Podcast Episode Summary
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1-Sentence-Summary
"Ep. 464 - Preseason Pod 1/4 - High Priced Assets" delves into the strategic nuances of selecting high-priced players in Fantasy Premier League, discussing the impact of fixtures, team rotations, and player performances on the potential returns from top-tier assets like Haaland, Salah, and Trent, while also debating the merits of various defensive and midfield options amidst the preseason's evolving dynamics.
Favorite Quote from the Author
yeah you know big out the back is dead probably because Holland cost 15 million which we get to later but if you go without Holland it's it seems very alive to me
💨 tl;dr
Focus on high-priced assets in FPL, especially goalkeepers from top teams. Debate on pricing and fixture impact. Importance of steady players and strategic sacrifices for high-priced defenders. Consider rotation risks and fixture difficulty. Balance high-priced and budget options for a strong team structure.
💡 Key Ideas
- Focus on high-priced assets in FPL, especially goalkeepers from top teams like Rya, Alisson, and Ederson.
- Debate on whether all top team goalkeepers should be priced at 5.5 million, including Ramsdale and Kelleher.
- Importance of fixtures in determining team structures, especially for clean sheet potential.
- Mixed fixtures for Arsenal and challenging fixtures for City and Liverpool in the opening game weeks.
- Significance of steady players to avoid frequent transfers, especially goalkeepers like Raya.
- High-priced defenders like Trent Alexander-Arnold require strategic sacrifices in other positions.
- Consideration of Manchester City players' rotation risk under Pep Guardiola.
- Arsenal defenders like Gabriel seen as secure investments despite mixed fixtures.
- Balancing high-priced players like Trent, Salah, and Haaland influences overall team structure.
- Liverpool's favorable fixtures early on and the impact on player selection.
- Arsenal players like Saka and Ødegaard compared, with debates on price and performance.
- Bruno Fernandes' potential improvement and importance of penalties and set-pieces.
- Discussion on elite players' importance and the challenge of excluding high-priced assets.
- Newcastle's defense and performance uncertainty due to last season's injuries.
- Strategies for managing team transfers and formations around tough fixtures.
- Potential for strong initial performance with new managers but risk of decline later.
- Decision-making around high-priced players impacting squad flexibility and balance.
- Consideration of using a Free Hit early in the season for key fixtures.
- Personal preferences and interests in specific Olympic events and sports.
🎓 Lessons Learnt
- Set realistic expectations for goalkeeper pricing: Top team goalkeepers are often priced at £5.5 to avoid making them too accessible.
- Engage with community for enhanced experience: Joining Discord and Patreon provides extra content and interactions, enriching the FPL experience.
- Monetize content for sustainability: Revenue generation is crucial for maintaining consistent podcast content creation.
- Set and forget goalkeepers can be valuable: Reliable goalkeepers like Raya can save transfers for other positions.
- Fixtures matter more than team strength for defenders: Focus on fixtures as they significantly impact clean sheet potential.
- Avoid high-priced goalkeepers with tough fixtures: The upside of expensive goalkeepers might not justify their cost early in the season.
- Prioritize short-term fixtures when selecting defenders: Early fixtures before the International break are crucial for early points.
- Balance high-priced and budget defenders: Mixing high-priced defenders with budget options having good fixtures offers a balanced defense.
- High-priced defenders can be worth the investment: Players like Trent Alexander-Arnold provide significant attacking returns and bonus points.
- Evaluate player predictability: Consider how players perform in favorable versus difficult matches for informed team selection.
- Beware of team and player rotation risks: Teams like Manchester City have unpredictable player rotations, affecting consistency.
- Consider fixture difficulty impacts: Assessing fixture difficulty is crucial; even great players might be less valuable with tough upcoming matches.
- Avoid overpaying for defenders based on last season's fluke scoring: Focus on consistent performance rather than random scoring spikes.
- Evaluate team changes and potential improvements: Significant transfers or team changes can drastically affect player and team performance.
- Strategically plan fixture rotations: Avoiding certain fixtures can open up opportunities for favorable matchups with other teams.
- Weighing player value over points potential: Balance the value of high-priced players against mid-priced alternatives for more consistent points.
