Site Features

How to rate your FPL team using our points projection tool

Last week’s release of Fantasy Premier League 2018/19 means we are now ready to officially launch our Projections and Rate My Team tools.

Both of these features have been updated and are available in our Members Area.

Members can get access to these areas via the menu bar and start putting both to use in their pre-season selections.

Once the season starts, members will be able to enter their FPL IDs to add their current squads. Until that point, squads can be built using the Build My Team feature. Once a team is built, it can be saved and shared by bookmarking the URL.

We will be tweaking these numbers on a daily basis as new players enter the game and as the summer friendlies reveal more on likely starting line-ups and tactics.

Once again this term, the projections are based on the Rate My Team statistical model, developed by Chris Atkinson.

Below you’ll find an FAQ on our Projections and Rate My Team, plus links to movies with Chris that talk you through the functionality of the tool and even the methods that go into building and maintaining it week on week.

Access to these tools requires membership and these are available for the pre-season price of £12.50 (RRP £15.00). Registered users can upgrade their accounts via this link, while new users can register as members here.

View this page for full details on all our benefits for members.

How do I use the Projections?
Crucially, these tables can be used as another opinion when comparing players. Every player is rated for goals, assists, clean sheets etc based on values created by the “Rate My Team” statistical model – the values returned for each player are the expected values in accordance with its calculations.

A good way of thinking about them is to consider them average values for each player. If the season was played out 500 times, the values you’ll find in these projection tables are the average that the model would expect the player to score in each Gameweek.

One of the most useful aspects of the Projections is the value column. You can sort by this to find the best value (Points Per FPL Million) delivered by players in each position.

With tables for the season and the opening six Gameweeks, you can get a view on long-term and short-term returns and value.

What are these values based on?
The Rate My Team statistical model is a complex beast – it uses historical data stretching back a number of seasons and, of course, specific player and team data.

When generating the player values, the model looks at the specific fixture in each Gameweek, assessing the strength of both teams before calculating the likely team goals scored and how these goals will translate to specific player stats. The probability of a player taking part in the match is also a key ingredient – factors such as rotation, injuries and suspensions are taken into account and fed into the algorithm.

When will these Projections be updated?
We will update the projections almost each day during pre-season. As we get more data on likely first choice line-ups and as the transfer market moves to cast doubt over starters, we will adapt and tweak the model accordingly. A new player can have a major impact on the projections and Rate My Team, influencing the projected output of his new team-mates.

The projections will also be updated throughout the season – again, almost on a daily basis, providing a week by week view of what the model expects each player to score for the remaining Gameweeks to help guide your selections and transfers. Major updates are made on both Tuesday and Friday in order to build the latest team news into the numbers.

What is Rate My Team?
Rate My team is a statistical model built specifically to assess every player in the Premier League and return their expected values for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points in a given Gameweek. The system is a complex and thorough one which, of course, plots the probabilities of a player’s time on the pitch, their expected number of goals, assists, bonus points, yellow and red cards, clean sheets, own goals, goals conceded and saves.

The strength of the opponent they are facing in a given Gameweek is also crucial; so every team has an attacking and defensive rating, every player a probability of playing a given match, with injuries, suspensions and international absence factored in.

How Can It Help Me?
If you’re a member, you can use the Rate My Team tool in a number of ways. Firstly, you can use it to predict what specific players will score, on average, over the next X number of Gameweeks. You have a players’ table that can be filtered by position or FPL cost and which can be extended to show any number of Gameweeks. You can also sort on “Value” to find those players projected to offer the best points per million return.

However, this is just one part of the functionality. Once the season starts, Rate My Team can also analyse your existing FPL line-up, recommend captains, vice captains, your bench and order of substitutes and allow you to model your future transfers.

How Accurate is Rate My Team?
We’re not going to try and claim that Rate My Team is X% accurate – we’ve never attempted to track a figure, focusing our efforts on keeping the tool up to date to serve those who use it.

Instead what we will say that both Tom Fenley and Simon March were members of Fantasy Football Scout and also used Rate My Team – Tom and Simon were, as many will know, FPL champions in 2014/15 and 2013/14.

We’ve previously created a number of movies, together with the creator of Rate My Team Chris Atkinson, which explain the tools in full detail. You can view these below.

557 Comments Post a Comment
  1. noquarternt
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    What kind of a manager is Sarri? Defensive? Offensive? 442? Wingbacks?

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Conte stays

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      4 atb

  2. Patch
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    As the Casual Differential of this site, I am backing France to surprise knockout Belgium tomorrow.

