Fantasy League

Fantasy League returns for the 2019/20 season

Fantasy League is now live for the 2019/20 season and Fantasy managers can begin the process of setting up their leagues by heading to the site to register.

Many of you will need no introduction to Fantasy League, which has been on the scene for a remarkable 28 years.

For the uninitiated, Fantasy League is the daddy of UK Fantasy Football and the primary reason why the various formats are so popular today.

Founded in 1991, Fantasy League even pre-dates the launch of the Premier League and got many of us immediately hooked.

The Fantasy League game featured on Frank Skinner and David Baddiel’s massively popular Fantasy Football League show in the 1990s

Fantasy League is an auction-based game and perfect for those of us who enjoy pitting our wits against our friends and work colleagues.

Once a mini-league is set up (a pain-free process that takes less than a minute to do), Fantasy managers can invite up to 15 of their acquaintances to take part.

Between five and 16 managers can compete in a mini-league but eight to 12 is the recommended number.

The difference with Fantasy League from, say, FPL Draft is that there is no running order for picks: rather, each Premier League player goes to the highest bidder at auction.

As each squad is unique, leagues are always ultra-competitive. So, if you own Harry Kane, only you get the points when he scores. This means bigger points swings and leagues that stay close right through to the end of the season – no ‘template’ to follow here.

Each Fantasy League manager gets a £200m budget to build a squad of 15 players, with a limit of two players per Premier League club.

We’ve put together some rules and FAQs at the bottom of this piece but to hear more about the game and its origins, we spoke to pioneering Fantasy League founder Andrew Wainstein.

Q&A

FFS: How long have you played Fantasy games and how long have you been involved in Fantasy League?

Andrew: “As founder of Fantasy League, I have been involved since I launched it in July 1991. I have played Fantasy Football since then, in the same league, with the same group of friends, for the last 28 seasons. We meet up for our auction before the start of each season and it’s become one of the best days of the year and a great way for us all to stay in touch.”

FFS: How much does the Fantasy Football community owe to Fantasy League as the original game?

Andrew: “I suppose I would say a lot. As the first game, it set out basic rules around formation, club quotas and player points (e.g. goals, assists, clean sheets and goals conceded) which remain in every game today.

“Although the original UK Fantasy Football game was our auction format, we also created the first salary cap game for The Daily Telegraph in 1993 as they needed a way of translating it to a mass-market audience. This has allowed the game to become mainstream and that’s a good thing – there are now over seven million Fantasy Football teams playing on the Premier League.

“However, for the more discerning football fan, there is no better way to play the game than the auction format, the way the game was designed to be played.”

FFS: How do you think the Fantasy Football Scout website and Members’ Area could benefit those playing the game?

Andrew: “Fantasy Football Scout is the authority when it comes to understanding Fantasy Football players. The best way to leverage this knowledge is to compete against your mates in an intense, season-long Fantasy League. This includes scouting lesser-known players outside the top six. The need for deeper and wider knowledge is greater with Fantasy League. This is what Fantasy Football Scout is all about, great breadth and depth of knowledge.

“We don’t see Fantasy League as a replacement for FPL or other FF games. Many of our users play other salary cap games as it allows them to continue playing in wider established groups.

“Our game demands an understanding of player value. This gives the Fantasy Football Scout members a chance to back their judgement on player value, both in the auction and during the season in their monthly online transfer windows.

“We hope that some of the Fantasy Football Scout site users will play the auction format and get together with their mates and have a great evening, followed by a season-long game.”

FFS: Are there any particular statistics that it would be worth Fantasy League players staying on top of in order to succeed?

Andrew: “In many respects, it calls for the same approach as FPL: staying on top of form, injuries, fixtures, etc.

“But the difference is that, if you want a player, you have to win him by bidding highest. So, this calls for a smart assessment of player value, based on how much you’re prepared to pay and how much you judge he’s worth to others in your league’s transfer market.”

How to Play

Start by setting up a league and inviting your friends/work colleagues. Fantasy League have made this really quick and easy to do and it should take less than a minute. Leagues can be from five to 16 managers but eight to 12 is recommended. It’s also free for the first season!

