Might have mentioned before but we are obsessed with creating fantasy football as it should be and that means understanding the game and bringing you the key insights and knowledge around stats related sport (while we continue working towards a beta launch, watch this space). For now we are back with the all knowing Generational Tactical Mind….that’s me not Pep, screw that guy and Statman Jimi, analyzing the remaining Premier League teams for the 2024/25 season, highlighting their tactical setups, key stats, and which players to pick or avoid in your fantasy team. These insights are based on updated tactical shifts and stats from the current season. Round 2, let’s go again
Leicester City
Tactical Setup: Under Enzo Maresca or Temu Pep as I prefer to call him, Leicester City plays a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on possession-based play. Their tactical approach revolves around building from the back and using width to stretch opposition defenses.
- Key Stats: Leicester has averaged 1.2 goals per game this season, with Jamie Vardy contributing to a significant portion of their offensive success, but have also conceded an average of 1.5 goals per game, showing defensive frailties that have kept them towards the lower half of the table.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Jamie Vardy (FWD) – Half bottle of Port, 2 cans of Redbull, packet of Snus and a chat shit get banged attitude, the Vardy party has rolled on late into this 30’s and continues to be a reliable finisher, with goal conversion rate of 18%, making him a valuable asset in the attacking third.
- Wilfred Ndidi (MID) – Ndidi leads Leicester in tackles per game, averaging 3.1, contributing significantly to breaking up the opposition’s play. Valuable on StatrDraft, not so much in the tradional games, because fuck midfielders right.
- Avoid: Harry Winks (MID) – You would be tempted but he’s been a tad flat so far and has struggled with attacking contributions, with no goals or assists this season, making him a less valuable fantasy pick.
Liverpool
Tactical Setup: Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp played 4-3-3, focusing on high pressing and dynamic wing play, and under Arne Slot it’s not much different, just a couple tweaks here and there namely Gravenberch now as a CDM, not surprising given the squad is the same now with added Chiesa. They’ve also incorporated Trent Alexander-Arnold more centrally at times, acting as a playmaker.
- Key Stats: Liverpool remains one of the top teams for pressing intensity and attacking transitions, especially utilizing wingers like Mohamed Salah.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Mohamed Salah (FWD) – Continues to be Liverpool’s main attacking force, with goals and assists, shock and horror, Mo does Mo things in probably his last season in the prem.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (DEF) – Consistently provides assists from deep, with his central role adding value.
- Avoid: Joe Gomez (DEF) – His minutes are inconsistent due to rotation, reducing his fantasy reliability. Don’t do it.
Manchester City
Tactical Setup: Pep Guardiola’s side still utilizes their traditional 4-3-3, emphasizing possession and movement in the half-spaces. They are creating overloads with players like Gvardiol, Stones or whoever won this weeks Pep Roulette frequently drifting into midfield.
- Key Stats: City dominates possession metrics and ranks high for expected goals (xG) per match.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Erling Haaland (FWD) – Yeah, Yeah we know, Prolific as ever, leading the goal-scoring charts, the obvious tap in so next.
- Phil Foden (MID) – Plays an advanced role with high involvement in attacking play.
- Avoid: Rico Lewis (DEF) & Jack Grealish (MID) – Limited minutes due to squad rotation and seem to be the current losers of Pep Roulette, everyone’s least favourite fantasy football conundrum
Manchester United
Tactical Setup: With Erik ten Hag’s recent departure, Ruud van Nistelrooy has set the team free letting them play a more free flowing style (for now) in their 4-3-3 rather than 4-2-3-1 formation. But with news that Rubin Amorim is coming in during the November internationals and a probable move to a 3-4-3 come 3-5-2 formation it’s hard to really know who to pick for united right now…if only someone covered this in a recent blog!
- Key Stats: United’s counter-attacking statistics are impressive, but possession metrics might suffer under Van Nistelrooy.
Jon’s Top Picks (based on amorim ball)
- Top Picks:
- Marcus Rashford (FWD) – Key player for counter-attacks, involved in goals.
- Bruno Fernandes (MID) – Continues to take penalties and set-pieces.
- Diogo Dalot (DEF) – Rubin loves a wingback so I expect Dalot to get busy real fast.
- Avoid: Antony (FWD) – It’s probably time to bin off the human beyblade whose possibly pound for pound the worst signing in the Pl era. Struggling with form and has not been involved consistently.
Newcastle United
Tactical Setup: Eddie Howe continues with a 4-3-3, prioritizing high pressing and quick offensive transitions. The emphasis remains on exploiting wide areas and using set-pieces effectively.
- Key Stats: Newcastle ranks highly in aerial duels and set-piece conversions.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Alexander Isak (FWD) – Nearly as obvious as the big Viking lad, Isak is the real deal, albeit with shocking hamstrings. Main goal scorer with clinical finishing.