    Looking at the stats, both England and France have won the world cup once so I believe these are the two teams in the final

    #Patch #Prediction

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Predict the same , nothing to do with any stats though, Stats mean nothing really

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        *in a couple of 1 off games

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I thought France were the favourites

      1. Yes Don
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Man goes out on a limb and backs the two faves to progress.

  3. Silva Bilva Tilva Pilva
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Getting back at the WCFantasy... Appreciate the help 🙂

    Hazard/Griezmann(C1)/Kane(C2)
    Modric/KdB/Lingard/______/4,3m
    Pavard/Hernandez/Strinic/Trippier/_____
    Courtoid/Pickford

    Gotta fill the blanks and I have 12,3M to do so.
    What would you prefer:

    A - Fellaini + A. Young
    B - Fellaini + Maguire
    C - Downgrade something to make room for Rakitic ou Pogba

  4. Papasthathopolous
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Just looked at the Fulham team and there are only 12 players and 4.5 guy Kamara is the only forward ... loll whats going on ??

    1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      That forward is a 4.5 gift. Straight into my team.

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      2 defenders. Shame FPL went mad and said yes to Sess as a mid. Should have left him as a defender.

  5. dimo_fpl
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Who are the most essential people to have, (FPL not WC)

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Salah, Firmino, Tomkins and a City attacker imo

      1. dimo_fpl
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Is Tomkins nailed?

        1. the snazzy viking
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          yes I believe so

        2. palace ash
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Yes. Him and Sakho NAILED!

      2. Balls of Steel
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Agree

      3. DantheManinaPan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Ok, come one, Tomkins is a strong pick, but essential!? No way Jose

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Sane, Aguero, Ramsey

    3. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Agüero Sané Silva Walcott haven't left my drafts yet.

  6. Lucackadoodledoo
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Hi guys.

    Kiko a good option for a 4.5 defender iyo?

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      good option but I think there are better out there for 4.5

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      He kept getting dragged off early. Holebas is probably better if he starts

    3. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      There are now 3 right backs at Watford. Kiko, Janmaat and Marc Navarro who they just recently signed.

  7. The Special Wan
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Please help in rating my team

    Ederson | Begovic

    Alonso | Robertson | Coleman | Cedric | Davies

    Martial | Eriksen | Jota | Sessegnon | Masuaku

    Aguero | Zaha | Quaner

    1. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      not sure about Martial.
      Begovic > 4m bench fodder.

    2. Papasthathopolous
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      stopped at Martial .

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I would stay away from Spurs defenders as so many returning late from WC it is likely to have effect in results. Mkhitaryian or Siggy over Martial unless he smashes it for United preseason.

  8. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Has to be A do you think? Team below

    A Zaha Jota Ederson and Tompkins or

    B Firmino Deulofeu Fabianski and
    4 m defender

    Ederson McCarthy
    Robertson Coleman Cedric Tompkins Daniels
    Salah DSilva Mkhitaryian Jota Cairney
    Aguero Zaha Tosun

    1. Papasthathopolous
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Firmino =essential

  9. The Special Wan
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    *Salah not Ericksen

  10. palace ash
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Interested to know, if you were wildcarding now for the semis, how many of each team would you have and who?

    Don't have a WC myself, but mine would probably be:

    5 France (Lloris, Pavard, Hernandez, Tolisso, Griez)
    5 England (Pickford, Maguire, Tripp, Lingard, Kane)
    4 Belgium (Vert, Chadli, Fellaini, Hazard)
    1 Croatia (Modric)

    No one actually gets knocked out from now so all will have 2 games.

    I expect Croatia to lose both, but Modric there just in case.

    Is the balanced approach best? If I go this route, I'll probably not need any transfers in the final.

  11. Can Five at the Back Be the Way Forward?
    Holding Matip
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    I did some number crunching in excel with last season’s points and this seasons prices. I got the following results:
    Set up:
    Max Team Value £83m (£100m – bench fodder: £4.0, £4.0, £4.5, £4.5)
    Adheres to the formation constraints
    Objective of: Maximising Points per 90 mins
    Removed players who played less than 1900 mins – equivalent to 50 mins/game or a proxy for “nailedness”

    This essentially equates to finding the best 11 players (in terms of points per 90), and having bench fodder for your 4 subs.

    I present, the excel team:
    Fabianski
    Lovren – Monreal – Jones – Trippier – Moses
    Arnie – Son – Sterling – Salah
    Aguero

    This team would get an average total of 67.94 points per 90 mins. Over a 38 gameweeks, this would equate to 2580 points, and that is without captain points.