Hold Your Auction

Fix a date for your auction and get everyone together, either online or face-to-face. Managers each have a £200m budget to build a squad of 15, with a two players-per-club limit. Each player goes to the highest bidder, so only one team gets Raheem Sterling – just like in the real world.

Scoring

The simple scoring rules are tried-and-tested and are as follows:

  • Goal: 3 points (all players)
  • Assist: 2 points (all players)
  • Appearance: 1 point (goalkeeper and defenders, 45+ mins)
  • Clean Sheet: 2 points (goalkeeper and defenders, 75+ mins)
  • Goal Conceded: -1 point (goalkeeper and defenders)

Formations and Substitutes

Each match week you have to choose your starting XI, with the jeopardy of leaving players on the bench who might score big. The formations to choose from are 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 5-3-2, 5-4-1 and 4-5-1. There are no backups, no second chances, no safety net: pressure!

Transfers
The game creates a real transfer market where everyone competes for players. You have a £50m budget for the season and monthly transfer windows where you place sealed bids for free agents against your rivals. You can also negotiate swap deals with other managers.

Click here for an outline or the game rules or here for a full guide to the game.

What similarities are there to FPL?

The basic concept is the same: choose a Fantasy team, earn points based on their performance in the real world and compete within your league.

Formation and squad rules are similar: 15-man squads, similar formations, and a club limit on players.

Scoring is similar and simplified in the Novice package but – as will discuss below – customisable in the Legend package.

How does Fantasy League differ from FPL?

The fundamental difference is that with Fantasy League, you have to bid in an auction with your friends/colleagues for the players you want, which means you each have unique, hard-fought-for squads.

Each team is unique, so only one team in a league can have Harry Kane (just like in the real world).

Teams are bought in a player auction, where a league of five-to-16 managers gets together online or face-to-face to bid against each other for their squads.

The auction is very different from FPL’s Draft format as instead of the US-style rotation picks, managers get to decide how much they’re prepared to pay for each player and have to battle against each other to capture their choices. This creates extra layers of strategy as you have to assess player value and also carefully manage your spending so you stay competitive against other managers as the auction progresses.

Once the season starts the unique squads make a big difference, as if you are lucky enough to own Raheem Sterling only you get the points when he scores.

This creates a league table with bigger points swings that remains tighter until the end of the season.

This means there is less need for weekly management of extras like who to captain, chip strategy etc. Weekly team management is simpler but with more jeopardy. You must decide who to leave on the bench – and, as we Fantasy managers know all too well, nothing hurts quite so much as squandered bench points.

It also creates a real transfer market where managers bid against each other for Free Agents in monthly transfer windows via online sealed bids (more ‘football-meets-poker’ as you have to outwit and outbid your rivals).

The scoring system in the recommended Novice package (free for users that are new to Fantasy League) is simpler than FPL and follows the tried-and-tested format that has remained intact since 1993. In the Pro or Legend packages, leagues are able to change more and more game features, including fully customised scoring in the Legend package.

As leagues are self-contained, Fantasy League is all about local rivalry. Many of the leagues have, over the years, created their own forfeit rules and traditions. It’s this rivalry that keeps Fantasy League managers coming back year after year.

On top of this, Fantasy League run an overall leaderboard, adjusted for league sizes and rules, which allows managers to see how they fare across the game as a whole.


We’ll have more strategy-based Fantasy League articles coming you way before the start of the season.

732 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Got this team after tinkering 10's of times. I think I may stick to it for now.

    Pope (Button)
    Digne VVD Robbo (Kelly Reid)
    Sterling Siggy Salah Perez (Hayden)
    Wilson Jota Che Adams

    I like Siggy and I would need to check on Everton's preseason form before committing with him. If they don't show early form then I will ditch him for a Fraser. Any inputs from you guys?

