Question 1

Who has the stronger DEFCON rate: Richards or Ballard?

Accepted Answer

Richards is the stronger DEFCON profile at 11.67 actions per 90 against 9.80 for Ballard - a gap of 1.87 per 90. Over a 38-match season that difference works out to roughly 71 extra defensive contribution actions before any attacking upside is factored in.

Question 2

How do the raw defensive workloads of Richards and Ballard compare?

Accepted Answer

Richards has logged 105 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles across 810 minutes (11.7 per 90). Ballard has logged 49 across 450 minutes (9.8 per 90). Richards earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 7 of 9 appearances this season; Ballard earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 3 of 5 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

Richards is at home to Liverpool (FDR 4) and Ballard 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 defender should I pick for Gameweek 10 on DEFCON grounds?

Accepted Answer

Richards has the DEFCON edge at 11.67 per 90 versus 9.80. That advantage costs £0.2m if Richards is dearer - work out whether the edge is worth the outlay in your specific squad. On DEFCON grounds alone Richards is the better profile, but £0.2m spent elsewhere may return more depending on where you are stretched.

Chris Richards vs Daniel Ballard DEFCON: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 10

Chris Richards vs Daniel Ballard: DEFCON Analysis

Richards vs Ballard Gameweek 10

Richards has the DEFCON edge but costs £0.2m more than Ballard. Where should the money go?