Fantasy Premier League

 

 

 

Waiting for the new Premier League season to start can seem to drag. But after the excitement of the World Cup, and the end of Love Island (we know who you are) we really don’t have long to wait before the new 2018/19 season starts on the 10^th August.

 

Like many, we all think that we could be the next Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Sir Alex Ferguson or the mighty Gareth Southgate, and the closest we will ever get to manage footballs superstars is by creating and joining in with fantasy teams.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many formats out there that let you test your skills and knowledge to become a winning fantasy league manager. I use the official Premier League’s fantasy football which is free to use and allows you to create and join group leagues with also prizes to be won should you be successful against the other 5 million other players.

 

You have £100m to use to select a squad of 15 players (2 Goalkeepers, 5 defenders, 5 midfielders and 3 forwards). Each player is given a value and depending on how they performed the season before you can expect to find a whopping figure taking a huge chuck out of your £100m. Take Salah for example. He had an exceptional season in 2017/18 and is this season’s most expensive player at an eye watering £13m.

 

 

  

You are allowed to select up to 3 players from the same team. So if you think that one team will dominate and you are feeling brave enough to select from the same team, then this could really work in your favour. And, if you keep up to date with transfers and are really confident that a player is moving from one club to another, but you have already selected 3 – if you select them before they move you won’t be penalised and could end up with 4 from the same team!

 

Once you have selected you squad you then get to decide who starts and who is on the bench, and what formation you are going to play. The formations that you can choose are 3-5-2, 3-4-3, 4-4-2 or 4-3-3. Those who are selected in the first 11 will be your scoring team. Those who are on the bench will still score points, but they won’t be taken into account for your team. You will also pick a captain (double points) and vice-captain (who will score double if your captain doesn’t play).

 

Before the season starts you can make as many transfers as you like. But as soon as the window closes you will be restricted on how many free transfers you make per game week. You can continue to make as many transfers as you wish though you will be deducted points for those extra transfers you make. You are also given ‘chips’ to use during the season. These ‘chips’ can only be used once but if used at the correct time can give you the best opportunity to collect as many points as possible. The 5 chips are Bench Boost, Triple Captain, Free Hit, Wildcard 1 and Wildcard 2. Bench Boost can be used anytime throughout the season and will all points from the bench will also be taken into account. Triple captain can be used anytime and will give your captain triple points for that game week, Free Hit can be used at any time and will allow you to make as many transfers to your squad without being penalised, but will revert back to your original squad the next game week. Wildcard 1 must be used before 29^th December. This allows you to make as many transfers to your squad without being penalised. Wildcard 2 can be used from gameweek 21 and like wildcard 1, can allow you to make as many transfers as you wish without being penalised. Due to the fact that these chips can only be used once throughout the season, its knowing when to play them can bolster your teams’ points.

 

Hints and Tips

There is no set way that will guarantee success; a lot is down to luck as you may pick a player who was amazing last season, but ends up having a stinker. Or you pick a player of low value who turns out to be one of the best picks. It really is luck. There can be ways that you set your formation, the players you pick or when to play your chips that can give you the edge over your opponents and below are a couple of things I take into consideration when selecting my squad what formation to use and when to use my chips.

 

Players

I tend to pick defenders who are wingbacks. They are likely to get assist points as they no doubt will be used in attack to supply crosses from the wings and could also pop up with a goal 2 in the season. Should you have that along with a clean sheet could see them pick up decent points. Alonso for Chelsea is an example to use for this, not only did he create a lot of goals, he scored too. He picked up a LOT of points for a defender (165).

My midfield genially consists of the play makers who can provide plenty of assists along with the added bonus of scoring goals. Take Salah, he was the complete play maker and picked up an impressive 303 points last season. Also consider those who take set pieces. Milivojevic (a lower priced player) from Crystal Palace took their penalties and at the end of the season picked up 10 goals finishing with 144 points.

 

Forwards is a little more difficult to master as these are the ones you expect to bag all the goals and get you the points. Loan strikers are usually the best with Kane proving that with 29 goals last season, 29 the season before and 25 before that. 

 

Formation

This can be changed every week so don’t be afraid to tinker around with this. Take into consideration if the bench players play each week and are getting you points, if the players are at home or away. Or injuries to a team that means your player(s) are potentially going to play the following week. Also don’t be afraid to drop a player if they are having a bit of a bad time – form is temporary. With how I select my players (above) I tend to start with the 3-4-3 formation.

