Question 1

Who has the stronger DEFCON rate: Anderson or Xhaka?

Accepted Answer

Barely anything in it. Anderson averages 11.77 defensive contribution actions per 90 and Xhaka averages 10.78 - a gap of 0.99 that is inside the natural noise of any per-90 metric. On the workload alone this is a coin toss and the decision should rest on fixture, price and attacking output rather than DEFCON.

Question 2

How do the raw defensive workloads of Anderson and Xhaka compare?

Accepted Answer

Anderson has logged 43 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles across 696 minutes (5.6 per 90). Xhaka has logged 41 across 810 minutes (4.6 per 90). Anderson earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 3 of 9 appearances this season; Xhaka earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 3 of 9 appearances this season. Higher raw counts reflect a higher defensive workload; higher per-90 rates reflect efficiency at sustaining that workload.

Question 3

Does the Gameweek 10 fixture change the DEFCON case?

Accepted Answer

Anderson is away at Nott'm Forest (FDR 2) and Xhaka is at home to Chelsea (FDR 4) in Gameweek 10. DEFCON output is action-based rather than result-based, so a tough fixture does not shrink the base rate the way it might reduce a clean sheet probability. That said, both players are more likely to see defensive volume in tougher matches - the DEFCON case can actually be marginally stronger against stronger opposition.

Question 4

Which midfielder should I pick for Gameweek 10 on DEFCON grounds?

Accepted Answer

The DEFCON workloads are too close to call. Both Anderson and Xhaka deliver similar defensive contribution rates, so the pick should come down to price, fixtures and attacking output rather than DEFCON. On the defensive contributions alone this is a genuine coin toss.

Elliot Anderson vs Granit Xhaka DEFCON: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 10

Elliot Anderson vs Granit Xhaka: DEFCON Analysis

Anderson vs Xhaka Gameweek 10

Anderson has the DEFCON edge but costs £0.9m more than Xhaka. Where should the money go?