FPL

How to Play FPL – A Beginner’s Guide

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is back for another season so Fantasy Football Scout, once again, are here to help.

Perhaps you’ve never played FPL before and have been roped into a mini-league by one of your overly keen friends.

Or maybe you’re one of those die-hard Fantasy managers who need a complete guide to show your clueless colleagues, to make sure they definitely sign up for your mini-league?

Whoever you are, we hope this comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about FPL.

What is Fantasy Premier League?

FPL is a game that casts you in the role of a fantasy manager. Your task is to pick a squad of players who then score points based on their real-life performances.

Do I need to play in a league?

The game can be played solo, with managers pitching their team against millions of others around the world. However, the more exciting option is to enter your team in private mini-leagues alongside your friends or colleagues.

How do I pick my team or squad?

FPL hands you a £100m budget to spend on your 15-man squad. If you’re new to the game, this budget may seem generous but once you start selecting players, it will start getting eaten up pretty quickly. You will find that the most expensive players will be the attacking options of midfielders and forwards.

With 11 of your squad starting each Gameweek, it’s up to you to decide which four to leave on the bench and in which order. They will replace any starters that do not participate at all.

Can I make changes to my initial FPL squad?

Before the start of the Premier League season, you can alter the squad as much as you want.

However, once the first deadline has passed you are limited to one free transfer per Gameweek. There is always the option to carry it over into the following Gameweek but be aware that no more than two free transfers can be collected.

After these, additional changes can be made but at a cost of four points per transfer.

The deadline for each Gameweek is always 90 minutes before the first kick-off. For example, if the opener is on Saturday at 12:30 pm (UK time), the deadline will therefore be 11:00 am.

How do I allocate my budget?

Maintaining some squad balance is advised, with a healthy mix of premium stars and cheaper assets throughout.

This balance makes it easier to purchase exciting, in-form players and helps when you’re confronted with an injury or suspension.

Ideally, aim for a situation whereby one or two free transfers can fix any potential problem. Investing heavily in one area of the team may jeopardise this, should you run into some bad luck.

Okay, so which players do I pick?

At the early stage of the season, it’s harder to say which assets will be the most important, but we will always have plenty of content available to help you pick an initial squad and make transfers through the season. So make sure you stick around!

Click here for all of our pre-season coverage.

How Do I Score Points?

There are lots of different ways to score points in FPL, with goals, assists and clean sheets the most important match events.

Each Gameweek requires selecting a captain to score double points. By also picking a vice-captain, you have a back-up in case that captain doesn’t make an appearance.

Below is a grid which details how to score with players from different positions.

ActionPoints scored
Playing up to 60 minutes1
Playing more than 60 minutes2
Each goal scored by a goalkeeper/defender6
Each goal scored by a midfielder5
Each goal scored by a forward4
Each assist3
Clean sheet by a goalkeeper/defender (must play 60+ mins)4
Clean sheet by a midfielder (must play 60+ mins)1
Every three shots saved by a goalkeeper1
A penalty save by a goalkeeper5
Bonus points for the best players in a match1-3

Can My Team Lose Points?

Unfortunately, there are a few ways to lose points too.

ActionPoints scored
Missing a penalty-2
Every two goals conceded by a goalkeeper/defender-1
Each yellow card-1
Each red card-3
Each own goal-2

What are chips?

All FPL managers begin the season with a complete set of chips, to be deployed throughout the campaign. Try to be patient with them.

There are a range of different chips that managers can use:

Wildcard – The Wildcard allows you to transform your squad by making an unlimited number of free transfers in that Gameweek. It lasts beyond that one round and is your new team. There are two of these to use – the first can be used at any point until December 29th, while the second can only be used after that date.

Free Hit – This is like the Wildcard but for just one Gameweek, allowing unlimited free transfers for that round of games. Your old team resumes afterwards.

Triple Captain – For one Gameweek, your captain will score triple points instead of the usual double.

Bench Boost – If you’re struggling to relegate four players to the bench, this chip allows you to receive points from all 15 players. Just for one round, though.

