Fixtures

2016/17 Fixture Analysis – A Guide to Rotation

With just over five weeks remaining until the 2016/17 Premier League season kicks off, we’re stepping up our preparations ahead of the new domestic campaign.

First up, our coverage gets underway by looking at the basic principles involved in fixture rotation. In particular, we assess those sides that are likely to supply us with budget-friendly options for our 15-man squads before delving into last year’s data for examples.

The Concept

Essentially, the concept of fixture rotation only applies to squad-based Fantasy games and is utilised best with keepers and defenders. The idea is to simply find a couple of budget players whose home and away matches dovetail perfectly, allowing us to select the home option each time and bench the other player. Our rotation policies normally have us seeking out cut-price pairings – mainly because most will baulk at the idea of benching an asset in or above the mid-price value bracket.

Those playing games limited to just a starting XI or a smaller squad, such as Sky Sports or DraftKings, won’t need to worry about such strategies. But for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, rotation can be a significant element of our preparation and provide one of the keys to success. Shuffling resources at the back and selecting cut-price regulars with guaranteed pitch time allows us to free up funds for heavy investment further up the field.

Last term, Swansea offered a fine example of the benefits of a rotation pairing, with eight of their nine clean sheets arriving at the Liberty. The Welsh outfit conceded just 20 times in front of their own fans – only five teams shipped fewer home goals – though on the road it was a different story altogether. Swansea mustered just a single shut-out away from home (the joint-worst record along with relegated Norwich) and were breached 32 times – only the bottom four and Bournemouth were more porous.

On the other hand, Everton and West Brom bucked the trend. The Toffees managed just three of their ten clean sheets at Goodison, whilst the Baggies were surprisingly less resilient than many expected from a Tony Pulis team at home, with just five of their 11 shut-outs harvested at the Hawthorns.

Those statistics highlight some of the frustration involved in sticking rigidly to home and away rotation. While we endeavour to find budget options with friendly home fixtures, it is worth remembering that some sides fare better defensively away from home, particularly those who like to get men behind the ball and counter-attack – a tactic that could be more prominent in the forthcoming campaign.

Indeed, the defensive data reveals a definite trend developed last term. In 2014/15, as many as 17 teams conceded more goals away than at home but in 2015/16, just 12 sides were more porous on the road.

Somewhat surprisingly, this affected five of the top ten – champions Leicester conceded 18 times home and away, whilst Man City (21 home goals against to 20 away), West Ham (26 to 25), Southampton (22 to 19) and Chelsea (30 to 23) were also more culpable in front of their own supporters.

This pattern occurred less often in the bottom half of the table, with Everton (30 home goals against to 25 away), West Brom (26 to 22) and Bournemouth (34 to 33) the three teams in question.

Despite this recent pattern, then, it seems that the budget teams are still more likely to be relied upon in front of their own fans, suggesting that backing home defences will remain the default stance. Developing on from that, though, assessing the fixture difficulty of our pairings in any given Gameweek is likely to make our rotation pairings more robust.

Home and Away Rotation

The most obvious rotation pairings are created as a result of geographical proximity and the need to spread police resourcing.

Arsenal/Tottenham, Everton/Liverpool and Man United/Man City are examples of neighbours who rotate perfectly home and away over any given season, though the relegation of Newcastle and Aston Villa means that traditional rotation pairs of Villa/West Brom and Newcastle/Sunderland are no longer in play this year.

The other pairings – as mentioned in a hot topic by Balders – are sometimes less obvious. We’ve listed these and this season’s “couples”, in the table below:

Team 1Team 2
ArsenalTottenham
BournemouthWatford
BurnleyWest Brom
ChelseaSunderland
Crystal PalaceSwansea
EvertonLiverpool
HullStoke
LeicesterMiddlesbrough
LiverpoolEverton
Manchester CityManchester United
Manchester UnitedManchester City
MiddlesbroughLeicester
SouthamptonWest Ham
StokeHull
SunderlandChelsea
SwanseaCrystal Palace
TottenhamArsenal
WatfordBournemouth
West BromBurnley
West HamSouthampton

These relationships can provide the foundation for any rotation strategy, although, as we’ve mentioned, it pays to look beyond the simple concept of home and away rotation and start considering fixture difficulty to see whether even stronger rotation pairings begin to present themselves.

Start With the Stoppers

The goalkeepers are the obvious starting point for Fantasy managers considering rotation. This is mainly due to the fact that many tend to overlook the option of the expensive “one-stop shop” option in goal, seeking out mid-price and budget solutions that can work in tandem.

