SoRare

European football returns to the free-to-play Sorare Academy


Sponsored by Sorare


After an enjoyable summer of MLS action, European football is back and we’ve got matches to pick from across three of the five big leagues this weekend.

This week, we’ve got some tips from a new guest blogger, Jonny, which should help you whether you’re playing our free-to-play game or dipping your toe into the main Sorare game. 

After playing a range of other fantasy games for many years and a peak of a top 600 FPL finish, Jonny found Sorare in July 2020 and hasn’t looked back. You can find him on Twitter as @IndexGuru.


The Sorare Academy allows users to explore the Sorare platform and play with the most expensive players without paying the price – and to compete for Sorare prizes, with the top 15 players winning a limited card each week.

ENTER THE SORARE ACADEMY HERE

Tip 1: Look for peak scores

Making the top 15 of the Sorare Academy will take incredible scores; therefore, when looking at players to choose, you need to target players who can score 90+ points.

For example, Rafael Borré and Florian Tardieu have a very similar average per game, but for the Academy, I am going to be more likely to pick Tardieu if he has a good match. 

Here’s why: if Borré has a good game, you will probably be limited to 70 points, but if Tardieu has one of his better games, I know it could reach the top scores of 80 to 100.

Tip 2: Use high-scoring partnerships 

The term ‘stacking’ means using players from the same team in the same line-up. The logic is that you only need one result to work in your favour to get a good score. The difficulty is picking five players from that team who all get a decent return.

One option is to place a goalkeeper and defender from the same team in your line-up. If the team keeps a clean sheet, they both benefit – the keeper gets a 25-point boost and the defender receives 10 points.

Looking at Alexander Nubel and Benoit Badiashile in the example above, they hit their peak scores when Monaco kept a clean sheet. By combining these players, you would have started with 172 points and wouldn’t need to rely on another clean sheet.

Combining midfielders and attackers might not be as clear-cut as defenders and keepers as they don’t necessarily benefit from the same action, although one tactic could be to pick attackers and midfielders from teams you think will score lots of goals that week. If a team scores five goals, the chances are you will get several goals and assists among your attackers.

Tip 3: Use fixtures to your advantage

In a one-week contest like Sorare Academy, it is crucial to focus on the best players overall and on good players who also have good fixtures.

You might think that Christopher Nkunku is one of the best players to use, but in a game against Bayern Munich, he would not be the best pick. Similarly, you may not like Wolfsburg as a team, but they could be playing a newly promoted side who concede a lot of goals. This would make some Wolfsburg players a perfect pick for that week. 

Aim for:

  • A team at the top of the league in good form playing a team in the lower half in poor form
  • Picking attackers who play teams that concede a lot of goals
  • Picking defenders and keepers who play against teams that don’t score a lot

Here are three fixtures you might consider for the Gameweek beginning 5th August:

1. Fulham vs Liverpool 

After their Community Shield triumph, Liverpool faces newly-promoted Fulham at Craven Cottage. Liverpool finished second in the league last year, scoring 94 goals and only conceding 26 goals in their 38 games last season. This makes them great options in attack and defence.

Conversely, when Fulham were last in the Premier League, they only scored 27 goals and conceded 53. With this in mind, you would assume that Liverpool will score several goals, and their defence should be strong enough to keep a clean sheet.

2. Clermont vs PSG

PSG finished the season as Ligue 1 champions and, like Liverpool, were both dominant in defence and attack. They scored 90 goals, which was eight more than the next best in the league. They also had the joint best defence in the league, only conceding 36 goals. 

On the other hand, Clermont just avoided relegation while scoring 38 and conceding 69. The results were 6-1 and 4-0 in PSG’s favour when the two sides faced each other last season.

3. Lyon vs Ajaccio 

Lyon are a solid attacking side and last season scored 66 goals, which was third best in the league. Their defence, on the other, concedes quite a few goals; therefore, I would focus mainly on their midfield and attack. 

Ajaccio did, however, have a solid defensive record in Ligue 2, but it will be a big step up in their return to Ligue 1. When the two sides met in the 2021 Coupe de France, Lyon won the game 5-1.

Best of luck this Gameweek – don’t forget the deadline to pick your team is Friday at 11am!

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Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

Adam @ Football Trader Adam has been scouting for and trading in football games for far too long and for far too many hours. He has a particular interest in the big 5 European Leagues as well as lesser known ones like the Eredivisie, Primeira Liga and even the MLS. Before he managed to somehow make a living by writing about football, he spent ~10 years as a Ministerial adviser and project/risk manager for the UK Government including the Foreign Office and MOD. When not buried in xG spreadsheets he plays too many computer games, lifts heavy things in the gym and attempts to cultivate a handsome beard.