What should I do if my players get injured or suspended?

Monitor our injuries and bans table regularly to check on your team and if a player looks to be out for a few weeks, consider using a transfer to replace him.

When should I sign new players for my team?

A player’s form will fluctuate throughout the season, so be careful. Ideally, you’d be looking ahead rather than chasing points that have already been missed out on.

Sustained form and proven point scorers are what you’re after. Jumping on bandwagons can often be profitable but only when it belongs to a player who you think can sustain their form.

There’s certainly a wealth of information to sift through on this website if you’re going to try to stay on top of things. We’ll bring you the weekly information you need to make informed decisions, plus opinion pieces from Scout writers and Pro Pundits.

Monitor our team news section prior to fixtures and also check out the post-match Scout Notes that we provide.

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

2,681 Comments Post a Comment
  1. MESSINHO
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hey guys.

    Settled on this barring any injuries:

    Ryan (Button)
    TAA - VVD - Digne - Zinchenko (Lundstram)
    Salah (C) - Sterling (VC) - Siggy - Perez (Dendo)
    Wilson - King (Greenwood)

    I know, it's as template as it gets, but whatever. I was on Deulo and Jota at some point for King, but Jota's fixture and Deulo's injury status put me off.

    If you want a Bournemouth double up with Wilson, which one would you prefer?

    A) Siggy + King
    B) Fraser + Wood/Jota/Deulo

    Cheers!

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

      A

    2. palace ash
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Fraser and Kean?

      1. MESSINHO
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Kean is a wait and see for me. I think he's not starting on GW1 also.

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good, can always switch to another 6/6.5 for king after opening 2 fixtures.

    4. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        V similar to mine. Although in currently on kdb and deeney rather than siggy Wilson

    5. Steiger
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Fraser + Wood

  2. palace ash
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on this please?

    A) Coleman, Sterling, King
    B) Digne, KdB, Wilson

    Heaton, 4.0
    TAA, VdV, xxx, Zinchenko, 4.0
    Salah, xxx, Moura, Perez, Dendonker
    Vardy, xxx, 4.5

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

      A

  3. MESSINHO
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A

    1. MESSINHO
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Reply fail 🙁

  4. Blanka
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane and 5.5m

    Vardy Fraser

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

      V & F

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

      Who's gonna be 5.5 midfielder if you pick Kane?

      1. Blanka
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Don't know, could possibly stretch to a 6m mid. Lots of options then!

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

    Upamecano is a smokescreen for Konate?!

    Either one of them would be a great signing and improve Arsenal' defence immediately. Get it done Don Raul!!

    1. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes, rugani on loan and one of these two would be amazing...if these two transfers are done one of the best windows for arsenal

    2. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Who is this Konate guy?

  6. Srv210
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is this good enough or give up one of the big 3

    Pope
    TAA, Zinchenko, Coleman
    Salah, Sterling, Perez, Fraser, Robinson
    Aubameyang, Wesley

    Button, Kelly(palace),lundstram, Wickham (no confirmed starter at bench)

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It’s fine for a big 3 team. Everton signing a right back apparently and Zinc maybe only good for a few games. I’d personally lose one and upgrade but always compromises.

  7. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Had a couple of teams but think this is the best one. Change anything?

    Pope.
    Walker. VVD. Digne.
    Salah. KDB. Perez. McGinn.
    Kane. Wilson. Wood.

    Heaton. Diop. Dendonker. Lundstram.

    1. Bushman
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Obviously your happy without Raz so g2g

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not liking walker (bigger rotation worry now) or McGinn. Rest fine if you’re happy with no Sterling

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

    A) Gomez, Perez, Jorginho & Kane
    B) VVD, Moura, Martial, Wood

    Pope - Button
    TAA - Gomez - Zinky - Coleman - Kelly
    Salah - Sterling - Perez - Jorginho - Dendo
    Kane - Wilson - Wickham

  9. Taking the Mkhitaryan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Poor spelling and grammar in an article yet again.
    Spelling mistake in the very first sentence doesnt bode well for the article.

