Sleeper

How the FFScout draft for Sleeper Fantasy FC played out


Sponsored by Sleeper


Several weeks ago, we explained how to successfully conduct a Fantasy FC draft in the popular app Sleeper.

2024/25 is Sleeper’s first dip into Premier League life, after specialising in American sports head-to-head leagues for the likes of the NFL and NBA.

As Fantasy Football Scout is partnering with them on this journey, it only makes sense that our core team of staff sits down and does our own draft, in a quest to see who reigns supreme.

Done during the September international break, with the summer transfer window closed, we did just that. Let us know who you think has the strongest initial squad.

WHAT IS SLEEPER?

Simply download it on either the App Store or Play Store.

What is Sleeper + how can you join our free Pick'em league? 1

Built like a messenger app, Sleeper launched in 2014 as a place to chat about Fantasy games. Their initial US leagues debuted in 2017 and they’ve now decided to branch into football with some exciting Premier League and La Liga contests.

Pride is taken in its design, aided by initially hiring a bunch of casual fans and first-time Fantasy players to bring out-of-the-box ideas that created a less intimidating interface for new players. And this seems to have worked, as Sleeper continues to gain popularity.

OUR SCOUT DRAFT LEAGUE

First, let’s introduce the 10 competitors:

  • Sam Bonfield – General Manager, half of FPL Family and a regular on Sky Sports News
  • Chris James – CEO of Scout, ‘El Fozzie’ hosts our Spaces on X
  • Neale Rigg – Editor who does a bit of line-up predicting on the side
  • Tom Freeman – Deputy Editor, a differential specialist and five-time top 1k finisher
  • Marc Jobling – Staff Writer who is now the Goals Imminent podcast co-host
  • Ian (FPL Partridge) – Social Media Manager, formerly of the FPL Partridge ‘X’ account
  • Tom Johnson – Multimedia Manager, began with Ian but recently expanded into video
  • Ed Gray – Strategic Advisor, UCL podcast co-host and creator of Fantasy Football Fest
  • Louis Roberts – Fantasy Football Community Staff Writer and master of many formats
  • Scott Worrall – Social Media Executive, the newest recruit and an EFL Fantasy contributor

Once we were all settled in, a few rules were agreed upon. Sixty seconds per pick, going in a Snake order until each had chosen 17 players.

A randomised order generator handed Marc the first pick. Despite the poisonous mind games being played within the chat, he held firm and began with Erling Haaland.

Here is a visually pleasing overview of the complete Sleeper draft.

Scout staff have completed a Sleeper Fantasy FC draft

So what do you think?

Louis wasn’t initially around and his pre-selected queue of targets automatically kicked in – although his first six players are all in midfield! He held off a late push from fellow Chelsea fan Tom J to secure the most Blues assets.

Similarly, Chris did a superb job at collecting as many current or former Everton names as possible. Two-thirds of his forward line play for his beloved team, something which definitely won’t become a problem at any point.

In a staff room of numerous Newcastle United fans, Ed was able to gather five Magpies. Footballers, not birds. Two of Sam’s first three picks are defenders, while Neale sensibly looked over the scoring rules (points for tackles, interceptions etc) and noticed that Declan Rice may prove handy.

As each player can only be selected once, it quickly became difficult to select the next name. But trade requests are already underway using the app’s chat feature.

Stay tuned to see if any swaps are agreed upon. Gameweek 4 sees the first set of head-to-head Sleeper draft clashes – let the trash-talking commence.

JOIN OUR SCOUT PICK’EM LEAGUE

As well as Fantasy FC drafts, there’s Pick’em – a Premier League prediction league. You can join Scout’s for free by clicking here.

In Pick’em, all you do is predict wins and draws for the upcoming matches, earning a point for every correct guess.

Not only is there a football shirt of choice to win each month but the overall season-long winner gets £7,500 worth of prizes!



FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

220 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Train Driver
    • 9 Years
    6 months, 25 days ago

    A. TAA and Wissa

    B. Dunk and Watkins/Isak/Jackson

    0
    1. Feanor
      • 15 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      I'd go A, although my team has Dunk with Muniz and Pedro.