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Adams? Hard to see him as being definitely nailed until 2/3 weeks in imo. I’d shift him into defence

      Fraser Wilson is so powerful as a combo that I’d lose Siggy. That’d give you at least one playable defender which you really need on this system

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Southampton have got the new gaffer who I think has done well so far. I expect them to do even better this season and Adams scored 2 min into his debut, has also got a good scoring record, more so last season. The only issue is he is an unknown quantity in the PL and getting him in early is a risk.

        Siggy has got nice fixtures but Everton may start slower and that is the concern. Whom will you look at the back? Laporte is the only one worth considering but he is not cheap. Mendy could have been a no brainer if nailed and fit but it looks like there are issues with discipline with him and Pep is a no nonsense Managaer. TAA is also important but I think he will be rotated in some games this season with Robbo and VVD only sure starters. How do you look at Chelsea assets? Giroud and even Azpi may do really well as the wide men.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Azpi is very high up my watchlist.

          Adams is an odd one for me as he’s a wait and see for a couple of weeks anyway and then the fixtures look rubbish.

          1. ZeBestee
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Cheers mate.

    2. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      pope is a risk. Ryan is not. Che is a wait and see. Dont put 6m there just yet. Only have one 4m defender.

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah valid points, Ryan is not for me though. I will choose whoever no. 1 starter for Burnley though as I expect them to start better this season.

  2. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this? 1.5m in the bank

    Ryan
    TAA VVD Coleman
    Salah Sterling Fraser Robinson
    Wilson Jota Deulofeu

    Button Dendonker 4.0 4.0

    GW2 - Fraser, Wilson -> Vardy, Siggy

    1. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Very unbalanced. Wilson is too expensive for us to have this season im afraid

      1. J âš’ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        No he’s not.

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Absolutely this.

      2. Brian Boitano
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        He just scored two goals in the first pre season friendly.

  3. TomBS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone seriously considering Alexis Sanchez? 7.0m and Ole seems to be talking him up. With the Lukaku uncertainty he could be a striker once more?

    1. Kimmich
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Wait and see, cheap enough to jump on if he hits form.

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      If he starts and hits form I imagine he will be in every team but it's wait and see for now

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Wait and see for me. Too risky to start with and an easy price point to hop on to.

    4. TomBS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers for the feedback, fairly unanimous

    5. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Hell no. Dont fall into this trap ’he might’. If he goes on a run and actually proves something then get im in.

    6. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      He is not growing any younger and it seems he doesn't click with the United setup. Can't see him doing really well but at 7m he is not the worst choice.

    7. Brian Boitano
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Sanchez at 7m could be bargain of the century but no serious teams will start with him. Just wait a few weeks, he’ll still be 7-7.3m if he starts scoring goals.

  4. TopwithKlopp
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Currently on:

    Lloris
    A Arnold, Matip, Digne
    Salah(c), De Bruyne, Fraser, Gundogan
    Auba, King, Deulofeu

    Bench: Button,Garner, Smith, Prødl

    I know Gundogan will not be a sterter in most matches probably, but find it hard to kick out anybody to be able to afford a bit more ti change him to a better option/valuable starter. Any suggestions on who to pick or kick out of the team in general?

    1. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Too much on keepers

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        9.5 is too much on keepers?

        Really??

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      would rather have Zinch than Matip

      For that 5.5 mid, Gundogan is kinda boring pick, would take a punt/risk on El Ghazi, Robinson, Moutinho

      Auba for first 2 GWs looks interesting

      1. TopwithKlopp
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for the comments, yes I don't know regarding Gundogan.... Zinchencho is a risk though. Might not be a starter.

  5. FantasyFootballFanatic
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    This is more of a sky fantasy question, but you knowledgable people will have an opinion on this anyway:

    A) Sterling and Mount
    B) Sigurdsson and Tielemans

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A because of sterling but i wouldnt get mount

    3. notlob legin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      b

  6. james 101
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    First question of the season!

    A. Tiel and Zaha
    B. Fraser and Townsend
    C. Fraser and Doucoure (or pereyra)
    D. Some other combo to 13.5m

    Other mids are Salah, Sterling, dendonc.

    Thanks!

