Fantasy Football 2023/24 Mini Guide
The dust has settled on Manchester City’s and Pep’s spectacular treble-winning season (only matched by Manchester United in the 1998/99 season). It was something only football fans could marvel at (even the Red Devils themselves). Haaland was a revelation. Chelsea, Leicester City and Leeds United less so. Who knew John Stones could become a midfield lynchpin! But that was last season…
And there is nothing quite like the weeks before a new season. Freshly cut pitch. Shiny new kits. New stadiums to visit (Hello Kenilworth Road!). A wave of overwhelming optimism. And that’s coming from a Reading fan! Let’s not forget 15 blank spots to fill in my football fantasy squad too! New prices, new players and a chance for glory! Luton Town, Sheffield United and Burnley have joined the big-time too!
If you’re not already familiar with the format for this season, the aim of the game is to build a squad of 15 players from a budget of £100 million – Haaland is only £14 million!
You can select a maximum of three players from any one Premier League club and as you may suspect, the better the player, the more they will cost you. During the 38 game weeks in the season, your first 11 will give you the opportunity to accumulate points by scoring goals, creating assists, keeping clean sheets, and simply taking to the pitch in the first place; while your 4 substitutes are there in case any of your first 11 fail to make the starting line-up.
What’s new for this season?
No World Cup rudely interrupting the season (and no bonus transfer period!). But the remainder means the same with your captain getting double points. And let’s not forget your ‘chips’…
Four chips
The four chips remain from last season:
- Wildcard- Completely overhaul your squad without forfeiting points (twice a season)
- Triple Captain- Get three times your points total for your captain
- Bench Boost- Earn points from your non-playing substitutes
- Free Hit- Reset your team for one week only before it reverts (available from Gameweek 2)
The Wildcard chip can be used twice a season. The first Wildcard will be available from the start of the season until the Gameweek 20 deadline on Saturday 30 December.
The second Wildcard will become available after that deadline in readiness for the January transfer window opening and will remain available until the end of the season.
The Wildcard chip is played when confirming transfers that cost points and can't be cancelled once played.
Please note that when playing either a Wildcard or your Free Hit chip, any saved free transfers will be lost. You will be back to the usual one free transfer the following Gameweek.
What if I don’t know where to start?
Have no fear! Fantasy Football has taken a life of its own outside the game, with many podcasts, TikToks and even subscription-based advice websites all to help players get the maximum of their teams.
These podcasts are all accessible on Spotify:
Fantasy Football Scout
FPL Family
TikTok accounts to follow:
Fplfan
Fplgraduates
holly_shand FPL
These websites may be a good place to start...
And if you need some inspiration…here are some potential squads you can choose:
