The new Premier League season is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to dive back into the world of Fantasy Premier League. With so many big decisions to make, like whether to splash out on Erling Haaland despite his hefty £15m price tag, or to invest in midfield maestros like Bukayo Saka or Bruno Fernandes, building the perfect team can feel overwhelming.
And then there’s the defensive dilemma—Saliba or Gabriel? Or maybe even both? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll break down the must-have players, strategic picks, and sleeper options that can help you outsmart your friends, claim the bragging rights, and prove yourself as the ultimate Fantasy Premier League manager. Get ready to assemble a winning squad and dominate your league this season!
How to be a Fantasy Premier League Boss
Fantasy Premier League: The Simple Stuff
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is an exciting way to engage with the Premier League season by creating your own virtual team of real-life players. As you build your team, keeping track of the Premier League schedule is crucial to maximize points and strategize for upcoming matches.
Here’s how it works:
- Budget: You start with a budget of £100 million to assemble a squad of 15 players, including 2 goalkeepers, 5 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 3 forwards. Each player has a set price based on their real-life performance and popularity.
- League System: You can compete in multiple Fantasy Premier League mini-leagues with friends, family, or colleagues, as well as global leagues against millions of other players. Points are earned based on your players’ performances in real-life matches, with goals, assists, clean sheets, and saves contributing to your total.
- Cup System: In addition to the Fantasy Premier League format, there’s a knockout cup competition within FPL that starts midway through the season. Players are randomly paired against each other, with the highest scorer advancing to the next round.
- Chips and Boosts:
- Wildcards: Two available per season, allowing unlimited transfers in a game week without a points deduction.
- Triple Captain: Your captain’s points are tripled instead of doubled for one game week.
- Bench Boost: Points from your bench players are included in your total for one game week.
- Free Hit: Make unlimited transfers for one game week only, with your team reverting to its original state the following week.
Fantasy Premier League – Key Principles:
Take the Bias Out: Don’t let loyalty to your favorite team cloud your judgment. Choose players based on form and fixtures, not just personal preference.
Plan Ahead: Look at upcoming fixtures and plan transfers with a long-term strategy in mind. Consider the balance of your squad over several game weeks.
Form Over Fixtures: While it’s important to consider who your players are up against, form often trumps fixtures. A player in great form can perform against any opposition.
Balance Your Budget: Don’t overspend on big names at the expense of the rest of your squad. A balanced team with reliable performers across the board often outperforms a top-heavy lineup.
Utilize Your Chips Wisely: Use your chips strategically. Save them for double game weeks or periods when your squad needs a boost, rather than using them early on.
Fantasy Premier League – Goalkeepers:
Ok, now the exciting stuff. Here’s who you need, and don’t need, in your team this year.
| Take | £ | Reason | Avoid | £ | Reason |
| Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace) | 4.5m | Dean Henderson is a solid budget pick at £4.5m, offering great value for a starting goalkeeper in a defensively solid Crystal Palace side. Henderson has proven his shot-stopping ability in the Premier League, and with Palace’s relatively favorable starting fixtures, he could rack up clean sheets and save points. | Andre Onana (Manchester United) | 5.0m | Andre Onana might be tempting given his pedigree, but Manchester United‘s defense has shown vulnerabilities, and at £5.0m, he’s a more expensive risk. His adjustment to the Premier League, coupled with United’s tendency to concede, makes him less appealing compared to other options at a similar or lower price. |
| Mark Flekken (Brentford) | 4.5m | Mark Flekken represents excellent value at £4.5m. He’s a cheaper alternative who could deliver solid returns with clean sheets and saves, especially given Brentford‘s disciplined defense. | Nick Pope (Newcastle) | 5.0m | Nick Pope is undoubtedly a quality goalkeeper, but at £5.0m, his price is steep considering Newcastle’s tougher fixture list. Newcastle‘s defense might struggle to replicate last season’s solidity, particularly against stronger opponents, making Pope a less attractive option compared to cheaper alternatives. |
Fantasy Premier League – Defenders:
| Take | £ | Reason | Avoid | £ | Reason |
| Pedro Porro (Tottenham) | 5.5m | Pedro Porro is a strong attacking full-back who contributes to Tottenham’s offensive play, with goals and assists potential. His advanced role in Ange Postecoglou’s system and set-piece duties increase his chances of returns, making him a value pick at £5.5m. | John Stones (Manchester City) | 5.5m | John Stones is a key part of City’s defense, but his rotation risk under Pep Guardiola and occasional deep-lying role reduce his fantasy potential. At £5.5m, there are more consistent and attacking defenders available for similar or lower prices. |