- Avoid early Wild Card usage: Holding off on using the Wild Card early can help avoid being backed into a corner later in the season.
- Be cautious with high expectations based on preseason hype: Actual performance can differ due to tactical and team issues.
- Evaluate captaincy options: Identify captaincy choices for the first six game weeks before committing to a free hit strategy.
- Consider alternative captain choices: Haaland is strong, but other players might be worth considering depending on fixtures.
- Adapt to potential new signings: Be prepared to adjust strategy if significant transfers occur, impacting team dynamics and starting positions.
🌚 Conclusion
Set realistic expectations for goalkeeper pricing and engage with the community for a richer FPL experience. Prioritize fixtures over team strength, avoid overpaying based on last season's flukes, and plan strategically for fixture rotations. Be cautious with early Wild Card usage and preseason hype. Evaluate captaincy options and be ready to adapt to new signings.
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In-Depth
Worried about missing something? This section includes all the Key Ideas and Lessons Learnt from the Podcast Episode. We've ensured nothing is skipped or missed.
All Key Ideas
Summary of Podcast Episode
- The podcast episode focuses on high-priced assets in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), which marks the start of the FPL season for the hosts.
- The podcast will cover high-priced, mid-priced, and budget assets across different positions in a structured preseason series.
- The hosts plan to release additional content like fireside chats with other FPL podcasters and live streams for rating teams.
- The podcast is supported by patrons on Patreon, offering extra episodes and live streams for subscribers.
- The podcast episode will discuss goalkeepers from top teams, specifically Rya, Alisson, and Ederson, priced at 5.5 million in FPL.
- There is a debate on whether all top team goalkeepers should be priced at 5.5 million, with some arguing it should include more goalkeepers like Ramsdale and Kelleher.
Fantasy Football Goalkeeper Discussion
- Everyone brings in Ramsdale, but he might not be the best pick despite the hype.
- The discussion focuses on premium players from City, Arsenal, and Liverpool, with a few exceptions like Trippier, Son, and Bruno.
- Raya is the cheapest nailed Arsenal defender, but his lack of saves and bonus points make him a questionable pick.
- The landscape of goalkeeping points would need to shift significantly for Raya to be a good pick.
- The strategy of having a 'set and forget' goalkeeper like Raya could be valuable for rolling transfers.
- Historically, using a free transfer on a goalkeeper early in the season is rare.
- There is a potential advantage in having steady players to avoid frequent transfers.
- Allison is considered a bit interesting due to Liverpool's immediate fixtures.
Key Points on Team Fixtures and Defense
- Fixtures matter a lot when determining team structures
- Arsenal's first six fixtures are mixed for clean sheet potential
- Liverpool's fixtures until game week seven are favorable for clean sheets
- Away games to promoted sides and tough teams are challenging for clean sheets
- New manager and previous season's defense performance add uncertainty
- City’s first six fixtures include tough matches making clean sheets challenging
- Few teams have good fixtures for clean sheets in the opening six game weeks
- Decision between rotating mid-table defenses or paying for top defenses despite fixtures
- Gabriel is considered the best pick among Arsenal defenders due to pricing
- Uncertainty around new transfers and squad stability for Arsenal’s defense
Football Season Analysis
- City and Arsenal fixtures early in the season are favorable for clean sheets
- Arsenal defenders are considered a secure investment despite mixed fixtures
- Importance of focusing on early-season fixtures before the International break
- Strategies for managing team transfers and formations around tough fixtures
- Challenges in affording high-priced players like Haaland without compromising team structure
- Potential changes in Arsenal's defense with the addition of a new left-back
Discussion Points on Fantasy Football Team Selection
- Discussion on whether a player will start consistently from the beginning of the season
- Mention of players' prices and how it affects team selection
- Analysis of Liverpool players' (Trent, Robertson, Van Dijk) prices and their potential value
- The importance of balancing high-priced players like Trent, Salah, and Haaland in the team
- Evaluation of Liverpool's fixture difficulty for clean sheets and attacking returns
- Trent's historical performance and durability, and his price drop
- Challenges of fitting expensive players like Trent into the team without weakening other positions
- The abundance of good options in midfield and forward positions compared to defense
- Concerns about having a strong defense with high-priced defenders like Trent and lower-priced options
Fantasy Football Defensive Strategies
- Skimping on defense results in consistently low points and is hard to recover from.
