Question 1

Who has the stronger DEFCON rate: O'Shea or Virgil?

Accepted Answer

Barely anything in it. O'Shea averages 9.67 defensive contribution actions per 90 and Virgil averages 9.44 - a gap of 0.23 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 O'Shea and Virgil compare?

Accepted Answer

O'Shea has logged 87 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles across 810 minutes (9.7 per 90). Virgil has logged 85 across 810 minutes (9.4 per 90). O'Shea earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 3 of 9 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

O'Shea is at home to Bournemouth (FDR 3) 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 O'Shea 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.

Dara O'Shea vs Virgil DEFCON: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 10

Dara O'Shea vs Virgil: DEFCON Analysis

O'Shea vs Virgil Gameweek 10

O'Shea has the better DEFCON rate and is £2.4m cheaper - is it a no-brainer for your squad?