The FPL scoring system fuels this tactic. While clean sheets are the bread and butter of goalkeepers in most Fantasy games, the FPL’s decision to award an extra point for every three saves is crucial to our thinking when assessing our preferred stoppers. Watford number one Heurelho Gomes, for example, earned a total of 30 extra points from saves alone (outwith penalty stops) and delivered at least one save point on 27 occasions last term.

Assured pitch time is another factor that promotes the use of rotation options in goal: barring unfortunate injuries, there is every chance of forming a rotation pairing that can see us through a long period of the season; that’s not necessarily true elsewhere in our squads.

Immediately, FPL managers will be considering a budget rotation pairing that could exploit the Hull/Middlesbrough home and away relationship listed in our table above. Both teams should offer up 4.5 first choice options and both will surely guarantee ample save point returns to compensate for the perceived lack of clean sheets.

While we’ve talked up the strategy of rotating keepers, it’s worth noting that there is an alternative approach that has proved fruitful in recent seasons: the option of selecting a single team and backing both first choice and reserve stoppers.

This can work when either injury or lack of form plays a part in the respective team’s number one. Last season, for example, West Brom deputy Boaz Myhill started the season before Ben Foster recovered from injury, whilst Sunderland’s Costel Pantilimon began as first-choice before making way for Vito Mannone between the posts.

The Case for the Defence

Whether it’s a change of manager, a late move in the transfer window, an unfortunate injury to a first-team rival or a shift in the pecking order, there are nearly always one or two budget defensive options that take us by surprise and emerge as favourites to disrupt our starting squads.

Leicester’s entire defence are a perfect case in point under Claudio Ranieri. Three of the Italian’s first-choice back-four – Danny Simpson, Robert Huth and Wes Morgan – began last season in the budget bracket, with Simpson the cheapest of the lot at 4.0. Along with Christian Fuchs – who opened the season at 5.0 – that quartet were top for value amongst defenders in FPL.

Toby Alderweireld started the season at just 5.0 after moving to Spurs but, thanks to four goals and three assists, the Belgian rose as high as 6.5 in price after establishing himself as a mainstay in Mauricio Pochettino’s back-four. Keeping an eye on Tottenham’s defence could again be a worthwhile tactic at the beginning of the season – if Jan Vertonghen is ruled out for the first few matches due to his ankle ligament injury, Kevin Wimmer could prove a handy temporary replacement.

Before deciding on goalkeeper pairings, it is vital to also consider what’s on offer from their respective defences. While you may decide that budget and mid-price keepers is the way to go, there may be defensive options in those defences that have stronger appeal, offering a semblance of attacking threat for a similar price point.

For example, although Mannone will clearly be one to watch after earning 19 save points in as many matches for Sunderland, Patrick van Aanholt could be the one to pinpoint from the Wearsiders’ defensive regulars. From the point of Sam Allardyce’s arrival last year, the Dutchman racked up six goals, four assists, 11 bonus points and six clean sheets in 25 appearances – that’s 4.6 points per game under the new manager.

In many ways, it’s best to settle on your defensive selections first: find those who can fit a rotation strategy who may also offer up the potential of attacking returns. At that point, revisit the goalkeeping spots and scan the coverage options that remain.

Using the Fixture Ticker

To construct truly robust rotation pairings, though, we must strive to look beyond simple home and away rotation and delve into the midst of fixture difficulty.

As mentioned late last month, we’ve added a new feature for Members to our Fixture Ticker that should aid your quest.

By selecting any team on the and hitting “Sort by Rotation”, the ticker now ranks those teams most appropriate for rotation with the highlighted team over the Gameweek range you choose to display. You can apply this using both the attacking and defence filters to analyse rotation pairings in attack and defence. Be sure to check out this chapter of our recent preview movie to see the rotation feature in action.

The first five fixtures for all clubs are listed in the sidebar, though members can expand or restrict this by using the plus or minus buttons at the bottom right of the ticker. They can also view this in accordance with each team’s overall potential as well as by clean sheet and attacking prospects, sorting by difficulty as they go along.

In terms of defence, you can immediately see that Championship winners Burnley dovetail best with West Ham over the first eight Gameweeks, giving you seven very favourable fixtures (SWA, BOU, HUL, wba, WAT, MID, cpl). Elsewhere, a Crystal Palace/West Ham partnership over the opening nine Gameweeks (WBA, BOU, BOU, WAT, STO, SOT, MID, cpl, SUN) would hand you eight favourable home matches and a trip to Palace.

These are just a couple of very brief examples – over the next few weeks we’re going to present our guides to some of the strongest rotation pairings on offer, discussing the potential assets available when considering the keeper slots, defensive set-up and options in the final third.

