Football
Best strategy for Final One Standing
We’re only two gameweeks into this season’s Final One Standing competition, and already more than half of the original entrants have been eliminated in the chase for the £500,000 prize.
But this contest isn’t just about picking winners. It is about strategy, patience, and thinking ahead.
Below, we look at the best strategies for surviving as long as possible in Final One Standing.
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Think ahead
At first glance, it might seem smart to simply pick the team with the “best” chance of winning in a given gameweek. However, that approach doesn’t always pay off in the long run. If you use up the strongest teams too early, you could find yourself stuck with difficult choices in later gameweeks.
For example, in the second gameweek, Arsenal were by far the standout selection, with nearly 47,000 players (41.5%) picking them to beat Leeds. On the surface that sent them through to round three, however, they can no longer pick Arsenal later down the line..
If you just pick the stronger sides in the first gameweeks, eventually you will be forced to risk your pick with a team lower down the table in a tie you wouldn’t normally expect them to win.
Study the form
Make sure to review the entire slate of fixtures each week, as not every matchup carries the same level of reliability.
It’s often smarter to avoid risky situations such as derby clashes, games that come directly after European competitions, or fixtures involving teams desperately fighting relegation. These tend to produce unpredictable outcomes which may go against prior trends.
A better approach is to focus on dependable home sides facing struggling opponents. For example, picking a team who have shown solid home form, playing against a side in a similar position who have not registered great results on the road, would be a good option.
Keeping away from goals
It may be easier said than done, but it is wise to stay away from games where the defences have not been in the best form or, likewise, if the attackers are in great form on both teams. Lots of goals can lead to games becoming open and finishing as score draws. This adds a layer of unpredictability, which is exactly what you want to try and avoid.
The best fixtures to get through on the Final One Standing are the simpler 1-0, 2-0 results where there are fewer goals and therefore less risk. Teams like Nottingham Forest, who kept 13 clean sheets last season, could prove more reliable than Bournemouth, who kept just nine.
Track your picks
It may feel straightforward but keeping a record of the clubs you’ve already chosen is hugely important. Whether you’re jotting it down in a notebook or setting up a spreadsheet, having a system ensures your decisions are more calculated.
As the weeks roll on, patterns begin to emerge. You might want to hold onto Manchester City for a later stretch when they face a run of favourable opponents, or perhaps you’ve spotted that Aston Villa’s fixtures look appealing in a few gameweeks. By keeping note of your picks, you’ll give yourself a clearer picture of when to use certain teams.