- Having Trent Alexander-Arnold requires sacrificing other strong defenders unless you forego having Haaland.
- Trent’s performance is highly predictable based on favorable fixtures, leading to more assists and points.
- Trent's correlation with good fixtures is stronger than most other defenders.
- Robertson and van Dijk are potentially overpriced compared to Arsenal defenders.
- Robertson needs to return to his old form to be considered a valuable asset again.
- Manchester City’s defensive lineup is uncertain due to rotation and Pep Guardiola’s unpredictable decisions.
- Gvardiol at 6.0 is appealing based on his recent performances and lack of changes in the team structure.
Discussion Points on Manchester City Players
- Players often struggle to adapt to Pep Guardiola's system initially
- The player discussed had a poor start but became unplayable later in the season
- The player might be mispriced due to his late-season performance
- The player has shown significant improvement and adaptation
- City's financial power allows them to acquire top talent without competition
- City's fixtures are considered decent despite some challenging matches
- There's a debate about the player's attacking potential and clean sheet reliability
- Rotation in City's defense is a major concern for fantasy managers
Newcastle and Arsenal Football Analysis
- Gard has no attacking threat except for Ruban
- Newcastle's trips at 6 might change and sh at 5.5 is overpriced
- Newcastle's defense was weak last season due to injuries
- Newcastle’s opening fixtures include games against Southampton, Bournemouth, Wolves, Fulham, Spurs, and City
- Comparisons are made between trips and Arsenal defenders, with trips seen as having more potential upside
- Arsenal defenders received a significant price rise without much attacking return
- Newcastle’s defense was decimated by injuries last season
Factors Influencing Fantasy Football Decisions
- The quality of Pope's performance is a significant factor.
- Fixtures are challenging to assess and impact team selection.
- Changes in the Bonus Points System (BPS) may affect certain players like Trippier and Porro.
- Trippier's past performance included high bonus points even in losses.
- There's a debate on whether 'big at the back' strategy is feasible given current player costs, especially with Haaland priced at 15 million.
- Salah's inclusion in teams is influenced by favorable fixtures despite initial doubts.
Football Player Analysis
- There's a strong likelihood of including Haaland in the team, especially if Mo Salah is not considered
- There's uncertainty about player positions and the impact of manager changes
- Salah's performance remains strong despite age and past injuries
- Salah's scoring is often better in the first half of the season
- Salah's expected goals (XG) are usually underperformed, but a hot streak can significantly boost his value
- Salah's bonus points are affected by his shot accuracy and chances missed
- There's some debate about the potential for Palmer's performance this season, considering both short-term and long-term fixtures
- The difficulty of fixtures for players like Palmer and Nkunku makes them less attractive choices currently
- Future fixture improvements could make Palmer and Nkunku better picks later on
Football Analysis
- Cucko is more interesting from a price standpoint as a punt.
- There is uncertainty about Chelsea's performance under Morasa.
- If Liverpool had Chelsea's fixtures, Mo would be in the game week one team.
- Palmer is reliable but has iffy fixtures.
- Teams with new managers may start the season strong due to the element of surprise.
- Chelsea might perform well initially but could have a lull later.
- Comparing to last season's Spurs under Angie, initial strong performance followed by decline as teams adapt.
- Saka is a great player, but fixtures are not favorable.
- Odegaard is preferred over Saka due to being 1.5 million cheaper.
Comparison of FPL Picks: Saka vs Palmer
- The discussion compares the short-term versus long-term benefits of picking certain players.
- There is a debate over the safety and reliability of starting with Saka versus Palmer.
- Palmer is seen as a better FPL pick than Saka due to his free role and higher returns.
- Saka is more positionally restricted and relies on set pieces for assists.
- The fixture run for Saka (home Wolves, home Brighton) is seen as more favorable than for Palmer (home City, home Palace).
- There is confidence in Saka due to his consistent performance over time.
- The idea that starting with Saka is safer due to Arsenal being one of the best teams in the league.
- Saka's real-life performance can be frustrating in FPL due to fewer point returns.
- There's skepticism about Saka's ability to maintain high assist numbers from corner kicks.
- Saka's price is considered good value, being cheaper than Palmer.
Fantasy Premier League Analysis
- The comparison between Ødegaard and Saka in terms of price and performance, particularly the impact of penalties on their value
- The flexibility and tactical positioning of Ødegaard in real life, causing uncertainty in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) performance
- The importance of having an Arsenal player due to their status as one of the best teams in the league
- The consistency of Ødegaard's performance over the last few seasons and his potential to score highly
- The comparison between Ødegaard and Bruno Fernandes at the same price point, discussing their respective advantages and disadvantages in FPL
Bruno Fernandes and Manchester United Analysis
- Ten Hag made questionable decisions with Bruno Fernandes last season.
- Bruno Fernandes did a lot of pressing and tracking back due to the team's weak midfield.
- Bruno's open play stats were poor, with 6 goals and 8 assists.
- Manchester United had a messy season with mitigating circumstances affecting performance.
- There's skepticism about Manchester United's prospects compared to Arsenal.
- Bruno Fernandes might perform better if Manchester United's overall team improves.
- Bruno Fernandes' penalty-taking role is significant but inconsistent.
- Fixtures for Manchester United are seen as challenging and not favorable.
- Despite a poor season, there's belief in Bruno Fernandes' potential for improvement.
- Bruno Fernandes' points expectation is still high due to penalties and set-pieces.
Football Analysis and Player Performance
- Liverpool has one tough fixture early (game 3), but no other top four teams until game 14 and 16.
- Liverpool was terrible last season, finishing higher than their underlying metrics suggested.
- Liverpool's defense and overall performance metrics were poor last season.
- There's skepticism about Ten Hag's long-term success, but optimism about Liverpool's recent transfers.
- Bruno Fernandes tends to perform well against weaker teams but struggled against top teams.
- Son Heung-min had a mixed performance last season but has potential depending on squad changes and fixtures.
- There's uncertainty about Tottenham's squad and Son's role, which affects his pick value.
- There's a general fatigue with consistent performers like Saka in FPL, leading to interest in new options.
Football Discussion Points
- Uncertainty about Newcastle's performance this season
- Discussion on City's players Kevin and Foden, mentioning price changes and bad fixtures
- Debate on the necessity of owning and captaining Haaland, especially in game week 2
- Suggestion to use a free hit in game week 2 to optimize Haaland's potential
- Risks and consequences of not having Haaland, including potential need for a wildcard
- Pros and cons of free hitting early in the season, including potential point loss and transfer disadvantages
- Mention of alternative strategies involving Arsenal and Chelsea players, particularly around their fixtures
Considerations for Building a Fantasy Football Team Without Haaland
- Without Haaland, team flexibility increases, allowing for high-value players like Trent and a good defensive rotation
- Skipping Arsenal fixtures can benefit team structure due to favorable fixtures for other teams
- Potential enjoyment and success in playing unconventionally, even if it means taking risks
- Concerns about missing out on Haaland's potential big scores, especially against weaker teams
- Overthinking is seen as challenging conventional wisdom rather than a negative practice
- Building a team without Haaland allows for a more balanced and potentially stronger squad
- The idea of using a free hit in Gameweek 2 to bring in key City players for a favorable fixture
Fantasy Premier League Strategy Discussions
- Decision-making around high-priced players like Haaland and how they impact squad flexibility
- Comparison of player performance and potential points, focusing on specific players like Saka and DCL
- Strategy of potentially not owning Haaland during less favorable fixtures to gain an advantage
- Importance of knowing what kind of FPL player you are and tailoring your strategy accordingly
- Discussion on the scarcity of elite players in the league and the impact on team selection
- The challenge and potential benefits of excluding high-priced players and using Free Hit strategically
- The need to analyze captaincy options for game weeks, especially if excluding Haaland
Discussion Points
- Risk of having Haaland in Fantasy Premier League is minimal
