FPL 2017/18: 4 things to look out for
English Premier League is back and so is Fantasy Premier League. I know it's a little late for me to be writing a blog on it. I normally write a post before it starts on a few players that I expect to do well during the season. Since I've already seen the first 3 gameweeks, stuff I write can't even be seen as a "prediction". That's precisely why I won't be writing this blog on key players to watch out for.
Instead of focusing on players, I'll write this blog on a few things worth watching for apart from the players themselves. These things may help you build your strategy over this season. It may also be helpful to a lot of you this week since it is the international break and most people seem to be using up their first wild card during this break. So, here are the 4 things to watch out for in this year's FPL edition:
At the higher end of the money spectrum, we have Jesus, Aguero, Lukaku, Morata, Lacazette, and Kane. In the lower and mid-range, you've got Vardy, Firmino, Chicharito, Rooney, Gabbiadini, and Defoe. Even Bony joins Swansea again and could potentially be a very good value for money at the lower end.
Add to this. the strikers of mid table and the new teams which could get you great returns when they have a string of good fixtures. Some of these players may have already caught your eyes while others are likely to do well when they get a good set of fixtures in a row - Mounie for Huddersfield, Gray for Watford, and Ayew for Swansea.
I really believe that it will be a difficult task for FPL managers this season to choose from the large variety of strikers available this season. The reason I've titled this point "Strikers over midfielders" is because, this season, the midfielders section looks more like what the strikers' section looked like. A fixed set of tried and tested options who are expected to do well with a few other new faces. I'm not trying to say that there isn't any room for decision making when it comes to picking your midfield but compared to picking out your strikers, it's a cakewalk.
Due to this, it made a lot of sense to buy players from Manchester United, Southampton, Huddersfield, Newcastle United, West Brom, West Ham and Liverpool for the first 3 Gameweeks. At the same time, buying players from Leicester, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton and Manchester City would've been tricky calls for the first 3 Gameweeks.
I'm not saying don't buy players from teams with bad fixtures. Some players can still be expected to do well even if the team's fixtures are tricky. However, fixtures is an important and often underrated factor that a lot of FPL managers overlook when they buy and sell players during the season.
Every once in a while, even the best of FPL managers will have a bad Gameweek, when their predictions and estimates will turn out wrong. It happens. There's no need to start second guessing every decision that you've made and start reshuffling your squad yet. Give it a couple of more weeks, make 1 or 2 changes that you feel are necessary. If things still don't seem to be working out, then go for a massive overhaul of your squad. In most cases, if you've planned your squad carefully, you won't need one (except for the wildcards you're already given).
These are just some of the tips that I'd like to share with you guys after playing FPL for 4 years now. Please note that I'm just an amateur FPL player and these views are just my personal experiences. Please do not sue me if any of these tips turn out to be bad for you. Apart from that, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you.
Instead of focusing on players, I'll write this blog on a few things worth watching for apart from the players themselves. These things may help you build your strategy over this season. It may also be helpful to a lot of you this week since it is the international break and most people seem to be using up their first wild card during this break. So, here are the 4 things to watch out for in this year's FPL edition:
1. Strikers over midfielders
The 2016/17 season was all about defenders. The season before that was the season of midfielders. I don't know if this is a cycle or not but 2017/17 definitely seems to be the season of strikers. A lot of Premier League sides have added firepower to their attack this season and unlike last 2 seasons, we are spoilt for choice this time around.At the higher end of the money spectrum, we have Jesus, Aguero, Lukaku, Morata, Lacazette, and Kane. In the lower and mid-range, you've got Vardy, Firmino, Chicharito, Rooney, Gabbiadini, and Defoe. Even Bony joins Swansea again and could potentially be a very good value for money at the lower end.
Add to this. the strikers of mid table and the new teams which could get you great returns when they have a string of good fixtures. Some of these players may have already caught your eyes while others are likely to do well when they get a good set of fixtures in a row - Mounie for Huddersfield, Gray for Watford, and Ayew for Swansea.
 |
| I've gone with this trio for first 3 GWs. Rooney is also a very good option after GW6. |
I really believe that it will be a difficult task for FPL managers this season to choose from the large variety of strikers available this season. The reason I've titled this point "Strikers over midfielders" is because, this season, the midfielders section looks more like what the strikers' section looked like. A fixed set of tried and tested options who are expected to do well with a few other new faces. I'm not trying to say that there isn't any room for decision making when it comes to picking your midfield but compared to picking out your strikers, it's a cakewalk.
2. Look at the upcoming fixtures
I know it sounds very basic and stupid but you'll be surprised at how often people forget this, especially when they see a player scoring on a streak or a team keeping clean sheets regularly. A lot of people also do the mistake of selling a player if he doesn't perform in a couple of fixtures without taking into account the fact that those were difficult ones and the next few are easy ones. I've heard it way too often (and said it myself too on occasion) - "I sold XYZ player this week and he scored a goal". Always, look at the next 5 fixtures and the results of the last 3 before making the decision to buy or sell a player. |
| This is Southampton's fixture list for the next 7 GWs. One Southampton player in Defence/GK is a must have. |
Due to this, it made a lot of sense to buy players from Manchester United, Southampton, Huddersfield, Newcastle United, West Brom, West Ham and Liverpool for the first 3 Gameweeks. At the same time, buying players from Leicester, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton and Manchester City would've been tricky calls for the first 3 Gameweeks.
I'm not saying don't buy players from teams with bad fixtures. Some players can still be expected to do well even if the team's fixtures are tricky. However, fixtures is an important and often underrated factor that a lot of FPL managers overlook when they buy and sell players during the season.
3. Don't panic after a bad Gameweek
Another mistake that I've seen (and often made myself) is to shuffle the squad intensively after a bad Gameweek. It's a long season and every year, there are at least 2-5 Gameweeks where a lot of predictions go wrong. Sometimes they're during periods when teams have a packed schedule, sometimes when they're coming off from a break and sometimes just for no reason at all. Try and understand that just because you've had a bad Gameweek doesn't mean your judgment is way off.Every once in a while, even the best of FPL managers will have a bad Gameweek, when their predictions and estimates will turn out wrong. It happens. There's no need to start second guessing every decision that you've made and start reshuffling your squad yet. Give it a couple of more weeks, make 1 or 2 changes that you feel are necessary. If things still don't seem to be working out, then go for a massive overhaul of your squad. In most cases, if you've planned your squad carefully, you won't need one (except for the wildcards you're already given).
4. With great power, comes great responsibility
I'm ending with the most common advice of them all - use your powers carefully. The wildcards, the free hit, and the bench boost. A bad choice of game-week versus a good choice can easily make a difference of 20-40 points on each use of the power. So use them very wisely. I've made these mistakes myself. I've used a bench boost and ended up with points below the global GW average. So, I advise everyone to be a bit careful. Mark in advance the weeks with extra fixtures. The bench boost is a good power to use during these. Plan carefully for those weeks with fewer games also to avoid having too many players without a match to play. These weeks could prove to be a good time to use the Free hit which allows you to have an entirely new team for 1 week.These are just some of the tips that I'd like to share with you guys after playing FPL for 4 years now. Please note that I'm just an amateur FPL player and these views are just my personal experiences. Please do not sue me if any of these tips turn out to be bad for you. Apart from that, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you.
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