A good fantasy eleven is not the one with the most stars. It is the one with no weak links. With only 11 spots and a A$100M cap, you have to decide early where you will spend and where you will save.
Start with the shape
Pick your formation first, because it decides how many defenders, midfielders and forwards you can buy. A 4-3-3 asks for three forwards, a 5-3-2 asks for five defenders. The cheapest shape is the one that matches the cheap positions in your pool.
Spend where goals come from
Forwards and attacking midfielders carry the biggest price tags because they score and create. If you can only afford two stars, put them in the front four lines and fill defence with reliable mid-priced starters.
A good goalkeeper is cheap compared with a good striker. A solid keeper behind a settled back line is one of the easiest ways to save money.
Use club chemistry
Our match simulation rewards players from the same club. Two or three players from one club add chemistry, but do not stack five of them: one injury or a manager change can leave you exposed.
Check before kick-off
Before every round, count your positions, check the latest squad news and make sure you have not blown the budget on a bench you will never use. A five-minute review beats a panicked change on matchday.