      I was 0.1m short of Wissa on my WC.

      0
      1. The Train Driver
        • 9 Years
        6 months, 25 days ago

        Looks better for me as well, the downside is if a forward starts scoring I will have to take a hit to get him in.

        0
    2. F4L
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      A taking into account Brentford's kind fixtures from GW6

      0
    3. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      A

      0
    4. Jonesfromthere
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      Easily A

      0
  2. SouthCoastSaint
    • 13 Years
    6 months, 25 days ago

    Another international goal for Isak and will probably get a rest 2nd half,

    Had better keep…

    0
    1. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      Isak will fire up on FPL soon enough....

      0
    2. F4L
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      hauls are coming

      on another note looks like all Gyokeres suiters who chose not to pay the big bucks over the summer might have missed out

      0
    3. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      will be i just sold him. For Saka to Salah.

      Owned him 13 times, blanked 10, and benched one for a haul (last game, last season)

      0
  3. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    6 months, 25 days ago

    Scotland's Maradona keeps on giving....that Portugal line up should be pumping us...

    +2
  4. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 months, 25 days ago

    I would love to see a talented coach turn MCTommy into a World Class striker
    Just having a laugh at United

    0
    1. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      Napoli will be his calling...and Billy Gilmore

      0
  5. Lasseryfetten
    • 1 Year
    6 months, 25 days ago

    Choose one to play next gw:
    Gordon WOL away
    Muniz WHU home

    0
    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      Gordon

      0
      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 8 Years
        6 months, 25 days ago

        Yep, easily Gordon

        0
    2. Jonesfromthere
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      Gordon

      0
    3. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      Muniz is my on my bench
      Goron a top opyion

      0
      1. The Night Trunker.
        • 1 Year
        6 months, 25 days ago

        Muniz should be given the last chance saloon.
        Your second answer sounds like characters from Star Trek.

        0
        1. NorCal Villan
          • 3 Years
          6 months, 25 days ago

          Was that in Klingon?

          0
    4. goriuanx
      • 14 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      Wolves cannot defend, Gordon

      0
  6. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 months, 25 days ago

    Pope-Fabianski
    TAA-Livramento-Robinson-Johnson-Harwood-Bellis
    Salah-Palmer-Madueke-ESR-Rogers
    Haaland-Muniz-JPedro

    My (2) 4.0 defenders are looking like a miss so no defensive bench

    1FT - 0.5 Bank
    A - 4.0 defender to Dunk - 0 bank
    B - ESR to Minteh - 0.5 Bank
    C - Pope to Raya - 0 Bank
    D - Stick for IB injuries
    F - Other

    0
    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      Roll

      +1
    2. goriuanx
      • 14 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      Nice roll

      +1
    3. Pep bites Kun
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      I do like the Livramento pick. Hope he works out for you

      D to begin with
      The fact you have no def bench: A would be a priority (There are a few 4.5's worth considering - Konsa, etc.)
      B is a judgement call on fixtures/xMins
      C can wait for 2 gw's

      +1
  7. goriuanx
    • 14 Years
    6 months, 25 days ago

    Best mid up to 6m on WC that isn't Rogers? Struggling to see one.

    0
    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      ESR. Firmly believe he’s the best option.

      0
      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 25 days ago

        Terrible stats. Over hyped

        +2
        1. have you seen cyan
          • 5 Years
          6 months, 25 days ago

          He is a stat dodger. ESR will score this week, pretty certain.

          0
      2. ball c
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        6 months, 25 days ago

        He would be be once and if he can start playing 90 mins

        0
    2. F4L
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      semenyo no? underlying stats are great

      honestly sounds far fetched but Mcneil is interesting one, moving into CAM and running the game vs Bournemouth. having set-pieces etc

      0
      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 12 Years
        6 months, 25 days ago

        Most one-footed player in the history of football

        +1
        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 12 Years
          6 months, 25 days ago

          DMcN that is

          0
    3. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      Tavernier

      0
  8. Joyce1998
    • 9 Years
    6 months, 25 days ago

    On WC
    Best option

    A- Robbo, Porro,4.5, Diaz + two 4.0 def
    B- Trent, two 4.5s, Diaz + two 4.0 def
    C- Trent, 3 rotating 4.5s, Mbeumo + 4 def
    D- Robbo, Porro, 2 rotating 4.5s, Mbeumo + 4 def

    Raya Fabi
    Robbo**, Porro**, Robinson**, Greaves**, Bednarek**
    Salah, Eze, Diaz***, Semenyo, Rogers
    Haaland, Havertz, Pedro

    0
  9. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 months, 25 days ago

    Oh Scotland, harsh

    +1
    1. BUZZBOMB ♡
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      Always the way eh?

