Building a successful fantasy football team takes more than luck. You need to research to stay ahead of the game. With so much information out there, finding reliable resources to guide your decisions is important. Whether you’re a seasoned fantasy football manager or just looking to climb the league table, here are the best research resources:
Place regular sports bets
Surprisingly, betting on football matches can also be a valuable tool for improving your fantasy football game. By analysing betting odds and markets, you can gauge which teams and players are expected to perform well in upcoming fixtures. Bookmakers’ odds combined with great football tips often reflect expert analysis. This can give you an additional perspective when making your decisions.
For example, if a striker is heavily backed to score in a match, it might be a sign to include them in your squad or even make them your captain. Betting also encourages you to follow games more closely, deepening your understanding of team dynamics, form, and tactics—an invaluable skill for fantasy football success.
Dive into football podcasts
Podcasts have become a treasure trove for fantasy football enthusiasts. Experts and analysts break down weekly performances, offer predictions, and share valuable tips for squad selection and transfers. Podcasts like ‘Fantasy Premier League Official Podcast’ or ‘The FPL Wire’ are tailored to the UK football scene, providing insights specific to the leagues you’re playing in.
The beauty of podcasts is their accessibility—you can tune in while commuting, at the gym, or even during a quick coffee break. Regularly listening to fantasy football-specific podcasts ensures you’re up-to-date on injury news, form updates, and fixture analysis, helping you stay one step ahead of your competition.
Read football articles and analysis
For those who love diving into the nitty-gritty details, reading football articles is an essential part of research. Websites like ‘The Athletic’ and ‘BBC Sport’ offer in-depth coverage, from tactical breakdowns to player performance reviews. Meanwhile, fantasy-focused platforms like ‘Fantasy Football Scout’ provide targeted advice on player picks, upcoming fixtures, and team strategies.
Articles also give you the chance to explore different perspectives and opinions. While some writers may push for popular picks, others might highlight under-the-radar players who could deliver unexpected points.
Check social media for real-time updates
Social media is a goldmine for fantasy football managers. Platforms like X and Instagram are flooded with accounts dedicated to football news, FPL tips, and lineup leaks. You can follow team-specific reporters, trusted pundits, and official club accounts for timely updates on injuries, suspensions, or sudden changes in the starting lineup.
Hashtags like #FPLCommunity or #FantasyFootball can also connect you to a broader network of enthusiasts sharing advice, memes, and opinions. Be selective, though; not every post is trustworthy, and it’s important to differentiate between credible sources and mere speculation.
Explore fantasy football tools and apps
Specialised tools and apps designed for fantasy football are a game-changer. Websites like ‘Fantasy Football Hub’ and ‘FPL Statistics’ offer advanced metrics, ownership trends, and price rise predictions, all of which can give you an edge. Using these tools, you can make data-driven decisions, such as which players to captain or when to use chips like Wildcards and Triple Captains.
Many apps also provide customised notifications, alerting you to breaking news, fixture changes, or deadline reminders. Investing time in exploring these resources can lead to smarter, more confident squad management.
Watch matches and highlights
There’s no substitute for actually watching football. Catching live games or even highlights allows you to see beyond the stats, spotting key moments of brilliance or lapses in concentration that might not show up in numbers. Watching matches gives you a feel for a player’s role in the team, their confidence with the ball, and their potential to deliver in the future.
Pair your viewing with post-match analysis from respected pundits, and you’ll have a clearer idea of which players to back or avoid in your fantasy lineup.
