How To Change Formation In Fpl

What is the best formation in FPL? – Opinions on the best FPL formation vary. It all depends on the structure of your team and on where you think the highest value is. In our opinion, the best formation in FPL are currently ones that are heavy in midfield and still flexible, like 4-4-2 or 3-4-3 and 3-5-2.

Read more on this topic in our article: What is the best formation in FPL? Our advice is: when choosing the best formation for your FPL team, focus on premium defenders and premium midfielders, as currently, these are the spots where value is. Note: You can change the formation of your FPL team before the start of each gameweek.

So you do not have to play the whole season in one formation, but you can change it based on where the current value is. Fantasy Football enthusiast with two top 1k finishes in FPL. Best FPL overall rank: 119th in 2019/20 season. Five top 500 finishes in UCL Fantasy, best overall rank: 23rd in 2018/19 season. Founder of Fantasy Football Reports.

Can you change formation on PL fantasy football?

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.

What is the best formation to use in FPL?

Ali Jahangirov ( @FPLGunz ) – We have been spoiled with great options in the midfield department. Having five is a must for me.3-5-2 will be the most popular formation even though there are many great defensive options as well.4-5-1 with Haaland leaves us with very little room for flexibility up front, as it would be really challenging to move up from a non-playing £4.5m forward to one in form.

Can I edit my FPL team?

Scroll down to the bottom of the Fantasy section and click on ‘Help & Rules’ On the ‘Managing your team’ section, click on ‘How do I change my team name, my team kit or the team I support’ Click on ‘team details’

Can a team change formation?

Programme for an 1887 game between Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday, The players are arranged in 2–3–5 formation. In association football, the formation of a team refers to the position players take in relation to each other on a pitch, As association football is a fluid and fast-moving game, a player’s position (with the exception of the goalkeeper ) in a formation does not define their role as tightly as that of rugby player, nor are there breaks in play where the players must line up in formation (as in gridiron football ).

1. A player’s position in a formation typically defines whether a player has a mostly defensive or attacking role, and whether they tend to play centrally or towards one side of the pitch.
2. Formations are described by three or more numbers in order to denote how many players are in each row of the formation, from the most defensive to the most advanced.

For example, the “4–5–1” formation has four defenders, five midfielders, and a single forward, The choice of formation is normally made by a team’s manager or head coach, Different formations can be used depending on whether a team wishes to play more attacking or defensive football, and a team may switch formations between or during games for tactical reasons.

Can you change positions after draft fantasy football?

At NFL.com Fantasy, roster positions may only be added – not removed – after the draft. This promotes fairness and helps site functionality, as position limits affect draft strategy and removing positions after rosters are filled could invalidate rosters.

Can you play 5 midfielders in FPL?

Squad Size To join the game select a fantasy football squad of 15 players, consisting of: 2 Goalkeepers.5 Defenders.5 Midfielders.

What is the best club formation?

1) 4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow) – 4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow), also referred to as the 4-1-2-1-2(2), is one of the most popular formations in Pro Clubs and has retained its effectiveness over the years. The formation provides a unique attacking flair that is second to none while also being defensively sound with four defenders at the back.

Can you be in 2 FPL leagues at once?

In the interest of fair play each person may only enter one team. You may enter this team in multiple leagues and compete against different groups of friends.

What is the triple captain in Fantasy Premier League?

What is the Triple Captain in FPL? Playing the Triple Captain chip triples your Fantasy Premier League captain’s points, rather than doubling them. You can only use it once per season.

What is the 4 1 2 1 2 formation?

The 4-1-2-1-2 formation, a variation of the traditional 4-4-2 formation, sacrifices having two central midfielders in order to push one up into a more offensive role ( The number 10 ), and allows one to drop back into a more defensive role ( The number 6 ).

1. This formation can also be altered to what is often referred to as the ‘diamond’ (With #10 being the tip and #6 being the base) allowing the two wide midfielders to tuck in and become central midfielders, giving the fullbacks more freedom to maraud along the wings and instigate wide attacks.
2. Strengths of the wide 4-1-2-1-2 formation are that it allows fluidity in wide areas for attacks to be instigated and for lots of crosses to be made to the strikers,

Less bodies in midfield also allow the #10 freedom to create attacks or to make attempts at goal themselves. The narrow 4-1-2-1-2 gives the team the ability to overload the middle of the park and control large shares of possession, the extended amounts of possession allow for the fullbacks to join in attacks.

This allows for variation in attack as not only do the midfielders pose a threat from central areas, the fullbacks compensate for the loss of the wide midfielders. Weaknesses of the wide 4-1-2-1-2 are that the less bodies in midfield allows for the opposition side to pressure the #6 and allow for the opposition to exploit the gap between the two central defenders, a gap that would normally be plugged by the #6 when necessary whilst under attack.

Whilst the narrow 4-1-2-1-2 is prone to counter attacks along the wing, with the fullbacks relinquishing their defensive duty in order to provide an extra attacking outlet. A quick counter attack could leave the fullback stranded and another player would have to fill in their spot, causing gaps elsewhere in the field.

What is the 3 3 2 1 1 formation?

Thread: 3-3-2-1-1 Formation. Suggestions. Is it any good?

04-28-2013 The formation that i use is difficult to describe. In pure numbers it would be 3-3-2-1-1, This means 3 DC’s (with blue arrows so they move back). A DML, DMC and DMR which of the 3 DML and DMR have red arrows (which i think is absolutely essential since they are the only ones covering both sides with no help, so they have to attack and help out at front).2 MC’s usually one with a red arrow and the other one nothing (except if i’m playing with a stronger opponent and need some help i defence so the other MC gets blue arrow. One AMC with red arrow and speciality (hidden striker ? I am from Greece and i do not know the exact translation. But it is a talent that only an AMC has) and one ST, I have mixed emotions about this tactic. It almost looks like a X-Mas tree tactic, but i am talking to all you Top Eleven Guru’s out there, is it any good ? Thanks much in advance,but again truth be told, if you’re looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. 04-28-2013 This one (WM formation) worked for me a season ago against a much better team. I played defending mentality, down both flanks, own half, normal tackling, long balls and counter ON. DMC’s with blue arrows. If this formation still works i dont know, didnt face it this season. Currently playing level 8 (season 8) The league: 1st place level 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 The Champions league: 1st place level 2,3,4,5,6 – 2nd place level 7 The cup: 1/4 final level 3 04-28-2013 sure thing,but again truth be told, if you’re looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. 04-28-2013 I think it’s good. I play with a similar formation, 3-1-4-1-1 this season (coz I couldn’t buy solid fullbacks) and it went surprisingly good. I used 3-3-2-1-1 to counter hard both flank attacking opponents and it went very good as well.

I think it worked as a 5-4-1 diamond on defence while it had more attacking potential at offence. btw, I don’t have blue on DCs (I actually play off. trap sometimes) and I used 3 red arrows (ML,MR, AMC). I find 3-3-2-1-1 rather solid. It turns to 5-1-2-1-1 when defending, and that’s good. I also agree that your backs need red arrows.

exeis to top eleven sta ellhnika? 😛 04-29-2013 i am using the same formation and i have 27 wins and 1 draw in 28 matches, i didnt try arrows on the sides though. thinkng of trying it tomorrow because my opponent is playing 4-1-2N-3 04-29-2013 It’s ok if you don’t have reds on ML,MR but that way it lacks whey too much width in my opinion.,but again truth be told, if you’re looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. 10-11-2013 What tactics do you use on 33211 I’m level 2 and struggling. And decided to go for this because it fits really well with players I have. But am unsure on focus passing and pressing and such.many thanks for any help given. Last edited by lidy; 10-11-2013 at 11:54 PM, 10-12-2013

: Thread: 3-3-2-1-1 Formation. Suggestions. Is it any good?

What is the 3 1 3 3 formation team?

Pressing is a crucial part of modern football and has become an integral part of many teams’ tactical play, utilizing pressing traps to take advantage of the opponent’s potential vulnerabilities in the build-up and hit on the counter. Today, we’re going to be taking a look at the use of pressing traps in a 3-1-3-3 formation.

• The 3-1-3-3 formation is a dynamic and flexible system that allows for quick transitions from defense to offense.
• It can be used in a variety of ways, depending on the strengths of the team and the opponent.
• One of the key elements of this formation is the use of pressing traps, which are designed to win back the ball and create scoring opportunities.

Pressing is a collective effort that involves all players, not just the forwards. The objective is to force the opposing team into making a mistake, such as losing possession of the ball or playing a bad pass, which can then be exploited. There are many different types of pressing traps, but the 3-1-3-3 formation is particularly suited to the use of man-oriented pressing traps.

Man-oriented pressing traps are designed to put pressure on the opponent’s players in a specific area of the field. This is achieved by having one or more players closely mark their opponent, while the rest of the team provides cover and support. When the opposing player receives the ball, the player marking him will immediately close down the space and attempt to win back the ball.

In the 3-1-3-3 formation, the central defender acts as the conductor and stays back while the three forwards and three midfielders push up to press the opponent. The central defender must be strong, quick and imposing in the air, as he will be the last line of defense in the event that the pressing trap fails.

The left centre-back’s primary role is to cover the left side of the pitch, which includes the opposition’s right-winger and right full-back. What is Zonal Marking? When setting up pressing traps, the left centre-back needs to be positioned in a way that closes down passing lanes and forces the opposition to play the ball down the wing or into a central area where the press can be initiated and possession regained.

Additionally, the left centre-back needs to be able to communicate effectively with their defensive partners and coordinate with the midfielders to ensure that pressing is carried in the right areas of the pitch. On his part, the right centre-back is tasked with covering the right side of the pitch, which includes the opposition’s left-winger and left full-back.

1. Similar to the left center back, the right center back needs to be positioned in a way that closes down passing lanes and forces the opposition to play the ball down the wing or into a central area where we can press and regain possession.
2. The right centre-back also needs to be able to communicate effectively with their defensive partners and coordinate with the midfielders to ensure that they are pressing in the right areas of the pitch.

One of the key aspects of the 3-1-3-3 formation is the ability to press effectively on the wings. This is done by positioning the three forwards (or striker and two wingbacks)to cover the opponent’s full-backs, while the three midfielders cover the center of the pitch.

When the opponent is forced to play the ball out wide, the forwards can immediately press, limiting their options and creating an opportunity to win back possession. An example of this can be seen in the 2020-2021 Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund match. Bayern used their 3-1-3-3 formation to effectively press Dortmund’s full-backs, forcing them to play the ball out wide.

This allowed Bayern to win back the ball and launch quick counter-attacks, ultimately securing a victory. One of the ways pressing traps can help is the deliberate opening of passing lanes. To leave passing lanes open deliberately, you could focus on directing the opposition to play the ball into specific areas of the pitch, where you are better positioned to win back possession.

For example, you could aim to force the opposition to play the ball down the flanks or into the corners, where your wingers and fullbacks can more easily press and win the ball back. How Argentina Defeated France to Win Their First World Cup in 36 Years Alternatively, you could focus on leaving passing lanes open in central areas, but only under certain conditions.

For example, you might allow the opposition to play the ball into the central midfield area, but only if they are facing away from goal and under pressure from your midfielders. In this scenario, you can use the pressing trap to quickly close down the opposition and win the ball back in a dangerous area of the pitch.

1. Ultimately, the specific passing lanes that you leave open will depend on the strengths and weaknesses of your team and the opposition, as well as the tactical objectives that you are trying to achieve.
2. It’s important to work on these pressing traps in training and to communicate your instructions clearly to your players so that they can execute them effectively during games.

In a 3-1-3-3 formation, one potential pressing trap could involve the two wingers and center forward pressing the opposition fullbacks, while the three midfielders press the opposition midfielders. The remaining defender and holding midfielder should be positioned to cut off any potential long balls over the top.

When pressing on the wings, the central midfielder should focus on marking the opposition central midfielder who drops deep to receive the ball from the defenders. This helps to cut off the supply line to the wings and force the opposition to play long balls, which can be won by the center backs. The attacking midfielder is responsible for pressing the opposition fullback on the side of the pitch where the ball is located.

The goal is to prevent the fullback from playing the ball forward and force either a pass backward or loss of possession. The attacking midfielder should position himself in such a way that cut off any passing lanes between the fullback and the opposition central midfielder.

The defensive midfielder is tasked with covering the space behind the midfield line and intercepting any loose balls or long passes that bypass the midfield. In the context of pressing on the wings, the defensive midfielder should focus on cutting off any diagonal balls that may be played towards the wing, as well as providing support to the centre-backs should the press be bypassed.

The Ten Commandments of Gegenpressing The two central midfielders in the 3-1-3-3 formation have similar roles when pressing on the wings. They are responsible for marking the opposition wingers and preventing them from receiving the ball in dangerous positions.

The aim is to force the opposition to either play backwards or towards the centre of the pitch, where they can be closed down by the other midfielders. The wingbacks should focus on closing down the opposition fullback on the side of the pitch where the ball is located. They should position themselves in such a way that they cut off any passing lanes between the fullback and the opposition central midfielder, and force the fullback to either play backwards or towards the center of the pitch.

Another pressing trap that can be employed in a 3-1-3-3 formation is in the half-spaces. By positioning the three forwards to block passing lanes to the center of the pitch, while the three midfielders close down the space in the half spaces, the opponent is forced to play the ball out wide.

This creates an opportunity for the forwards to press, as they did in the previous example. An example of this can be seen in the 2020-2021 Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid match. Atletico used their 3-1-3-3 formation to effectively press Real Madrid in the half spaces, forcing them to play the ball out wide.

This allowed Atletico to win back the ball and launch quick counter-attacks, securing a hard-fought draw against their fierce rivals. The aim is to force the opposition into making mistakes by closing down the available space and making it difficult for them to play out from the back.

• The pressing starts with the striker who leads the press and is supported by the midfielders and wingbacks.
• The pivot sits in front of the defense and acts as a shield, covering the space behind the pressing players and ensuring that the opposition cannot play through the middle.
• The Decline of Intuition in Football The defensive midfielder is responsible for disrupting the opposition’s play in the central areas of the pitch.

In a man-oriented pressing trap, he would mark the opposition’s attacking midfielder or any central midfielder who drops deep to receive the ball. Therefore, he needs to be able to read the game well and anticipate the opposition’s movements to cut off passing lanes and force the opponent into making mistakes.

Depending on his skill set, he would utilise aggressive tackling or interceptions (or both)to win back possession quickly. The two central midfielders in a 3-1-3-3 formation are responsible for closing down the opposition’s passing lanes and preventing them from playing through the center of the pitch.

One central midfielder would mark the opposition’s defensive midfielder, while the other would mark the opposition’s attacking midfielder. The central midfielders need to work in tandem with the defensive midfielder to ensure that they are always applying pressure on the opposition and cutting off passing lanes.

The attacking midfielder is responsible for disrupting the opposition’s play in the final third of the pitch. He would mark the opposition’s central defenders or fullbacks who push forward to support the attack; while the wingbacks would tie themselves to the wingers of the opposition. The 3-1-3-3 formation also allows teams to press the opposition’s goalkeeper, limiting their options and forcing them to play the ball long.

