FPL (Fantasy Premier League) is a fantasy football game where players create their teams by selecting real-life footballers from the English Premier League. The game is based on the performance of the footballers in actual matches, and points are awarded based on various statistics, such as goals scored, assists, clean sheets, saves, and more.

You can adjust your team by making transfers, using chips and changing formations to maximize your points. Playing the game is a fun way to engage with the league and test your knowledge of players and teams.

How to play FPL

Playing FPL is easy to pick up. Here's a step-by-step guide to get you started:

Create an Account

• Sign up on the official Fantasy Premier League website or download the FPL app (available on iOS and Android).

• Register using your email or sign up with your social media accounts (Google, Facebook, etc.).

Set Up Your Team

• Once your account is created, you can start building your fantasy team.

• You are given a budget of £100 million to select a squad of 15 players. That is two goalkeepers, five defenders, five midfielders and three forwards.

• Players have different prices depending on their form, position, and popularity, so you must balance the budget when selecting your team.

Understand the Rules

Formation: Your team's formation must include at least:

• 1 Goalkeeper

• 3 Defenders

• 2 Midfielders

• 1 Forward

You can choose from popular formations like 4-4-2, 3-5-2, or 4-3-3.

Choose Your Starting XI

• From your squad of 15, you need to select 11 players for each gameweek. Only these players will earn points.

• The remaining four players will sit on your bench and serve as substitutes. If one of your starting players doesn't play, the bench players will automatically come in (starting from left to right on your bench).

Pick a Captain and Vice-Captain

• Captain: Your captain will score double points for that gameweek.

• Vice-captain: If your captain does not play, your vice-captain will take over and earn the double points.

Earn Points

Your players earn points based on their actual performance in the Premier League games. Here are some common ways players score points:

Goals scored:

• Forward: +4 points

• Midfielder: +5 points

• Defender/Goalkeeper: +6 points

Assists: +3 points

Clean sheet: +4 points (defenders and goalkeepers); +1 point (midfielders)

Saves (goalkeepers): +1 point for every 3 saves

Bonus points: Awarded to the best performers of a match.\

Make Transfers

After each gameweek, you can transfer players in and out of your squad. You get 1 free transfer each week. Additional transfers will cost you -4 points per extra transfer.

You can also roll over your free transfer to the next week if unused, but you cannot accumulate more than 2 free transfers.

Manage Your Team Week-to-Week

Regularly review your team and make adjustments based on:

• Fixtures (teams with easier or harder opponents)

• Injuries or suspensions

• Player form and upcoming match predictions

Use Chips

Throughout the season, you get four special chips that you can use strategically:

• Wild Card: Unlimited transfers for that week (can be used twice a season).

• Bench Boost: Points from your entire 15-man squad count, not just your starting XI.

• Triple Captain: Your captain earns triple points for that week.

• Free Hit: Unlimited transfers for one gameweek only, but your team returns to its original state the next week.

The bench boost, triple captain and free hit chips can only be used once per season.

Why you should consider playing FPL

1. Engages Your Interest in the Premier League

If you already follow the Premier League, playing FPL enhances your viewing experience. It gives you a reason to follow every game, every player, and every goal, not just the team you support.

2. Strategic Fun

FPL involves a blend of luck and strategy. You must consider match fixtures, player form, injuries, and team tactics to make smart decisions. This can make watching football more engaging as you think critically about player performance.

3. Competitions and Social Interaction

FPL offers public and private leagues where you can compete with friends, family, or people worldwide. This can lead to fun, friendly rivalry and add excitement to your football season.

4. Improves Knowledge of the Game

You'll become more knowledgeable about the Premier League, not just the star players. FPL encourages you to pay attention to lesser-known players and teams. Understanding tactics, team rotations, and player potential becomes important, which can deepen your love for the sport.

5. Chance to Win Prizes

The official FPL offers various prizes for top performers, including experiences like match tickets, signed merchandise, and even cash prizes. While the competition is tough, winning some leagues can be highly rewarding.

6. Enhances Matchdays

Instead of only focusing on your favorite team's match, every EPL game becomes interesting. You'll root for players from other teams, cheer for defenders to keep clean sheets, or celebrate a late goal that gives you critical points.

Strategies to earn the most points

Maximizing your points in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) requires careful planning, strategy, and a mix of short-term and long-term thinking. Below are some key strategies to help you score the most points throughout the season:

1. Focus on Fixtures

• Look at the upcoming fixture difficulty for each team. Target players with favorable matchups against weaker teams over the next few weeks.

