Fantasy Premier League

FPL basics: Managing your team

By The Scout 29 Jun 2023

The Scout outlines how to pick your formation, starting line-up, captain and substitutes in Fantasy

Managers in Fantasy Premier League must choose a starting XI from their 15-man squad before each Gameweek deadline, which is 90 minutes before the opening match of the Gameweek.

Any formation can be chosen as long as the line-up includes one goalkeeper, at least three defenders, at least two midfielders and at least one forward.

You can change formation by replacing a starter with a player off the bench, who is listed in a different position in the game.

All your points for the Gameweek will be scored by these 11 players.

But if one or more player doesn't feature they may be automatically substituted. This makes ordering your substitutes correctly important.

Choose bench order wisely

Based on the priorities you assign, automatic substitutions are processed at the end of the Gameweek as follows:

Goalkeeper

If your 'keeper doesn't play in the Gameweek, he will be substituted by your replacement goalkeeper if he played in the Gameweek.

Outfield players

If any outfield player doesn't play, he will be substituted by the highest-priority outfield substitute who played in the Gameweek and doesn't break the formation rules. (For example, if your starting XI has three defenders, a defender can only be replaced by another defender.)