    Obviously this
    a) Is in hindsight
    b) Doesn’t allow for injuries
    c) Doesn’t include relegated/promoted teams
    d) Probably has many more issues

    However, it is useful for a couple of reasons:
    The team picked was in a 5-4-1 formation, which highlights the emphasis on defenders
    There are 2 “premium” mids and 2 “mid range” mids

    The evidence points towards a defence heavy formation, and I am now sold on a 5-3-2 formation.

    Let me know of anything obvious I have missed/anything you want me to test!

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      None of the defence is nailed..

      1. Holding Matip
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Lovren, Moses, Jones and Monreal were all nailed when fit. Trippier is the only non nailed defender, and even so played 1912 mins (>50 mins/game)

      2. Kolarov Fpl Legend
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah, that is the point he was trying to make.

        1. Holding Matip
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          so he's saying injured players are not fit? that's the case with every player

          1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            No, he missed the point totally, like it's an RMT.

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      interesting, I'll make a quick 532 draft and get back to you in 3 min ish

      1. the snazzy viking
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Fabianski
        Monreal Mendy Robbo Coleman Cedric
        Salah Eriksen Sane
        Aguero Zaha

        Begovic Gunnarsson Kamara Masuaku

        well it's a start

        1. The Royal Robin
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Is Mendy nailed?

          1. the snazzy viking
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            no not really

    3. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yes I agree value is in the defence
      But I don't know why, teams look stronger when the formation is 343
      Like you expect much more
      Idk

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Disagree. Last season, the starting XI look better in pre-season with 5 at the back. But this is a new season with new players and prices. This is why 5 at the back no longer looks good - because it isn't good.

        This analysis is great, because it tells us to pick a premium defender if we think he is valueable in combination with other players (whether premium defs or not) rather than be shy because we're worried about wating the money there. But it shouldn't be taken to mean that "value is in [insert position]", because value is in the individuals and combos, not in positions, and because this is last year's data, not the current season's future data.

          1. Holding Matip
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Players are generally given premium pricetags because they get points. Though not the best indication, logic dictated a higher priced player will on average get more points than a lower priced player.

            The prices I have used are this seasons prices, with last seasons points, there is an element of price being adjusted to match performance.

            Re the value in x position - I disagree. value will always be in the positions where the players are priced less - defenders are able to match the output of mids/forward while being priced a lot less, hence are more valuable. Individual value is a combination of price and position, not just the individual. If Alonso was a mid, no one would buy him

            1. Deulofail
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Going to have to agree to disagree. Otherwise I'm going to write an essay 🙂 Some of it is semantics, some of it logical, some of it statistical. The main point is that you should buy the better value players rather than to aim for a specific position and select players from it. If you have the option of Gross (5.5) vs Maguire (5.5), the best value player isn't Maguire. So the term "value in defence" really means that the best value players are there, which is not the same as the average value is the best or that all the players in that position are better value. And the best value outliers aren't always going to be in defence. Oops, already wrote too much.

              1. Deulofail
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                And when I talk about combinations I mean just that. You can't have 15 defenders, so you have to include all the positions. Better value might be to have 4.5 defs and put a bit more money into midfield. But that money is spent on individuals. It depends on whether they exist, because they aren't gyaranteed a specific level of "value" just because they are a certain price in a certain position. Sorry. I'm outta here 🙂

        1. Emiliano Sala
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Agree some parts, but in recent years strong teams have become more in numbers from 4 to 6
          So it's easier to pick their defenders than having all those strikers with 100 budget
          You can have few, but best options and a strong defence which are expected to bring you a cs each gw
          For a mid priced midfielder or striker what is your real expectations?
          Scoring one goal in 2 or 3 matches

    4. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Good analysis. It's always this way when you look at it like this. But you bring players in and out throughout the year and try to target good fixtures.

      But yeah heavy defences normally do well.

    5. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      None of the defenders are nailed
      Son wont even play, additional players unlikely to play because of WC.
      No bench
      Arnie is not a midfielder

      All number crunching like this agrees that heavy at the back is the way to go though. Thats where the value is.

      1. Holding Matip
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        see above re nailed defenders - this is backward looking
        Son played 2300 minutes, a similar number to arnie and 300 less than "pep guardiola rotation prone" sterling (about 3 games difference)

    6. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I have hinting at this idea for a while now. If you can be patient and careful you will do very well with 5 at the back.

