -17 BPS from these actions alone.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how bonus points are calculated can help you make more informed decisions when selecting your FPL players. Targeting players who not only score goals and provide assists but also contribute positively in other areas, like pass completion or tackles, can help maximize your points.