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      perez and zaha

    3. Longiss
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      C with Pereyra

    4. TopwithKlopp
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Fraser and Pereyra decent option

  7. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    To complete this line up
    A Digne Fraser or
    B Coleman Sigurdsson

    Lloris
    TAA Cathcart Van Dijk *****
    Salah KDB Pérez *****
    Vardy Wilson

    Woodman Dendoncker Dunk Greenwood

    1. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      a

  8. tuvok
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    My thoughts on the Sterling v Aguero debate (and by extension the big mid vs big striker debate)

    I posted earlier on favouring Aguero over Sterling due to predictability of returns. I have just never felt 100% comfortable giving Sterling the armband. He is a brilliant goal scorer who may, this season, prove to be as consistent from midfield as Salah, but historically he has scored hat tricks one week (looking at you Bournemouth) and then blanked the next.

    Aguero, and other nailed figureheads in elite forward lines, usually get you at least an assist (+ on pens) even if they have an off day, meaning their steady stream of predictable points makes them better value due to captaincy.

    I ran the numbers from last season (maybe someone has already done this I don't know)

    Sterling from 38 games available:
    - Returned (goal or assist) in 19
    - Blanks 15
    - Bench 4

    Aguero from 34 games available:
    - Returns 20
    - Blanks 13
    - Bench 1

    Granted, this is hardly damning stuff, but it does support the argument that Aguero is a safer captain choice (significantly less chance of being benched or blanking). And lets not forget he's just as capable of exploding too.

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Add in a better team structure and it’s all very good points.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Part of me thinks I should start with Aguero and then move over to Sterling once the Jesus rotation really hits. But don't want to be bookmarking in two transfers down the line already.

      1. The 5% Team
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I'm on this as well...kinda gotta go with your gut in these decisions I think
        With premium strikers, it's all about having them at the right moment, and I think Aguero will start the season great

    3. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling for me is currently the best player in the world. You will see that next season when they win the champions league and he gets the ballon dor

      1. LangerznMash
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        LOL - he is a great fantasy asset due to the attacking positions he's gets into and the wealth or chances created by his world class team mates.
        Best in the world - funny... barely makes the top 10.
        Ronaldo, Messi, Mbappe, Hazard, DeBruyne, Neymar, Griezeman, VVD, Pogba, Modric.. all better players

        1. tuvok
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Pogba? Hmmm

          1. LangerznMash
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            As an all round footballer - not a fantasy asset.
            World Cup 2018 Pogba was miles ahead of Sterling.

            1. tuvok
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Yeah he can have a few flashy games like he did in the world cup, but great footballers are those that deliver week in week out. Sterling has been showing that for a couple of years now, and he's two years younger

              1. LangerznMash
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Being two years younger has no relevance to current ability. Pogba is consistently world class for France, Sterling rarely delivers for England - this shows Sterling is reliant on City players around him.

                1. tuvok
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  International football is not a good barometer of success. There are too many contingencies and lack of regularity. Look at Messi for example. It's fine for flashy players like Pogba though who turn up for the cameras.

                2. OFord
                  • 4 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  Does that also show Pogba is reliant on France players around him too then? United fan here - can't believe you're really trying to say Pogba is better than Sterling.

                  1. LangerznMash
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 8 months ago

                    The original comment claimed Sterling was the best in the world. I'm saying he isn't and gave a list of 10 people that could be better. You've homed in on one name from 10 that is debatable. If it makes you happy I will let you have that Sterling might be the 9th best player in the world.

                    1. tuvok
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 8 months ago

                      I agree, Sterling would be ahead of Pogba in a list like that.

                      1. LangerznMash
                        • 7 Years
                        4 years, 8 months ago

                        Funny how Pogba was on the last shortlist for Ballon d'or but Sterling wasn't....

                      2. Ask Yourself
                        • 7 Years
                        4 years, 8 months ago

                        Media played a big part to be fair

                      3. LangerznMash
                        • 7 Years
                        4 years, 8 months ago

                        Yes it is international journalists and national team coaches and captains who pick it - exactly the right people who are qualified to make such decisions. I trust their opinion over two people on a fantasy football messageboard.

