The Goal Post's Fundamentals of Fantasy 1 - Prospecting

Prospecting

One particular statement in the official FIFA Fantasy Rules has deceptively far-reaching implications for this year's World Cup fantasy leagues:

"Selling players at a greater price than you paid is a valid strategy for increasing your available budget."

Unlike in years past, when the team budget was rigid, now we managers can profit from astute bargain-hunting and timely transfers. Player values will change daily at Midnight, in South Africa, in increments of 0.1 units.

The rule creates a whole new layer of strategy for player selection. Point-potential is not necessarily as important as it once was. Players now have potential sitting on your bench, not just as point-scorers, but as cash-generators, too. Taking this concept a bit further, a manager might formulate a long-term strategy to acquire a massive armament of proven point-scorers going into the quarter-finals by forgoing some points in the group stages, thereby overcoming the initial point-deficit in a last-ditch upset to the conventional... But I digress.

Of course, with the ups come the downs. Going after high-priced, high-flying players could cost you big if they don't perform or, god forbid, get injured. Whether you try to prospect, or ignore the strategy completely, the fact remains that at each stage of the tournament, fantasy leagues will exhibit some level of economic disparity. Some managers will have more than others. In my opinion, if the game is on, you may as well play.

Here's my advice:
When filling out your roster for the group stages, spread the field. You have to pick 23 players, and you can only pick two from each team (in the group stages, it's all there in the rules). So look for undervalued players, especially from undervalued, wildcard teams. If your instincts are right, they could make you some money for relatively little upfront investment. Of course if they're wrong, well... I assume no responsibility for your instincts.

This market-play is a fun and fascinating new aspect of the fantasy game. It's one more way to get obsessed about the teams and matches, even the less popular ones. It's one more way to fall in love with, and truly cherish, the World Cup.