Question 1

Who has the stronger DEFCON rate: Branthwaite or Virgil?

Accepted Answer

Barely anything in it. Branthwaite averages 10.00 defensive contribution actions per 90 and Virgil averages 9.44 - a gap of 0.56 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 Branthwaite and Virgil compare?

Accepted Answer

Branthwaite has logged 79 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles across 711 minutes (10.0 per 90). Virgil has logged 85 across 810 minutes (9.4 per 90). Branthwaite earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 4 of 8 appearances this season; Virgil earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 5 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

Branthwaite is at home to Coventry City (FDR 2) and Virgil is away at Crystal Palace (FDR 2) 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 defender should I pick for Gameweek 10 on DEFCON grounds?

Accepted Answer

The DEFCON workloads are too close to call. Both Branthwaite and Virgil 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.

Jarrad Branthwaite vs Virgil DEFCON: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 10

Jarrad Branthwaite vs Virgil: DEFCON Analysis

Branthwaite vs Virgil Gameweek 10

Branthwaite has the better DEFCON rate and is £0.9m cheaper - is it a no-brainer for your squad?