  10. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any H2H leagues?

  11. Poppa Klopp
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Ings with stephens on bench
    Or
    B) Barkley with Greenwood on bench

  12. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Finally an article for my skill level 🙂

  13. Greek Flair
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    My last decision before gameweek 1

    KDB and King
    Siggy and Wilson

    Feels so even IMO

    1. Poppa Klopp
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      KDB and king

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A is safer, B is very much dependent on Siggy actually doing something.

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’m in exactly same position. I’m on KDB King right now, I'm not sure if I’m just biased wanting to see KDB get back to his best. On their best seasons it’s very even, Siggy Wilson seems much safer though.... can’t decide!

    4. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B edges it imo

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I'm on a

    5. MESSINHO
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Siggy and Wilson. I think there won't be much difference between KdB and Wilson, while Siggy will outscore King by a significant margin.

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

    Thoughts at this first effort? :/

    Ryan, 4m
    TAA, Lundstram, Fredericks, Digne,
    Salah, Gundogan, Sterling, Perez, Dedonk
    King, Kane, Kean

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

      Guilbert other 4.5

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

      Gundo as 4th mid no way

  15. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    The 5.5m midfield slot, who you got?

    There are absolutely no more funds to be squeezed from players, so 5.5 is the absolute budget.

    McGinn, Trezeguet, Ceballos?

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      5.5 is too much imo - 4.5 playing mid sorted

      1. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I couldn’t possibly start a season with a 4.5m playing midfielder. Dendoncker on the bench, not touching Hayden... who even is there?

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Dendoncker - but agree if your going five across the middle

    2. Rocky FPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      McGinn for now.

      1. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Is he better than Trezeguet?

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yes and nailed unlike Trezeguet

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

      McGinn is nailed and 2nd last season at Villa for shots on goal and key passes per game. Trezeguet new and will get rotated, probably won't start GW1

      1. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Okay thanks. I was on McGinn and remember a conversation with you about him. The yellow cards are a worry.

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

      Robinson or Moutinho

      1. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        What can we expect from Robinson? I’ve never heard or seen of him.

        1. ENZO SZN™
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          OOP £5.5m mid. Involved a lot in pre season (see table)

    5. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      McGinn, or if you want to go even cheaper, Norwood at 5.0 who looks to have all set pieces

    6. bentekkers2299
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      actually prefer hourihane to mcginn, scored 2 freekicks in last preseason game. seems like he's on setpieces (correct me if i'm wrong).
      much less of a yellow card magnet then mcginn (12-14 yellow cards last season).

  16. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Morning folks, couple of quick questions

    1) Play Heaton as set and forget gk till gw8 WC which includes playing
    - tot in gw1
    - BOU in gw2
    - EVE in gw3
    - ars in gw6

    2) Play Heaton and Ryan for an extra 0.5m..Ryan's fixtures in those gw's
    - wat
    - WAT
    - SOT
    - new

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      1

    2. StellaMan
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      1

    3. Tinmen
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I wish I hadn’t of known that

  17. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who’s the more nailed of the two folks?
    I know both are at risk but..

    Stones
    Zinchenko

    1. Rocky FPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Zinchenko is definitely more exciting of the two. Nailed is tough, Both are nailed for now. Both could be rotated later on.

    2. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Zinc

  18. StellaMan
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best 5.5/6m midfielder? Torn between Trossard or Robinson pint

    Also same for 4.5m defender - on ASmoth but doesn’t really appeal

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If you can stretch to 6m then Barkley. As for 5.5m I’m also looking for this answer above, a few people have posted.

      1. StellaMan
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks - Just seen post above mine, McGinn is interesting option. All seem like a punt though but that’s the fun of FF!

