Pro Pundits

Should Fantasy managers ever ‘triple up’ on a team?

The 2014/15 FPL champion, Simon March, asks if owning three players from the same Premier League club is advisable.


Fantasy Premier League has seen plenty of iconic duos: Carroll and Barton, Drogba and Lampard, Vardy and Mahrez, the list goes on. These are players who, while playing in the same team, both managed to score substantial points and frequently combined to score those points by assisting each other’s goals. If you had both in your FPL team at their peak, chances are you were doing well. Everyone loves a good double-up.

But what about triple-ups? They’re popular, too, but is it really a good idea to select three players from the same team? That’s the question I’ll be discussing this week.

Among the few firm rules that I rigidly observe in FPL is this: ‘Never triple up on a team who are likely to finish mid-table or below’. I learned this lesson in the 2015/16 season when my title defence was upended early on by my now-curious decision to Wildcard in three Swansea players (though, in my defence, this was a popular move at the time) just before they went from surprise early-season title candidates to winning just two games in their next 17. In my opinion, mid-to-lower table teams will rarely, if ever, sustain the form required to justify owning three (non-bench fodder) players or, indeed, they would not be mid-to-lower table teams.

While I’m unlikely to be talked out of this position personally, the question of whether tripling-up on any team is a good idea is more controversial.

On one hand, you have the philosophy that, if a team tends to score more goals than anybody else, and/or keeps more clean sheets, as per Liverpool or Manchester City in the past few seasons, it’s a good idea to have as many players from that team as possible. There is no doubt that, at times, this is a good move and, those who do time it correctly will no doubt profit as a result. Where such a team has a Double Gameweek, there’s even more reason to believe in the potential of a triple-up.

There are, however, a few problems associated with tripling up with players from the top teams. Firstly, it tends to be expensive. Man City may, for example, score more goals than most teams this season and they might also keep more clean sheets, but to triple up on them could cost 25-30%+ of your overall budget. At that point, the question is no longer just: ‘Will they score me enough points?’ It becomes: ‘Will the rest of my team be good enough to compensate if they don’t?’ There’s usually a good chance that a savvy FPL manager can find similar returns for less if they shop around.

The big exception to all of this is when a team who were expected to be mid-to-lower table end up performing really well throughout the whole season. The most obvious example of this phenomenon is 2015/16 title-winners Leicester from which you could purchase three of the highest-scoring players in the game that season for roughly the price of a McDonald’s Happy Meal. Of course, such teams are most notable by their rarity.

Why else could tripling up be ill-advised? One suggestion lies in the mechanics of how scoring occurs in football generally. A player scoring is always the product of their own ability to score, their team’s ability to provide them with opportunities to score and their opposition’s ability (or inability) to stop them from scoring. However, there is also a temporal aspect to this equation. A match only has 90 minutes (or sometimes 100 minutes if you’re a certain Manchester-based club…) and, thus, your triple-ups are sharing that time between them. They cannot all score points at once even if two combine for a goal and, therefore, their ability to score is naturally limited. This might not be a problem if the team they play for scores loads of goals every match, but history tells us that this is not sustainable over time, even for the very best teams. Players and teams go in and out of form, fixtures become more difficult and, when you triple up, all three of your players are affected by these same conditions.

This issue may be less true of defenders as clean sheet points are attributed equally across a defensive line. However, as a result of this, their point-scoring potential is interdependent, one goal conceded affects them all. Over a long enough period of time, this might not matter in terms of points scored (i.e. Liverpool defenders may keep the most clean sheets in total over a season) but, again, this raises the question of value for money and, particularly, whether the funds tied up in expensive defenders could benefit your team more if invested elsewhere, or by being more liquid.

How Liverpool's defensive assets compare after their FPL price changes

Finally, while some believe that having multiple players from a single team means they are likely to get some points whatever happens, the opposite could actually be true. Because they share many of the same conditions, teammates may be more prone to rotation at the same time (e.g. ahead of a big Champions League match), illness (think Spurs and ‘Lasagna-Gate’), expected or unexpected match cancellations (…sigh), tough fixtures or even just teams losing form, as even the best ones will sometimes do. Tripling up will always compound these kinds of risks.

In conclusion, while I am not personally a big fan of tripling up on players from a single team, I can see that there are instances when it can pay off, if timed correctly. There are also exceptional circumstances where it can be a practically essential, no-brainer, value move (e.g. Leicester 15/16) to have three players from the same team. Tripling up in a Double Gameweek or Blank Gameweek may also be well worthwhile and, finally, some of the limitations that apply to attacking players in a triple-up may not apply as much to defenders, making a defensive double or triple-up arguably more of a viable move. 