| Diogo Dalot (Manchester United) | 5.0m | Diogo Dalot‘s points return has increased for four consecutive years. He offers attacking returns from right-back and has shown an ability to get forward under Erik ten Hag. With United’s solid defense and Dalot’s increased involvement in attacks, he provides good value at £5.0m. | Kieran Trippier (Newcastle) | 6.0m | Kieran Trippier is a good player, but at £6.0m, he’s quite expensive, especially with Newcastle having Valentino Livramento on rotation. |
| Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa) | 5.0m | Ian Maatsen is a budget-friendly option who has shown attacking promise in pre-season. He was super bright for Dortmund last season. His ability to play both as a full-back and in midfield offers additional avenues for points. At £5.0m, he’s a versatile pick with high upside. | Reece James | 5.0m | Reece James is a talented defender, but his frequent injuries and Chelsea’s inconsistent form make him a risky choice. If he plays, he’s a bargain. The problem is that he hardly plays. Despite his potential, the uncertainty around his fitness and minutes make other options more reliable at the same price. |
Fantasy Premier League – Midfielders:
| Take | £ | Reason | Avoid | £ | Reason |
| Andreas Pereira (Fulham) | 5.0m | Andreas Pereira is Fulham’s set-piece specialist, taking penalties, corners, and free kicks. Last season, he ranked first among budget midfielders (that are still in the PL) for Fantasy Premier League points, assists, key passes, corners taken, and successful crosses. At £5.0m, he offers incredible value and consistent returns in a Fulham side that relies heavily on his creativity. | Heung min-Son (Tottenham) | 10.0m | Heung-Min Son has been a fantastic FPL asset in the past, but at £10.0m, he’s now an expensive option with declining returns. His form has been inconsistent, and Tottenham’s attacking style under the new manager remains uncertain, making him a risky and costly investment. |
| Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace) | 5.5m | Daichi Kamada should be on your radar as a budget midfielder with high upside. Kamada has demonstrated his ability to contribute significantly to attacking play, scoring 39 goals and assists in 76 Bundesliga appearances. His productivity and creativity could make him a key player for Crystal Palace at just £5.5m. | Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) | 7.0m | Gabriel Martinelli is a talented player, but he faces stiff competition from Leandro Trossard, which could result in rotation and reduced minutes. At £7.0m, this rotation risk makes him less appealing, especially when there are other options who are more assured of starts. |
| Luis Diaz (Liverpool) | 7.5m | Luis Díaz is an exciting option in Liverpool’s attack, particularly under a manager like Arne Slot, who favors left-sided wingers that can cut inside. With his pace and goal-scoring ability, Díaz offers great value at £7.5m, especially with Liverpool expected to be one of the league’s top-scoring teams. | Declan Rice (Arsenal) | 6.5m | Declan Rice is a fantastic player in real life, contributing significantly to Arsenal’s clean sheets. However, his FPL output is limited due to his defensive role, and at £6.5m, you can find midfielders who are more attacking and likely to deliver goals and assists, offering better value for money. |
Fantasy Premier League – Strikers:
| Take | £ | Reason | Avoid | £ | Reason |
| Dominic Solanke (Tottenham) | 7.5m | Dominic Solanke is a strong option at £7.5m, having scored 19 goals last season. With James Maddison now behind him, Solanke will likely get even more opportunities to find the net, making him a valuable addition to your FPL team. | Darwin Nuñez (Liverpool) | 7.5m | Darwin Núñez is famous for missing big chances, having only converted about a third of the 34 big chances he had last season. His xG underperformance (11 goals from 16.23 xG) suggests he’s not the most reliable finisher, making him a risky pick. |
| Jean Phillipe Mateta (Crystal Palace) | 7.5m | Jean-Philippe Mateta is a striker in top form under Oliver Glasner. After only scoring 3 goals before Gameweek 26 last season, Mateta exploded with 13 goals under Glasner, making him a great option at £7.5m. His recent performance in the Olympics further cements his potential. | Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) | 7.5m | Nicolas Jackson faces stiff competition and rotation with players like Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu. Additionally, he hasn’t shown the lethal finishing ability needed to be a consistent FPL asset, making him a less appealing choice. |
| Joao Pedro (Brighton | 5.5m | João Pedro is an excellent budget option at £5.5m, offering potential goal involvements as a third striker in your squad. His ability to chip in with goals and assists makes him a value pick, especially in a Brighton side known for attacking football. | Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United) | 7.0m | Joshua Zirkzee is likely to play in a deeper role behind Rasmus Højlund, reducing his goal-scoring opportunities. Despite his potential, he only scored 10 goals last season in Serie A as a striker, making him a risky pick at £7.0m. |
My Team:
I’ll be honest, I sometimes get sidetracked from the key principles. I like picking three players from Manchester United (although it always costs me…) and I like going off vibes. As a result, I always lose my leagues. What do you think of my team though? Let me know @NickyHelfgott1 on Twitter (X).
By Nicky Helfgott – NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter)
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