• Use resources like the FPL Fixture Ticker (available on many FPL websites) to identify teams with an easier run of games.

• Avoid or transfer out players facing a string of tough matches.

2. Rotate Budget Defenders and Goalkeepers

• Instead of investing heavily in expensive defenders, use cheaper defenders with favorable fixtures. Rotate these players based on who has easier matchups each week.

• Do the same with your goalkeepers, picking a rotating pair from teams that have good alternating home fixtures, increasing the chance of clean sheets.

3. Captaincy Choice Is Critical

• Choose your captain wisely, as they earn double points. The right captain can be the difference between an average and a great gameweek.

• Prioritize captaining in-form players who are likely to score or assist, especially when they are playing weaker opposition.

• Be mindful of selecting captains based on home advantage, as players generally perform better in home games.

4. Balance Premium and Budget Players

• While it's tempting to fill your team with high-priced stars like Erling Haaland or Mohamed Salah, having a balanced squad is essential. Don't overspend on too many premium players.

• Use budget players (often called "enablers") who are regular starters in their teams, giving you funds to splash on star performers.

5. Pay Attention to Form

• Monitor player form closely. Players on hot streaks (e.g., scoring or assisting regularly) are likely to continue performing well.

• Use the "Transfers" tab in FPL to see which players are in form and being transferred in by other managers.

6. Keep an Eye on Injuries and Suspensions

• Stay up to date with the latest injury news and suspensions. Remove injured or banned players from your squad as soon as possible.

• You can use FPL's injury status information or follow websites that track injuries like Fantasy Football Scout or Twitter accounts dedicated to FPL updates.

7. Use Transfers and Chips Wisely

• Transfers: Make transfers based on form and fixtures, but don't chase points by swapping players every week. Think long-term, and don't waste points by making multiple unnecessary transfers.

• Wild Card: Use your Wild Card during key moments, such as when there are major injuries or double gameweeks (weeks when some teams play twice). Plan ahead to use this chip strategically.

• Triple Captain: Use it during a double gameweek when a top player has two matches instead of one.

• Bench Boost: Save this for a double gameweek when all your bench players also have matches.

• Free Hit: Save it for when there's a big blank gameweek (fewer matches due to cup competitions) or to target a specific double gameweek.

8. Don't Make Early Transfers

• Avoid making transfers immediately after the gameweek ends. Waiting until Friday (before the next deadline) allows you to account for injuries, team news, and midweek matches (like Champions League games), which might affect player availability.

• Prices fluctuate, but sacrificing valuable information for early price rises can backfire.

9. Target Key Players in Big Teams

• Big teams often dominate possession and have more goal-scoring opportunities. Having players from top teams (e.g., Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal) will give you a consistent stream of points.

• Choose top scorers and playmakers from these teams for goals, assists, and bonus points.

10. Look for Value Players (Under-the-Radar Options)

• Pay attention to budget-friendly players who regularly start and have the potential to score big. Often, cheaper players are great value if they get regular minutes and are involved in goals (e.g., cheap midfielders playing in more attacking positions).

• Sometimes newly promoted teams or players who had little FPL exposure in previous seasons can provide value.

11. Plan for Double and Blank Gameweeks

• Double Gameweeks: These occur when certain teams play twice in one gameweek. Target these weeks by stocking up on players from those teams and using chips like Bench Boost or Triple Captain.

• Blank Gameweeks: These are gameweeks where some teams don't have a fixture. Plan your squad in advance to avoid having too many players missing.

12. Maximize the Use of Bonus Points

• Players who stand out in matches by creating chances, defending well, or scoring are rewarded with bonus points. Some players, especially creative midfielders or defenders who make key passes, are often "bonus point magnets."

• Focus on players who can consistently rack up bonus points even when they aren't scoring goals.

13. Monitor Price Changes

• Player prices fluctuate throughout the season based on their form and popularity. You can take advantage of this by buying players before their price rises or selling players who are dropping in price to maintain squad value.

• A higher squad value allows you to afford better players as the season progresses.

14. Be Patient

• Don't overreact to one or two bad gameweeks. Consistency is key. The best FPL managers stick with well-planned strategies rather than constantly chopping and changing their teams based on short-term results.

• It's a marathon, not a sprint. Stick to your strategy and let your planning pay off over time.

15. Join Active FPL Communities

• Join FPL communities, forums, and social media groups to discuss strategies, get tips, and share insights. Platforms like Reddit, Twitter, or FPL-specific blogs and podcasts provide updates on top transfers, fixtures, and player insights.