How Does Fantasy Premier League Work?

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is one of the most popular soccer-related fantasy games in the world. In the 2021/22 season, the game registered over nine million accounts. While there are many versions of Premier League fantasy games, the most popular, and the one we will discuss here, is the official Fantasy Premier League game, from the Barclays Premier League itself.

There are two forms of FPL, the classic version, and The Draft. In both, like in fantasy football or basketball, soccer players get assigned point values based on their performances, i.e., points for scoring, assisting, or keeping a clean sheet. Managers (those playing the fantasy game) then compete against others in public or private leagues. In short, whoever racks up the most points by the end of the season, wins.

Draft Strategy

In the classic version, managers draft soccer players (in the Premier League) based on position and price. In terms of positions, managers must select two goalkeepers, five defenders (center-backs and full-backs), five midfielders, and three forwards (15 players in total). Managers can only pick a maximum of three players from the same Premier League team.

Managers are given a budget of £100 million to select their players. Every player is assigned a monetary value based on their projections for the campaign, but these can shift throughout the year based on performance. Generally speaking, the best players in the league have a higher price, so managers must craft a strategy to balance their squads in terms of value and performance.

Throughout the season, managers can transfer one player for free each week so long as it is within their budgets, ie., switching out a £10 million player for another £10 million player. If they wish to make more than one transfer, they lose four points per transaction.

Rosters

Prior to each game week (90 minutes before the opening match), managers must “lock in” their squad, equipped with the players they think will perform best. They must also select a captain (whose points will be doubled), and a vice-captain, as a backup.

Managers can play in any formation they choose, so long as they select one goalkeeper, a minimum of three defenders, two midfielders, and one forward. Formations include classics like the 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, and 3-4-3, to name a few.

Scoring

Goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards all accumulate points differently. Goalkeepers and defenders earn minus one point for every two goals conceded. They each earn six points for scoring a goal and four for keeping a clean sheet. Goalkeepers earn one point for making three or more saves and five points for saving a penalty.

Midfielders earn five points for scoring and three for assisting, which is the same as every other player on the pitch. They also earn one point for a clean sheet. Forwards earn four points for scoring.

Every player, regardless of position, earns some points equally. In terms of playing time, players get one point for playing up to 60 minutes and two points for playing 60 minutes or more. Players earn one, two, and three bonus points for winning third, second, and best player of the match, respectively.

Conversely, players can lose points; there is a minus one point deduction for a yellow card, and minus three points for a red card, minus two points for missing a penalty, and minus two points for scoring an own goal. There are also bonus points awarded to the three best-performing players in each match.

Chips

Managers are given five chips to strategically utilize throughout the season. They are Bench Boost (bench player points are counted), Free Hit (opportunity to temporarily change your team for one week only), Triple Captain (captain’s points are tripled instead of the typical double), and Wildcard (all transfers made in the week are free of charge).

What Are the Differences Between Classic Fantasy Premier League and The Draft?

In Classic, managers select Premier League players based on a budget and compete by accumulating points over the 38-week season. The Draft works differently in that managers join small private or public leagues and can only select a player once; that is, if someone selects Mohamed Salah with their first pick, he is off the draft board, and no other manager can have him in their team. Furthermore, in The Draft, managers compete in head-to-head matchups with opponents and accumulate wins and losses for each match week.

Players in The Draft are scored the same way as in the Classic, the only difference being that there are no Chips, Captains, or budgets.

How Does FPL Scoring Work?

Fantasy Premier League players are scored as follows:

Goalkeepers & Defenders:

• -1 point for every two goals conceded
• +4 points for a clean sheet
• +6 points for scoring a goal
• +5 points for saving a penalty (goalies)
• +1 point for making three or more saves (goalies)

Midfielders:

• +1 point for a clean sheet
• +5 points for scoring

Forwards:

• +4 points for scoring

All Positions:

• +3 points for assisting
• +1 point for playing up to 60 minutes
• +2 points for playing 60 minutes or more
• +3 points for Best Player in the Match
• +2 points for 2nd Best Player in the Match
• +1 point for 3rd Best Player in the Match

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