- Potential to captain other players like Olly at Leicester, but not a guaranteed favorite
- Discussion about Walsh's participation in various forums related to magic trading cards and Fantasy Football Scout (FFS)
- Shift in how Olympic events are consumed due to on-demand streaming, reducing live viewership
- Preference for watching specific Summer Olympic sports like archery and track events
- Frustration with the downtime in track event broadcasts
Olympics Discussion Points
- Many events in the Olympics are uninteresting or unknown to the speakers
- There is confusion about certain Olympic sports like 'breaking' and 'interrogation room'
- The speakers express interest in specific gymnastics events, especially those involving flips and the pommel horse
- Personal stories or country rivalries in sports make them more engaging for the speakers
- Swimming is only interesting if it involves famous athletes like Michael Phelps
- Mixed feelings about volleyball; beach volleyball is slightly more engaging due to the setting
- Curiosity about what others in their Discord community are excited about in sports
- Mention of sport climbing as mildly interesting
- Decision to delay answering additional questions to a later episode
- Acknowledgement of new signups and a hint about the next episode focusing on mid-priced assets
All Lessons Learnt
Key Points from the Podcast
- Set realistic expectations for goalkeeper pricing: Teams often price goalkeepers from top teams at £5.5 to avoid making high-quality goalkeepers too accessible at lower prices.
- Expect variability in preseason content: The podcast will cover high-priced, mid-priced, and budget assets, indicating a structured yet flexible approach to preseason analysis.
- Anticipate changes in recording and presentation methods: The team has improved its recording methods over time, showing the importance of adaptability and learning from previous experiences.
- Engage with community for enhanced experience: Joining the Discord and Patreon can provide additional content and interaction, which enriches the FPL experience.
- Monetize content for sustainability: The podcast continues because it generates revenue, which is crucial for maintaining consistent content creation.
Goalkeeper Selection Tips
- Set and forget goalkeepers can be valuable - Having a reliable goalkeeper like Raya, who you won't need to transfer out, can save transfers for other positions.
- Cheapest route into a clean sheet isn't always best - Picking the cheapest goalkeeper who doesn't get bonus points or make saves might not be worth it.
- Beware of tough fixtures early on - Avoid goalkeepers with difficult fixtures at the start of the season, as you might end up wildcarding early.
- Rolling transfers can be advantageous - Having steady players allows you to roll transfers longer, giving you flexibility in making moves later.
- Consider the broader landscape before making keeper transfers - Understanding team form and fixtures around game week five can help make better long-term decisions.
- Premium goalkeepers need more scrutiny - Premium options like Alisson or Ederson might seem appealing but require careful consideration of fixtures and team form.
Fantasy Football Defensive Tips
- Fixtures matter a lot more than team strength - Pay close attention to the fixtures as they significantly impact clean sheet potential, more so than just the team's overall strength.
- Avoid overvaluing early promoted team fixtures - Newly promoted teams have highly charged environments, which can make clean sheets difficult to achieve.
- Consider Liverpool's favorable early fixtures - Liverpool doesn’t face strong teams until game week 7, making their defenders potentially good picks for early clean sheets.
- Be cautious with high-priced goalkeepers - The upside of expensive goalkeepers like Alisson and Ederson might not justify their cost given the mixed difficulty of early fixtures.
- Prioritize stable defenders over new transfers - Stick to proven defenders like Gabriel from Arsenal over new signings who might not be guaranteed starters.
- Rotating mid-table defenses could be viable - Given the lack of strong fixtures for top teams, rotating defenders from mid-table teams with favorable fixtures might be a better strategy.
- Gabriel is the best Arsenal defender pick - At his price point, Gabriel offers the best value among Arsenal’s defenders.
Defender Selection Tips
- Prioritize short-term fixtures when selecting defenders: Focus on the first few fixtures before the International break, as they can be crucial for early points.
- Consider the stability of high-priced defenders: Even if they have tough away fixtures, they can still provide value through consistent clean sheets in home games.
- Balance between high-priced and budget defenders: While high-priced defenders offer stability, mixing them with budget options who have good fixtures can provide a balanced and effective defense.
