How to Pick a Fantasy Football Team

Fantasy football first came to prominence in the UK in 1991 and has developed into big business. 16 years ago there were only a couple of leagues; today's fantasy football has extended to the internet, workplaces and just about every national newspaper. These steps will show you how to pick a team.

Instructions

1. Pick your league. You'll find leagues online and some are free. You also can find leagues in the British national newspapers.

2. Look closely at the rules, as they tend to differ from one league to another. Some leagues allow you to choose any player, as long as you keep within your financial limit. Others allow you to pick only 3 players from the same team. Before picking, learn your league's scoring system. The players you pick will depend on how your league distributes points.

3. Study a list of the players available. Most leagues list the players' previous season performances. In addition, you should think about the player's real team. If he is a goalkeeper or defender, it may be the team's defensive record, rather than the brilliance of the individual, that makes him a worthy pick.

4. Decide which area of your team can score the most points. Usually it is in the midfield. Footballers like Steve Gerrard score goals, set them up and win plenty of man of the matches. With that mind, there is no point in spending all your money on two strikers.

5. Pick players who you know won't let you down. For example, the Chelsea defence never lets in goals, and a defender like John Terry can score a couple as well. These players will be the most expensive, but they can form the backbone of your fantasy side.

6. Find some bargain buys. With the money you have left you will have to take a few risks. Maybe a player is cheap because he is young and unproven, or maybe he was injured the previous season. Sometimes a great player can have had a poor season. The key is to use your instincts.

Tips & Warnings

• If the league allow you to change players half-way through the season, you can take more risks.