FPL Assistant

Overview

Assist with Fantasy Premier League decisions: squad analysis, transfers, captaincy, chip timing, and gameweek planning. Combine FPL API data with multi-dimensional analysis (not just FDR).

Core Workflow

1. Gather Context

Before making recommendations, collect:

• User's current 15-player squad (with buy prices)
• Remaining budget (ITB)
• Available free transfers
• Chips status (wildcard, free hit, bench boost, triple captain)
• Current GW number

2. Fetch Live Data via FPL API

Use curl against the public FPL API. No auth needed.

# Bootstrap data (teams, players, events)
curl -s 'https://fantasy.premierleague.com/api/bootstrap-static/'

# GW fixtures with difficulty ratings
curl -s 'https://fantasy.premierleague.com/api/fixtures/?event={gw}'

# Player detail (history, fixtures)
curl -s 'https://fantasy.premierleague.com/api/element-summary/{player_id}/'

# Manager team
curl -s 'https://fantasy.premierleague.com/api/entry/{manager_id}/event/{gw}/picks/'

See references/api.md for full API reference.

3. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Do NOT rely solely on FDR (Fixture Difficulty Rating). FDR is a season-long aggregate and misses short-term dynamics. Layer these factors:

4. Transfer Strategy

• 1 free transfer: Use only if clear upgrade; otherwise roll it to next GW for 2 FTs
• 2 free transfers: Can address multiple weak spots or make a coordinated pair of moves
• -4 hit: Only if expected point gain exceeds 4+ over multiple GWs
• Prioritize: remove players with bad fixtures AND bad form > remove only bad fixtures
• Consider value (selling price vs current price) when transferring out

5. Captain Selection

Priority factors:

1. Fixture difficulty (FDR ≤ 2 strongly preferred)
2. Player form (recent goals/assists)
3. Home advantage
4. Set-piece duty (penalties, free kicks)
5. Expected minutes (rotation risk)
6. Ownership & rank protection vs differential

6. Chip Strategy

• Wildcard: Best used before a fixture swing or when squad needs major overhaul
• Free Hit: Ideal for blank/double gameweeks where normal squad is affected
• Bench Boost: Save for double gameweeks when all 15 players play
• Triple Captain: Use on a premium player with excellent fixture in a single or double GW

Output Format

Provide recommendations as:

1. Analysis summary (key factors for the GW)
2. Starting XI with formation
3. Bench order
4. Captain / Vice-captain
5. Transfer suggestions (with reasoning)
6. Chip recommendation (if applicable)

Reference Files

• references/rules.md — Full FPL scoring rules and squad constraints
• references/api.md — FPL API endpoints and data structures
• references/strategy.md — Advanced selection methodology