640 Comments Post a Comment
  1. fuzzymike
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Maddison Q: he only played 2454 minutes last season, this due to injuries or rest/subs??

    1. Tomerick
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Injury

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      still played 35 times, think occasionally limited minutes, early sub because of a knock

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Injury

      1. fuzzymike
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Cheers

  2. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Andreas and Williams are gifts and now the Leicester keepers for 8m. Budget enablers galore

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Gifts or booby traps? If Chelsea get Fofana, Leicester will again have a weak defence. Call me old fashioned, but I prefer points to money.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Probably won’t do much worse off than most of the 4.5’s though to be fair which is what I was on.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          That's true enough. But I wonder if some people will be too seduced by the prospect of spending 8.0 on keepers to forget what terrific value there is in the 5.5/5.0 bracket.

          1. Spoox777
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Agreed. Ramsdale excellent value at 5.0m.

  3. Zoostation
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    G2G?

    Ward (Sanchez)

    TAA Gabriel Walker Trippier (Williams)

    Salah (C) Son Martinelli Bailey (Andreas)

    Haaland Jesus (Archer)

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      As good as a 3mium gets.

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Nah this is better 🙂
        Ward Iverson
        James Cancelo TAA Perisic Doherty
        Bailey Martinelli Son Salah ( Andreas)
        Haaland (Archer, Greenwood)

        Jesus comes in week 3 with Saka and selling Haaland and Bailey

        1. Zoostation
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Kudos to you for going without Jesus but I don't have the balls for that lol

  4. R.C
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Need more votes/opinions

    Which combo?

    1. Iversen/Ward + Saka + Robbo
    2. Ramsdale + Diaz + James

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      1 has Arsenal triple attack - Saka + Martinelli + Jesus

  5. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    With so many good options, I think it will be important to be quick on the switch this year

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Flexible formation is ideal for that but most players should be reachable within 2 moves

  6. Modest Bob
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Any activity is the Ego distracted g us from realising our true nature. When one sits in silence and the mind becomes quiescent our true nature of peace, joy and loves shines through.

    A) Yes

    B) No

    C) Salah+Aaronson

  7. Bojam
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Rejigged draft. Thoughts appreciated.

    Ward/Iverson
    Trent, Walker, Perisic
    Salah (C), Son, Mount, Martinelli, Bailey
    Darwin, Jesus

    (Neco, Patterson, Archer)

    Thinking Son -> KDB or Mount -> Foden/Mahrez for City attack GW2.

    Cheers!

    1. Bojam
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Have 0.5 itb for upgrades / coping with early price changes.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      How confident are you with Darwin starting GW1?

      Mount to foden GW2

      1. Bojam
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Quite confident but figure even 30 mins against a tiring Fulham could be very productive. Longer term I think he’ll be a regular starter and have an excellent season. Quite possibly a proper bargain at 9m!

  8. mattyb09
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    a) LEI GKs, Walker, Martinelli
    b) Ederson, 4.0 DEF, Neto

    Rest of team:

    Ward [*****]
    TAA Robbo Cancelo Trippier [*****]
    Salah Saka Bailey [*****] Andreas
    Kane Jesus Archer

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

  9. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    No more tinkering now until pressers tomorrow

    Slight worry with no James, 8m mid spot and Haaland v Kane.

    0ITB
    Ward
    TAA Cancelo Perisic Robbo
    Salah Kulu Bailey Martinelli
    Haaland Jesus
    (Sanchez Neco Andreas Archer)

    1. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Downgrade Robbo > James then use the 1.0m to upgrade Bailey > 6.0m midfielder or Archer > 5.5m striker?

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        I definitely want to go with 3 Liverpool players for the start of the season. I could downgrade Robbo to James and go Diaz in the 8m spot. More likely to upgrade Neco with the 1m to a 5m def than use it on Bailey or Archer

  10. BenMoran25
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    I feel like my team is super template, but would appreciate any thoughts on glaring omissions or room for improvement:

    Alisson - Ward
    TAA - Cancelo - James - Perisic - N Williams
    Salah - Mount - Martinelli - Andreas - Bailey
    Jesus - Haaland - Archer

    Thanks in advance!

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Core template is there so team is fine

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      8/10

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Looks great

  11. ehg
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Think I’m done. Any thoughts? Template picks, largely, but between a starting 4.0 keeper, two starting 4.0 defenders and the need to WC by week 8 I feel like the opportunity to get all of these names in my starting 11 is too good to pass up

    Iverson
    TAA Cancelo James
    Salah Diaz Sancho Martinelli Bailey
    Kane Jesus

    Ward Neco Patterson Archer

    1. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      No MCI attack?