      344 *is* more fun though.

      1. Our Tiny Windows
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Even more fun that 343

        1. Our Tiny Windows
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Than

    7. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Great post, it shows where the value is/was. Ignore those commenting about nailed/not nailed players, they're missing the point here. However, the thing is, this year could be totally different. Every year is different, that is why we don't have exact formula to win the thing.

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Exactly

      2. Holding Matip
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Which is the first point I made 🙂

    8. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Won't work

    9. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Key to the game last year and probably next season is 4 cheapies, Mo captain and 10 other nailed blokes priced around 7m each.

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

      Funnily enough, my current fpl draft has 5 at the back. Was thinking of changing it, but maybe not now.

      1. sk24
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Same. It kinda looks wrong but strong at the same time. RMT time:
        Ederson/4.0
        Van Dijk, Bailly, Baines, Daniels, Tomkins
        Salah, Sigurdsson, Ramsey; Cairney, Stephens
        Aguero, Firmino; Benteke

      2. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Which 5?

        I would go Azpi, Robertson, Mendy, Coleman, PVA

        Actually allows me to get a team I like. Shouldn't be surprised after using 4 x 4.5 defs in my 5-2-3 late season. Quick draft gives me a team that can deal with a couple absentees:

        KDB Mkhi
        Aguero Auba Tosun

        Bench: Deulofeu, Lookman, 4.5 mid

        1. sk24
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          No Liverpool attack could hurt imo

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Not interested in "cover", sorry 🙂

            That said, Robertson is an attacker 😉

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

          Alonso, Coleman, Cedric, Jones, Daniels.

          Nowhere near finished with the tinkering, but you can already see there are lots of options in defence this season.

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            And everywhere else! That's the problem with 5 at the back this season. We don't need the value from 5th (or 4th?) defender in our starting XI to get the valuable picks in other positions. I really don't think you need to skimp in if you are planning to play these players. Daniels in my starting XI? Not thanks 😀

    11. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Arnie is now a forward, so that makes it a 5-3-2

      Cost of that team is 4.5, 4.0; 5.0, 5.5, 5.5, 6.0, 6.0; 8.5, 11.0, 13.0, 4.5, 4.5; 11.0, 7.0, 4.5; total: 100.5

      So you're 0.5 over budget (because the bench costs 17.5, not 17.0).

      I did a similar exercise (excluding Son, Sterling, Jones, Trippier and others who are likely to miss the start of the season), and at one point it did come out as 5-4-1. The main problem was that I would then have two 4.5 forwards on my bench, and that would be insufficient cover for the matches that players in the first eleven miss. 5-3-2 could be one way of alleviating this problem.

    12. eljinj
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      This happens to me every year then i panic and bail, if you search last years preseason discussions you will see the same, vorp will appear shortly, The score spread on defenders seems to be less so the advantage from the 6m to 4.5m range defenders isnt always worth the outlay, when the jump from mid to top level mids and forwards requirese a bigger cash stretch (bar 1 or 2 per year) each minor saving adds up to bridge that gap. I hope it works for you, then i can kick myself for wimping out :p

    13. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Someone posted a theoretical dead team on twitter last season that would have beaten the FPL Champion (with hindsight, of course). It was in 4-4-2 formation and took full account of automatic substitutions. It was based on last season's prices, so would not be affordable this season, but it might be possible use a similar formation but with different players.

      It was: de Gea; Azpilicueta, Alonso, Otamendi, B.Davies; Salah (C), Mahrez (V), Sterling, Sane; Vardy, Firmino; (Hennessey, Perez, Milivojevic, Marisppa)

    14. Eden Wizard
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Perhaps I missed the fundamentals but, I assume it’s in search of the ultimate value team (points per £)?

    15. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Great post. I've been looking at 442 but maybe this will convince me to go all out on defence!

    16. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Its an interesting thought and probably backs the idea last year that through must of autumn many players were doing very well with 5 at the back, one that comes to mind is Az.

      Apart from that I don't think theres much you can take from it.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Life in the Deadzone = ;late to the party 🙁

        In essence great analysis. A key is not to be too fundamentalist though.
        My draft has 4 premium defenders and one from the second tier. My intention is to mostly use a back 4 but my 5th guy is selected to rotate with my lesser mids when they have nasty fixtures.

