Question 1

Who has the stronger DEFCON rate: Garner or Ampadu?

Accepted Answer

Barely anything in it. Garner averages 11.52 defensive contribution actions per 90 and Ampadu averages 11.14 - a gap of 0.38 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 Garner and Ampadu compare?

Accepted Answer

Garner has logged 30 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles across 508 minutes (5.3 per 90). Ampadu has logged 47 across 630 minutes (6.7 per 90). Garner earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 2 of 7 appearances this season; Ampadu earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 3 of 7 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 8 fixture change the DEFCON case?

Accepted Answer

Garner is away at Arsenal (FDR 5) and Ampadu is away at Sunderland (FDR 3) in Gameweek 8. 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 8 on DEFCON grounds?

Accepted Answer

The DEFCON workloads are too close to call. Both Garner and Ampadu 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.

James Garner vs Ethan Ampadu DEFCON: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 8

James Garner vs Ethan Ampadu: DEFCON Analysis

Garner vs Ampadu Gameweek 8

Garner has the DEFCON edge but costs £0.7m more than Ampadu. Where should the money go?