If you’re like me, then you take your Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team drafting seriously. So serious, in fact, that you’ve probably spent hours poring over player stats and formations trying to determine the best strategy for your squad. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself this question: is there one specific formation that is unequivocally the best to use? It turns out the answer is a little more complicated than yes or no.
FPL is a game of many variables. Which formation you choose, which players you select, and when you make your substitutions can all make the difference between success and failure. So, what’s the best formation to use when drafting your FPL team? Let’s take a look at some of the options.
The Most Common Fantasy Football Formations
The 3-4-3 Formation
The most common formation in fantasy football is the three-at-the-back formation, also known as the “three-four-three.” This setup usually features three defenders, four midfielders, and three forwards. The advantage of this formation is that it provides a lot of defensive stability while also giving you plenty of attacking options.
There are a few potential problems with using this formation. First, if one of your defenders gets injured or suspended, you may be left short on cover at the back. Second, it can be difficult to find room for all your attackers in this setup; if you have too many players who like to play centrally, you may find yourself struggling to score.
It requires your players to be very versatile – they need to play in multiple positions across the backline and midfield.
4-3-3
This is a popular formation that has been embraced by top managers in the Premier League today; the likes of Pep Guardiola of Manchester City and Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool.
It gives you a strong midfield base, with two attacking wingers and a striker. This formation can be used in both attack-minded and defensive setups; for example, if you are playing against a team that likes to play possession football, you may want to use a more defensive four-three-three with three holding midfielders.
The 4-3-3 formation can be a great way to create attack and defend, but it does have its weaknesses. One of those is that if you’re playing this system with two wingers or wide forwards, then your midfielders will need cover for all the different spaces they leave behind them, which might mean someone running out of position.
4-4-2
One of the most popular formations in football is the classic four-four-two. This system uses two strikers, which can be very dangerous against defenders who like to play high up the pitch, as it creates a lot of space for them to run into. It’s also great at winning back possession and launching quick counterattacks.
The only downside is that it can often be quite vulnerable to teams who use a three-person midfield as they will have more players in central areas than your team does.
5–3–2
The 5-3-2 setup is perfect for teams who want to play defensively and keep a tight grip on the game. With three central defenders, two wing-backs, three midfielders, and two strikers, you have plenty of players who can help protect your goal while also offering an attacking threat when needed.
This formation is perfect for those FPL managers looking to grind out some clean sheets without taking too many risks.
How to Come Up with the Best Formation for Your Fantasy Football Team
Consider the Players at Your Disposal
When selecting the best formation for your fantasy football team, you need to think about the players you have and how they would best fit into a certain formation. For example, if you have two very fast wingers but no true striker, then a formation with three central defenders and two wing-backs may be a better option than one with four midfielders.
You also need to take into account your team’s strengths and weaknesses. If you have a strong attack but a weak defense, playing with five defenders may not be the best idea. Similarly, if your midfield is full of talent but you don’t have any defenders, playing with three midfielders and two strikers may be the way to go.
The most popular formation in fantasy football is probably a variation of the classic ‘4-4-2’. This formation has four defenders, four midfielders, and two strikers. It’s perfect for teams with a strong defense that wants to keep control of the game by dominating possession.
If you’re looking for a more attacking formation, then the ‘4-3-3’ could be ideal. With three attackers and three midfielders, this formation gives your team plenty of chances to score goals. However, it can also leave your defense exposed, so make sure you have players who are good at both defending and attacking if you choose this formation.
Use a Lineup Prediction Tool
A lineup prediction tool comes in handy when drafting players for your team. DraftHound offers a Fantasy Football prediction tool that provides you with predicted lineups for teams in the premier league and their expected formations. This can help you make informed decisions about who to draft for your team and the position they should play in.
Conclusion
When drafting your FPL team, it’s important to choose the right formation. The ‘formation’ is simply how your players are arranged on the pitch – in other words, which players are playing as defenders, midfielders, and strikers.
There are several different formations to choose from, but some work better than others depending on the players you have on your team and the opponent’s formation.