      As the nation that gave football to the world, Scotland messed up by making matches 90 mins and nit 80...

      0
  10. Mr. O'Connell
    • 12 Years
    6 months, 25 days ago

    Ronaldo when he scores

    https://youtu.be/SesY3qP3GBM?si=nxA0T1BXcve4qxn2

    0
  11. The Night Trunker.
    • 1 Year
    6 months, 25 days ago

    I BB'd in g/w 1 ..pretty average score.
    I W/C'd g/w 2 ..pretty average score.
    I took a -8 in g/w 3...scored 90 -8 ...best g/w by far.
    My average is 75 per g/w, ranked one million odd.

    I am on -4 this week and itching to do the -8.

    0
    1. Hey_Arnold
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      Pretty terrible then.... Why BB when no DGW.

      0
      1. have you seen cyan
        • 5 Years
        6 months, 25 days ago

        BB in GW1 can work and did work well for some this season. This season I didn't do it. But last 4 seasons I did. Last season I had GW1 rank of 7k. So it can pay off. Previous times, top 100k all but once.

        But its no surprise to get a good GW1 rank when you use a chip. Its hard to quantify its success and compare it to a BB in a double as there are way too many factors involved and you have no clue what you could have done later on.

        It can start you off on a very strong footing, especially because you have extra bench players to choose from in the following weeks, like a few 5.5s. In GW2 however you rank will plummet to 100-200k.

        +1
        1. The Night Trunker.
          • 1 Year
          6 months, 25 days ago

          That's a great answer.

          +1
      2. The Night Trunker.
        • 1 Year
        6 months, 25 days ago

        Because I don't want to think about the Muppets who are sat 2nd 'n 3rd on me bench all season ever again.
        And this like expert Brighton content creator guaranteed me a start for a muppet that was already on a plane to Timbuckeroo.

        0
        1. have you seen cyan
          • 5 Years
          6 months, 25 days ago

          Yea, thank god I didn't BB. I would have had Barco and a list of flops. That was unlucky.

          0
          1. The Night Trunker.
            • 1 Year
            6 months, 25 days ago

            Will still do it next season as your logic in the above reply.
            Good stuff chap, cheers!

            0
            1. have you seen cyan
              • 5 Years
              6 months, 25 days ago

              What I will say about it, is even with a good start, people can catch you. And when they do, you are like, ugh oh, I have one less chip and we are equal now.

              There is also a psychological aspect involved as well. If you don't play it early, and save it for later on, it can help give you hope.

              I probably wont play it next season, unless the stars align for a good mid table team to do very well in GW1. A triple up of West Ham 2 seasons ago (I think it was) ended up being insanely good. All 3 hauled (Antonio, Bowen, and a defender. And they continued scoring for the next few weeks.

              0
              1. _Freddo
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 15 Years
                6 months, 25 days ago

                I’ve done it a couple of times & it’s hard to get right, both times I missed out on a player who hauled big & killed the decent start (Bruno hatrick & Haaland brace) you need a lot to go your way, picking 15 starters is the least of your worries.

                James at Planet FPL did it this year & did well, started at 20k, he’s now 550kish, we invest far too much thought into the use of it.

                0
                1. have you seen cyan
                  • 5 Years
                  6 months, 25 days ago

                  Yea with BB you could never really have both of them.

                  0
                  1. _Freddo
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 15 Years
                    6 months, 25 days ago

                    Sorry, they were separate seasons, Bruno got a hatrick against Leeds (I think) & Haaland on his debut, the Haaland season was gutting because that was the last game of the week & I had something silly like a 1k GW rank before he kicked off.

