What Fantasy is

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is a free game alongside the real Premier League. You pick a squad of footballers within a budget. When they do well in real matches, you score Fantasy points. Your weekly totals add up over the season — that’s your progress.

Why it matters: every gameweek is a small swing in a long race. One bad week rarely ruins a season; repeating the same mistakes (missed deadlines, blind hits, captains you don’t believe in) does.

On Pitchline: this site is an unofficial helper while you learn — rankings, fixtures, and tips. It does not replace the official FPL site, where your real squad lives.

Your squad

• 15 players: 2 goalkeepers, 5 defenders, 5 midfielders, 3 forwards
• Budget: about £100m across the whole squad
• Club limit: at most 3 players from the same club

Prices rise and fall during the season. Money you spend early is money you don’t have later; three from one club blocks a fourth option from that side.

Why it matters: squad building is a set of trade-offs. A shiny expensive midfielder might mean a weaker bench — and when injuries hit, weak depth costs points.

On Pitchline: use player rankings (filter by position and price) or compare a few names side by side. Explore options — don’t treat the top of a list as “must buy.”

Starting XI & bench

Each gameweek you pick 11 starters and 4 on the bench. Only the XI (plus automatic substitutes if someone doesn’t play) score for you that week. Bench order matters for those auto-subs.

Why it matters: a player who hauls on your bench is points you left on the table. Progress isn’t only transfers — it’s also who you actually field.

On Pitchline: if you’ve linked your team, the dashboard may suggest lineup tweaks. Treat them as prompts to double-check minutes and fixtures — then set the XI on the official site.

How you score

Players earn Fantasy points for things like goals, assists, clean sheets (especially defenders and keepers), and bonus points after the match. Attackers lean on goals and assists; defenders lean on clean sheets plus the odd attacking return.

Why it matters: if you don’t know how a position usually scores, it’s easy to overrate a “hot” name who doesn’t fit how points are actually made. Understanding scoring helps you challenge any tip — including Pitchline’s.

On Pitchline: Metrics explained covers Form, xGI, xPts, P. score, and FDR in plain English. Use those labels as questions (“is this form or luck?”), not as orders.

Captain & vice

Your captain scores double points. Your vice-captain only takes over if the captain doesn’t play. For most managers, the armband is the biggest weekly decision.

Why it matters: one bad captain can cost more than a transfer hit; one good one can leap you up the mini-league table. Blindly copying a lean without checking minutes or kickoff can erase a week of careful transfers.

On Pitchline: Captain leanings show who Pitchline tips over the next 5 fixtures, among likely starters — hints to weigh, then confirm the armband on FPL.

Transfers & hits

You usually get free transfers each week. Extra transfers cost −4 points each (a “hit”). Hits spend points you don’t get back.

Why it matters: chasing every shiny tip with hits can drop your rank even when the new player “works out.” Sometimes holding is progress — patience protects your total while others bleed −4s.

On Pitchline: the dashboard may show transfer ideas; your watchlist (when signed in) keeps names you’re tracking. Ask “is this worth −4?” before you act on the official site.

Chips

Special chips (used once each in a typical season setup) include:

• Wildcard — rebuild your squad freely for a window
• Free Hit — temporary squad for one week, then it reverts
• Triple Captain — captain scores triple instead of double
• Bench Boost — bench players score that week too

Exact availability can change with the season rules on the official site — always check there.

Why it matters: chips are limited season resources. Burning one early changes what you can do later. Using one because an app “suggested it” without a plan can cost you a bigger opportunity weeks down the line.

On Pitchline: the dashboard may mention chips when they’re relevant. That’s a nudge to think — not a calendar you must follow.

Deadlines

Changes lock at the deadline (usually before the first match of the gameweek). After that, your squad is set until the next deadline.

Why it matters: miss the deadline and last week’s XI rides again — progress stalls by default while others tweak. Most “I forgot” weeks are self-inflicted.

On Pitchline: optional deadline prep emails (~1–1.5 days before) can remind you with captain/transfer suggestions. Turn them off anytime. Still make the real changes on FPL.

Fixtures & difficulty

Some weeks look kinder than others. Fantasy rates matches with FDR (Fixture Difficulty Rating: 1 easier → 5 harder). Looking a few fixtures ahead helps with holds, sells, and captain choices.

Why it matters: a tough run can drag several of your players at once; a kinder run can lift a whole club. Fixture planning is how casual managers avoid panicking into hits after one blank.

On Pitchline: open Clubs for a side’s next matches and Avg FDR, or a player page for their upcoming run. Labels have tooltips; Metrics explains FDR and outlook.

Next steps

Tools after understanding — not “follow the app”:

1. Skim rankings and ask who looks sensible for your budget.
2. Compare two or three names before you move.
3. Optional: Join, link your team, and use the dashboard as a checklist — then decide on the official FPL site.

Pitchline tips are guesses with numbers behind them. Your progress improves when you understand the trade-offs — and only then use the tools.