              2. LangerznMash
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                @Tuvok - your post above also states Sterling had 15 Blanks out of 34 appearances. So by your own statistic he doesn't delivery 'week in week out', more like every other week.

    4. Ready Player One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling as a Mid gets the extra points though... He looked hungry in pre season yesterday too.

      1. The 5% Team
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        well, Aguero wasn't in the squad yet. But yes, he did look good

      2. tuvok
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah. Also, there is the very real chance he hits Salah level this season. There was a point last season where it looked like he may end as top points scorer, but I the ramped up pressure of hanging on to their 1point lead and the fatigue from some gruelling cup games saw City see off a lot of their final games 1-0. If they were out of site like the year before Sterling could very well have bagged more points than Salah

    5. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      And Kun is a great captain option in away games................................

  9. The Wanton Trader
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I have made 2 decent teams imo...
    My favoured top heavy 3-4-3 or a premium back line 4-4-2.

    1)
    Ryan
    Cathcart Coleman Ake
    Yarmo Sterling Salah Perez
    Kane King Vardy
    Button Dendonk Fredericks Kelly

    Or...

    2)
    Ryan
    Digne TAA VVD Laporte
    Yarmo KDB Salah Perez
    Kane King
    Button Dendonk Fredericks Greenwood

    One of these will be my starting team, barring any preseason interventions.
    I’m still a bit old school, so am currently on 1, but could argue both are decent options.

    What do we think...??

    1. Kimmich
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I prefer 1 if you could squeeze a Pool defender in.

      1. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        There will be 5.5 option to pick from. Got scope to bring whoever it is in...

        1. OFord
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I'd be very surprised if that's not Joe Gomez

      2. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Same as a city 5.5 option...

    2. Ready Player One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      2) for me

      1. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks.

    3. Birds of Prey
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Injuries and rest and you're not playing 11.
      Salah being the biggest-- tho Egypt went out of Cup early.
      spend another .5 and get a keeper to rotate w/Ryan don't care for Yarmo pick.
      I wanted KDB but went safe took money and BSilva, like Perez pick.
      IMO GL

      1. Birds of Prey
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        small item, but I had Kelly and switched to Rico after seeing him play yesterday.

        1. The Wanton Trader
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Kelly just in there until a 4 mil shows itself. Thanks for the Rico tip..

      2. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Salah will be in whatever team I have.
        I think IF Yarmo can stay fit he is a great 6 mil option.
        Not a fan of rotating keepers. Can guarantee I will pick the wrong one. 🙂 thanks.

  10. falafel
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A: Leno, Laporte, Deulofeu
    B: Pope, Zinchenko, Wilson

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

    3. Canary_Kid
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

    4. Birds of Prey
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A but not w/Leno can you get to Pickford?

  11. Kimmich
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Pope
    VVD - Digne - Zinchenko
    Salah - Sterling - Fraser - Perez - ?
    Wilson - ?

    Lucas + Jota or Norwood + Vardy.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      L&J

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      L&J

  12. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    1.
    A) Gomez + Vardy
    B) VVD + Siggy

    2.
    A) Digne + Brooks
    B) Coleman + Zaha

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      1B
      2A

    2. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      1B easy

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        2A as well. Check on Siggy and Everton form though.

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks 🙂

  13. Canary_Kid
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Pope
    Robbie Trent Digne Bednarek
    Salah Siggy Fraser
    Auba Wilson Deu
    Bench - Button Dendoncker Leitner Hanley

    But different but I like it, will look to swap Auba for Sterling/Kun after GW2.

    1. Ready Player One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Like it, but I’d downgrade Deulofeu to Greenwood and upgrade Bednarek and play a 4-4-2

      1. Canary_Kid
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Who'd play the fourth midfielder spot? Don't feel comfortable starting Dendoncker out Leitner to be honest.

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      surely there are better 4.5 defenders than Bednarek....it's not last season

      Like the Auba pick for the first 2 GWs

      1. ClothedinSun
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Dunk as a 4.5 alternative?

        1. The 5% Team
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          for sure

          1. Canary_Kid
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Is the Dunk to Leicester transfer happening? If not I'm not touching Dunk just because I fear the Brighton defence will be atrocious this year.