- Avoid early Wild Card usage when possible: Holding off on using the Wild Card early can help avoid being backed into a corner later in the season.
- Be realistic about expectations from defenders: Understand that high-priced defenders might not always bring huge returns but can offer steady points through clean sheets and occasional attacking returns.
- Adapt to potential new signings: Be prepared to adjust your strategy if significant transfers occur, as new players can impact team dynamics and starting positions.
Fantasy Football Tips
- High-priced defenders can be worth the investment: Despite their cost, players like Trent Alexander-Arnold can provide significant attacking returns and bonus points, making them valuable assets.
- Balance is crucial in team selection: Including high-priced players like Trent may require sacrifices in other areas, emphasizing the importance of finding a balanced team.
- Fixture analysis is key: Evaluating the upcoming fixtures can help determine the potential for clean sheets and attacking returns, which is vital for player selection.
- Flexibility in budget allocation: Moving funds from one position to another (e.g., downgrading Trent to afford a better forward or midfielder) can significantly impact overall team performance.
Fantasy Football Tips
- Don't skimp on defense. If your defenders consistently score low points, it's hard to make up for it in other areas of your team.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold's performance is fixture-dependent. His chances of getting high points correlate strongly with good fixtures where he has more opportunities to be on the ball and contribute to goals and assists.
- Evaluate player predictability. Consider how players perform in favorable versus difficult matches to make informed decisions about your team selection.
- Be cautious with older players like Robertson. They may not perform consistently due to age and potential injuries, even if they show occasional bursts of good form.
- Manchester City's player rotation is unpredictable. Players like Guardiol and Stones may not have guaranteed starting spots, making it tricky to rely on them for consistent points.
Fantasy Football Tips
- Don't assume changes without evidence: It's silly to assume a player or team will do something different until we see actual changes on the field.
- Pep's players need time to adapt: Young players often struggle initially under Pep Guardiola but can become exceptional after adapting to his system.
- Consider potential mispricing: A player might be mispriced if they show significant improvement, potentially offering great value for their price.
- Fixture difficulty impacts player value: Assessing fixture difficulty is crucial; even a great player might be less valuable if their upcoming matches are tough.
- Rotation risk in defense: Be cautious with defenders from top teams like City due to high rotation risk, which can affect their reliability in fantasy leagues.
- Evaluate attacking potential vs. clean sheets: When selecting defenders, balance their attacking contributions against their team's potential for clean sheets.
Tips for Selecting Defenders in Fantasy Football
- Avoid overpaying for defenders based on last season's random scoring spikes. Schär's price at 5.5 is too high just because he scored four goals last season. Focus on consistent performance rather than fluke scoring.
- Consider fixture difficulty when picking defenders. Newcastle's defenders may not be worth it due to tough fixtures like Spurs and City at home.
- Evaluate defenders based on potential clean sheets and attacking returns. Trippier might be a better pick over Arsenal defenders due to his assist potential and bonus points, despite tough fixtures.
- Account for injuries and squad depth when evaluating team defenses. Newcastle's poor defensive record last season was partly due to significant injuries. This needs consideration when predicting their performance this season.
Fantasy Football Strategy Tips
- Consider Fixtures When Selecting Players: The difficulty of away fixtures should be assessed carefully when choosing players, as it can significantly impact their performance.
- BPS Changes Affect Player Value: Players like Trippier might suffer from BPS changes, affecting their bonus points accumulation. This needs to be factored into selection decisions.
- Big at the Back Strategy Is Risky: The strategy of investing heavily in defenders may no longer be viable due to high costs of key players like Haaland. It's important to reconsider team structure.
- Balance High-Priced Players Carefully: Having multiple high-priced assets like Haaland and Salah can limit flexibility in the rest of the squad. Finding the right balance is crucial.
- Adapt to New BPS System: Defenders who relied on bonus points even when conceding goals (e.g., Porro) are now less valuable. Adjust strategies accordingly.
Fantasy Football Tips
- Prioritize Haaland if Salah is not an option - Without Mo Salah, it's easier to fit Haaland into the team budget and focus on mid-priced players.
- Analyze fixture difficulty for team selections - Consider both short-term and long-term fixtures when selecting players; bad fixtures can negatively impact player performance.