- Kieran Trippier (DEF) – Set-piece specialist with multiple assists, is starting to come back to the lineup after a well needed break and will get back to his best.
- Avoid: Miguel Almirón (MID) – He’s still there??? Yeah somehow…Faces rotation issues and reduced attacking returns.
Nottingham Forest
Tactical Setup: Under Nuno Espirito Santo, Nottingham Forest have gotten good. has set up Forest in a compact 4-2-3-1, focusing on maintaining defensive shape and hitting on the break with pace, all supported by Chris Wood who as Ben Foster called on a recent podcast, the diesel truck that will trundle along forever.
- Key Stats: Forest leads in tackles and recoveries, but lacks possession.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Taiwo Awoniyi (FWD) – Central to most attacking moves, providing consistent goal threat.
- Morgan Gibbs-White (MID) – Creative playmaker and a set-piece taker.
- Chris Wood (FWD) – In the form of his life, grab while the going is good.
- Avoid: Willy Boly (DEF) – Prone to defensive errors, limiting clean sheet potential.
Southampton
Tactical Setup: Under Russell Martin, Southampton uses a 4-3-3 with emphasis on ball retention and patient build-up from the back. Not the most logical setup for a team in the bottom half which you can see by how frequently they are sucker punched.
- Key Stats: Southampton ranks high in passing accuracy but struggles with finishing.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – Leading from the back, he’s a quality keeper, probably won’t keep too may clean sheets give whats in front of him but he will make plenty of saves.
- Tyler Dibling (MID) – Young, Lively, and very interesting to see if he can continue recent performances while providing some more both goals and assists.
- Avoid: Jan Bednarek (DEF) – Defensive vulnerabilities limit his fantasy points potential. Southampton Defenders are not where anyone wants to be.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tactical Setup: Ange Postecoglou has Spurs playing an attacking 4-3-3, focusing on possession and overloads in wide areas. The team has adapted well to life without Harry Kane, with new players stepping up.
- Key Stats: Spurs rank highly in shot creation and have a possession-focused approach.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Son Heung-Min (FWD) – Goal scorer and now captain, leading by example, he’s the nicest man in football and I won’t bet against him.
- James Maddison (MID) – Central to Spurs’ creativity, contributing assists and goals.
- Avoid: Richarlison (FWD) – This is a personal preference between him and Werner, both uninspiring forwards. Struggles with consistency in front of goal and why I picked him over Werner is because he’s a major bellend who loves to shithouse, but not well,
West Ham United
Tactical Setup: David Moyes’ 4-2-3-1 remains in place, with an emphasis on physicality and set-pieces, more by force than anything as Julien Lopetegiu and his team struggled early doors to get to grips with a more possesion based style, they are slowly returning to Moyesy ball.
- Key Stats: West Ham ranks among the top in set-piece goals, making them dangerous during corners and free-kicks.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Jarrod Bowen (MID) – Key to most attacking plays, often scoring or assisting.
- Mohammed Kudus (MID) – Basically the exact same as Bowen, lots of ball carries and gets in on the scoring and assists.
- Avoid: Michail Antonio & Niclas Fullkrug (FWD) – Inconsistent in terms of goals and struggles to convert chances, and yes that goes for both of them, both cult heroes, both bang average.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Tactical Setup: Gary O’Neil has Wolves lined up in a 4-4-2, focusing on defensive structure and counter-attacks.
- Key Stats: Wolves remain one of the lowest-scoring teams, with a focus on defense.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Matheus Cunha (FWD) – Creative outlet, contributing assist and goals, really filled the gap since Neto’s big move away.
- Rayan Ait Nouri (DEF) – Looks the part, good attacking player from fullback and is really involved in Wolves counter attacking game plan.
- Avoid: José Sá (GK) – Strong shot-stopper, earning points for saves, is what I would have said, but it seems like there is a battle for the keeper spot at Wolves as himself and Johnstone fight to be number 1. Steer clear for now.
Play the Statr Way
The Premier League’s tactical landscape is full of variety which is great as it swings from the styles of Sean Dyche and his defend like your lives depend on it style to Ange Postecoglou just run like the clappers ideology. Trying to understand each setup is actually crucial to making informed fantasy football picks, especially in our model which means picking the best players for the positions that will get points based on in game actions so pick your team however you want but know ball knowledge rather than just picking city will decide your fate!
From possession-based teams like Manchester City to counter-attacking sides like Manchester United, different setups impact the fantasy value of players. StatrDraft helps you gain an edge by rewarding deeper football knowledge. With a draft-style setup, we ensure every player’s contribution is recognized—whether they’re scoring goals, assisting, or making crucial interceptions. Ready to take your fantasy game to the next level? Join our waiting list now and experience fantasy football the Statrdraft way!
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