      2. Canary_Kid
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I really like Southampton this year and their fixtures are quite nice to start the season. Anyone you'd suggest?

        1. The 5% Team
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          really? Looking at the first 8 GWs...Newcastle, Leicester and Southampton have the worst run

          1. Canary_Kid
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I was looking at first 6. Yes the first 8 as a whole don't look very good but I don't like to look that far ahead. Bur, bri, shu, and bou in the first 6 are pretty good for me.

            1. The 5% Team
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              fair enough...all depends on how far you look 🙂

              but looking at first 6, still think Dunk will be a better 4.5 choice

              1. Canary_Kid
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                I can see that, just prefer Southampton over Brighton right now. It's the one spot I'm still not completely set on.

        2. ClothedinSun
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Keep an eye on Bertrand, Valery, Redmond and Ings with Adams as a potential covert diamond.

  14. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts? 🙂

    Pope - Button

    Gomez - TAA - Digne - Zinchenko - 4.0

    Sterling - Salah - Brooks - Dendoncker - Hayden

    Jota - Wilson - Vardy

    Between Gomez + Vardy and VVD + Siggy. Delaying the WC for as long as possible!

    1. ClothedinSun
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      VVD+Siggy makes this team a lot stronger overall.

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Ok thanks!

  15. Sasaboe
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Help me on this squad

    Ryan

    Alonso Everton Digne Kelly Robertson

    Salah Bernardo Silva Sigurdsson

    Kane Jota Wilson


    GK

    Hart Johnson Oriol Romeu Prödl

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Everton? Is that the Brazil player or is that a 5.5 placeholder?

      1. Sasaboe
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        No it was a mistake in copy paste 🙂 NO everton

    2. Ready Player One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Nice balance. Keep and eye on pre season just in case there are any standouts, but looks g2g!

  16. ClothedinSun
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this 4-4-2:

    Pickford (Button),
    TAA, Azpi, Laporte, Robbo (Kelly),
    B.Silva, Salah, Siggy, Fraser (Ravel Morrison),
    Wood, Wilson (Greenwood).

    Cheers!

    1. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I have almost the same team with Ederson instead of Pickford and King instead of Wood. Do you have money itb. I think you should have Ederson if you can afford him.

      1. ClothedinSun
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        The extra .5 mil I'd need for Ederson has gone on Rav in mf rather than 4.5 fodder as my first sub, just because of the attacking potential he offers over any 4.5 options...am probably forgoing about 100 points with that logic...

  17. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone essential you feel from the get go?

    Salah? Sterling? Robbo? TAA?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Salah + TAA

    2. ClothedinSun
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Salah & 2 LP defence (from TAA, Robbo & VVD)

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Digne VVD Siggy

    4. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      TAA

    5. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yes TAA, Salah and Robertson in that order. VVD close to Robertson but I feel Robertson to be a safer more stable pick.

    6. Canary_Kid
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Salah
      Double liv defence
      At least one bou attacker
      Digne
      Kun/Sterling post gw2

  18. J âš’ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Seeing a lot of Moura....

    Wasn’t Mouras returns at Iran peak when Kane was injured? I’m not saying it was but I’m pretty sure I remember him performing well because Kane wasn’t there.

    With Kane back, I’m not sure we will see the same Moura everyone is hoping for?

    1. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Agreed. Plus Son back in gw3 and Man city away in gw2. What could possibly go wrong?

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Massive Moura haul in GW1.

    2. J âš’ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Not sure why my iPhone auto correct turned its into Iran 😆

      1. Party time
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Lol

    3. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Been away for a few days, but I'm now seeing a lot less Zaha and a lot more Perez.

      What happened?

      1. nisag17
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I haven't been away and still don't know.

      2. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Doubt over where Zaha will be next season.

        People (sheeple) are buying into Leicester lock, stock and barrel.

        1. JELLYFISH
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          You don't need to follow the herd to know that at 6.5m Tielemans is a bargain.

