My strategy for FPL this season, plus my first draft
FPL tips and strategies for the 22/23 season
The TLDR:
The Fantasy Premier League game has officially launched for the 22/23 season
All players’ prices have now been revealed and we can start building drafts
A few players have changed positions. The most notable ones are listed here
Managers can make unlimited transfers between 12 Nov - 26 Dec this season due to the World Cup, so we effectively have three wildcards
Before I jump straight into my team I think it makes sense to explain a bit around my strategy coming into the new season.
Formation
I’m planning to play 5-4-1 or 5-3-2 for most of the season. I think this year is going to be dominated by wing-backs even more so than previous years. The current FPL champion, Jamie Piggott, recently attributed his success to going ‘big at the back’ early on and there are some incredible options at decent prices this year, such as Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m), Robertson (£7m), Cancelo (£7m), James (£6m), Chilwell (£6m), Perisic (£5.5m), Digne (£5m), Cash (£5m), and Trippier (£5m).
Four of the top ten performing players in FPL last season were defenders and if it wasn’t for big injuries to Chilwell and James I think that number would be higher. So, to me, it makes sense to pack that defence.
Premiums
There are five premium attacking players that I think represent value for money at the start of the season: Salah (£13m), Haaland (£11.5m), De Bruyne (£12m), Son (£12m) and Kane (£11.5m). The problem is, we can only reasonably afford two of them if we want a balanced team and defenders from the top teams, which is something I do want, as mentioned above.
I don’t plan on starting the season without Salah in my team; he will be so heavily owned and captained that my rank would free-fall if he were to get returns.
So that leaves just one premium spot left and four players to decide between. I’m wavering between Son & Haaland, but leaning towards the latter. I think it will be really exciting to own one of - if not THE - best striker in the world at one of the most attacking teams. At £11.5m I think he offers the most value too, especially if he’s on penalties, so I’ll reluctantly have to pass on Son for now. If there are rumblings that Pep might try and ease the Norwegian into the Premier League I will likely swap him for one of the Spurs attackers.
I have seen some drafts with three premiums, but honestly, I think the rest of the team suffers too much.
Explaining my first draft
Pickford (£4.5m) - This is one that could change but once Everton get Chelsea out of the way they play Villa, Notts Forest, Brentford, Leeds in their next four. Either way, I’m expecting to have a £4.5m goalkeeper, with Sanchez of Brighton being another option.
Chilwell (£6m) - The first name on my team-sheet as explained in this article and this article. The left-back’s points-per-start were higher than any other defender last season with an average of 9pts per game before injury ended his season.
James (£6m) - Similar to Chilwell, Reece James offers great value at £6m. They both take set-pieces and have great attacking threat going forwards.
Cancelo (£7m) - The fifth highest scoring player in the game last year, and I see no reason why he won’t get more than 200pts again this season. One of the few players Pep doesn’t rotate.
Perisic (£5.5m) - I am really excited by Perisic, but he is also the defender I feel least certain about. Conte could try and ease him in to the Premier League, especially with other left-back options such as Reguilon and Sessegnon still at the club. I could potentially move him down to Trippier, Digne or Cash and bank the extra £0.5m.
Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) - The highest scoring defender last season and the third highest scoring player overall, Trent is locked in my team. While I do love Robertson, I think TAA just offers that bit more attacking threat.
Neto (£5.5m) - This is all about potential and hope rather than expectation. Neto hasn’t really been a great FPL option before but he is a good price, he’s an attacking player and Wolves probably have the best opening fixtures of any team. If I save the £0.5m from Perisic as mentioned above I could see me upgrading Neto to someone like Martinelli of Arsenal or Guimaraes at Newcastle.
Salah (£13m) - I already covered Salah above, but I think with Liverpool’s fixtures and his consistency as an FPL asset over recent seasons he’s borderline essential.
Diaz (£8m) - As I explained in my recent post on the top 3 players from each team based on their prices, I’m really excited about owning Diaz. Now that Mane has left Anfield I think Diaz will be a regular starter for Liverpool and will offer great value at £8m.
Coutinho (£7m) - I haven’t seen Coutinho in many drafts so I quite like the thought of having him as a bit of a differential. Villa’s first four games are Bournemouth, Everton, Crystal Palace and West Ham so it might be the best time to own the playmaker. If I can find an extra £1m somewhere, though, I could see me trying to upgrade him to Foden.
Haaland (£11.5m) - As mentioned above, it’s a tough choice between Haaland and a Spurs player but I’m backing the Norwegian to win the golden boot this season, so I think having him in my team at £11.5m just makes sense.
Begovic (£4m) - As cheap as they come. Everton’s back-up keeper just in-case something happens to Pickford.
Undav (£5.5m) - More of an enabler than anything else, Brighton’s new signing could displace Maupay upfront. If he does, he’ll be a bargain at £5.5m and could be someone I rotate with Neto, switching between 5-4-1 and 5-3-2.
Andreas (£4.5m) - Pereira also feels like a bit of a ‘must have’ at the moment. Midfielders don’t come cheaper than £4.5m and now that he’s switched to Fulham from Man United you’d expect him to get a lot of minutes, and he’s attacking too. I probably won’t play him much, but he’s a great bench option and helps me invest money elsewhere.
Greenwood (£4.5m) - Another benchwarmer who I don’t expect much from. He might play now and then for Leeds, which will be enough for a £4.5m striker in my third sub spot.
Obviously things may change between now and the start of the season but I’m pretty happy with this draft currently. Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments below.
One thing I didn’t mention above was why I’m not investing much money in my bench. Now that teams can make five subs per game I think that it is less likely my main players won’t get any minutes during a game, which makes an FPL bench less necessary. We will also have three wildcards this year because of the World Cup, so will have extra opportunities to make wholesale changes if needed.
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