The three forwards can press the goalkeeper, while the three midfielders cover the center of the pitch, preventing any potential long balls from reaching the opposition’s forwards. Ademola Lookman: The Journeyman Who Has Found His Home in Atalanta An example of this can be seen in the 2020-2021 Liverpool vs.

• Manchester City match.
• Liverpool used their 3-1-3-3 formation to effectively press Manchester City’s goalkeeper, forcing him to play the ball long.
• This allowed Liverpool to win back the ball and launch quick counter-attacks, securing a crucial victory in their race for the title.
• When the pressing traps fail, it is important for teams to have a plan in place to regain control of the game.

In a 3-1-3-3 formation, this can be done by building pressing traps when transitioning into a defensive structure. This allows the team to continue to apply pressure and limit their opponent’s options, even when they are no longer in possession of the ball.

role of each midfielder will depend on the specific situation, but generally speaking, their primary objective is to help regain possession and prevent the opposing team from advancing the ball. The defensive midfielder, in particular, plays a critical role in this phase of the game. Their primary responsibility is to protect the backline and shield the defenders by tracking back to cover open spaces and cut off passing lanes.

They should be positioned in front of the back three, allowing them to intercept any passes that get through the pressing traps. The two central midfielders should also drop back to support the defensive midfielder and help protect the backline. They should stay compact and maintain their shape to limit the opposing team’s opportunities to play through the middle of the field.

The attacking midfielder should track back to apply pressure on the opposing team’s midfielders and prevent them from advancing the ball. He should look to cut off passing lanes and force turnovers in order to regain possession. The wingbacks should also drop back to support the midfielders and defenders to create a back-five and defend the width of the field; alert to the movement of opposition wingers and full-backs- and quickly transition between attacking and defensive roles.

An example of this can be seen in the 2020-2021 Paris Saint-Germain vs. Barcelona match. PSG attempted to press Barcelona’s full-backs, but the Catalan team was able to play through the press and create chances. PSG was forced to drop back into a more compact defensive shape, but they continued to build pressing traps, allowing them to limit Barcelona’s options and secure a 4-1 win via a hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe, with PSG drawing the next match 1-1 to progress to the Champions League quarterfinals.

Will Still and Stade de Reims Are Trend Setters In conclusion, the implementation of pressing traps in the 3-1-3-3 formation can be a highly effective strategy to disrupt the opposition’s play and gain possession in key areas of the pitch. However, it is important to remember that this is just one piece of the puzzle and that success in football is never guaranteed.

As coaches, it is our responsibility to communicate our philosophy and expectations to our players, while also motivating and encouraging them to continually improve. We must recognize that there will be moments of failure and setbacks, but it is our ability to pick ourselves up and learn from these experiences that ultimately sets us apart.

What is the 4 3 2 1 formation?

Why is 4-3-2-1 called the Christmas Tree formation? – The 4-3-2-1 formation is widely referred to as the Christmas Tree, simply because of the way it looks when written on a team sheet. With four defenders, three holding midfielders, two attacking midfielders, and one striker, it’s structured like a fluid triangular shape, hence its name.

Why is 4-2-3-1 so popular?

Why is it so popular? – 4–2–3–1 if probably the most balanced formation used in modern day football. It allows teams to add more attacking players as the 3–1 than the more traditional 4–4–2, while at the same time not leaving the defence exposed because of the 2 holding midfielders that generally don’t venture forward.

When can you edit fantasy football?

Draft = These settings can only be edited before the league’s draft begins. Season Start = These settings can only be edited before the season starts. Playoff Start = These settings can only be edited before the league’s playoffs begin (H2H Only). End of Season = These settings can be edited throughout the full season.

Can you change your fantasy team mid game?

Once rosters have locked for the week, team managers have to ask League Managers to make any changes for them. League Managers are the only people with that ability in order to prevent team managers from illegally adjusting their roster mid-game.

Can you switch positions in football?

It’s fairly common for players in the NFL to play one position in college and then transition to a different position upon joining the pros. Most cases come from an NFL team finding a player who isn’t quite up to the pro-level at their position but has potential at a different spot.

1. Sometimes it is by the player’s request; at other times they receive an ultimatum from the coaches.
2. It can even happen late into their careers (case in point: Cordarelle Patterson with the Atlanta Falcons,
3. A popular scenario is having a quarterback switch to a tight end or to a wide receiver.
4. The quarterback position is highly competitive in the NFL and players who aren’t quite up to the task have to adapt to survive.

Again, this tends to happen more when they are drafted, but it can happen after years of playing quarterback (case in point: Terrelle Pryor). 70% Win (110-25-1) 70% Win (110-25-1) 70% Win (110-25-1) Unlock Free tips from our Experts Get Picks Now One of the biggest “almost” was Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, We now know him as an MVP quarterback, but when he was preparing for the NFL draft, coaches, scouts and general managers tried to sway him into playing running back. While we didn’t get Lamar Jackson in the backfield (thankfully), we did get a few players who found success and popularity after changing their position in the NFL.

Does formation matter in fantasy football?

The best formation in FPL is about team balance – Choosing the right formation is a balancing act. While defenders are less likely to score goals, they are more likely to keep clean sheets and earn points. Midfielders and forwards, on the other hand, are more likely to score goals and provide assists, but they also tend to cost more.

• Therefore, your formation should align with your overall strategy and the players you have chosen for your team.
• Sometimes, 6.5 million or even 5.5 million defenders can score more points than 6.5m forwards, which suggests that defenders at this price point could be a better choice.
• However, each season is different The best formation is all about the pricing for each season.

In some seasons, some cheap midfielders and forwards are underpriced and if they can manage to get 20 goal involvement in a season, they can be tremendous fantasy assets. If there are no budget midfielders or forwards who could do the job, we have to focus on premium defenders as they can provide points for attacking returns and clean sheets as well.

Can you change divisions in fantasy football?

Changing Your League’s Divisions (Web Only) Once your league has been created, the League Manager can edit the number of divisions in the league on the ‘Teams and Divisions’ page. This means the League Manager can change the league from two 6-team divisions to one 12-team single division league, and vice-versa.

How do I change my formation in MLS fantasy?

MLS Fantasy 101: How to pick the right formation for your MLS Fantasy Soccer team | MLSSoccer.com MLSsoccer.com continues our multi-part series about how to start playing MLS Fantasy Soccer: Manager, our exclusive season-long fantasy game. Contributor Schuyler Redpath, one of the alltime best MLS fantasy players, will walk you through the game, from the basics of building a team to tips on the best way to optimize your selections within the salary cap.

• Part V: Everything you need to know about formations In the last MLS Fantasy 101, to help you know how and when to move players in and out of your lineup to optimum effect.
• But in, substitutions are really only as effective as the formation you choose.
• Your chosen formation will reflect your philosophy.

Do you throw the kitchen sink at your opponents and go all-out attack? Or should you bunker down and hope to rack up some defensive points? It’s a long season and you’ll find that there are many variables to consider when choosing the right formation.

• The formation you select will play a big part in how many points your teams scores from round-to-round.
• Essentially, you can roll out any formation you want.
• Go to the “My Team” page on your fantasy log-in page.
• Your formation will automatically change based on the players you have chosen.
• So if you insert 4 defenders, 4 midfielders, and 2 strikers, you’ll play a 4-4-2.

If you replace one of those 4 defenders with a midfielder, you’ll automatically switch to a 3-5-2. The other formations available are: 5-4-1, 5-3-2, 5-2-3, 4-5-1, 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 formation. As the manager, you will have to decide the best formation to use based on the players you have selected for your 15-man roster.

Fantasy is all about giving your team the best chance to earn points. With this in mind, let’s take a look at how each formation can impact your team: ATTACKING FORMATIONS As I, focus on attack-minded players, such as players listed as a Midfielder in FS:M who play as a Forward for their team. The same goes for players listed in the fantasy game as Defenders who play as a wide Midfielder in the real games.

If you are keen on player positioning, you could find that even though your fantasy team is lined up in a 4-4-2, in real life it plays out as an unconventional, but wildly effective, 0-6-4 or 0-4-6.3-4-3 and 3-5-2 Pros: Both of these setups ensure your team is loaded with attacking flair.

Since midfielders and forwards are awarded the same amount of points for offensive contributions, you can pick your poison based on the strength of your squad at each position. Remember, An advantage of overloading your midfield is that midfielders are awarded 1 point if their club posts a clean sheet (provided they play at least 60 minutes).

Cons: The lack of defenders can be a concern. Even the most high-scoring striker can have an off day. Defenders can pick up points, though rarely in the bunches that goalscorers do. So you will want to be confident in the three defenders you choose to go with, in case your attackers miss the target.

This isn’t to say don’t focus on defense, because your defense could be the kicker in setting you apart from the pack. Obviously, you don’t want to go 5-4-1 when the core of your defenders have a week where they are playing top scoring teams. However, there are instances where you will want to take a more defensive approach.

DEFENSIVE FORMATIONS Imagine you have three defenders all from one of the league’s top defensive units, and they happen to have a home game versus a team who is in an offensive rut. Last year, Chivas USA had a five-game scoreless streak. Take note of these streaks and use them to your advantage, adjusting your formation to reduce the strikers and add defenders.

• Another example: Let’s say that you have a goalkeeper and two defenders from the same club, one that is tough defensively at home.
• On a particular week, they host a team who struggles to score on the road.
• On top of that, their top two goal scorers were just called up for international duty, which we will see a lot of this season with World Cup qualifiers and the Gold Cup.

All the while, your FS:M midfield and forward core also just took a hit with some international call-ups or are dealing with niggling injuries, leaving you very thin at these positions. Now is the time to think defensively.5-4-1, 5-3-2, 5-2-3 Pros: As mentioned above, if the match-ups are favorable you could potentially earn a lot of defensive points.

1. Additionally, defenders earn an additional point for each goal scored.
2. If your defenders get a clean sheet and get their name on the score sheet, the fantasy points will start to pile up in bulk.
3. Cons: Just as a top striker can have an off day, the best defensive units can falter at times too.
4. All it takes is one goal, and the bulk of the defensive points you were counting on are out the window.

At that point you can only hope for some offensive production from your defenders. And you will have to rely on your midfielders and forwards to carry your team. NEUTRAL FORMATIONS 4-4-2 Pros: This is a “meat and potatoes” formation. You have a good mix of defenders, midfielders and forwards.

1. You aren’t relying heavily on one facet of your lineup, because you have the potential to earn points from every position.
2. Cons: You are expecting production across the board.
3. If you get poor production from any one area – defense, midfield or forwards – your point total will take a hit.4-3-3 Pros: In fantasy the 4-3-3 could be grouped with the attacking formations.

While you have firepower up top with three strikers, it gives you additional insurance at the back if you’re confident in your defenders match-ups. Plug in some attacking midfielders and the 4-3-3 could be just the right mix. Cons: Again, if your strikeforce fails, you will have to fall back on your midfielders and defenders.

With just three midfielders, even a mediocre day from your defense could spell disaster.4-5-1 Pros: With the 4-5-1 there is potential to earn additional defending points across the board. With the extra point earned for midfielders whose clubs don’t concede, this formation could prove fruitful. If you can find five attack-minded midfielders with a good backing defense, you could set yourself up to earn a good share of defensive and attacking points.

Cons: You will have two forwards sitting on your bench, in lieu of an additional midfielder or defender. With the scoring system rewarding attacking play over everything else (as it should), you may be wishing you included that extra striker who scored a hat-trick but earned 0 points for your fantasy team because he was on your bench.