Top tips for the FPL season
Heading into the new FPL season managers are full of optimism for how the campaign will go. To ensure managers have the bet chance to win their mini-league’s here are our top tips for the FPL season.
Whether you are a new FPL manager or a seasoned pro there are a few things you can do to ensure that you have the very best campaign. Here we share our top tips for success in the 2022/23 season.
1. Pick good players from good teams
It sounds quite obvious, but pick good players from good teams. Good players refer to those who have the highest potential points ceilings for their price tags.
Aiming to include players from teams such as Liverpool, Spurs, Manchester City and Chelsea for example are often key. Players from these teams often have high ceilings because they play in teams that can score three, four, five goals on any given week.
2. It’s a marathon not a sprint
Over the course of a season you have to view FPL as a marathon. At the start of the season, because we have a limited set of data, it’s best to just play the fixtures, when targeting players. These players can then be moved on as form becomes apparent. Be patient, look ahead, and view FPL as a marathon which can’t be won or lost in a single Gameweek.
3. The fear of missing out is real
With so many premium assets in the game is it impossible for FPL managers to own everyone. Therefore managers in the 2022/23 season will likely need to get used to the fear of missing out.
Over the course of the season managers should plan carefully of the fixture runs and move players in and out as form peaks. Doing this will hopefully mean not missing too many of the big points hauls. But likely there will be a few managers don’t catch over the season.
4. Chunk the season
This season for the first time FPL managers will have a mid season World Cup which divides the campaign. Managers should therefore use this window and the first Wildcard to chunk the season. Playing Wildcard 1 around Gameweek 8 and using the Unlimited Transfer Window from Gameweek 16 means that managers can target fixture runs for a limited period therefore hopefully maximising FPL returns.
5. Treat the season as a fresh slate
When players have returned well for you in previous seasons it is very easy to prioritise them ahead of the new season. Likewise when assets have disappointed it is very easy for managers to rule them out. However, managers should treat each season as a new start. Look at the fixtures and the form heading into the campaign and consider the likelihood of points returns. Bruno Fernandes was the top points scorer in 2020/21, only to disappoint in 2021/22. Managers invested heavily after his great season and so far are avoiding him this season after last year. This will make him a potentially good differential for managers who wipe the slate clean.
6. Play your own game
It’s so easy as an FPL manager to be lead in to decisions based on what your mates are doing or what the others are saying on social media. Managers often also find themselves making decisions because the players ownership stats are hurting their ranks or through fear of not owning them. Therefore going into the 2022/23 season play your own game and target the players that you think will achieve rather than following the crowd. Doing this can mean you differentiate your team which can really boost a managers overall rank.
7. Take you time over transfers and decisions
When making decisions it is important to think them through carefully. Don’t rush into them at the beginning of the week when their are still games to be played and players could pick up injuries. Wait for the team news and manager press conferences to inform your decision making. Every Gameweek managers will be making one or two key decisions it is always sensible not to act on impulse instantly, after a game is finished. Managers often have a number of days to make a decision and whilst sometimes it’s nice to catch those early price rises, there are often cheaper players who emerge, meaning that budget isn’t always king.
8. Spread the budget
In the early Gameweeks of the season it is important to spread the budget. Managers want to be as flexible as possible and be able to move between the in-form players.
It can be tempting for managers to tie all of the budget up in midfield or heavily invested in the back. Doing this can make it hard to move the budget to invest in other positions on the pitch without taking a points hit.
9. Plan chip use carefully
The chips can make the difference between finishing top of your mini league or coming second. Don’t waste the chips, plan for them carefully to ensure maximum potential returns. Use the Triple Captain chip for the perfect in form player with he ideal match(es). Likewise with the Bench Boost chip, use it in a week when, as far as you can be, you are sure every player in you 15 will get minutes. The Wildcards should be preplanned wherever possible to ensure that managers can benefit from the price changes as well as have maximum tinker time.
10. Have fun!
FPL is a game designed to bring fun, make sure that you enjoy playing over the course of the season. Don’t like disappointing Gameweeks ruin the fun of the game.
Never played FPL before? We take a look at why you should sign up for an FPL team.