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988 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Where's Daniel?

    1. KingNidge
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Been thinking long and hard about this and the only conclusion i come to is he is locked up..

      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        this is Daniel, taken away by men in white coats most logically

          1. JK - Cønt ⭐
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            I'm going for the guy with broom

          2. Forza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            I think he might be this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3lsJmwNO40

    2. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Well, Daniel won't appear until FPL opens and FPL won't open until Daniel appears

      It's a paradox

  2. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone created a basic player template for next season yet??

    1. KingNidge
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    2. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Nah skipped straight through the basic one, found the advanced one to be a bit pointless too tbh, so I have just decided to skip those phases and construct the perfect draft. Now I'll log out until GW38 when it will have been proven as the best "dead" (sorry, undead?) team.

      While this is in effect, I'll have a second, mediocre team which I will pretend to play with on here, linking to my FFS account, I can give you that team if you want? But trust me, you do not want that team.

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Based on the players who haven't signed yet and the prices we don't know? Good luck with that 🙂

  3. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Lets get this show on the road

  4. nevins84
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Repost:

    While we are waiting heres my WC team for that other game...

    Any suggestions?

    Neuer Hennesy
    Rami Boateng Naylor Guerrio Hector
    Sanchez Ozil Draxler Payet Pogba
    Ronny Bale Griezman

    1. juggos
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Is Guerreiro fit enough to start? Would you be able to afford the team if you had to go with Cedric instead? I like it though. I'm sad I didn't hold mine last wk

      1. nevins84
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Il be watching for Guerriro and change if needs be

    2. Madderegern
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Draxler nailed? Don't really believe in Wales CS but nice diff. if you get it...

  5. Hibbo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    When you all thinking about playing your wildcard and chips?

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Thursday

    2. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Ibra GW1 TC.

      OR#1.

      1. Hibbo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Booom.

        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          I mean.. It's Ibra.. against Boruc.

          The man only needs 3 shots and it has hat trick written all over it.

    3. KingNidge
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Go on son nearly time for to get our asses in gear for FPL domination.. 🙂

      1. Hibbo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        You better believe it!!!

        Hit me up by mail sometime soon.

        1. KingNidge
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Will do partner.. get everything sorted.. go on my hols week before season so will have to conclude business by then which is a slight pain in the flute but will work around it

          1. Hibbo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Sunny Beach? Enjoy it.

            And there's no way you'll be finished a week in advance lol

            1. KingNidge
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 9 months ago

              Yep... living for it.. Aye i know fs hotel has computers and stuff so will obviously need to make use from time to time just to keep on top of injuries etc

              1. Hibbo
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                7 years, 9 months ago

                Take an iPad and let on your reading books on it.

                1. KingNidge
                  • 8 Years
                  7 years, 9 months ago

                  She knows rightly what i'm up to and doesn't mind at all gives her a bit of peace lol.. that's a great shout may invest in one of those wee bad boys

                  1. Hibbo
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    7 years, 9 months ago

                    Aye or a tablet in general.

                    Handy around the pool as long as the WiFi is decent.

                    1. KingNidge
                      • 8 Years
                      7 years, 9 months ago

                      The thought of lying by the pool tinkering like an absolute mad man is indeed a very pleasant one

    4. nevins84
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      None this season

      1. juggos
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        I wish! No wc and no chips sounds great to me

    5. Jay_
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Wc post gw3. Saving AOA for when absolutely needed and other chips for dgws.

        1. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          You going to play the money game?

          1. KingNidge
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Jay has his hit for GW 2 already planned

            1. Hibbo
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 9 months ago

              It's good to be back.

              Jay will have a team value of 110m by gw9.

              1. KingNidge
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 9 months ago

                and 50 transfers under his belt

              2. Jay_
                  7 years, 9 months ago

                  😀

              3. Jay_
                  7 years, 9 months ago

                  Ha, got Mahrez in for a hit gw2 last year, never looked back 🙂

              4. Jay_
                  7 years, 9 months ago

                  Not gonna place too much emphasis on it but will always be aware of changes.

                  1. KingNidge
                    • 8 Years
                    7 years, 9 months ago

                    U love it mate 🙂

                  2. Hibbo
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    7 years, 9 months ago

                    Who you trying to kid lol

          2. juggos
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Any news on who's expected to start for Germany given their suspensions and injuries? Similarly, who fills in for Ramsey and Davies?

          3. Madderegern
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            So now Im chasing a 6 point lead cause of Pogba...!

            What do you reckon this will do to my nemesis?: WC used long ago + all 6 transfers used for this team to get rid of non-players..

            Hennesey / Neuer
            Hector / Boateng* / Guerreiro* / Fonte*/ Umtiti
            Ozil / Kroos* / Payet / Renato / Pogba*
            Mueller / Bale / Ronaldo*

            Need help beating this guy who stole my lead! Im mostly doubtful as to Pogba, don't really want him...Moutinho for differential?

            1. Madderegern
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 9 months ago

              Starred are new signings...

            2. juggos
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 9 months ago

              Would moutinho start this one? Looked great when he came on but I'm skeptical of his minutes. If punting, you definitely need someone from Port or Wales as they play first tho. I'd prob stick to pogba and hope captain choice makes up the difference

            3. Madderegern
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 9 months ago

              He probably won't start....but really - who else is there on the midfield, who are actually likely to score/assist?
              Another option is tripple on the German or Portuguese defense, but that will leave me short of funds for Ronnie...

          4. Jay_
              7 years, 9 months ago

              Great article for newcomers, these are the type of articles that helped me massively when i stumbled upon this site 2 years ago. I think I'm just gonna go all out for gw's 1-3 and just wildcard after gw3. Unless they mess with the wildcards that is.

              1. Ayew Serious
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 9 months ago

                Hate rotation

                Might do similar but likely as far as gw 4.

                1. Jay_
                    7 years, 9 months ago

                    Just gonna worry about rotation after the wc. Will feel good just playing the first 3 weeks.

                2. Däzzy
                  • 7 Years
                  7 years, 9 months ago

                  I'm planning exactly the same

                3. andy85wsm
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 13 Years
                  7 years, 9 months ago

                  If wildcard rules haven't changed I'll definitely go early again

                4. nevins84
                  • 11 Years
                  7 years, 9 months ago

                  Wildcard for the last DGW won me my ML... Same again bar a disaster

              2. Jay_
                  7 years, 9 months ago

                  UK, channel 5, 8pm. The Blair rich project. Worth a watch but I'm guessing prepare to be infuriated.

                  1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
                    • 13 Years
                    7 years, 9 months ago

                    I hate those cheap rip offs of classic movies .

                    1. Jay_
                        7 years, 9 months ago

                        😀

                    2. KingNidge
                      • 8 Years
                      7 years, 9 months ago

                      Absolute piss kidney that chap

                      1. Jay_
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          His wife is just as bad, I'm not religious but if there were one couple on earth id say are are the devil and his wife, I'd say those two.

                      2. Fergietime
                        • 8 Years
                        7 years, 9 months ago

                        Enfield haunting on Pick tomorrow night 10pm

                    3. JK - Cønt ⭐
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 12 Years
                      7 years, 9 months ago

                      great stuff but I went off the idea of keeper rotation a couple of years back

                      So much depends on prices across the defences

                      Mannone could be the pick, but PvA and Kone look viable alternatives

                      Heaton and Gilks could once again be the way to go, or Mannone and Pickford if the funds allow

                      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
                        • 13 Years
                        7 years, 9 months ago

                        1 month of over thinking and a useless gw 1 team you know the drill

                      2. KingNidge
                        • 8 Years
                        7 years, 9 months ago

                        I'm investing in a solid set and forget goalkeeper...

                        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 12 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          a DDG type or a cheaper one?

                          1. KingNidge
                            • 8 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            Top of the range

                            1. JK - Cønt ⭐
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 12 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              all down to the prices as I said

                              I have tended not to spend more than 9.0 on keepers

                              1. KingNidge
                                • 8 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                How many transfers would you burn changing them at different times is worth considering though.. that's my thinking..

                                1. JK - Cønt ⭐
                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                  • 12 Years
                                  7 years, 9 months ago

                                  possible, I guess, I just figure cheap keeper + premium defender > premium keeper and cheap defender

                        2. Irish Madridista ⭐
                          • 13 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          Mandanda could be good for the auld save points regardless of opposition..

                          1. JK - Cønt ⭐
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 12 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            depends on the price

                            if him and Dann and both 5.0 I'd rather Dann

                            1. Irish Madridista ⭐
                              • 13 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              I have a feeling Dann could be 5.5 after the amount he scored last season.. Hopefully not though 🙂

                      3. michudagawd
                        • 11 Years
                        7 years, 9 months ago

                        Gilks gone to Rangers. Paul Robinson is the backup keeper at Burnley now.

                        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 12 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          well, Heaton + Backup then

                          The Sunderland defence seems to have the attacking threat that makes Mannone perhaps not the prime pick

                      4. Hibbo
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 11 Years
                        7 years, 9 months ago

                        Go cheap.

                      5. Cheeseoid
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 11 Years
                        7 years, 9 months ago

                        I prefer the heavy rotation system always have

                    4. Rum Ham
                      • 9 Years
                      7 years, 9 months ago

                      So in line with the topic, how much analysis has been put into the fixtures as at this point?

                      I know there are loads of rotation spreadsheets etc. around this place usually, but with me sporadically visiting here during the Euros, is there anything out there you can recommend so far?

                      1. TorresMagic™
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • Has Moderation Rights
                        • 14 Years
                        7 years, 9 months ago

                        You can sort by rotation on the members ticker once you click on a team.

                        1. Cheeseoid
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 11 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          TM, why have they got rid of the ability to drag teams about on the ticker?

                          1. TorresMagic™
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • Has Moderation Rights
                            • 14 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            Rotation does the same thing in my mind. You can use the arrows which are quick on a laptop.

                            1. Cheeseoid
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 11 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              Seems to take a lot longer imo. I used to like planning my rotations on it.

                              Ah well. It was one of the more useful member tools as well

                              1. Spencer
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • Has Moderation Rights
                                • 12 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                Up/Down arrows brought in so it works on touch screen devices too.

                                1. Cheeseoid
                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                  • 11 Years
                                  7 years, 9 months ago

                                  Ok. But I don't use a touch screen device.

                                  I just don't think it is very helpful any more unfortunately. When I try to arrange my 5 man defensive rotation I like to play about with options easily not have to keep clicking over and over again.

                                  I know lots of other people do tickers but I usually use this one for the purpose. I will use someone else's now

                                  1. Spencer
                                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                    • Has Moderation Rights
                                    • 12 Years
                                    7 years, 9 months ago

                                    I'll pass on your comments Cheeseoid. All feedback is good!

                                    1. Cheeseoid
                                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                      • 11 Years
                                      7 years, 9 months ago

                                      Thanks. Not beig awkward it is just what I use it for

                              2. TorresMagic™
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • Has Moderation Rights
                                • 14 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                Sort by Rotation does it quicker than manually. If you want to see how 5 teams rotate then I guess you would have to use the arrows to get them up the top. Once you know 2/3 teams, the other 2 that fit well are obviously using the rotation tab.

                                1. Cheeseoid
                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                  • 11 Years
                                  7 years, 9 months ago

                                  Ok but it takes a lot of tinkering to make that rotation work in my experience. I think it will take a lot longer like this and what the ticker may think are the best options are not necessarily the same ones I would choose.

                                  It's not a big thing I just don't like it

                                  1. TorresMagic™
                                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                    • Has Moderation Rights
                                    • 14 Years
                                    7 years, 9 months ago

                                    You can change the ratings to make it fit the way you see the teams. I get what you are saying and you still have that option although it would take longer moving teams. Most of the time you'll have 2 premium defenders so just need to find 3 who fill the 3rd spot and 4th if a premium needs to be benched.

                                    1. Cheeseoid
                                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                      • 11 Years
                                      7 years, 9 months ago

                                      You would think but historically I go with 5 budget defenders more often than not. At least at the start of the season

                                      1. TorresMagic™
                                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                        • Has Moderation Rights
                                        • 14 Years
                                        7 years, 9 months ago

                                        I know you started well last season. Imagine having a Man United/Liverpool defender in the mix. Most people like to have at least one. Easily enough to click on a team and see which cheap defenders could pair well with them. You could check the 20 teams and the 3/5 teams who pair best quite quickly using the rotation tab.

                                        1. Cheeseoid
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 11 Years
                                          7 years, 9 months ago

                                          I will fiddle with it some more once prices are out. You can't do anything properly until then anyway.

                                          It isn't like anything will change just because I don't like it anyway. I am sure it works well for the majority

                    5. Irish Madridista ⭐
                      • 13 Years
                      7 years, 9 months ago

                      At the moment I have 0FT and both Muenier and Glik sitting in my defence..

                      Would it be worth spending 4 points (effectively -2) to get a defender in? I could afford anyone but I'm looking at Guerreiro if he plays as he has attacking threat and I don't see many clean sheets..

                      1. Epic Fail
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 13 Years
                        7 years, 9 months ago

                        Yeah, it's only 2 points. And will set you up for the final as well, as long as his team doesn't get knocked out.

                        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
                          • 13 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          Normally I'd go down the aggressive route, but this Frogball pressure is keeping me on my toes 😉

                          1. Irish Madridista ⭐
                            • 13 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            I'll save the hits for the final and fpl gw1, gw2..

                      2. Cheeseoid
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 11 Years
                        7 years, 9 months ago

                        Sadly probably not. The problem is in all possibility any hit is for a 1 week punt.

                        So frustrating

                        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
                          • 13 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          Think I might go with 9 this week then.. 🙁
                          However, when it comes to the final, if a hit is needed it has to be taken, anyone could score 😀

                          1. Cheeseoid
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 11 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            Just play to have fun IM. If you want to field a full team I wholly support it. As Epic Fail says it is only 2 points (hopefully)

                            Just try to hit someone with attacking potential and who will stay in the tournament if possible

                      3. Madderegern
                        • 9 Years
                        7 years, 9 months ago

                        If you don't see the clean sheet, its not worth it...

                      4. Jay_
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          Just not worth it mate, I'm leaving Jed on my bench and going with 4 defenders. Can't see any cleanies and even a 0-0 in 90 you still have to survive another 30 minutes too.

                      5. Pirlø's Pen
                        • 8 Years
                        7 years, 9 months ago

                        Chester Naylor or Gunter?

                      6. Johnny Drama
                        • 7 Years
                        7 years, 9 months ago

                        Correct me if I'm wrong, but we just need 5 players who go through the semis because we get 6 FTs and we only need 11 players beacuse the bench is not useful?

                        1. TorresMagic™
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • Has Moderation Rights
                          • 14 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          Pretty much. The quality of the 5 is important too.

                          1. Epic Fail
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 13 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            And they need to not be suspended/injured/rotated.

                      7. Hibbo
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 11 Years
                        7 years, 9 months ago

                        12pts to claw back in the fantasy euros.

                        Hard to do with teams basically becoming the same.

                        I need to go different and hope I hit

                        1. Jay_
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            Same here mate, 26 points behind, gambling now too.

                          • Epic Fail
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 13 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            Could also be a right captain choice away.

                            1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
                              • 13 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              Bale or Ronaldo on Monday night , France have Payet , Greaseman and Giroud , Germany have Ozil , Muller etc . Captaining a defender over an attacker would do the trick

                              1. Hibbo
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 11 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                May need both the big dogs in the first semi.

                          • KingNidge
                            • 8 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            How are you going in that mate?

                            1. Hibbo
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 11 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              Kinda brutal till I hit Giroud captain the other night.

                              12 pts back in a small money cash league with three games left.

                              1. KingNidge
                                • 8 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                Aye mixed bag for me.. just outside 12k.. loading the decks with Portugal and France for the semis then rage quitting if one loses

                                1. Hibbo
                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                  • 11 Years
                                  7 years, 9 months ago

                                  Think ill go a bit more balanced and hope I claw and few back and get lucky final day,

                                  1. KingNidge
                                    • 8 Years
                                    7 years, 9 months ago

                                    Nani (C)

                                    1. Hibbo
                                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                      • 11 Years
                                      7 years, 9 months ago

                                      No chance fo rme.

                                      I fancy Wales to go through.

                                      1. KingNidge
                                        • 8 Years
                                        7 years, 9 months ago

                                        Certainly shouldn't be underestimated..

                                    2. George Sillett
                                      • 8 Years
                                      7 years, 9 months ago

                                      You don't think Bale will do something Nidge ?

                                      1. KingNidge
                                        • 8 Years
                                        7 years, 9 months ago

                                        He can destroy anybody.. started the tournament with him and was in a very small minority... was thinking in terms of a differential who could easily outscore him too

                        2. Syd.
                          • 14 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          Thomas Muller you useless cat flap

                        3. Fergietime
                          • 8 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          Im sure its been discussed but I see the interface has been upgraded http://fantasy.premierleague.com/

                          1. TorresMagic™
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • Has Moderation Rights
                            • 14 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            😯

                          2. andy85wsm
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • Has Moderation Rights
                            • 13 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            Yup! It looks nice.

                            1. Fergietime
                              • 8 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              Indeed it is, looking forward to using it!

                            2. Wild Rover
                              • 13 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              Am I missing something or can't you register yet?

                              1. andy85wsm
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • Has Moderation Rights
                                • 13 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                Not yet no - looks like they've just launched a new design of some kind

                                1. Wild Rover
                                  • 13 Years
                                  7 years, 9 months ago

                                  Ok, ta 🙂

                          3. Forza
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 9 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            "Check back here during July"

                            http://s00.yaplakal.com/pics/pics_original/1/8/6/3248681.gif

                          4. Epic Fail
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 13 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            😮

                        4. England's Number 1
                          • 10 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          RMT

                          Patricio, Lloris
                          Williams, Hector, Boateng, Sagna, Koscielny
                          Ozil, Payet, Kroos, Draxler, Pogba
                          Robson-Kanu, Bale, Greizmann

                          This would be 5 transfers used. Could also do Patricio >> Hennessey as I fancy the Welsh and Hennessey will have a lot of Ronaldo potshots shots to save.

