Question 1

Who has the stronger DEFCON rate: Thomas or Richards?

Accepted Answer

Barely anything in it. Thomas averages 11.72 defensive contribution actions per 90 and Richards averages 11.67 - a gap of 0.05 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 Thomas and Richards compare?

Accepted Answer

Thomas has logged 88 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles across 676 minutes (11.7 per 90). Richards has logged 105 across 810 minutes (11.7 per 90). Thomas earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 5 of 8 appearances this season; Richards earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 7 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

Thomas is away at Everton (FDR 3) and Richards is at home to Liverpool (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

The DEFCON workloads are too close to call. Both Thomas and Richards 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.

Bobby Thomas vs Chris Richards DEFCON: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 10

Bobby Thomas vs Chris Richards: DEFCON Analysis

Thomas vs Richards Gameweek 10

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