However, by virtue of the players all sharing the same conditions and constraints on scoring and the typically high cost of tripling up on the best teams, the practice of tripling up in FPL will almost always be a higher-risk strategy that, as a result, is less likely to pay off over time than a broader and more flexible strategy.

In my eyes triple-ups are a lot like buying an expensive goalkeeper; it makes sense at the time, they’ll probably score you some points, but give it a few weeks and you’ll always start to think whether you could be doing something better with the money.


Simon is a former FPL world champion, claiming the coveted price in 2014/15. But there is more to this man than one season of good fortune. Since 2009, Simon has finished in the top 7k four times, only ending up outside the world’s top 60k once in an 11-campaign career.

2,478 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez to Mccarthy?

    Got 2 free transfers..

    1. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah. Do it.

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    3. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yep. did it.

  2. JHolmes
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    So pretty much no chance the AVL-NEW is played this GW?
    Current team:
    Martinez*- Steele
    Robertson - Chilwell - Bellerin - Konsa* - Ferguson
    Salah - Grealish* - Bruno - Son - Bissouma
    DCL - Wilson* - Bamford.

    With 4 nonplayers, Robbo a slight doubt, and no City, i sure have to FH this?
    Thinking of:
    Johnstone
    Chilwell - Robbo - James (Bednarek, Ferguson)
    Mahrez - KDB - Bruno - Jota
    DCL - Jesus - Abraham

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It's definitely off

      1. JHolmes
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        OK thanks, just gotta tinker with the FH team then.

    2. Jude Rooney
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You'll benefit more from your free hit later in the season. You can get 11 out with a hit

      1. JHolmes
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Ive got a lot of value tied up in villa players, i dont really want to get rid since i cant afford to get them back.

  3. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why is Cavani going under the radar?

    Almost 600 professional games and over 350 goals, a goal every 1.5 games across his career.

    A good pick?

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Im looking at him in 2 weeks.
      Definitely a good pick. No doubt whatsoever about his abilities

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Will be getting him soon

  4. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bottomed

    Thoughts on the following moves. Have 9 players starting.

    Rashford Watkins> Jesus Mahrez(-8)

    1. enrico.palazzo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No to Jesus

    2. Jude Rooney
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Rashford will start

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Rashford to Mahrez?

  5. enrico.palazzo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    No money ITB
    Any suggestions for transfers for a one week punt WC in tact

    McCarthy - 4.0
    Taylor - Chillwell - KWP - Justin
    KDB (C) - Son - Ziyech - Bissouma
    Kane - Vardy

    Mitchell, Grealish, Wilson

    1. enrico.palazzo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      At this stage im probably going to save

  6. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A or B for long term?

    A. Mendy+Robertson/TAA+Son
    B. McCarthy+James+Salah

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

    Folks, which combo should I go with ?

    A) Mahrez and Ziyech
    B) KDB and Brewster

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B because I think you need KDB going forward. But better if you can upgrade Brewster if you're going to have to play him every week

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

  8. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any suggestions for a defender- 5.4m or less?
    James, Chilwell + _______, Dallas 4th defender.

    Lamptey, AWB, Maguire, Cresswell some options..

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

      Coufal

  9. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is Cavani going to be banned? Or is he cleared?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What for?

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Racism on Twitter

  10. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Watkins to Adams for free or play Soucek?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Soucek

    2. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I like Adams over Watkins or Soucek.

  11. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Mendy
    Chilwell, Justin, Cancelo
    KDB(c), Mahrez, Bruno, Ziyech, Jota
    Vardy, DCL

    Coufal, Brewster, Targett

    G2g?

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      G2G

  12. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Still can not decide between Mahrez or Jota for -4.

    Want Mahrez (cause already have salah), but don’t want take a -4 hit just for one gameweek.

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Jota

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I went Mahrez

  13. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    AWB > Walker for FT

    Yes or No?

    No other City players

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, but not a fond of either tbh....

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

  14. Dthinger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why doesn’t anyone own Fofana?

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’m thinking Lascelles+ Ziyech to Fofana+Mahrez

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      CB are rarely good FPL picks unless they have some serious goal threat or are very budget friendly.

