The advantages of starting Fantasy in Gameweek 2

The Scout explains why registering a team today could give you an edge over the season

If you failed to register a Fantasy Premier League team ahead of the Gameweek 1 deadline, you won't score any points for the first round of fixtures. But all is not lost!

Firstly, if you enter now you'll automatically be entered into a global league that starts scoring in Gameweek 2, so you can start level with a host of rivals around the world. 

And secondly, you could now have an advantage over your FPL mini-league rivals who started in Gameweek 1, so you could quickly overtake them!

Pick your Fantasy squad NOW!

While fellow managers will have second-guessed Premier League head coaches' opening-weekend line-ups, hoping to identify that budget breakthrough defender or the stellar summer signing who hits the ground running, you can register a squad now and enjoy the following benefits:

1) Unlimited free transfers before the Gameweek 2 deadline of 18:30 BST on Friday 22 August. So while your peers will be using their free transfers, taking points hits or even using their Wildcard, you’ll have a fresh-looking team with all your chips intact.

2) Build your squad using the £100m budget with players who a) are confirmed starters in Premier League matches, b) scored the most FPL points in Gameweek 1, and c) received the bonus points.

3) If you opt to fill your squad exclusively with the highest FPL points-scorers from the Gameweek 1 matches, it’s likely you’ll benefit from price rises before the Gameweek 2 deadline. With a little bit more money in the bank, that extra £0.5m could prove invaluable.

See: More information about price changes

4) Snap up the emerging stars from Gameweek 1, players like Tijjani Reijnders (£5.6m) and Mohammed Kudus (£6.5m), who could prove Fantasy gems over the season. Favourably priced, the pair each recorded 10 points in their opening match thanks to two attacking returns apiece.

5) Teams such as AFC Bournemouth, Brentford and Wolves enjoy favourable runs after difficult Gameweek 1 fixtures. That lifts the appeal of building a squad around their key assets such as Antoine Semenyo (£7.0m), Evanilson (£7.0m), Jorgen Strand Larsen (£6.5m), and Caoimhin Kelleher (£4.5m).

6) Steal a march on rival FPL managers by targeting Arsenal stars for their home fixture against Leeds United. Players such as Bukayo Saka (£10.0m), Gabriel and William Saliba (both £6.0m) are currently under 20 per cent owned.

7) Establish if there are players who are playing out of position, e.g. a defender playing in a more advanced attacking midfield position. Consider signing them up for increased points potential at both ends of the pitch.

8) You can still join all the mini-leagues that started scoring points in Gameweek 1. You’ll quickly make up lost ground. You can also invite friends and colleagues to join a league that starts scoring in Gameweek 2. A win-win situation!

So, start tinkering with your squad now!

Register your team before the GW2 deadline of 18:30 BST on Friday 22 August