SuperCoach EPL: Five secrets to fantasy football success revealed
I don't often get to stand on top of the podium but for three years running I've managed to beat my husband in the fantasy league for the EPL.
He generally beats me at the in-family NRL tipping competition (despite not following the code) and when it comes to AFL I don't stand a chance.
Football though is his top sport, he has followed it since he was born, played it before he could walk and still lives and breathes every single bit of news no matter how small about the EPL.
Dinner time conversations these past few months have revolved around transfer moves, which rising stars are going to dominate the league this season and of course whether or not his much-loved Manchester United will actually have a season worth watching.
Not that he would care.
He loyally watches every single match at whatever hour.
So the fact I've managed to pull together a fantasy team that can top his not once, not twice but three times in a row certainly has him looking for revenge.
He has kept his team top secret from me this season.
Football talk has stopped short of mentioning the latest SuperCoach cheapie he has found.
I'm a football fan too, but I won't claim to live and breathe the English league as much as my husband does.
And there are no doubt others with much more skill at picking a SuperCoach side than myself but here are the five rules I follow when picking my team.
Rule 1: Back the winners
They might drain your bank account a bit but players like Mohamed Salah, Cole Palmer and Erling Haaland are worth a motza for a reason – they deliver consistent results.
I aim to have at least two of these players in my squad.
Rule 2: Don't risk the keeper
There is just one in your team and a less than consistent goal keeper can absolutely be your demise.
You want to aim for a keeper who is likely to start each week and plays for a team that has a low goal difference each season.
This isn't a player you want to buck the trend on.
I've locked in David Raya for this season.
He played every minute of every Premier League game last season and shared the Golden Glove honours for his 13 clean sheets.
He is an easy set and forget option.
Rule 3: Share the love
Try to include a good mix of teams in your squad.
My husband's team always has as many Manchester United players as allowed which is highly likely why he has struggled the past three seasons.
I aim to have a player from 'big clubs' like Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool – simply because they tend to deliver results which means even an off the bench player can deliver some solid points.
Rule 4: Be different
The SuperCoach app allows you to see how many other players have selected each footballer.
I try to avoid players I know my husband is going to choose because if we both have the same it is just going to cancel each other out.
For instance I know that my husband won't pick Salah in his squad because of his great dislike of anything to do with Liverpool.
Buying a few midfielders or defenders, even if you just pop them on your bench, from middle ranked teams can deliver big results.
I've given Leeds midfielder Jack Harrison a shot and Granit Xhaka who has joined promoted side Sunderland.
Rule 5: Don't spend all your money
Things can change in an instant in football, especially the EPL.
An injury, red card, transfer to a key player in your squad can really leave you stranded mid-season.
A player who was expected to perform could be left out of the squad.
If you keep a couple of million spare in the bank it means you have the ability to easily substitute out a player and upgrade early on without having to significantly alter your team to find extra cash.
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