        Baring in mind I'm tipping Arsenal to get off to a better start than Spurs and Chelsea to be shonky until they get their act together, my draft is currently this:

        Edinson, 4m fodder
        Mendy, Bailly, Sokratis, TAA + 4.5 Everton
        Salah, Sane, Miliv, Crainey (both on pens), Deulofeu
        Aubameyang (may > Lukaku), Zaha + 6.5 - currently awaiting Mitrovic

        I will alter the defenders after monitoring pre-season, eg to see who United's first choices are, but the principle remains. Sane may go for De Bruyne and the 6.5 3rd striker downgraded once WC fatigue is over.

        My intention is that once the season kicks off, most of my transfers will involved switching strikers depending on form; the def/mid should remain stable. Nevertheless, due to fixtures the formation can alter from 442 to 532 to 533 to 523.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          * um, that's a 433 at the end, there 🙁

        2. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          It sounds good, I like the idea. never been a fan of the 5 even 4 at the back but this year I think its possible. Im also keen on just 2 up top.

    17. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Late to the party, but been having a look at this.

      I think part of the reason 5 at the back seems to have worked so well is because the defenders offer incredible value.

      The 5 at the back system works because it allows you to get the very best 5 attacking players, and leave the rest to consistently get more points than equivalently priced mids/strikers would get.

      This season, however, when trying 5 at the back, the drafts I make always seem to leave me with loads of spare cash, so the 'value' aspect becomes less useful.

      I'm now experimenting with 4 at the back. Given this year's kinder prices, I can still get 6 very strong forwards, as well as the very good value defenders.

      This is what I'm at atm:

      Ederson, 4.0
      Sanchez, Bailly, Van Dijk, Azpi, Wan-Bissaka
      Salah, Silva, Ramsey, Cairney, Masuaku
      Aubameyang, Tosun, Austin

      With obvious tweaks (e.g. Austin) based on preseason etc.

    18. firetog
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I have an excel VB script program that I wrote last season. Has been updated with the new prices and last years PPM values.

      The program evaluates 92 million combinations of lineup and takes about 4 hours to process. It spits out the optimal weekly score for every lineup and also which players to use.

      I use an 81m budget as I like a couple of decent subs. Generally there is only about a 1 point difference between the formations. 5-3-2 is the top formation. The key to me is how the funds are allocated.

      Most formations include a heavy bias to 6m and 5.5m defenders, rarely is a 4.5 ever included.

      Salah appears in every formation, along with a 6-7m mids and a 5m mid.

      Forwards: Mostly one 11m and the other playing forwards are 6-7m. There was one formation where 2 forwards were used and they were Aub and Aguero.

      1. Eden Wizard
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        This sounds geeky 😆

        1. firetog
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          100% Geek. Had to teach myself vb script and then wrote and tested a program with about 1900 lines of code.

      2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Sounds like you should be on the FFS podcast!

        1. firetog
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Nah, those guys are insightful about a lot of players and other factors. I just crunched some raw data and have been looking for trends. Was my first year on FPL last year and I followed the trends recommended by my program. With 3 weeks to go I my OR was 230, but sadly finished with 3 poor weeks and ended up around 1400.

          1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Why does your history say you came just under 1 million OR

            1. firetog
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              I'm guessing because that's my id from last season which is now being used by someone called Zyad.

              1. Dead Balls
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                You had two teams then?

                1. firetog
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 9 months ago

                  The ids get reassigned each year. 108520 was the id had last year. Now someone else has been given that id. If you look in the hall of fame you'll see 108520 is still referring to my account from last year with my finishing position of 1382

                  1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 9 months ago

                    You must update your profile then.

                    You need to do it each season

                    1. firetog
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 9 months ago

                      updated !

          2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Insightful? Sometimes they don't know what decision to make. 😀
            I have played this game for eleven years and never finished as high as you did!
            So you are obviously doing something right (taking the emotion out of it?)
            If I was you you should be going articles on your system. You could be making money from the fantasy football weirdos/obsessives.
            Anyway well done on last season it will be interesting to see how you do this season

            1. firetog
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Thanks, I'm pretty conservative with my expectations, I'd be happy with a top 50k finish (top 1%). Anything better than that would be a bonus. I am amazed how some managers manage to maintain top 10k placings and there are quite a few with multiple top 500 finishes. Given that there are 5+ million players I thought repeating a top 1000 OR would be very hard and that luck would play a big factor, but having looked at the history of those guys in the Hall of Fame I see that they finish high every year and their skill does seem to overcome all the variables luck throws at them. This year I plan to follow their teams and their changes closely to see what changes they are making and the driving factors for those changes.