      3. The 5% Team
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        pre-season goal...changes everything as we all know 🙂

        1. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Ah ok

      4. OFord
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Zaha back from AFCON late & future uncertain. If he does stay at Palace though he will surely start first GW anyway.

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

        Perez scored in a friendly.

    4. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Best 4.5 DEF in the game right now?

      1. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Fredericks for me (post GW1).
        Is very attacking and lightning quick. Expect a lot of assists, now W/Ham will have Haller playing up top...

        1. The Wanton Trader
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Also Yarmo’s not exactly short... 😉

        2. The 5% Team
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          first choice?

          1. The Wanton Trader
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I’m pretty much convinced he is unless they sign someone else. Started a lot of games at the end of last season and I think Zaba is definitely past it now. He looked good in patches yesterday too...

        3. Siggy in the Middle
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Is he nailed though? Didn't get many minutes last season. Or was that because of injury?

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah first choice. Didn’t get the opportunity to perform last year but when he did at the end of the season he was our best attacking and defensive full back

            1. Siggy in the Middle
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Cheers. I'll give him a chance so.

          2. The Wanton Trader
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            He finished last season starting a lot of games and played well.

            1. The Wanton Trader
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              I’d take him at Spurs.
              Could be just what we need...

      2. JELLYFISH
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Guilbert at Villa is worth looking at, depending on what he gets priced at. Looks real quality and played a blinder for Villa last night

    5. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Can FPL add willock at 4.5m please?
      Watched the highlights from the arsenal vs Bayern game (2-1 arsenal) here is the link but for anyone with less time here is my analysis.

      Play most of the game in a 4231 like this:

      Laca
      Mkhi Ozil Auba
      Xhaka Willock
      LB Mustafi Sokratis AMN
      Keeper

      Despite playing slightly OOP Auba looked more threatening than ever back in his natural position. A constant threat, taking people on and getting in the box creating and making chances for himself.
      Laca looked wasteful as he did last season, pretty uninspired.
      Mkhi and Ozil were poor I expect them both to be replaced by the start of the season either internally by Iwobi and willock/Smith-Rowe or by a transfer.

      Defence looked surprising solid bar 1 error from Sokratis but it didn’t result in anything. Leno made some top saves and kept a CS in his half. The second half saw lewandowski score past Martinez from a gnabry cross but there was nothing anyone could do it was pure class.

      Nketiah scored the winner at the end when arsenal brought their kids in with a nicely worked goal.

      Overall players to watch for FPL:

      Auba: If he ends up in this RW spot he will still be gold, played out of his skin and was a constant threat on goal, putting in the cross that led to the OG.

      Willock: fancy him to fill Ozil’s spot at CAM if they don’t sign someone. Good young player makes some great attacking runs, good Ramsey replacement

      The LW: Whether this be a new signing or Iwobi. This role is key to creating and receiving chances in the arsenal set up. I pray Iwobi is back and fit to start the season as he finished the season so strongly here and is only 6m.

      Leno: Top class, underrated keeper. Makes saves out of nothing and behind a settling defence can be value at 5m.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Lol sorry here is the link: https://youtu.be/EzxpFdxIxKg

      2. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Aubameyang as a winger on the right is interesting.

        1. The 5% Team
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          didn't watch too much Arsenal last season...but did Auba ever play from the right side?

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            No he played on the left to little effect, forcing emery to either bench him for laca or switch system. RW was his first true position at saint etienne. Looked very impressive there and allows emery to play laca aswell. Could be like a new signing.

      3. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Still waiting to get hulked

    6. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Are people jumping on Son GW3 when he returns from suspension?
      I'm thinking something like Auba + Moura -> Vardy + Son
      However I realise planned transfer usually got to pot, and my gut says Son is priced £0.5m too much.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        WC early to get him. It is likely he and sterling will be my captain rotation from then on

      2. nisag17
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yes! Last three years Son ppg has been awesome. If he starts regularly at 9.5 he is fpl gold.