                          1. JÆKS ⭐
                            • 9 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            Nice punt on Robson Kanu. Would get rid of one of the French defenders though

                        5. Marcin the Pole
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 8 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          Predictions for when FPL will be open for business? I'm going for Friday.

                          1. KingNidge
                            • 8 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            Next Monday

                          2. I Member
                            • 8 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            4am

                        6. Parm
                          • 12 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          The chip selection stuff was above your team last year, wasn't it?

                          1. andy85wsm
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • Has Moderation Rights
                            • 13 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            Yeah - someone pointed the same thing out on Twitter to me earlier. I'd be surprised if they've gone completely.

                            Maybe they've moved them or have removed them from the screenshot because they've been amended?

                            1. Parm
                              • 12 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              Also, quite disappointed at how small the team screenshot is, can barely make out any of the players.

                              1. andy85wsm
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • Has Moderation Rights
                                • 13 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                Tease...

                              2. Lyonnais
                                • 11 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                de Gea (Newcastle kit...)
                                Alderweireld, Monreal (AVL kit), Bellerin (AVL kit), Flanagan
                                Barkley, Willian, Tadic, Mahrez (LIV kit)
                                Kane, Niasse

                                1. JK - Cønt ⭐
                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                  • 12 Years
                                  7 years, 9 months ago

                                  DDG being in a Newcastle kit proably means they haven't updated the club IDs yet. United 1 space lower as we lost 2 below them and gained 2 above

                                  1. Lyonnais
                                    • 11 Years
                                    7 years, 9 months ago

                                    Yes, looks like it.
                                    Here's a better picture (zoomed in):
                                    https://twitter.com/FantasyFootyFix/status/750042532780904448

                                    It's Morgan instead of Flanagan, the rest should be correct.

                              3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
                                • 13 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                de gea
                                toby burnley def x2 flanagan
                                barkley willian mane firmino
                                kane lukaku

                                1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
                                  • 13 Years
                                  7 years, 9 months ago

                                  sorry niasse instead of lukaku

                          2. michudagawd
                            • 11 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            Yes

                        7. Lovren an elevator
                          • 8 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          West Ham fans...
                          Who are the 2 nailed (or most likely nailed) centre backs in defence?

                          1. KISSES
                            • 10 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            Reid and Ogbonna, either of those get injured, Ginge comes in

                            1. Lovren an elevator
                              • 8 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              Who's the better pick if you had to keep one for the season? I'm looking at one of those 2 if Adrian or Cresswell aren't available in my draft league

                              1. RossoneriHammer
                                • 7 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                Reid but it's close. Palace rumoured to have bid 12.5M for Tomkins so a new CB could be on the way in.

                                1. Lovren an elevator
                                  • 8 Years
                                  7 years, 9 months ago

                                  Ah yes, didn't think of a potential new signing! Who would make way first then, Ogbonna?

                                  1. RossoneriHammer
                                    • 7 Years
                                    7 years, 9 months ago

                                    Probably but as I say it's close, Ogbonna had a good first season.

                                    1. Lovren an elevator
                                      • 8 Years
                                      7 years, 9 months ago

                                      I think I need to make sure I get Adrian to be completely safe! He's nailed, right?
                                      I think a Foster/Adrian rotation looks ridiculously good for Most of the season!

                          2. RossoneriHammer
                            • 7 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            Reid and Ogbonna

                        8. JÆKS ⭐
                          • 9 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          If you could only bring in 2 of these players, who would it be:
                          (I have 7 players out and only 6 FT so)

                          A) Götze
                          B) Pogba
                          C) Guerreiro
                          D) R.Sanches

                          This is the team so far:

                          Neuer 4.0
                          Hector Sagna A.Williams Fonte xxx
                          Payet Ozil Draxler xxx xxx
                          Griezman Bale Ronaldo

                          1. Mind över Mata
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 12 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            A, C, D

                            1. JÆKS ⭐
                              • 9 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              Only 2, since I don't want to take a hit 😀

                              1. Mind över Mata
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 12 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                A, D
                                -
                                Spread the risk

                        9. Mind över Mata
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 12 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          How do these sound:

                          Munier -> Williams
                          Gia -> Boateng
                          Grosicki -> Ozil
                          Hazard -> Goetz (or Kroos)
                          KDB -> R. Sanches
                          Gomez -> Bale

                          1. JÆKS ⭐
                            • 9 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            Looks good on paper, but all depends on the rest of your team...

