Fantasy Assist Rules Explained for FPL 2025/26: What’s Changed and Why It Matters
If you’re wondering what counts as an assist in Fantasy Premier League this season, you’re not alone. Fantasy assist rules explained for FPL 2025/26 is your complete guide to the new definitions and how they’ll impact player points.
With major updates introduced to simplify the system and reward more goal contributions, FPL managers can expect clearer rulings and, potentially, more points.
Here’s everything you need to know about what now counts as a Fantasy assist – and what doesn’t – in the 2025/26 season.
What Is a Fantasy Assist?
A Fantasy assist is awarded to the player who made the final attacking action leading to a goal – and it’s worth three FPL points. This includes passes, crosses, shots, or winning a penalty or free-kick that leads directly to a goal.
In previous seasons, however, the rules included subjective judgments, especially when it came to deflections, defensive errors, or intended targets. That’s what’s changed for 2025/26.
What’s Changed in the 2025/26 Assist Rules?
The FPL team have simplified the assist system to reduce subjectivity and reward more attacking involvement. Under the new guidelines, 41 additional assists would have been awarded last season. Here’s how the changes work:
No More “Intended Target” Rule (Inside the Box)
The biggest change? Intent no longer matters when the ball ends up with the goalscorer inside the penalty area.
Previously, if a pass or cross took a deflection and didn’t reach the intended target, no assist was awarded. Now, as long as:
- The goalscorer receives the ball inside the box, and
- There is only one defensive touch (and it’s not a pass),
→ an assist will be given.
Example:
Last season, Pedro Porro’s cross deflected off Gabriel before landing at Son Heung-min’s feet, who scored. Under the old rules, no assist – because Son wasn’t the target.
Under 2025/26 rules, Porro would now earn the assist.
Outside the Box? Intention Still Matters
If the goalscorer receives the ball outside the penalty area, then intended target still matters. If the pass was deflected and the goalscorer wasn’t the intended recipient, no assist is awarded.
Example:
Bruno Fernandes’s free-kick reached Manuel Ugarte outside the box. Ugarte scored, but wasn’t the target.
→ Still no assist, even under the new rules.
Check out more tips ahead of the new season with our 2025/26 Essential Guide.
Two Defensive Touches = No Assist
If the ball takes two or more touches from defenders before reaching the goal scorer, an assist won’t count – even if both touches are accidental.
Example:
Matheus Cunha’s pass took touches from both Robert Sánchez and Moisés Caicedo before Matt Doherty scored.
→ No assist, due to multiple defensive touches.
Defensive Errors: What Counts Now?
Previously, any unforced defensive mistake voided an assist. Now, only defensive passes will cancel it.
If a goal comes from a single defensive mis-touch (like a failed clearance or poor control), the attacker will now get the assist – as long as it wasn’t a deliberate pass and only one touch was involved.
Example:
Alex Scott passed to Antoine Semenyo, but Fulham’s Antonee Robinson miscontrolled it before Semenyo scored.
→ Under 2025/26 rules, Scott gets the assist.
Forced Handball Rule Removed
In previous seasons, players were only credited with a Fantasy assist for winning a handball if the defender was “forced” into it. That’s now gone.
If an attacking action leads directly to a handball in the box, and the resulting penalty or free-kick is scored, an assist is awarded – regardless of intent.
Example:
Pickford played a long ball that led to Joel Veltman handling it under pressure from Beto.
→ In 2025/26, Pickford would get the assist, since his pass directly caused the handball.
Quick Summary: New Assist Criteria in 2025/26
Assist awarded if:
- Goal scorer receives the ball inside the box
- Only one defensive touch occurred (not a pass)
- A penalty or free-kick is awarded due to any handball, not just forced
- The final attacking touch leads directly to the goal or handball
No assist if:
- Two or more defensive touches occurred
- Goalscorer receives ball outside the box and wasn’t the intended target
- Defensive player’s touch was a pass
- Goalscorer loses and regains possession
Why It Matters for FPL
This update means more points across the season – especially for midfielders and full-backs who deliver crosses into dangerous areas. It also improves fairness by rewarding meaningful attacking contributions that previously went unnoticed.
As an FPL manager, keeping on top of these rules could help you spot value players, pick better differential assets, and finally get the assist points your players deserve.
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