      1. ehg
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Yeah, it’s a tough one. I think Haaland needs time to adjust, so I see Kane outscoring him for the first few weeks, and trying to pick one of Mahrez / Foden / Grealish feels impossible. Could do Diaz or Sancho to one of those three, but I’m not convinced they’re worth the rotation risk initially.

    2. theodosios
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Nice. I have pretty much same team

  12. Spoox777
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Think i'm ready? Still not sure whether to go Kane + Mahrez or Haaland + Kulusevski?

    Ramsdale
    TAA / Cancelo / James / Dalot
    Salah / Kulusevski / Martinelli / Neto
    Haaland / Jesus

    Ward / Edouard / Andreas / N.Williams

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Haaland Foden

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Two of Grealish, Mahrez and Foden for the WF spots, I don't think I would be comfortable with Mahrez

      1. Spoox777
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        I feel i need Spurs attack though so...
        Kane + Mahrez/Foden/Grealish or Haaland + Kulusevski as i can't afford Son.

        1. L S P
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          FWIW I'm going Haaland+Kulu

        2. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Kane v haaland is a tough choice for everyone. I've decided Haaland due to captaincy in GW2 and not captaining Kane in GW1.

          Haaland and Kulu then maybe look at Kulu to City WF in GW2

        3. ehg
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          You don’t *need* specific teams - if you think Haaland outscores Kane & Mahrez outscores Kulusevski then pick both

  13. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Hubba hubba

    Ward
    Trent, James, Perisic, Gabriel
    Salah, Martinelli, Bailey
    Kane, Haaland, Jesus

    Iversen, Williams, Andreas, Dasilva

    1. Indpush
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Same GK, mids, forwards and bench.

      Robbo, Cancelo, Zinchenko, Tripps

  14. gart888
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    If I already have Ward, and the third name will compete with Walker for my 11th starting spot:

    A - Ramsdale, Neto, Bailey
    B - Sanchez, Martinelli, Bailey
    C - Iversen, Martinelli, Neto

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B

  15. Pigeon
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Is the best no Salah draft?

    Iversen
    TAA Robertson Perisic Cancelo
    KDB Son Bailey Martinelli
    Darwin Jesus
    Ward Williams Archer Pereira

    I can easily switch to Salah, Kane and Mount but I really like the look of this team.

    1. gart888
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      No Salah or premium striker seems madness to me.

      Only reason I'd go no Salah is to spread funds more. This looks almost like a typical salah team but KDB or Son instead of him.

    2. L S P
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      no No Salah draft is best

    3. Bojam
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I’m looking at something similar but with Salah:

      Ward/Iverson
      Trent, Walker, Digne, Perisic
      Salah, Son, Mount, Martinelli
      Darwin, Jesus

      Neco, Pereira, Archer

  16. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    "Everyone" who matters in the end of the season is basically going to have Jesus, Martinelli and perhaps Ramsdale. However, Saka looks like possibly best 8.0 pick. Could having no Ramsdale and having attacking triple up with Saka be the way to go? And if not, is there case for keeping 3rd Ars slot free for Saka or Zinchenko if needed?

    1. gart888
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I like Diaz more than Saka to start. I think I like Sanchez+0.5 more than Ramsdale because of how well he rotates with Liecester.

      3rd Arsenal slot empty for me right now!

      1. gart888
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Brighton + Leciester rotation

        GW1 - Brentford
        GW2 - Newcastle
        GW3 - Southampton
        GW4 - Leeds
        GW5 - Fulham
        GW6 - Leicester/Brighton (lol)
        GW7 - Bournemouth
        GW8 - Palace
        GW9 - Forest
        GW10 - Bournemouth

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Triple arsenal attack is a bit too aggressive for my liking when looking at the opening fixtures. I'm keeping the 3rd spot open for Saka for GW3 onwards. Currently on Martinelli and Jesus

    3. FPL_trail_runner
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Its my plan for week 3 onwards

      Only martinelli to start with

    4. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Considering this for first 8 GWs before WC GW9

      Fixtures are plum for hauls & I think Arsenal will score heavily in these games

      I’m am in Zinchenko over Saka as the 3rd option currently

  17. C_G
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Son or KDB? (have Kane)

    1. tikka mo'salah
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Really liking the look of KDB, so he was first in my team. Since you already got Kane I'd easily go KDB.

  18. Original Sin
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Ward
    TAA Robbo Perisic Doherty
    Salah Mount Rashford Martinelli
    Haaland Jesus
    Sanchez Ait-Nouri Andreas Plange

    Good to go?

  19. Spoox777
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    An FPL playing mate asked me if i thought the game would be as much fun if we could only pick 1 player only from teams?
    What do you think?

    No more Salah + TAA double ups?

  20. Evil Greg
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    'Sorare', think they should change that. Not great branding.