Fantasy Premier League Secrets: How I Used These Tips to Win My FPL
- Simon Zaku
- Apr 15
- 4 min read
Do you know over 11 million people played Fantasy Premier League last season?
Now imagine trying to beat all your guys in your group chat—plus coworkers, old classmates, and your cousins—every single Gameweek. It feels like war!
When I first started playing FPL years ago, I was finishing 2 million+, struggling to make sense of chips, wildcard, and captain picks.
But last season, I finally cracked the code.
Not only did I win my mini-league, I was in the top 30k in the world by GW36.
The secrets? Sharp captain strategies, sneaky budget picks, and solid transfer planning.
I’ll show you exactly how I did it.
If you're tired of hearing your friends brag every weekend, read on.
This guide is for every Nigerian who wants to dominate FPL without spending hours watching every press conference.
Are you ready?
Let’s go!
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: THE 7 MINI-LEAGUE TRICKS TO TRANSFORM YOUR FPL SEASON
My sleeper picks and how I spot them before anyone else
The captaincy trick that helped me triple my Gameweek points
Gameweek transfer planning secrets
How to use chips (Wildcard, Bench Boost, etc.) like a pro
When to trust your gut vs the stats
My go-to tools for FPL planning (some are free!)
A breakdown of my own team and key decisions from last season
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is Fantasy Premier League (FPL)?
Why Most Nigerians Struggle in FPL
My Secret Transfer Tip That Saves My Gameweeks
Sleeper Picks: How I Find Hidden Gems
Captain Strategy: The Only Trick You Need
Chips Strategy: How I Use Them To Climb Ranks
My Personal FPL Team From Last Season (Screenshots Included)
Recommended Tools & Sites For FPL Success
FAQ Section
Final Thoughts: Win or Watch Others Win
WHAT IS FANTASY PREMIER LEAGUE (FPL)?
Fantasy Premier League is the official fantasy game of the English Premier League.
You get a budget of £100m to pick 15 players. Your team scores points based on real-life performance.
Goals, assists, clean sheets, bonus points—everything matters.
Each week (called a Gameweek), you set your lineup, choose a captain, and can make transfers.
The goal? Outscore your friends, colleagues, or the entire world.
To get started, sign up for free on the official site: Fantasy Premier League
WHY MOST NIGERIANS STRUGGLE IN FPL
No be say we no sabi ball o.
But time no dey. And sometimes, we dey make decisions based on bias: “E be my guy for Chelsea, I go still play am.”
Also, many rely only on WhatsApp tips or YouTube gurus.
Here’s the thing: FPL rewards planning and data-backed decisions. If you don’t have a strategy, you go dey guess.
And guessing in FPL is a sure way to finish bottom.
MY SECRET TRANSFER TIP THAT SAVES MY GAMEWEEKS
Every Friday night before deadline, I use this simple trick:
I plan transfers 2 Gameweeks ahead, not just one.
I look at upcoming fixtures, identify cheap options with good form, and avoid knee-jerk reactions to one bad Gameweek.
Also, I save my free transfer when possible. Having 2 transfers can help you fix 2 problems at once, especially when injuries hit.
Try it next Gameweek. You’ll thank me.
SLEEPER PICKS: HOW I FIND HIDDEN GEMS
Last season, I jumped on Eze (Crystal Palace) before he got hot.
How?
I checked stats like expected goals (xG) and minutes played, not just goals.
I also monitored forums like Reddit and Twitter for players with rising ownership.
Some sites I use:
Find your gem before the crowd does.
CAPTAIN STRATEGY: THE ONLY TRICK YOU NEED
My golden rule: Always captain the player with the best fixture, not your favourite player.
I pick between 2-3 options weekly using tools like Fantasy Football Fix.
Sometimes, I even pick defenders as captain (shout out to Trippier’s run last season).
Bonus tip: Avoid taking unnecessary -4 hits just to bring in a captain.
CHIPS STRATEGY: HOW I USE THEM TO CLIMB RANKS
My Bench Boost gave me 25 extra points in Gameweek 29 last season.
How?
I saved it for a Double Gameweek (when teams play twice).
Use Wildcard early if your team is a mess.
Save Free Hit for blank Gameweeks.
And never Bench Boost when your bench is full of defenders playing Man City.
MY PERSONAL FPL TEAM FROM LAST SEASON
GK: Raya (Brentford)
DEF: Trippier, Estupiñan, Shaw
MID: Rashford, Salah, Saka, Mitoma
FWD: Haaland (C), Isak, Watkins
Bench: Iversen, Botman, Andreas, Greenwood
My best transfer?
Bringing in Isak right before he scored a brace.
Worst? Benching Salah the week he dropped 18 points.
FPL no be beans.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS & SITES FOR FPL SUCCESS
If you want me to drop my weekly tips, comment below or subscribe to our email newsletter.
FAQ SECTION.
What is the best chip in FPL?
Free Hit. It can save your season in a blank Gameweek.
How many points is a red card in FPL?
-3 points.
What’s the best site to check FPL price changes?
Can Nigerians win FPL?
Yes! We have many ranked in the top 10k globally.
Is FPL completely free?
Yes. You only pay if you use premium planning tools.
What does xG mean in FPL?
Expected Goals. It predicts how likely a player is to score based on their chances.
Can I win money in FPL?
Yes. FPL has prizes. Some leagues also offer cash prizes.
When should I use my wildcard?
Early, if your team sucks. Or mid-season after transfers.
FINAL THOUGHTS: WIN OR WATCH OTHERS WIN
I didn’t start winning FPL mini-leagues overnight.
It took years of mistakes, overthinking transfers, and benching my best players.
But when I finally started using data and stopped making emotional picks, everything changed.
If you follow these tips and use the tools I’ve shared, you too can dominate your league.
Don’t just play for vibes this season.
Play to win.
And when you win, come back and drop your rank in the comments. I’ll be waiting.
Sign up for FPL today if you haven’t:
Simon Taki Zaku
Founder, CEO, IbiFoundry LLC
For the IbiFoundry.com.ng E-magazine.
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