    3. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cb, Leicester hasn’t been great, cheaper options

  15. NWA
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hi lads would you choose Lamptey or Dier ?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lamptey

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I hadn’t realized Tottenham had been doing so well defensively since the west ham match. Glad I checked. I might go aurier or reguilon. I’d still prefer Lamptey to dier though (is be getting him if I didn’t already have him)

    3. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lamptey

    4. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lamptey

    5. NWA
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      thx all. although BHA doesnt keep lots of clean sheets seems like its unanimous decision. Thought to go for Dier around same price and more potential clean sheets for Spurs. Also when watchin games saw that Dier was a threat on corner and set pieces

  16. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts? 2 ft and 1.8 itb.

    Martinez Button
    Chilwell Cancelo Lamptey Taylor Cresswell
    KDB Bruno Ziyech Grealish Gordon
    Werner Bamford Watkins

    I think Cancelo has to go. Then I’ll need to decide if getting a backup gk or someone for Watkins is worth a ft. I can’t get Reece James because I already have 3 Chelsea

    A. Cancelo to Walker/Dias/KWP
    B. A and button to Johnston’s/McCarthy
    C. Cancelo and Watkins to KWP and Cavani
    D. Cancelo and ziyech to mahrez and James
    E. Something else

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B. Dias and Button to McCarthy

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers! Do you have any worries about Dias being rested?

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B but only latter part, gk out. Next week you can get James and ditch either Z or W. Having both is overkill.

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers! If I’m losing one if Werner or ziyech I’d want mahrez this gw. I don’t think it’s overkill though. I think Chelsea attack will be really good and seem underpriced.

  17. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Robbo to Walker for free? Looking to free up funds so I can do Ziyech to Salah next week.

    Martinez
    Robbo Chill Kilman
    Kdb bruno jack Ziyech
    Kane dcl wilson

    Have subs to get 10 players out this gw.

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why walker over Dias?

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Good point. Maybe it’s the increased potential attacking returns?

        1. Bad Kompany
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Definitely has more attacking threat (although Dias has scored quite a few headers). I’d expect Dias to play more though

  18. Stockport Hatter
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Interested to see any free hit teams out there today. This is mine: -

    Johnstone
    James Chilwell Justin
    Jota KDB Mahrez Bruno Son
    DCL Jesus

    Steer Brewster Bednarek Neco

    Who to captain is my only quandary.

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not sure I’d want double Chelsea defense. I’d expect Leeds to score. Could go Mendy and Werner in for Chilwell and Jesus. PVA could be a great differential.

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks. Mendy still leaves me with double Chelsea defence though. PVA a good shout though.

        1. Bad Kompany
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Ben Mendy, not the gk.

          Captain has to be a city player. Which one is anyone’s guess. Kdb is really safe pick, mahrez the riskier one with more upside

  19. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Watkins to Adams worth a hit?

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Don’t think so. Watkins will have 2 matches to make up later

    2. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Probably not worth a hit but I'd do it otherwise.

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ings is back soon, close call, but y since I wouldn't be happy with Watkins either. Barkley back soon though.

    4. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers all! 🙂

  20. Goodricke
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kane captain. i have a feeling he will get a hattrick.

    1. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Might end in tears.

      1. Goodricke
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        This game gets a tad stale when we all make the same moves. I have Bruno, Jota, Son, vardy and DCL, so if they haul, i will only miss the double up. No city as their rotations mean that everyone who may haul, may also start on the bench.

  21. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    And the armband goes tooooo....

    A Mahrez
    B runo
    C Vardy
    D Son

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A imo

    2. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Mahrez

    4. Goodricke
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      2 weeks ago no-one was giving Mahrez a look (2% ownership), now he is touted at Allah, Jesus and Buddha rolled into 1. He will probably start on the bench this time.

  22. Esalman
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Ziyech > Mahrez this week, Mahrez > Salah next week for free. Yay or nay?

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hard to say without knowing the rest of the team

      1. Esalman
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Team is linked on my profile, cheers!

        1. Bad Kompany
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Are you worried that Wilson will miss multiple gws? If not, they sound good. If so, you might want to use a transfer to remove him.

          1. Esalman
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Because of covid? I hope not. If he does I will not make the planned second move, I guess.

            1. Bad Kompany
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              On second thought I’m not sure it’s worth it. I’d just get salah this gw. Each transfer is pretty much worth 4 points and I don’t think Mahrez is likely to outscore salah by that much

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Seems good to me

  23. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    My brain tells keeping Ziyech, my heart tells switching to Mahrez. Either would become Jota next week.

    1. Goodricke
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Jota playing his former club this week. Those scenarios often cause results! Bamford at Chelski is another one!

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Just as often, if not more, they don't cause results.

  24. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Good luck to everyone...who have the same players as me. 😀