                    0
              2. The Night Trunker.
                • 1 Year
                6 months, 25 days ago

                Psychologically I am just searching for weakness in my opponents and that means all ten million odd of you, so any insightfulness like this is invaluable.
                Talking of Spam, I'm leaning twards the -8 to ditch Maddison for Bowen long term.
                This Fulham love has killed me as well.

                0
                1. Kiwivillan
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  6 months, 25 days ago

                  My -4 this week is 150k rank drop before a ball has been kicked

                  0
                  1. The Night Trunker.
                    • 1 Year
                    6 months, 25 days ago

                    No worries, best part of the game.

                    0
                2. Ginkapo FPL
                  • 13 Years
                  6 months, 25 days ago

                  There is benefit to going early on players. But isnt this just gambling on maybes for gamblings sake?

                  Do you honestly fully believe in Bowen?

                  0
                  1. The Night Trunker.
                    • 1 Year
                    6 months, 25 days ago

                    I am by nature a gambler and yes I do believe that, as I spent 2 hours today watching replays to chose between Bowen or Kudus.
                    I think Fulham are lots of levels below Spam this season.

                    0
    2. Artemis Titans
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      I normally only BB & TC on a DGW

      0
  12. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 months, 25 days ago

    Wait and see Sancho tear things up at Chelsea

    0
    1. have you seen cyan
      • 5 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      tearing up what, contracts?

      0
      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 months, 25 days ago

        Wait and see

        0
        1. have you seen cyan
          • 5 Years
          6 months, 25 days ago

          Yea I will give him a chance.

          At the moment though, I think like some English players, his ego is way too big. And tbh, I need some evidence he can even cut it in this league. Unless he proves everyone wrong, I suspect he will be heading abroad again soon enough to some farmer league where he can be a star.

          0
          1. The Night Trunker.
            • 1 Year
            6 months, 25 days ago

            There are some very good farmers that play football.
            And they actually work for their bread rather than kicking a bag of wind for shillings.

            +1
          2. FPL Blow-In
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            6 months, 25 days ago

            His stats in UCL last season were incredible. That’s against top opposition right. He just needs a good crack at it somewhere and if he gets a run in the Chelsea side he could be great again

            +1
    2. NorCal Villan
      • 3 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      The hearts of Chelsea supporters?

      0
  13. _Freddo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    6 months, 25 days ago

    Anyone know who’s on pens for Ipswich?

    0
    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      Does it matter? PGMOL more stringent on awarding pens. Only 2 so far and and one of those was debatable

      0
      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 25 days ago

        More stringent and they are still giving out debatable ones? That doesnt sound more stringent

        0
        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          6 months, 25 days ago

          It should be 1 awarded. Cash won the ball but penalty was given

          0
  14. _Freddo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    6 months, 25 days ago

    Yes it matters, that’s why I’m asking, if you don’t know you could just not comment.

    0
  15. Branch Warren
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    6 months, 25 days ago

    Will there be more price changes before the next deadline? Dont like making early transfers but holding an injured Bailey so thinking quick early move

    0
    1. _Freddo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      Imagine it’ll pick up on Thur/Fri.

      0
    2. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 4 Years
      6 months, 25 days ago

      Bailey not predicted to change price anytime soon. Price change frequency during an IB tends to follow a U-shaped distribution - many changes first couple of days, a dead period and then some more changes around the deadline.

      0
  16. Joyce1998
    • 9 Years
    6 months, 25 days ago

    Best option

    A- Trent, Robinson, Lewis, Konsa, Greaves, Jackson

    or

    B- Robbo, Porro, Robinson, Greaves, Bednarek, Havertz

    0
  17. New article
  18. Billy Whizz
    • 1 Year
    6 months, 25 days ago

    Why is Ui-Jo apparently due to rise?

    0
    1. Mirror Man
        6 months, 25 days ago

        NobodUi-Jo's.

        0
      • Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 25 days ago

        Because people are filling teams with non playing forward to overload on premiums

        0
      • Mirror Man
          6 months, 25 days ago

          Best thing to do with leftover bolognese ragú.... Slop Ui-Jo's!

          0