What is the best early round strategy?

In early rounds (weeks 1-5), focus on using mid-table teams with favourable home fixtures. Save the big clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal for later when the competition gets tougher and you have fewer options.

When should I use my big teams?

Save top-tier teams for weeks 8-15 when many players have been eliminated and fixtures become more difficult. Using them too early wastes your strongest assets on easy decisions.

How important is fixture difficulty?

Fixture difficulty is crucial. Always check if a team is playing home or away, their recent form, and injury news. A strong team playing away against a mid-table side is riskier than it looks.

Should I follow the crowd or go against it?

Early in the competition, it is usually safer to follow popular picks. As the competition progresses and you have used different teams than others, you may need to take calculated risks on less popular choices.

Last Man Standing Strategy Guide

Master the art of survivor pool strategy. Learn when to pick big teams, how to analyse fixtures, and tactics to outlast your competition

Early Season Strategy (Weeks 1-5)

The early rounds are about survival, not glory. Your goal is to get through while keeping your strongest teams for later. Here is how

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Use mid-table teams at home: Teams like Brighton, Aston Villa, or Newcastle at home against relegation candidates are solid picks
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Avoid the top 6 for now: Save Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea for when you really need them
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Target newly promoted teams at home: They often start strong before being figured out by the league

Pro Tip: Look for teams with kind fixture runs. A team with 3-4 winnable games in a row gives you flexibility

Mid-Game Tactics (Weeks 6-15)

By week 6, 30-50% of players are typically out. The field is thinning, but so are your available teams. This is where strategy becomes critical

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Use your first big team: Around week 8-10, when fixtures get harder, use one of your top-tier teams
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Track what others have used: If most players have used Liverpool, you might get away with a riskier pick
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Start planning 2-3 weeks ahead: Look at the fixture calendar and plan your team usage strategically

Key Insight: The mid-game is about balancing safety with keeping options. Do not burn all your strong teams at once

Late Game Survival (Weeks 16+)

If you have made it this far, you are among the final 10-20% of players. The competition is fierce, and you likely have limited strong teams remaining

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Use your remaining big teams: If you still have a top-6 team, now is the time to use them
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Consider form over reputation: A mid-table team in great form can be safer than a big team struggling
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Take calculated risks: If you and your opponents have different teams left, a bold pick might be necessary

Fixture Analysis Tips

✓ Look For

• Home advantage
• Teams on winning streaks
• Relegation candidates away
• Teams with full squads
• Midweek rest advantage

✗ Avoid

• Teams with injuries to key players
• Derby matches (unpredictable)
• Teams coming off European games
• Away games at tough grounds
• Teams with internal issues

General Team Tier Guide

While specific fixtures matter most, here is a general tier guide for Premier League teams

Tier 1Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal. Save for tough weeks

Tier 2Chelsea, Spurs, Man Utd, Newcastle. Solid mid-game picks

Tier 3Brighton, Villa, West Ham. Great early round options

Tier 4Crystal Palace, Everton, Brentford. Situational picks

Key Takeaways

Patience is key: The best players often win by making consistently safe picks rather than bold moves
Plan ahead: Always look 2-3 weeks ahead to ensure you do not run out of viable teams
Stay informed: Check team news, injuries, and form right up until the deadline

Ready to Test Your Strategy?

Join an active competition and put these strategies into practice. Remember: every champion started with their first game