- Be cautious with players from teams with tough fixtures - Players like Palmer and Nkunku might not be worth it if their team has a run of difficult matches.
- Consider player consistency and injury history - Even if a player like Salah has had injuries, his overall consistent performance makes him a valuable asset.
- Monitor player performance relative to expected goals (xG) - Players who consistently underperform their xG might still be valuable if they have occasional hot streaks.
Fantasy Football Tips
- Consider price and potential in punts: Cucko is more interesting due to his lower price, which makes him a less risky punt compared to Palmer.
- Be cautious with teams under new managers: Teams with new managers can be unpredictable; they might start strong but falter as the season progresses due to other teams adapting to their strategies.
- Fixture difficulty impacts player selection: If Liverpool had Chelsea's fixtures, Mo might not be in your team; fixture difficulty plays a significant role in player selection.
- New managers might have early success: Teams with new managers might surprise opponents early in the season before they are figured out by other teams.
- Evaluate cheaper alternatives: Odegaard is a strong alternative to Saka, being 1.5 million cheaper and offering good value.
Fantasy Football Tips
- Prefer established players for safety: Saka has been performing consistently, making him a safer pick compared to newer players like Palmer.
- Consider both short-term and long-term fixtures: Assessing the fixtures for both the short term and long term can help in deciding between players like Saka and Palmer.
- Established team performance matters: Arsenal, being one of the top teams, provides a reliability factor when choosing players like Saka.
- Multiple premium players strategy: Including multiple premium players like Mo, Palmer, and Saka can be a viable strategy, especially if opting for a no Haaland draft.
- Watch out for diminishing returns: Be cautious of players who rely heavily on set pieces for their points, as teams may adapt and reduce these opportunities over time.
Fantasy Football Player Selection Tips
- Consider price differences when selecting players - Saka and Odard have a significant price difference, and the savings can be used to strengthen other areas of your team.
- Evaluate player roles and consistency - Odard's tactical flexibility and real-life performance make his positioning unpredictable, but his consistent scoring history makes him a reliable pick.
- Factor in penalties when comparing players - Saka's penalty duties give him an edge over Odard in terms of potential goal output, which can justify his higher price.
- Covering top teams is crucial - Having players from top teams like Arsenal is important because of their high performance and good fixtures.
- Assess players in a vacuum - When comparing players like Odard and Bruno, consider their individual attributes such as consistency, roles, and potential for points without focusing solely on price.
- Monitor player improvements and potential spikes - Odard's potential to improve and spike in points due to extra assists or goals makes him a valuable pick at 8.5.
Fantasy Football Tips
- Be cautious with high expectations for players based on preseason hype. Despite initial excitement about Bruno Fernandes' role, his actual performance was underwhelming due to tactical and team issues.
- Consider the team's overall stability and management when selecting players. Manchester United's inconsistency and managerial decisions affected player performance, making their assets risky.
- Analyze both short-term and long-term fixtures carefully. Fixtures can be interpreted differently depending on your narrative, so be thorough in assessing how they align with your strategy.
- Factor in penalties and set pieces when assessing player value. Bruno’s potential for more points is higher due to his role in taking penalties and set pieces.
- Monitor team improvements and player roles for potential point increases. Improvements in Manchester United's defense and midfield could allow Bruno more freedom to contribute offensively, boosting his fantasy value.
Fantasy Football Tips
- Evaluate fixtures over reputation: Even if a team had a poor season previously, consider their current fixtures and potential improvements before making decisions.
- Don't dismiss players based on past seasons alone: Players like Bruno Fernandes, who typically perform well against weaker teams, might still be valuable even if they had a mixed performance last season.
- Monitor team changes and transfers: Significant transfers can drastically affect a team's performance, so keep an eye on teams with promising new signings.
- Be cautious with players recovering from injuries: Players like Son Heung-min, who had injuries last season, might have a strong comeback, so don't completely write them off.
- Fixture-based selections can pay off: Sometimes, picking players with good opening fixtures, like Son against weaker teams, can yield high returns even if they had a poor previous season.
