Question 1

Who has the stronger DEFCON rate: Palacios or Gomes?

Accepted Answer

Barely anything in it. Palacios averages 14.40 defensive contribution actions per 90 and Gomes averages 13.95 - a gap of 0.45 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 Palacios and Gomes compare?

Accepted Answer

Palacios has logged 21 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles across 275 minutes (6.9 per 90). Gomes has logged 15 across 129 minutes (10.5 per 90). Palacios earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 2 of 4 appearances this season; Gomes earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 1 of 2 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 6 fixture change the DEFCON case?

Accepted Answer

Palacios is at home to Fulham (FDR 2) and Gomes is at home to Brentford (FDR 3) in Gameweek 6. 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 6 on DEFCON grounds?

Accepted Answer

The DEFCON workloads are too close to call. Both Palacios and Gomes 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.

Exequiel Palacios vs Joao Gomes DEFCON: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 6

Exequiel Palacios vs Joao Gomes: DEFCON Analysis

Palacios vs Gomes Gameweek 6

Palacios has the better DEFCON rate and is £0.5m cheaper - is it a no-brainer for your squad?