WHETHER you’re new to Dream Team or an experienced manager who knows the ropes, it’s helpful to be aware of the core principles that underpin our beloved fantasy football game.
With our Euros fantasy offering available to play right now and excitement building ahead of this summer’s tournament in Germany, allow us to highlight five things you need to consider whenever you’re plugged into the world of Dream Team.
All the following points apply whether you’re hoping to compete in a Mini League with your mates or fancy a share of the £50,000 prize pot.
1. Points Make Prizes
Make sure you’re fully aware of how players score points in Dream Team Euros.
We introduced a new and improved scoring system for our season fantasy game in 2023/24 that recognises individual performance to a more specific degree than ever before and our Euros game follows the same system, with some minor tweaks.
When selecting a player for your XI, ask yourself: where are his points coming from?
Remember, just because a player looks useful in real life, doesn’t mean they’re necessarily a viable Dream Team option.
For example, there are impressive defenders who seem to pull double their weight but if they offer nothing going forward and their team is broadly light on clean sheets (because of weaknesses elsewhere) then their point-scoring potential is limited.
Equally, some midfielders are pleasing on the eye but if they’re not a goal/assist threat then they’ll have to earn a lot of bonus points to justify their place in a decent Dream Team XI – such individuals do exist but are tricky to identify.
A full breakdown of the scoring system can found in the Game Rules here.
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2. Head > Heart
Many a promising Dream Team boss has come unstuck because they let their allegiances interfere with their strategy.
The likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden are all perfectly fine selections give their form heading into the tournament but England fans should ensure they build their team with their head, not their heart.
Equally, you may hope that France and Germany are eliminated at the group stage but is that actually what you think will happen?
Don’t pass up the opportunity to own Kylian Mbappe in favour of manifesting an easier route to the final for your team.
3. Fixtures, Fixtures, Fixtures
It’s a good idea to be across the schedule at all times.
Whether you use Dream Team’s Match Centre or an old-fashioned wall chart, an awareness of the fixtures will help inform your decisions for the better.
Generally speaking, players are more likely to return shed-loads of points against favourable opposition whereas even match-ups are more difficult to predict.
Spain, Croatia and Italy all boast several talented players but the three nations have been drawn together in Group B, alongside the unfortunate Albania.
No doubt there will be plenty of points on offer from these fixtures but it’s not all that easy to identify which specific individuals will benefit given the competitive nature of the group.
Conversely, Germany, England, Belgium and Portugal have been gifted more friendly group fixtures – on paper at least.
You should also make sure your XI works as a cohesive unit by cross-referencing the fixtures.
For example, Matchday 2 features Netherlands v France.
If your XI contains Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Antoine Griezmann and Mbappe at that stage then you’re essentially up against yourself – either your Dutch defenders will keep a clean sheet or your French attackers will cash in, either way a couple of your players are likely to flop.
There might be times in the knockout stages when it’s acceptable to hedge your bets but your XI should be a harmonious force across the first three Matchdays at least.
4. Transfer Policy
Here’s a breakdown of your transfer allowance for the whole tournament:
This allowance gives you a lot of flexibility to react to the unfolding drama but you should never make a transfer just for the sake of it.
If your XI is well set up for round of 16 after the final round of group games then it may be wise to resist transfers altogether – it all depends on the situation.
Every transfer should improve your team, either for the upcoming Matchday or with a view to long-term gains.
We’ll be on hand throughout the tournament with tips, tricks, stats and facts that should help you identify the best transfer targets.
5. Perfect Timing
Timing is everything in Dream Team.
At the most basic level, you should familiarise yourself with the Matchday schedule, ensuring you make any desired changes to your XI before each deadline.
Remember, the deadline falls one hour before the first fixture of the relevant Matchday – therefore the first deadline is 7pm on June 14th, an hour before Germany v Scotland kicks off.
Timing also refers to your three Boosters, which will deliver bumper points if deployed at opportune moments.
Each Booster can only be played once never in conjunction with another, this means you’ll have a Booster active in three of the seven Matchdays.
The timing of each Booster should be determined by fixtures and the make-up of your team.
For example, there’s little to be gained from activating Goal Bonus if your XI is packed full of defenders and holding midfielders.
Get your timing right and you’ll fly up the leaderboard!
Good luck to all gaffers playing Dream Team this summer.
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