- Avoid fatigue in selections: Be aware of the fatigue of picking the same players every season; sometimes fresh choices based on fixtures can offer better results.
Fantasy Football Tips
- Free Hitting Early Can Be Risky: Using the free hit chip early in the season might leave you at a disadvantage in later gameweeks, especially if there are fewer doubles and blanks this year.
- Haaland's High Risk, High Reward: Not having Haaland in your team can be very risky due to his potential to score hat-tricks, which might result in you falling significantly behind in points.
- Consider Fixture Pairs for Free Hit: When planning to use the free hit, focus on teams like Arsenal and Chelsea with good fixtures around the free hit week to maximize points.
- Free Hit Impact on Transfers: Using a free hit early means you miss out on making a free transfer in the following gameweek, which could potentially put you at a disadvantage compared to other managers.
Fantasy Football Strategy Tips
- Consider skipping Haaland to build a stronger overall team - Without Haaland, you can afford high-priced assets like Trent, Mo, and Saka, creating a well-rounded team.
- Strategically plan fixture rotations - Avoiding certain fixtures, like Arsenal, can open up opportunities for favorable matchups (e.g., Villa's schedule looks good after skipping the Arsenal game).
- Don't fear overthinking if it brings you joy - Overthinking can be fun and lead to unique strategies that differentiate your team from others.
- Be aware of Haaland's scoring patterns - Haaland usually scores hat-tricks at home against weaker teams, so consider this when planning to exclude him.
- Challenge conventional wisdom - Thinking outside the box and not following the crowd can sometimes lead to genius moves.
- Balance your team with mid-priced players - Even with Haaland and Mo, there are many good mid-priced players available to form a competitive team.
- Free hit in favorable fixtures - Use the Free Hit strategy to bring in key players like Haaland and Foden for specific favorable fixtures.
Fantasy Premier League Tips
- Weighing Player Value Over Points Potential: It’s important to balance the value of a high-priced player like Saka against mid-priced alternatives, especially if the higher-priced player might not deliver more points consistently.
- Consider Fixture Difficulty: Avoid focusing solely on the first few game weeks. Instead, look at the entire fixture list to ensure long-term planning, such as avoiding Arsenal players initially if they have tough fixtures.
- Different FPL Strategies: Assess what kind of FPL player you are. Are you following the popular picks (chalk) or looking for unconventional choices to gain an edge?
- High-Priced Players Can Limit Flexibility: Owning a 15 million player like Haaland can constrain your squad and limit flexibility. It’s crucial to determine if their points justify the cost.
- Evaluate Captaincy Options: Before committing to using a free hit early, identify your captaincy choices for the first six game weeks. If a single player like Mo Salah is your only viable captain, the strategy might not be worth it.
- Plan for Home Fixtures: Target periods with favorable home fixtures for key players, like getting Haaland for a run of home games to maximize points.
- Defensive Options Are Limited: Acknowledge that there are fewer elite defenders this season. Focus on the few top-quality defenders to strengthen your team.
Discussion Points
- Consider alternative captain choices in FPL - While Haaland is a strong pick, sometimes other players like Olly at Leicester may be worth considering depending on the fixtures.
- Risk of trading card forums - Trading cards via forums can be risky as you might get scammed and never get your cards back.
- Forum communities can be mixed - Participation in forums like FFS can expose you to a mix of knowledgeable individuals and less informed users.
- Olympics viewing has changed - With on-demand streaming, the traditional way of watching Olympic events has shifted, potentially reducing overall viewership and the communal aspect of watching prime-time events.
Factors Influencing Sports Engagement
- Interest in sports can be driven by individual stories or rivalries - Simply knowing a sport is happening isn't enough; personal stories and rivalries make it more engaging.
- Specifics matter in sports engagement - Knowing the athletes' backgrounds or unique traits (e.g., Michael Phelps' dominance) can significantly enhance interest in a sport.
- Engagement varies by sport format - Different formats of the same sport (e.g., beach volleyball vs. indoor volleyball) can affect how enjoyable or boring it feels.
- Community input is valuable for discovering new interests - Engaging with a community (like Discord) can reveal sports or events you might have missed or overlooked.