 

Chips

These require a little more thought as you only get one of each and can only be used once. Used well they can be just what you need to pull away from the pack, or close the gap on the leader.

 

Bench Boost – This chip allows all 15 players points to be taken into account. I tend to use this when there are double games in a week.

Triple Captain – This chip gives your selected captain triple points for the gameweek. I use this when I feel my captain is playing against a team that is struggling.

Free Hit – This chip allows unlimited transfers to the squad for the gameweek it is used. Once that gameweek has passed your team reverts back to your original squad.

Wildcard 1 – This chip can be used anytime up to 29^th December. This allows unlimited, permanent transfers to your squad.

Wildcard 2 – This chip can be used from gameweek 21 and the same principles apply like wildcard 1.

 

The main things to consider for when using your chips are during double gameweeks, or when there are postponements with only a handful of games being played. The temptation is to use them up early, but be patient – it could be the difference to winning big.

 

Transfers

Each week you are allowed 1 free transfer. If you do not use this it will rollover to the following gameweek giving you 2 free transfers. Again, try to resist temptation and utilize these free transfers. Have the guts to also sacrifice some points by making an extra transfer to an in-form player. They should return those points you had deducted bringing them in.

 

Try, try, try to keep up to date with your squad and don’t rush. By taking your time and planning ahead you have the potential to be a successful fantasy league manager.

 

I hope you enjoy your season and good luck!

 

Germany 0 – 1 Mexico

 

 

 

 

It is time for the reigning world champions Germany to take the stage against an experienced Mexico side, who had over half of the squad being capped over 50 times.

The first 10 minutes set the tempo nicely for the game which was lively and open. There were plenty of chances for both teams and it was Mexico who came closest early on from a free kick in the 14th minute, producing a good save from Neuer.

As the half progressed, Germany started to test the Mexican ‘keeper by trying their luck from distance.  However, there was nothing that caused any real concern.

 

Mexico look very good on the counter attack but the quality letting them down. They are finding ways to get through a strong defensive wall, and with ease. But with that lack of quality, or that misplaced pass are these opportunities going to come back to haunt them?

At the minute? No, as Mexico lead! The counter attack that looked so dangerous finally pays off. A straight ball to Hernadez who cleverly flicked it on broke through the German defence. He led the attack and played it through to Lozano. His touch appeared to have gotten away from him as he cut back on his right foot, but his shot beat Neuer at his near post. Once thing is for sure is that the Mexicans really get behind their team and it was reported that the celebration in the goal triggered earthquake monitors!

 

 

Toni Kross rattled bar from a free kick on 37^th minute which was given away cheaply by Lozano. Replays show that Ochoa got finger tips to it which deflected on to the bar. Great save.

 

 

 

 

 

The tempo continues in the 2^nd half with lots of possession for the German team, but again no real chances created. The full backs were pressing high and again this nearly cost them another goal, as there was another break from Mexico. Like in the first half though, that last past, that bit of quality letting the Mexicans down again.  

Nothing has changed in the way this half is playing out in that Germany are continuing to dominate. A floated ball into the box finished with an audacious overhead kick which looked as though it was causing the keep concern as he scrambled back to try and stop the effort.  

Approaching 70 min and you can clearly see that fatigue is setting in the Mexico team. Germany pressing, Mexico sitting back. With that said the counter attack is still in the Mexican armoury. Hernandez was played into the area but his run was shadowed by Hummels and they came together resulting in a weak penalty appeal.

More and more German pressure but Mexico are finding it easy to absorb and clear.

How many chances does Mexico need to punish Germany? They really could have scored 5 or 6 today.  They have so many opportunities with Germany who are playing with such a high line. But that final pass or the accuracy of the shot has really let them down.

The equaliser was nearly found from a spectacular effort from Brant who’s sweetly struck volley stuck the outside of the post. That was close. Shots now pepper the Mexican goal. Is the inevitable coming? No! Mexico wins and it has reduced their fans and players to tears. It was spirited performance from them and the result is one that is well deserved.

Not what the Germans would have wanted, as the last time Germany lost their opening game in a World Cup was 1982 against Algeria. With that said, they did go on to win that year. What must be concerning for them though is how easy Mexico found it to get through on goal. Should they find themselves facing a better side (no disrespect to Mexico) they could end up on the receiving end of battering. Fans do still think they will progress from this group, but what faces them in the next round could be a potential games against Brazil.

 

Mexico will take major positives from this win. Their aim is to progress past the last 16. With the experience in the squad, and with small tweaks in polishing off that final pass, they could be in with a chance.