    19. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Every year this strategy pops up and every year no one plays it all season to prove it works - a 3 game run where your premium defender concedes a late goal to wipe the clean sheet away puts paid to that 😉

      Mids and forwards have a higher ceiling, we chop and change them chasing their hot streaks and not their average points per game per million over 38 games. For example many bought Lingard, shifted him to Milo and then jumped on the Arnie band wagon, also many shifted Kane for Aguero for those 3 easy fixtures .... the points from those moves were substantially higher than the average ‘value’ over a season and none of that was possible if you tied up your cash over 5 premium defenders.

      It really is not about picking value or averages, it is about hitting the ceilings of players and switching to the next bright thing 🙂

      Oh, and then you get blank and double game weeks, chips ... all of which are not maximised by rigid 5 at the back systems ...

      1. firetog
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Not like Lingard, Arnie and Mili were going to blow your budget. You could still have 5 premium defenders and switch those guys in and out. I jumped on the Lingard / arnie bandwagon and still had Salah, Kane and 5 at the back, they chopped and change throughout the season but Alonso, Otamendi, Jones, Robertson and Mustafi were a back 5 for a long period of time. What I didnt have was 2 big strikers. I had Murray for 6m and ploughed the rest into def.

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          It was just an example of needing to be flexible - many more expensive players had great runs that we reacted to and piled in on ... Sterling, Auba, Son etc comes to mind.

          You can’t react to the ‘high ceiling’ runs if you only have 5 attackers to play with and a rigid and expensive back 5 ... imv of course 🙂

          1. WesMantooth
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            I disagree with your view.

            The only thing "hampering" the way to get those high ceilings are the number of attacking slots. I'm fairly certain that most managers would get a higher average of money to assign each of the attacking positions with playing 5 at the back rather than 3 at the back.

            Just a simple scenario:
            a) 5-3-2
            bench: 18
            defence+goalie: 33
            attacking slots: 49 (avg of 9,8m for each slot)

            b) 3-5-2
            bench: 18
            defence+goalie: 18
            attacking slots: 64 (avg of 9,1m for each slot)

            1. Hotdogs for Tea
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              I think you have missed my point ... you can’t simply take the average points per £million and say defenders are better value than attackers, it is a lot more sophisticated than that.

              When an attacker blanks a couple of weeks he is sold as we chase the next striker or mid on a purple patch - the aim is to better the ‘average’ and catch that high ceiling and then, maybe when fixtures turn, sell on. The aim is to beat the average points of the attacker by chopping and changing

              Aguero is the classic example - many would have sold Kane and bought & captained Kun for those 3 easy fixtures, then bought Kane back - bingo ! Probably 10+ points per game over that period plus the armband 🙂

              Over that period the actual points per £million would be by far higher than the average ... it is a very subtle point but hugely important when looking at value of the higher priced attackers with their higher ceiling

  12. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on my first proper draft?

    Fabs.
    Azpi. Robbo. Coleman. Daniels.
    Salah(c). Dilva. Miljo.
    Kun(vc). Firmino. Tosun.

    4.0. Tomkins. Masuaku. Stephens. 0.0ITB. WC in tact. All chips in hand.

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Ilikeitawholelot!

  13. The White Pele
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    is Kenneth Zohore nailed?

    1. Papasthathopolous
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      .

    2. lugs
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      he was nailed last season , 36 games 9 goals , but Cardiff bought Bobby Reid for 10mil , 46 games 19 goals for Bristol so i assume Reid will be 1st choice this year , or they could both play together idk

      1. The White Pele
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        cheers

  14. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Morata is completely being overlooked, is he not?

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Go on then ? Explain

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Well Chelsea only have him and Gru. Gru is busy in the WC. Morata is more, so can easily be downgraded, Chelsea aren't too shabby.

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          It's a minefield.

          Morata didn't look up to the prem. He didn't look like he could handle the physicality. Saying that neither did Modric or Pires but look how that turned out.

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

            I thought Conte expected him to play the exact same role as Costa. Its a wait and see for me

    2. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      For a reason. Nobody knows what is going on with Chelsea.

    3. Sadio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I'd rather go for Moses or Fabregas.

    4. Harper (No more Penandes)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      If he stays I may pick him. £9.0 is a really great price

  15. the snazzy viking
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    best 5.5m midfielder/forward?

    currently on Cavaleiro, but also looked at Deu + Reid

    1. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Depends, to start or on the bench? Cairney intrigues me at 5m, on set-pieces and all.

      1. the snazzy viking
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        to start most weeks

        1. The Royal Robin
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Deulofeu. If you can, stretch your funds to 6.5 for Jota though.

          1. the snazzy viking
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            cheers 🙂

    2. Harper (No more Penandes)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Brady potentially if he's fit

  16. palace ash
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A) Aubameyang, Mane, Azpi/Alonso
    B) Firmino, Salah, Cedric

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I like A
      Auba gonna rip it up!

  17. Norman Conquest
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    first draft

    begovic (boruc)
    alonso,robertson,shaw,daniels (bednarek)
    d.silva,sanchez,salah (cavalerio,stephens)
    firmino,tosun,zaha

    still a bit of tweaking to go

    thoughts please

    1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Alonso - not the same prospect this year.
      Shaw - uncertainty.
      Sanchez - wait & see case.
      Forwards too light.
      4/10.

      1. Norman Conquest
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        cheers

      2. cravencottage
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        With Conte staying Alonso is still the same prospect

        1. Eden Wizard
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Just checked Sky - is conte confirmed?

    2. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Think Jose prefers Young at left back, dunno what we're gonna get from Sanchez..quality player, has had his settling in period at United so will be expecting a lot lot more this season.

      1. Norman Conquest
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        they will prob share the role next season if another LB isn't signed shaw should start the first couple though with young's late run in the wc

        1. Balls of Steel
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Yes, it may be the case alright and if Shaw does start the season at LB and puts in some promising displays then it's his place to lose

  18. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Why is Stephens in so many teams, other than the fact he's cheap?

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Nailed

    2. Keno
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Because he is the perfect 4.5 midfielder who guarantees starts, hes a filler.

  19. Thomas Jerome Newton
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Wondering how much Foster will cost? Has been signed a few days, when does anyone think he will be available on the site?

    1. lugs
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      probably 4.5 like the rest of the Watford defense , i'll certainly be tempted to get him if he is that price

      1. Balls of Steel
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        How would a combo of Foster and Fabianski look?

        1. lugs
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          pretty good actually , i might go that route myself and get rid of my current Watford defender as they have lots of defenders and there could be heavy rotation

        2. Thomas Jerome Newton
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          That's what I'm thinking too!
          Fixtures look to combine well early on.

  20. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Is Alonso essential?

    1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      What do you think?

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

      no

    3. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      What's your thoughts on it?

      1. Scotty B
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Tough one isn't it. Hard to say

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      The only essential player in the game, if Conte stays.

    5. Freddo
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      The FFS RMT tool says he'll outscore Azpi & loads of other defenders in the first 6 weeks so they suggest yes.

      Ps.Nice of the official FPL account to give away the full complete fixture ticket just now, they also have a comparison tool on the app now, remind me what we're paying for bow with the members area?

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        The rewarding debates under the hulked posts.

        ( 😆 )

    6. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      yes with Conte

  21. Sadio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    West Ham to get a result against Liverpool GW1.

    Those tripling on Liverpool may not reap benefits until GW3.

    1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Goal fest imo...3-1

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      May , may not , I go with may , not Theresa

  22. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    is Jean Michael Seri good?

  23. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Which Chelsea defensive player would you get if not Alonso?

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Courtois or Azpi

    2. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      azpi

    3. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Azpi very good BP returns

  24. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Best 8.0mil mid in wc fantasy?

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Pogba if allowed more attacking role and Ramsey if he can stay fit

    2. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Ramsey for 7.5 might be good. Emery said he is vital to his plans I think I saw.

  25. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Seeing as though there is nothing that interesting going on at the moment i shall shamelessly repost this excellent bit of analysis i typed out earlier.

    As a Liverpool fan this is my fpl analysis of our team.

    Goalkeeper: Karius. Good fpl option in an underrated defence since we signed van dijk. Cheap and nailed.

    Defence: robertson. Attacking. Consistent. Nailed. Solid pick. A bit expensive.

    Vvd: great defender. Ok fpl option. Nailed. Expensive. Better options out there.

    Lovren/matip/gomez: not nailed. No go for me

    TAA: best value in defence. Will start enough games to justify inclusion. Attacking. On set pieces. Only setback is i expect him to be eased in after world cup. Klopp values conditioning and pre season very highly. Clyne will be ready in gw 1. Trent could be on the bench. This will only be for 1 or 2 gw max.

    Midfield: fabinho. Good player but not for fpl

    Keita: superb player. Ok pick considering price but will be box to box and i expect a lot of assisting the assister frustration here.

    Henderson: i expect him to play box to box in front of fabinho and alongside keita at least until ox comes back in november. Better option than last season if that is the case but better options out there.

    Forwards: with our opening fixtures i expect our front three to pick up where they left off. Lots of goals and assists spread around. You cant go wrong by picking any of them. Salah will be the main main again but mane and bobby price make all three viable. With keita tearing it up behind they could be even more devastating than last season.

    Triple liverpool is a must for me in the first 4 fixtures. I think the front three are the best options followed closely by taa, robertson and karius.

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers TM

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Best defence in the league since big Virgil joined. Not underrated as they're priced expensively. We'll all have 3 Liv player s nonetheless. A defender and/or Karius a must IMO.

      1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Goalkeeper and defender is surely overkill.

        Lovren and karius are error prone enough for me to not believe we have the best defence.

        Ask your mates what they think of our defence.

        Btw this "liverpool have the best defence" is pretty new to these parts and no doubt due to a pre season fixation on last seasons stats.

        I am a fan so i saw this improvement with my own eyes.

        BUT make no mistake. we are attack minded and will ship goals. I am not getting TAA or robertson for cs. I am getting them if and when i do for attacking width in an attack minded team.

        If you are looking for clean sheets there is another red team nearby i suggest you look into.

        We conceded 7 goals in our last two champs league games.

        That wont show up in fpl stats. But not irrelevant

        1. Je suis le chat
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          The game we play is only about FPL output, cl stats utterly irrelevant. Reason pool kept a huge amount of cleanies since Virgil arrived is linked to his ability, abject opposition and their fear and Moreno not being near the team.

          1. Eden Wizard
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Robbo VVD double

          2. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Our defence improved because van dijk robertson lovren trent and karius played regularly and were less error prone than mignolet moreno lovren matip and gomes.

            But half a season is not enough time for me to believe we have the best defence.

            Most liverpool fans want a new keeper and maguire.

            Why?

            1. Je suis le chat
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Virgil was the boss. What 3 pool players you picking? I'm on Karius, Robertson and Mo (c) at present.

              1. Eden Wizard
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                VVD Robbo Mo could be golden

              2. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                I am on mane firmino salah (c)

                But this is due to world cup and opening fixtures.

                I think i will end up with TAA Mane and salah (c)
                Once kane is through august

    3. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Don't think Clyne could rotate or get more starts than TAA?

      1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        TAA is a scouser. The last time we had a 19 year old that good playing right back he went on to become the clubs best player. TAA has established himself now. Clyne will get games but only to keep TAA fresh.

        Clyne gw1 though

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          He'll get games to keep TAA fresh. Sounds a bit like rotation to me 🙂

        2. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          You asked if clyne would get more starts.

          No he wont.

          Rotation wil probably be 1 for mid week and 1 for weekend

          Last year taa got champs league and gomes got prem due to taa inexperience.

          I think it will be taa in prem and clyne in champs

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Haha sorry made, I'm not being snide. I asked if he could rotate OR get more starts. I appreciate the response.

            1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              No worries. I respect your comments and sense of humour. This place can do with more of that

              1. Deulofail
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                🙂

  26. AndrewTavey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    RMT

    Ederson
    Coleman - Robertson - Tarkowski
    Sanchez - Eriksen -Sigurdsson - Deulofeu
    Aguero - Firmino - Zaha

    Bench: Button - Daniels - Costa - Bednarek

    1. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Sanchez could be FPL Gold at the start more so dare I say it Mr Salah !

  27. Gringo Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A) Ederson/Mendy/Bailly/Eriksen
    B) De Gea/Azpi/Laporte/Dilva

    Coin toss, what do you think guys

    1. AndrewTavey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. Scheister
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Laporte too risky

  28. Scheister
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Here's my first crack at it:

    Ederson 4.0
    Alonso Robertson Coleman Cedric Peltier
    Salah Sane 7.0 Jota Stephens
    Firmino Zaha Tosun

    Best 7.0 mid?
    Seems quite balanced imo, maybe a bit light up front?
    Cheers

    1. Sergeant Slaughter
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I have a very similar team. I took Son and Delou in mid, with Salah and Sane and 4.5
      Front 3 is fine to open the season. Only concern is how money is distributed.

      1. Scheister
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yes, I suppose Salah would have to go for Kane to come in...

  29. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Why would Theresa even have tried to polish Boris? Wish the odious Etonian would just go away.

  30. Saxe-Gotha
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    The Hammers aren't playing around.

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      why is that