Introduction

The Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season for 2025-26 is upon us, and with more managers than ever participating, securing a top-10k finish is increasingly challenging. To help you navigate this competitive landscape, we’ve gathered insights from BBC Sport’s FPL experts: Pras, Holly Shand, FPL Heisenberg, and Gianni Buttice. Additionally, we’ve included advice from Max Littleproud, last season’s BBC Sport FPL league winner, who achieved an impressive fifth-place global ranking.

Long-Term Planning Over Short-Term Gains

Pras emphasizes the importance of long-term planning. "A good FPL manager plays the game like chess," he says. "It’s not about who to pick this week or next, but about looking at blocks of fixtures and targeting players with favorable medium-term runs." This approach helps avoid impulsive decisions, especially for players with only one good fixture followed by a tough run.

Holly Shand adds that team form and upcoming fixture ease are crucial metrics. "Keep a close eye on both when planning transfers," she advises. "This allows you to pick up key players before their hot streak begins and gain an edge over your rivals."

Balancing Premium Picks

Holly also stresses the importance of balancing premium players in your week one team. "At the start of the season, form is more unpredictable," she explains. "For greater transfer flexibility, pick a premium player in each position and create a captaincy matrix for upcoming weeks to identify key transfer targets."

Avoiding Common Mistakes

FPL Heisenberg highlights the need to acknowledge mistakes. "You have to recognize when you’ve made an error, whether by bringing in the wrong player or ignoring one in hot form," he says. "The key is to rectify these situations as quickly as possible."

Gianni Buttice advises against taking hits and making early transfers. "It’s better to roll transfers and accumulate them," he suggests. "With several free transfers, you can make significant changes to your team structure without taking hits."

Holly adds that early transfers should be avoided unless necessary. "Information is always key," she notes. "I usually wait until Friday afternoon to make my moves, except when there are no midweek European fixtures or when I’m at risk of being priced out of a move."

Trusting Your Instincts

Max Littleproud shares his unique approach. "Last season, I relied purely on gut instinct," he says. "I didn’t look at any statistics and changed my team 30 minutes before the deadline, going for players I really liked. Trusting my gut paid off."

Key Player Attributes

Pras advises focusing on reliable players over flair players. "Players like Bruno Fernandes, who are nailed on to play 90 minutes, take free-kicks, and penalties, are often superior FPL picks," he explains. "These points add up and make these picks more fixture-proof."

FPL Heisenberg recommends watching as much Premier League football as possible. "Watching full matches and extended highlights allows you to spot things you may not notice from stats alone," he says.

Avoiding Panic and Sticking to Your Plan

Pras reminds managers that FPL is a game of patience. "Football is unpredictable, and there’s an element of luck involved," he says. "Trust the process and make good decisions over the long term."

Understanding xG and New Rules

Gianni underscores the importance of expected goals (xG). "If an attacker has a high xG but isn’t converting, they’re likely close to a big haul," he explains. He also advises paying attention to new defensive contribution points, which will change how we build FPL teams.

Max shares his strategy for saving money in defense. "I never spend much on defensive options," he says. "I go for budget defenders and set and forget them, relying on clean sheets and new defensive points to make up the difference."

Focusing on Your Own Team

FPL Heisenberg concludes by advising managers to focus on their own teams. "Don’t try to be the same or different from others," he says. "Simply focus on what you can control to maximize your points."

Conclusion

By following these expert strategies, you can enhance your FPL performance and increase your chances of a top finish in the 2025-26 season. Remember to plan long-term, balance your team, avoid common mistakes, and trust your instincts. Good luck!