Penalty saves are one of the biggest single-moment swings in Fantasy Premier League. A goalkeeper who stops a penalty gets 5 FPL points for the save alone, before you even add any save points, clean sheet points, or bonus potential around it. That makes penalty saves rare, high-impact events that can transform a gameweek.
Because the rule is easy to miss, many managers underestimate how valuable it can be. This guide explains exactly how the penalty save bonus works in FPL, how it differs from a penalty miss by an outfield player, and what it means for goalkeeper strategy across a season.
How many points is a penalty save in FPL?
In FPL, a goalkeeper gets 5 points for saving a penalty. This applies when the goalkeeper prevents the penalty from being scored. It is one of the most rewarding defensive actions in the game.
This matters because goalkeepers do not need many routes to points. Their main scoring avenues are usually:
- Appearance points
- Clean sheet points
- Save points
- Bonus points
- Penalty save points
A penalty save can therefore create a massive haul from a player who might otherwise have scored just 2 or 3 points.
What counts as a penalty save?
A penalty save is awarded when the goalkeeper directly stops the penalty attempt. If the keeper saves it and the ball stays out, the goalkeeper gets the 5 points. If the keeper saves it but the ball rebounds and is scored, the save still counts for FPL purposes.
That last part is important. The goalkeeper is rewarded for the save itself, not for preventing any goal on the entire phase of play.
How does it compare to a penalty miss?
This is where the scoring asymmetry becomes interesting.
If an outfield player misses a penalty, they get -2 points. That is a negative event, but the punishment is relatively small compared to the reward for the goalkeeper.
So the scoring swing looks like this:
- Goalkeeper saves a penalty: +5 points
- Outfield player misses a penalty: -2 points
That is why penalty incidents can create huge rank swings. If your goalkeeper saves a spot kick while a popular attacker misses one, the net effect can be dramatic.
It also shows that FPL heavily rewards the goalkeeper side of the event. A keeper is not just canceling out an attacker. They are getting one of the best single-action rewards in the scoring system.
Why penalty saves matter so much for goalkeepers
Most goalkeeper returns are fairly predictable in structure. You hope for 2 appearance points, maybe a clean sheet, and possibly save points if they face enough shots. Penalty saves are different. They are low-frequency, high-upside moments.
For example, a goalkeeper could score:
- 2 points for playing 60+ minutes
- 1 point for making 3 saves
- 5 points for saving a penalty
- 3 bonus points in a strong all-round display
That adds up very quickly, even if their team does not dominate the match.
This is part of why some goalkeepers from busy defenses can be attractive in FPL. They may concede more chances, but that can also lead to more saves, more bonus involvement in the right match, and the occasional penalty save jackpot.
Does a penalty save help with bonus points?
Yes, indirectly and often directly. In FPL, the Bonus Points System rewards actions that contribute positively during a match. Saving a penalty is a major event and usually boosts a goalkeeper strongly in bonus scoring.
So a penalty save can be worth more than just the headline 5 points. It can also:
- Improve the goalkeeper’s chances of earning 1 to 3 bonus points
- Preserve a clean sheet if the rebound is not converted
- Create a strong overall score even in difficult fixtures
That is why managers remember penalty saves so clearly. The final return is often much bigger than the base reward.
Can a goalkeeper get penalty save points in a penalty shootout?
No. FPL only counts actions from normal match time, including stoppage time. Penalty shootouts after extra time do not count for FPL points.
This is only relevant in cup competitions generally, since standard FPL scoring is focused on Premier League matches. Still, the principle is simple: if it happens in a shootout, it does not count.
Strategy: should you target goalkeepers who face penalties?
This is where things get counter-intuitive.
At first glance, you might think you should avoid goalkeepers facing elite penalty takers. After all, a penalty usually means a high chance of conceding. But because the upside for a save is so large, there is a real strategic angle here.
Owning a goalkeeper from a team that faces lots of shots, pressure, and occasional penalties can sometimes be better than it looks on paper. If that goalkeeper is a strong shot stopper with a history of saving penalties, the 5-point reward creates meaningful upside.
In other words, there are scenarios where owning a goalkeeper against good penalty-takers is not crazy. It can actually be a source of hidden value.
Why this strategy can work
- Penalty saves are worth a lot, so the upside is huge when they happen.
- Busy goalkeepers already have save-point potential, which stacks well with penalty save upside.
- Managers often overrate fixture difficulty for keepers, when difficult matches can actually increase save volume and bonus opportunities.
This does not mean you should chase penalties blindly. Penalties are still rare enough that you should not base your whole goalkeeper strategy on them. But as a tiebreaker between similarly priced keepers, penalty-saving ability is very relevant.
What should FPL managers look for?
If you want to factor penalty saves into your goalkeeper picks, focus on a few practical indicators:
- Penalty save history: Some goalkeepers consistently outperform others in one-on-one situations from the spot.
- Shot volume faced: Keepers behind weaker defenses often get more save opportunities overall.
- Bonus friendliness: Goalkeepers who rack up saves can convert big moments into bonus points more often.
- Price: A cheaper goalkeeper with genuine upside can outperform a safer but lower-ceiling option.
The key is balance. You still want a goalkeeper who can collect regular points, not just occasional miracles. Penalty save potential should be viewed as an upside enhancer, not the only reason for a pick.
Common misconceptions
A penalty save is the same as a penalty miss
Not in FPL terms. The goalkeeper gets +5, while the outfield player missing gets -2. The scoring is not symmetrical.
You should only pick goalkeepers from strong defenses
Strong defenses are useful, especially for clean sheets, but they are not the only path to goalkeeper points. Mid-table or lower-table keepers can thrive on saves, bonus, and occasional penalty stops.
Penalty saves are too rare to matter
They are rare, but the points swing is so big that they absolutely matter over a season. Even one or two can make a major difference in total goalkeeper scoring.
Final thoughts
The FPL penalty save bonus is simple on paper but powerful in practice. A goalkeeper earns 5 points per penalty saved, making it one of the most valuable individual actions in the game. Compared to the -2 points given to an outfield player who misses a penalty, the reward for the goalkeeper is huge.
For FPL managers, the lesson is clear. Do not think about goalkeepers only in terms of clean sheets. Save volume, bonus potential, and penalty-saving ability all matter. In some cases, owning a goalkeeper from a team likely to face pressure, and even good penalty-takers, can be a smart upside play.
Penalty saves are unpredictable, but when they land, they can change a week instantly. That is why understanding this rule is so important.