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How is the Bonus Points System (BPS) Calculated in FPL? A Detailed Guide

The Bonus Points System (BPS) in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) plays a crucial role in awarding extra points to standout players after each game. It has been known to be adjusted from time to time. Bonus Points can be the difference between a good and great Gameweek, so understanding how they are calculated is essential for any FPL manager looking to maximize their returns.

In this guide, we’ll break down how the BPS works, the specific actions that contribute to a player's BPS score, and how it ultimately affects the allocation of bonus points in each match.

What is the BPS?

The Bonus Points System (BPS) is a statistical formula used to assess player performance in a match beyond just goals, assists, and clean sheets. It considers a wide range of on-pitch actions—both positive and negative—that help determine a player’s contribution to their team.

At the end of each Premier League match, FPL uses the BPS to rank players based on their performances. The top three players in each match are awarded bonus points, which can be a significant boost to their FPL scores.

  • 1st place: 3 bonus points

  • 2nd place: 2 bonus points

  • 3rd place: 1 bonus point

If players are tied in their BPS score, the bonus points are distributed accordingly. For example, if two players are tied for 1st place, they will each receive 3 bonus points, and no points will be awarded for 2nd or 3rd place.

How Does the BPS Work?

The BPS assigns points for specific positive actions and subtracts points for negative actions. These actions vary by position, so while a forward may earn BPS points for scoring a goal, a defender may accumulate BPS by making successful tackles, completing passes, and maintaining a clean sheet.

The full BPS breakdown includes actions that contribute to the score, each with assigned values. Here’s a detailed look at the actions that affect the BPS score:

Positive BPS Actions and Their Points

  1. Goal Scored

    • Forward: +24 BPS points

    • Midfielder: +18 BPS points

    • Defender: +12 BPS points

    • Goalkeeper: +12 BPS points

  2. Assist

    • +9 BPS points

  3. Clean Sheet

    • Defender or Goalkeeper (60+ minutes played): +12 BPS points

  4. Saving a Penalty

    • Goalkeeper: +9 BPS points

  5. Save

    • Goalkeeper: +2 BPS points per save

  6. Successful Tackle

    • +2 BPS points per successful tackle

  7. Interception and Fouls Won

    • +1 BPS point each

  8. Blocked Shot and conversely a Shot on Target

    • +2 BPS points each

  9. For every 2 Clearance, Block, or Interception (CBI)

    • +1 BPS point per CBI

  10. Key Pass

    • +1 BPS point

  11. Big Chance Created

    • +3 BPS points

  12. Successful Dribble

    • +1 BPS point per successful dribble

  13. Completed Pass

    • +1 BPS point for every three completed passes

  14. Final Third Pass

    • +1 BPS point for every three passes in the final third

  15. Recoveries

    • +1 BPS point for every two recoveries

Negative BPS Actions and Their Penalties

  1. Yellow Card

    • -3 BPS points

  2. Red Card

    • -9 BPS points

  3. Own Goal

    • -6 BPS points

  4. Penalty Missed

    • -6 BPS points

  5. Goal Conceded

    • Goalkeeper or Defender: -4 BPS points

  6. Error Leading to Goal

    • -3 BPS points

  7. Error Leading to Attempt on Goal

    • -1 BPS point

  8. Big Chance Missed

    • -3 BPS points per big chance missed

  9. Shot Off Target

    • -1 BPS point

  10. Foul Committed

    • -1 BPS point

  11. Dribbled Past

    • -1 BPS point per time dribbled past

Position-Based Impact on BPS

It’s important to note that the BPS is tailored to a player’s position on the field. Forwards typically earn the highest BPS for scoring goals, whereas defenders are more likely to accumulate BPS through defensive actions like clearances, blocks, and interceptions (CBI). Goalkeepers earn significant BPS for making saves and keeping clean sheets.

Forwards

  • Forwards accumulate BPS primarily through goals, assists, successful dribbles and shots on target. They can also gain points for creating big chances and completing key passes. However, they are penalised for missing big chances, committing fouls, and shots off target.

Midfielders

  • Midfielders have a broader range of BPS contributions. They benefit from goals and assists, as well as creating big chances, completing key passes, and making interceptions. Midfielders also receive points for successful tackles and recoveries, making them versatile in earning BPS across different match scenarios.

Defenders

  • Defenders excel in BPS through clean sheets, CBIs, and defensive recoveries. Scoring a goal or providing an assist significantly boosts their BPS, but their bread and butter comes from the defensive metrics. However, conceding goals heavily penalizes their BPS.

Goalkeepers

  • Goalkeepers rely on saves, clean sheets, and penalty saves to boost their BPS. They are penalized for goals conceded and errors leading to goals, so a solid defensive performance is crucial for goalkeepers to accumulate BPS.

Examples of BPS in Action

To better understand how BPS is calculated in practice, let’s consider a couple of match scenarios:

Example 1: Erling Haaland Scores a Hat-Trick

  • Haaland (Forward) scores three goals and plays the full 90 minutes. He doesn’t miss any big chances, avoids a yellow card, and commits one foul.


  • BPS Calculation:

    • 3 Goals: 72 BPS (3 x 24 points for a forward)

    • No yellow cards, fouls, or big chances missed: 0 penalties

    • Total BPS: 72 points

If Haaland has the highest BPS score in the match, he will be awarded 3 bonus points.

Example 2: Virgil van Dijk Keeps a Clean Sheet

  • Van Dijk (Defender) keeps a clean sheet in a 1-0 win, makes 10 clearances, blocks two shots, completes 50 passes, and intercepts the ball five times.

  • BPS Calculation:

    • Clean Sheet: 12 BPS

    • 10 CBIs: 10 BPS

    • 2 Blocked Shots: 4 BPS

    • 50 Completed Passes: 16 BPS (1 point for every 3 passes)

    • 5 Interceptions: 5 BPS

    • Total BPS: 47 points

If van Dijk ranks in the top three for BPS in this match, he will be awarded bonus points based on his ranking.

Conclusion

The Bonus Points System (BPS) is an integral part of FPL, offering additional rewards to players who contribute positively in matches. Understanding how the BPS is calculated can help FPL managers make more informed decisions when selecting players, particularly when targeting bonus point magnets like goalkeepers who make lots of saves or defenders who excel in CBIs.

Ultimately, while goals and assists remain the primary source of FPL points, mastering the intricacies of the BPS can give savvy managers an edge in securing those crucial bonus points that can make all the difference in a tightly contested mini-league.


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