                          2. Mind över Mata
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 12 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            *Gotze

                        10. Mind över Mata
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 12 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          Lloris / xxx
                          Hector / Cedric / Umtiti / xxx / xxx
                          Payet / Draxler / xxx / xxx / xxx
                          Griezman / Ronaldo / xxx

                          All my non-playing players 🙁

                          1. Mind över Mata
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 12 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            Thinking:

                            How do these sound:

                            Munier -> Williams
                            Gia -> Boateng
                            Grosicki -> Ozil
                            Hazard -> Goetz (or Kroos)
                            KDB -> R. Sanches
                            Gomez -> Bale

                            Any thoughts Jaks, or anyone else?

                          2. JÆKS ⭐
                            • 9 Years
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            Umtiti isn't playing either I think....

                            Transfers look good, pretty much the same dilemma as me: selling your 5th middfielder or 5th defender 😀

                            1. Mind över Mata
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 12 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              Yes, Umtiti is also a doubt. Not great. I recon at this stage in the tournament clean sheets are few and far between. Also, I'd say that R. Sanches has more upside than a similarly priced defender.

                        11. Wild Rover
                          • 13 Years
                          7 years, 9 months ago

                          Happy to see a proper app for Androids at last 🙂

                        12. Jay_
                            7 years, 9 months ago

                            Suicide bomb hits one of the most holiest cities in the world, Medina.

                            http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-36706761

                            1. Mind över Mata
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 12 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              The most holiest?

                              1. Wild Rover
                                • 13 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                Petty, particularly in the context of the post. 🙄

                                1. Mind över Mata
                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                  • 12 Years
                                  7 years, 9 months ago

                                  It's a tragic incident clearly, no doubt about that. But I remain a pedant.

                            2. Epic Fail
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 13 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              I don't believe in religion as it's all clearly made up, but nobody needs to die over it.

                              1. Jay_
                                  7 years, 9 months ago

                                  Same here, totally agree.

                            3. Pirlø's Pen
                              • 8 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              Gotze or Pogba?

                              1. Epic Fail
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 13 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                The one from the team you expect to go through.

                                1. Madderegern
                                  • 9 Years
                                  7 years, 9 months ago

                                  I disagree... the one you think will score or assist...

                                  1. Epic Fail
                                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                    • 13 Years
                                    7 years, 9 months ago

                                    That too, though not having to transfer a player out for the final is a bonus.

                            4. The Wise Owl
                              • 8 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              I'm building a team of knocked out players, who do you think I should have in my team?

                              1. Epic Fail
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 13 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                Surely that means we are building it rather than you.

                                1. The Wise Owl
                                  • 8 Years
                                  7 years, 9 months ago

                                  Well this is what this website is here for, right? 😉

                                  1. Epic Fail
                                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                    • 13 Years
                                    7 years, 9 months ago

                                    Well I'm here for sarcasm and gifs, but I guess most use it for that yeah 😉

                                    Italy defence.

                                    1. The Wise Owl
                                      • 8 Years
                                      7 years, 9 months ago

                                      Sorted.

                              2. KingNidge
                                • 8 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                Get Bale for the final

                            5. Lyonnais
                              • 11 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              Looks like we don't have an own kit anymore with the new FPL design.
                              There's just a team name on the picture, also don't see a manager name.

                              1. The Wise Owl
                                • 8 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                A part of me agrees with this but then on the other hand it was a bit of fun.

                              2. Hibbo
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 11 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                We will have our own kit.

                                Mines is a trademark ffs.

                              3. Wild Rover
                                • 13 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                Team is called Sporting Trumpton?

                                1. Lyonnais
                                  • 11 Years
                                  7 years, 9 months ago

                                  I think so...with the flag of Guyana next to the name 😀

                            6. Frank Black
                              • 11 Years
                              7 years, 9 months ago

                              Benteke to Palace an actual thing or just rumors?

                                1. Frank Black
                                  • 11 Years
                                  7 years, 9 months ago

                                  Yeah but the dailymail....

                                  1. The Wise Owl
                                    • 8 Years
                                    7 years, 9 months ago

                                    If you google Christian Benteke there are more sources 😉

                                    1. Frank Black
                                      • 11 Years
                                      7 years, 9 months ago

                                      So they've improved the bid but it's not a done deal. Anyway, a move like that would definitely give the FPL a new great option among the strikers.

                              1. goriuanx
                                • 13 Years
                                7 years, 9 months ago

                                LFC may hold out for more £