        1. Zladan
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Last year my 5.5m punt was Fraser and it worked a treat!

    2. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Punt? Wilshere? Then upgrade that 4.5 defender

  19. Rocky FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    In a FPL Draft, what would be your priority order? Is this fine?
    Salah
    Sterling
    Kane
    Auba
    Aguero
    Mane
    Robbo
    Vardy

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      salah is not 1st anymore.

      sterling
      salah
      kane
      .
      .
      .

      1. Rocky FPL
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Agree with the rest?

        1. Jebiga
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          yes

          1. Rocky FPL
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Thanks mate. My first time playing Draft.

            1. Jebiga
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Well, you shoud have Ayoze Perez there because its essential

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      TAA up there ahead of Robbo and Vardy.

      1. Rocky FPL
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        If guaranteed minutes yeah, last thing I want is my star player to get rotated often.

        1. Jebiga
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          i think TAA will share minutes with Gomez

  20. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    1. Matip and Barkley

    or

    2. Lundstram and Moura

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Gomez and Barkley maybe?

      1. Jebiga
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        well, it depends who will play. Matip scored and Gomez looked shete

  21. Zenith UK
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I need y'all to pull me apart please...Thoughts... Likes/Dislikes... Feedback greatly appreciated 🙂

    Ederson
    TAA, VVD, KWP, Digne, Walker
    Sterling, Richar, Moura, Tielemans
    Wilson (c)

    McGovern, Haller, Wilshere, Greenwood

  22. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    1. Siggy and Wilson

    or

    2. Barkley and Kane

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      2

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What's the rest of your team?

      1. Jebiga
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        search in previous comments

  23. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Sorry but I'm on vacation and didn't follow the latest news. What's up with Laporte? Do you think he should start GW1?

  24. scoreonemore
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Score out of 10?

    Ederson
    TAA VVD Montoya
    Sterling Salah Perez Moura
    Ings King Jota

    Norris Barkley Diop Gibson

    1. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 7 months ago

        5

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

      This is not A or B in terms of players, more on flexibility in the first few weeks. Thoughts?

      A

      Pope (Button)
      VVD Robbo KWP Cathcart (Lundstram)
      Salah Sterling Perez McGinn (Dendoncker)
      Auba Wilson (Greenwood)

      B

      Pope Heaton
      VVD Robbo Digne (Cathcart) (Lundstram)
      Salah Sterling Perez Moura Barkley
      Wilson Adams (Greenwood)

      Cheers

    3. King Huth
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A. kdb perez king

      vs

      B. fraser vardy barkley

      Please help... A seemt he obvious but many merit for B also!

    4. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Everton form players - none

      Says it all really!

    5. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Does anyone expect usually bad season for Loserpool and 5th or 6th place ?
      It will not be suprise for me to be honest and will never forget how Stoke trashed Loserpool 6-1 a few seasons ago on the last GW 😀

      1. Eat Sleep FPL Repeat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Is this a joke? For sure will battle City again.

        1. Jebiga
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Its not a joke, last season referees give them at least 15-20 points. This season is not good for gifts 🙂

          1. HollywoodXI
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Pick a team with no Liverpool players in it and then let us know how you got on at the end of the season.

            1. Je suis le chat
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Winner of Fpl did it!

              1. HollywoodXI
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                .....shhh!

    6. 03farmboy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rate my team any feedback would be appreciated
      Pope
      Van dijk, Walker, zinchenko
      Salah, sterling, Barkley, Perez
      Jota, aubamenyan, king
      Bench: button, dendoncker, kelly, Rico

    7. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      How is the below team? Any comment

      Alisson
      VVD,Laporte,Taylor,Coleman
      Salah,Perez,Mc Ginn,Sterling,
      King,Kane

      1. 03farmboy
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I like it not too keen on mc ginn but suppose worth a pun. You not worried about Coleman being rotated?

        1. Chelsea91
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          i want to cover , maybe laporte to Walker and Coleman to Digne?

          1. 03farmboy
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Yeah Laporte is injury for the start isn’t he? I do prefer Digne over Coleman if you can afford it

            1. Chelsea91
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Will go walker and Digne , coleman will not start?