The basics
- You buy goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards under a cap.
- Rotation is the biggest risk: big clubs rest players across cup and European weeks.
- Double gameweeks and blanks reshape entire rounds.
How scoring works
- Goals and assists pay the most, but minutes played, clean sheets and defensive actions carry the base.
- Attacking full-backs are the classic value pick — clean sheet points plus attacking returns.
- Cards, penalties conceded and goals against deduct.
Strategy that actually moves the needle
- Plan by fixture runs, not by single weeks. Buy into a good three or four-game stretch.
- Own set-piece takers and penalty takers wherever you can.
- Watch the press conferences — a rotated starter is the cheapest way to lose a round.
Your first week
- Anchor on nailed-on starters with soft opening fixtures.
- Spend on one or two premium attackers rather than spreading thin.
- Keep a little budget spare for the first injury and rotation news.