        1. The 5% Team
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          he really does need to repeat his amazing last season to warrant his 9.5m price tag though

          1. nisag17
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            He scores almost at the rate of Sterling and Salah in terms off ppg when he starts for last three seasons. Significant discount in price. Plus Spurs have awesome home fixtures first half of season.

            1. The 5% Team
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              yeah, still high on my watchlist here

              But for his ever increasing price over the 4 years (7,5 > 8 > 8,5 > 9,5) he went from FPL gold to a great (captaincy) option

        2. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          He was FPL gold at £8m because other now established premium players were also cheaper too, so you could have him, Sterling, Salah/Mané and still have Kane or Kun up top too.

          The difference is that you can’t have them all now.

          People need to remember that it becomes an ‘either or’ with these type of priced players now, not an ‘as well as’.

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            You make a solid point. But I think he justifies a premium spot. At 9.5m to have a captain-able premium player you can make a beautiful rest of the squad alongside a rotating captain like sterling

    7. b91jh
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Thoughts on Callum Robinson?
      5.5m plus possible OOP.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        If a starter he’s a bargain

      2. The 5% Team
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        yes on my watchlist

      3. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Unlikely to be OOP. McBurnie from Swansea main Blades transfer target.

    8. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      mcilroy +4 after 1hole 8/1 to 33/1 in 10 mins

      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        And that is precisely why you can't bet on him.

        That and his putting.

    9. Winter_is_coming
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      First time this summer I try to remove one LIV defender (still have another one ofc) and it gives me this 5 mid + 1 forward, look so solid for first gameweeks, play 4-5-1.

      Salah - Sterling - Siggy - Richarlison - Fraser
      Wilson

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Who are the 4 defenders tho :/ if u sacrificing a pool defender remember you can get Origi at 5.5m perfect for 352 if one of ur defenders is a bit back

        1. Maddi Son
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I was going to ask you this yesterday. How do we know Origi is nailed for the first few GW's? Is Firmino out or something?

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Firmino on a three week holiday, and Mané is STILL at ACON, in the final.

            I can honestly see Origi getting 3 straight games, unless he spits in Klopp's eye!!! 😆

            1. Maddi Son
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              I didn't know this, I need to read more. Origi 100% in my team now.

              1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Yeh, he has been in mine for a while.

        2. Winter_is_coming
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Actually it`s Digne + TAA, and three 4,5 - every week pick 2 of them (Adam Smith, Dunk, Diop, Yoshida, Mings etc)

      2. Maddi Son
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Your front 6 is very similar to what I'm on right now. Only difference is Zaha instead of Siggy. Still gives me Laporte, VVD & Digne

    10. OFord
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Thoughts on having Salah, Sterling & Son when Son returns?

      Ederson
      Coleman Zinch (Spurs defender if Zinch not nailed) TAA Gomez
      Salah, Sterling, Son & Perez
      King & Jota

    11. Andrew
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Imagine this site 3 weeks from today.....the pages will be moving quicker than you can read them!!

      1. Siggy in the Middle
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        And a full page of Pens Down! posts

      2. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Can’t wait for it! The buzz on this site is amazing at times

      3. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        That’s why we’re here now.
        Get your business done early... 😉

      4. FPL_Gyarados
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        And people saying they missed the deadline because Friday evening kickoff

    12. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Best 2 rotating 4.5M defenders?

      1. jayzico
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Dunk (if staying at BHA) and Cathcart (Wat) prob best

        Taylor (Burn) and Target (Villa) looks promising

    13. No Salah
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Who will score more point:

      1) Sterling + TAA/Robbo
      2) Salah + Fraser/ Maddisson

      1. FPL_Gyarados
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I'd like to think 1)

    14. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      20m. Cheapest frontline I've ever started with.

      How much does your frontline cost?

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        22.5

        1. jayzico
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I suppose that's slightly higher than the norm. I had Kun, King and Vardy but rest of team sucked (bar Salah + TAA)

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I have Kane. 🙂

      2. MFPL
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Mine’s at 28m atm...

      3. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        21.0

      4. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        23

      5. FPL_Gyarados
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        20m
        Vardy, King, (Greenwood)