Ever wanted to be a Premier League manager? Choosing the best players, making winning decisions, and celebrating victories? Fantasy Premier League (FPL) lets you do all that—without the shouting at the TV! But with millions of people playing, how do you get started?
FPL is a free online game where you create your team of Premier League stars and earn points based on their performance in real matches. It sounds easy, but balancing your budget, picking the right players, and making smart transfers can be tricky.
That’s where we step in! This blog is your complete guide to FPL, with 10 must-know tips for beginners. From the basics to advanced strategies, we’ll help you dominate your mini-leagues and rise up the global rankings.
Top 10 Fantasy Premier League Tips for New Players
- Understanding the Basics
- Budget Wisely
- Focus on Formation
- Don’t Overlook Defense
- Captaincy Choices
- Utilise Chips Strategically
- Pay Attention to Fixtures
- Stay Informed
- Don’t Chase Last Week’s Points
- Join a League with Friends
Tip 1: Understanding the Basics
Before you unleash your inner Pep Guardiola, let’s get to grips with the fundamentals of FPL.
Team Selection: You have a budget of £100 million to assemble a squad of 15 Premier League players: 2 goalkeepers, 5 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 3 forwards.
Budget Constraints: Each player has a price tag, and you need to stay within your budget. This means finding the perfect balance between star players and budget-friendly gems.
Transfers: You get one free transfer per Gameweek, allowing you to swap out a player for someone else. Additional transfers will cost you points, so plan wisely!
Captaincy: Choose a captain each Gameweek, and their points are doubled! This is a crucial decision, so pick a player you expect to perform well.
Scoring System: Points are awarded for various actions:
- Goals: 6 points for a goalkeeper, 6 for a defender, 5 for a midfielder, 4 for a forward.
- Assists: 3 points for each assist.
- Clean Sheets: 4 points for a goalkeeper and defender, 1 point for a midfielder.
- Saves: 1 point for every 3 saves made by a goalkeeper.
- Penalties Saved: 5 points for each penalty saved.
- Penalties Missed: -2 points for each penalty missed.
- Bonus Points: Awarded to the top three performers in each match based on a Bonus Points System (BPS).
Check out the official Premier League website for a full breakdown of the fantasy premier league tips, rules and scoring system.
Tip 2: Budget Wisely
That £100 million budget might seem like a lot, but it disappears faster than you can say, “Erling Haaland hat-trick!” Smart budget management is essential for FPL’s success.
Spread the Wealth: Don’t waste your budget on a few superstars. Allocate funds across all positions, ensuring you have a strong starting XI and decent bench options.
Finding Value: Look for players who offer good value for their price. This could be a promising youngster, a player returning from injury, or someone who’s simply underpriced compared to their potential.
Example: Let’s say a premium forward costs £12 million and is expected to score 200 points, while a mid-priced forward costs £8 million and is projected to score 150 points. The mid-priced forward offers better value because you’re getting more points per million spent.
- Read More on Top 5 FPL Mistakes to Avoid and How to Fix Them
Tip 3: Focus on Formation
Choosing the right formation is like setting up your team’s tactics on the pitch. Popular FPL formations include:
- 3-4-3: Maximizes your attacking potential with 3 forwards and 4 midfielders but can leave you vulnerable in defence.
- 4-3-3: A balanced approach with a solid defence and a strong midfield.
- 5-3-2: Prioritizes defensive solidity with 5 defenders, but can limit your attacking options.
Your formation should align with your playing style. Do you prefer an all-out attack or a more cautious approach? Experiment with different formations to find what works best for you.
Team Balance: Aim for a balanced team with players from different teams and positions. This helps spread the risk and ensures you’re not overly reliant on a single team’s performance.
Tip 4: Don’t Overlook Defense
While goalscorers often steal the headlines, a solid defence is the foundation of any successful FPL team. Defenders can be real game-changers, contributing to your score in multiple ways:
- Clean Sheets: A clean sheet earns 4 points for defenders, which can quickly add up over a season.
- Attacking Threat: Many modern defenders contribute assists and even goals, boosting their FPL potential.
- Bonus Points: Defenders who make key tackles, interceptions, and clearances often earn bonus points.
Picking the Right Defenders:
- Team Defensive Strength: Look for teams with a strong defensive record and a tendency to keep clean sheets.
- Fixture Difficulty: Consider upcoming fixtures. A defender facing a weaker opponent is likelier to keep a clean sheet.
- Set-Piece Involvement: Defenders who take free kicks or corners have a higher chance of assists and goals.
Tip 5: Captaincy Choices
The captaincy decision is arguably the most important one you’ll make each game week. Why? Because your captain’s points are doubled!
Strategic Captaincy:
- Form: Choose a player in top form, scoring goals and providing assists consistently.
- Fixtures: Favor players with favourable fixtures against weaker opponents or at home.
- Home Advantage: Historically, players tend to perform better at home, so consider this when making your captaincy decision.
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Tip 6: Utilize Chips Strategically
FPL gives you a set of “chips” to play throughout the season, offering strategic advantages if used wisely.
Chip Types:
- Wildcard: Completely revamp your team without any transfer penalties.
- Bench Boost: All 15 players in your squad score points in a single Gameweek.
- Triple Captain: Triple your captain’s points for one Gameweek.
- Free Hit: Make unlimited free transfers for a single Gameweek, and then your team reverts to its original state.
When to Use Your Chips:
- Wildcard: Use it to overhaul your team after a poor run of form, during an international break, or to capitalise on a favourable run of fixtures.
- Bench Boost: Use it when you’re confident all your players will perform well, such as during a Gameweek with many favourable fixtures.
- Triple Captain: Use it when you expect your captain to have an exceptional Gameweek, like during a double gameweek.
- Free Hit: Use it to navigate a difficult Gameweek with many injuries or suspensions without wasting transfers.
Tip 7: Pay Attention to Fixtures
Don’t just focus on a player’s name – their upcoming fixtures are crucial! A striker facing a leaky defence is likelier to score than one facing a brick wall.
Fixture Analysis:
- Opponent Strength: Target players facing teams with poor defensive records or those struggling for form.
- Home vs. Away: Players generally perform better at home, so factor in where the match is being played.
- Fixture congestion: Be wary of teams with a busy schedule, as players may be rotated or rested.
Tip 8: Stay Informed
The Premier League is a dynamic beast! Injuries, suspensions, and surprise team selections can make or break your FPL Gameweek. Staying informed is vital.
Key News to Track:
- Injury Updates: A key player getting injured can derail your plans. Stay updated on injury news and potential return dates.
- Press Conferences: Manager press conferences often reveal key information about team selection and player fitness.
- Social Media: For fantasy premier league tips follow reliable FPL journalists and news sources on Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Reliable FPL News Sources:
- Official FPL website: The official source for news and announcements.
- FPL podcasts: Several podcasts offer insightful analysis and news discussions.
Tip 9: Don’t Chase Last Week’s Points
It’s tempting to knee-jerk transfer a player who blanked last week, but resist the urge! FPL is a marathon, not a sprint.
Long-Term Vision:
- Consistency: Look for players who consistently score points, even if they don’t have explosive individual game weeks.
- Underlying Statistics: Look at more than just goals and assists. Consider shots on target, key passes, and other metrics that indicate future potential.
- Fixture Planning: Consider a player’s upcoming fixtures, not just past performances.
Think Long-Term: Avoid making rash decisions based on short-term fluctuations. Focus on building a consistent team that will deliver points over the entire season.
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Tip 10: Join a League with Friends
FPL is more fun with friends! Join leagues with your mates, colleagues, or family to add a layer of competition and camaraderie.
The Social Side of FPL:
- Mini-Leagues: Compete against your friends and family for bragging rights.
- Global Leagues: Test your skills against FPL managers worldwide.
- Community Engagement: Join FPL forums, social media groups, and online communities to discuss strategies, share tips, and celebrate (or commiserate) together.
Your Journey Begins
And there you have it: ten essential tips to kickstart your Fantasy Premier League (FPL) journey and guide you toward becoming a fantasy football champion. Building a winning team isn’t just about luck; it requires:
- Strategic planning is important to make the best choices for your team.
- Consistent research on players, fixtures, and team performances.
- Patience and persistence to adapt and thrive throughout the season.
Following these fantasy premier league tips gives you the foundation to climb the rankings and enjoy the thrill of FPL.
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Ready to Get Started?
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