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How to Field a Successful English Premier League Fantasy Soccer Team

Contributor
By Matt Olberding
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)
Premier League teams Blackburn and Fulham play a game
Premier League teams Blackburn and Fulham play a game
Wikimedia commons

Soccer is the most-watched sport on the planet, and the Barclays English Premier League is one of the top leagues in the world. Nearly every week from August to May, hundreds of thousands of fans watch the world's best players display their skills on pitches from London to Liverpool to Manchester. But you don't have to just be a spectator. You can match your wits against nearly 2 million other fans in the Fantasy Premier League. Here are some tips on picking a team that will compete for the title.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

    Picking a good English Premier League Fantasy Soccer Team

  1. Step 1

    Pick a goalkeeper for your fantasy Premier League team. This is likely to be the lowest-scoring position on the field, as goalkeepers rarely score or assist on goals. The most likely way for a goalkeeper to score points is by playing, keeping a clean sheet (shutout) or by saving several shots in a game. Goalkeepers are also penalized for giving up goals. The best choice is usually a goalkeeper from one of the "Big 4"--Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal. These teams usually have strong defenses and don't concede a lot of goals, so goalkeepers from these teams tend to score well from week to week. You also must select a substitute goalkeeper. It's best not to spend a lot of money here because if your top keeper gets injured you can always get another one on the transfer market.

  2. Step 2

    Pick defenders. As per fantasy rules, you must pick five defenders. Here, again, picking among players from the Big 4 should be part of the strategy, as defenders, like goalkeepers, get a lot of their points from shutouts and are penalized when they give up goals. However, defenders are a lot more likely to score goals than goalkeepers, and they get more points for scoring than any other field player. If you find a defender who averages six to eight goals a season, he's likely worth it, even if his team does not have a good goals-against average.

  3. Step 3

    Pick midfielders for your fantasy Premier League team. You will pick five of these as well. These are likely to be your most important picks, as a midfielder who scores often and assists on goals can bring lots of points to your team. Midfielders also get a small amount of points for shutouts. Look for players who score a considerable amount of goals, even if they play for a weaker team.

  4. Step 4

    Pick forwards. You must pick three of these for your fantasy Premier League team. Of course, goal scoring is the No. 1 characteristic to look at, as forwards do not get points for shutouts, nor are they penalized when their team gives up a lot of goals.

Tips & Warnings
  • You only have $100 million to spend, so find a good mix of lower- and higher-priced players. Utilize transfers. You are allowed one free one each week, so use them to manage injuries or even to increase your chances of scoring points. For instance, you might drop a player whose team is playing a tough game and replace him with one whose team is playing a weaker team. You can always switch back the next week.
  • Be wary of players who are prone to injury or who have bad tempers and tend to get yellow and red cards. Cards subtract points from your player's scores each week, and, if they get too many, they will have to sit out with suspensions, costing you potential points. Be careful with players new to the Premier League or players transferring to higher-profile teams. These players often have an adjustment period and can struggle for awhile. You can always pick them up later if they find their form.
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