Expert Tips for Success in the Fantasy Premier League 2025-26
The Fantasy Premier League season is fast approaching, and with an increasing number of managers participating, achieving a coveted top-10k finish is becoming more challenging than ever.
To assist players in navigating this competitive landscape, BBC Sport has gathered insights from four Fantasy Premier League experts for the 2025-26 season: Pras, Holly Shand, FPL Heisenberg, and Gianni Buttice. Additionally, we spoke with Max Littleproud, the previous season's BBC Sport FPL league champion, who finished an impressive fifth in the world.
Max's strategy was notably different last season; if traditional metrics like expected goals (xG) don't resonate with you, his approach might be more appealing.
Prioritize Long-Term Planning Over Short-Term Point Chasing
PRAS: A successful FPL manager approaches the game strategically, akin to chess. It’s not merely about who to select this week or next; rather, it’s essential to analyze blocks of fixtures and target players with favorable medium-term schedules. This strategy helps avoid impulsive decisions, particularly for players with only one advantageous match followed by a series of difficult ones. Establish a plan and adhere to it as closely as possible.
HOLLY: Team form and the ease of upcoming fixtures are crucial factors when making transfers. Monitor these elements closely to acquire key players before they hit their stride, giving you an edge over your competitors.
Balance Premium Picks in Your Week One Team
HOLLY: Striking the right balance among premium players is vital, especially at the season's outset when player form can be unpredictable. For greater transfer flexibility, consider including a premium player in each position in your Gameweek one lineup, and create a captaincy matrix for the upcoming weeks to identify your key transfer targets.
Don’t Be Stubborn When You’ve Made a Mistake
HEISENBERG: It's important to recognize when you've made an error, whether by selecting the wrong player or overlooking one who is performing well. Mistakes happen to everyone; the key is to correct them swiftly.
Avoid Hits and Early Transfers
GIANNI: It’s often more beneficial to roll over transfers and forgo making a move for several weeks, if possible. Exercise patience, utilize your bench if necessary, and accumulate transfers. With multiple free transfers, you can implement significant changes to your team structure and acquire even the priciest players without incurring penalties.
HOLLY: I typically avoid making early transfers; information is essential, so I prefer to finalize my moves on Friday afternoons. However, exceptions apply when there are no midweek European fixtures (such as before Gameweek two) or when I risk being priced out of a move for which I have the exact funds.
Trust Your Gut
MAX: Last season, I shifted my approach. With less time to engage with FPL content, I relied solely on instinct. I made changes to my team just 30 minutes before the deadline, selecting players I genuinely liked and trusting my instincts. Despite being a math teacher, I steered clear of statistics to avoid over-analysis.
Pay Attention to Minutes, Set-Pieces, and Penalty Takers
PRAS: Sometimes, FPL is more about selecting reliable players rather than those with flair. For instance, while Riyad Mahrez may seem impressive, a player like Bruno Fernandes is often a superior FPL choice because he is guaranteed to play full matches and take free-kicks and penalties. These factors accumulate and make such picks more resilient to fixture difficulty. When in doubt between two players, always opt for the one responsible for penalties or set-pieces.
Watch as Much Premier League Football as You Can
HEISENBERG: Whenever possible, watch full matches and extended highlights. Observing more football allows you to notice details that statistics alone may miss, while also helping you interpret data in context.
MAX: I watched numerous games last season, which enabled me to select players I enjoyed and trust my instincts based on the eye test.
Avoid Panic Buys and Rage Sells – Back Your Decisions
PRAS: FPL requires patience, but football can be unpredictable, which can lead to regret. For instance, if you choose Bukayo Saka as your captain and he misses a penalty, it exemplifies a good decision with a poor outcome. Managers must recognize that luck is a factor in the game, but consistently making sound decisions generally leads to favorable results. Trust the process.
Don’t Underestimate the Importance of xG
GIANNI: While some fans may dismiss expected goals (xG) as a metric, it holds significance in FPL. If an attacker has a high xG but is failing to convert, they are likely either a poor finisher or on the verge of a substantial scoring run.
Make Sure You Know the New Rules and Adjust
GIANNI: Goals and assists will always be paramount, but the new defensive contribution points will influence how we construct our FPL teams, particularly when selecting budget defenders and midfielders. The initial weeks could serve as a learning curve, so remain vigilant and be prepared to adapt.
Save Money in Defence
MAX: I typically do not invest heavily in defensive options. This year, I plan to select two £4.5m defenders and two £4.0m defenders. If they manage to secure clean sheets, that’s a bonus, and I’m counting on them to compensate for the more expensive players through the new defensive contribution points. I usually don’t allocate much to defense—except for standout players like Trent Alexander-Arnold—and once I finalize my defensive lineup, I tend to stick with it.
And Finally – Stop Caring About Other People’s Teams
HEISENBERG: While the desire to outperform mini-league rivals and achieve a high rank is common, focusing too much on others' teams can hinder your performance. Avoid trying to mirror or differentiate from them. Concentrate on what you can control—your own team—to maximize your points. Your overall rank and mini-league standings will naturally fall into place.