Fantasy Premier League GUIDE 2013-14

[hjperdeath 2,226]

1 . Don't depend on Chelsea ...

...or whatever team you support for that matter. Though the fantasy Premier League has rules of only 3 players from a certain club, not all fantasy leagues work that way. In that case, don't always pick the players that are in the club you support. It doesn't depend on the players stature but more on his form. Would you pick Fernando Torres over Robin van Persie? Yeah back in the day, I did do that, and I never actually thought about form. Some even go to the extremes of constituting their entire starting 11 with players from the top clubs. The fact is that more than half of the players are not on form.

What separates an experienced fantasy manager from a newbie is that an experience one does his homework. Watch games, google clubs and see how things are going for them. Write down the names of the players who have performed well last season and in the pre-season and try to include them in your team.

The first rule is simple, never ever pick a player cause of his stature or cause of your emotional commitment. The foundation of a solid fantasy team depends on solid form in every area.

Players from the lower or 'weaker' clubs actually have players who can bring in more points than the famous one's plying their trade in the Top 4.

2. Remember that fantasy follows a common footballing stereotype

Strikers win you games, but defenders win you Championships. Tell that to the guy who invented the fantasy league ! Attackers have always been responsible in bringing in more points. No matter how good a defender has played, he can only bring in the most points by scoring a goal, picking up an assist or getting involved in attacks.

This brings up the topic of full-backs. Choose your full-backs carefully because they are the ones who bring home the bacon.Their bombarding runs down the flanks and ability to whip the ball in could rack you up more points than one's who would provide a last-ditch tackle.

To summarise, go for players who provide more of an attacking threat. Once again use google, do your homework, find out about the players and especially those who move out of their position a lot.

3. Study the game week carefully

Let's have a look at the fixture list for a second -

Fixtures

Gameweek 1 - 17 Aug 11:30

17 Aug 12:45 Liverpool v Stoke City

17 Aug 15:00 Arsenal v Aston Villa

17 Aug 15:00 Norwich v Everton

17 Aug 15:00 Sunderland v Fulham

17 Aug 15:00 West Brom v Southampton

17 Aug 15:00 West Ham v Cardiff City

17 Aug 17:30 Swansea v Man Utd

18 Aug 13:30 Crystal Palace v Tottenham

18 Aug 16:00 Chelsea v Hull City

19 Aug 20:00 Man City v Newcastle

21 Aug 19:45 Chelsea v Aston Villa

There are two things you can study from the game week. One is constitute your team on the basis of stronger vs weak. To explain that lets look at the first fixture, i.e., Liverpool vs Stoke City. It would be common sense for one to field Suarez instead of Cameron Jerome in his squad, clearly because Suarez would have the higher chance of winning the game for his team and also cause he's a world-class. Looking at the game at the Hawthorns between West Brom and Southampton, one would have a harder time to chose a striker, either Shane Long or Rodriguez.

Second thing to look at is see which team has double fixtures. In this matter, we have our own Chelsea, who play Hull City and Aston Villa in game week 1. If history is anything to go by, then another 8-0 thumping would bring out loads of points. Always bring in key players from teams that have double fixtures in a single week.

4. Study the teams carefully

Know which of the players are injured. This is another huge mistake committed by new players. They have fielded players who are supposed to be really good but are actually out for the game. This is why the last chance to submit your team is few hours before the game. Watch the press-conferences cause the managers might talk about the status of players. NEVER FALL FOR THE "HE'S 50% fit " or " IT'S TOUCH AND GO UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE" TRICKS. It usually means the player is out and the manager has a long standing feud with a fantasy football manager. Also pray to your gods that no one gets injured during warm-up. Apparently Gareth Bale's girlfriend broke her water and cost me points.

PhysioRoom is a great site that keeps you up to date with all kinds of injuries and expected return dates that are 100% accurate. The injury table can be found here - http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php

4.Never make too many transfers

People make a lot of transfers at the end of the first gameweek, which is usually in panic, trust me I've been there. The thing is that you've to take into account on how much points you end up losing because by the end of the season these points will accumulate and you will have a huge loss on your hands. Sometimes it's best to go with your instincts. Turn religious, read the bible but don't make too many changes to fit in new players.

5. The importance of set pieces

Statistics have showed that set-piece takers are more likely to bring in points. In this matter I can help you out on who are the players that have taken set pieces for the clubs in pre-season and during the course of last-season -

Also it would be nice to know the players who brought in the most points to their managers last year -

[Barbara 15,149]

this dummy here trying the whole fantasy thing for the first time ever really appreciates it.

Maybe I won't suck much now!

[hjperdeath 2,226]

this dummy here trying the whole fantasy thing for the first time ever really appreciates it.

Maybe I won't suck much now!

Trust me , it takes time. I'm still quite bad at it, even though I know the way's to make a good team. keep going at it.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Injuries update. I'll update it once again if there are any changes after pre-match press conferences. choose your team's carefully. Cesar didn't dive head first into war without planning,

[hjperdeath 2,226]

UPDATE - CHEAPEST QUALITY PLAYERS ON THE MARKET.

Get them before their prices inflate would be an advice. Personal favorite would be Craig Gardner, though I haven't taken him this time. Regretted not putting Zaba in as well.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Another update. Over-priced players this time. The prices really aren't justified.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Another update. Over-priced players this time. The prices really aren't justified.

How are Luiz, Fellaini, Toure and Aguero overpriced?

[Slam Dunk 1,442]

I admire your dedication Usually I build a team, enter a league then forget about it until the last day of the season.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

How are Luiz, Fellaini, Toure and Aguero overpriced?

They're over priced in comparison to last season. According to fantasy football statistics, John Terry and Gary Cahill have been the most used partnership in bringing home the points. Hence Luiz at 6 million is overpriced cause Luke Shaw of Southampton, Williams of Swansea etc who brought in a lot of points had a very less starting price.

Fellaini due to tactical reasons. His greatest strength is listed down as attacking crosses and long balls, while Roberto Martinez prefers a passing strategy revolving around the philosophy of dominating possesion. He'll struggle to adapt. Plus his ongoing transfer rumors should actually drop his value until it clears as it has done slightly for Suarez and Bale.

Toure is the fifht highest expensive midfielder. But if you look at goal statistics, he is nowhere near to the others.

Aguero cause his second name is risk. He's had injury and could score only 12 goals in 30 appearances. moreover he will be battling for a place against Negredo and Jovetic. 3rd most expensive behind RVP and Bale.

Remember that over-priced in real football is different to fantasy.

[The Skipper 20,609]

They're over priced in comparison to last season. According to fantasy football statistics, John Terry and Gary Cahill have been the most used partnership in bringing home the points. Hence Luiz at 6 million is overpriced cause Luke Shaw of Southampton, Williams of Swansea etc who brought in a lot of points had a very less starting price.

Fellaini due to tactical reasons. His greatest strength is listed down as attacking crosses and long balls, while Roberto Martinez prefers a passing strategy revolving around the philosophy of dominating possesion. He'll struggle to adapt. Plus his ongoing transfer rumors should actually drop his value until it clears as it has done slightly for Suarez and Bale.

Toure is the fifht highest expensive midfielder. But if you look at goal statistics, he is nowhere near to the others.

Aguero cause his second name is risk. He's had injury and could score only 12 goals in 30 appearances. moreover he will be battling for a place against Negredo and Jovetic. 3rd most expensive behind RVP and Bale.

Remember that over-priced in real football is different to fantasy.

Yeah, but surely real life comes into play when these prices are considered.

Luiz is one of the top defenders in the league, of course he's going to be priced highly.

Fellaini brought in bags of points last year, so he'll obviously be expensive as well regardless of how Martinez might use him.

Toure is still one of the best midfielders in the PL, likewise with Aguero still being one of the best forwards in the PL.

I don't think they're overpriced at all, they're all expensive and rightly so, because they're the best players in the league in real life.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Yeah, but surely real life comes into play when these prices are considered.

Luiz is one of the top defenders in the league, of course he's going to be priced highly.

Fellaini brought in bags of points last year, so he'll obviously be expensive as well regardless of how Martinez might use him.

Toure is still one of the best midfielders in the PL, likewise with Aguero still being one of the best forwards in the PL.

I don't think they're overpriced at all, they're all expensive and rightly so, because they're the best players in the league in real life.

as I said it isn't real life. Points come in on the basis of clean sheets, ability to play 90 minutes, collecting cards, suspensions, goals scored, successful or unsuccessful set pieces taken.

Luiz is a top defender agreed. But he's dropped points in not completing 90 minutes, missing set pieces collecting cards and failing to keep set pieces.

Same for Fellaini, your team can win a game and you can bring add a said number of points. but did he take a set piece? did he get a card? did he complete 90 minutes? his major downfall was the headbutt last year, caused a lot of problems for managers. He might be a great player, his form might be average too, but if he picks up a yellow card, scores a goal and goes off in the 50th minute he won't bring in the same number of points as Kevin Nolan who completes 90 minutes, no yellow cards and picks up atleast an assist. lot of difference.

Aguero you can clearly see the difference. in comparison with other strikers he's blatantly over priced. once again not real life. he's a phenomenal forward, but in his fantasy life, Rodriguez of Southampton brought in more points.

Toure scored and he's brought in points, but 9 million for him is not really justified seeing how other players have been under-valued.

It's not just scoring a goal, picking up an assist and playing well that counts. lot of other factors too.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Update for risky picks coming in a moment. net problems.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

[DDA 9,985]

Erm ive made a team how do i enter the league???

[Barbara 15,149]

Erm ive made a team how do i enter the league???

PM Steve for the private league codes

[DDA 9,985]

PM Steve for the private league codes

Much appreciated Barbra!

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Guide on picking captains -

Probably the most asked question is who should be the captain. Some people to set themselves apart from the experienced fantasy players tend to make captains out of players depending on how they are in real life. For instance giving JT the captaincy in your fantasy team doesn't make sense at all. Captaincy and vice-captaincy should be given to those who are guaranteed to bring you maximum points so that your profits are multiplied.

According to statistics, Robin van Persie is the most picked players and also the one most people have entrusted the arm-band with. Not hard to see cause the Manchester United hit-man is likely to end up this season as the top scorer after scoring a brace against Wigan. Other options would be Pablo Zabaleta, any kind of goal keeper especially those like Asmir Begovic , Juan Mata and those who are most likely to finish 90 minutes of the game.

Assign your most attack-minded player with the arm-band would be the advice of the day.

Cheers. :tophat: