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Improving Your FPL Returns with Betting Data

Published 2025-04-29 by Rolf H

Over the years, Ireland has produced some of the world’s finest pro football players, many of whom have regularly graced the EPL (English Premier League). Considering the popularity of names such as Roy and Robbie Keane, John O’Shea, Nial Quinn, and many more, it’s clear that Ireland has a rich sporting history behind it, particularly when it comes to football.

It shouldn’t, therefore, come as much of a surprise to learn that FPL (Fantasy Premier League) betting is taking the Irish markets by storm and according to betting site Betfree, the majority of bookmakers offer fantasy betting. For those who aren’t in the know, FPL is simply an online simulation betting game in which players are given a virtual starting budget of £100 million and effectively have to build and manage their own Premier League football team. The better your squad does, the greater your returns will be.

While ultimately, the aim of FPL betting is to gain as many points as possible, in order to maximise your chances of winning and boost your returns, betting data could be the metaphorical Ace up your sleeve.

Here’s a quick look at improving your FPL returns using betting data.

Improving Your FPL Returns with Betting Data

Utilise Simple Betting Odds

One of the simplest, yet most effective strategies for FPL players looking to maximise their returns, is to utilise everyday betting odds.

Many FPL players will use metrics such as expected assists (xA) and expected goals (Xg) to provide an insight into a player’s expected performance. While these are useful, the models tend to rely on things like probability models and past performance. They don’t necessarily reflect real-time data. This is where betting odds prove useful.

Betting odds are influenced via a number of different things, including a player’s current form, their previous form, injuries, bookings, and other factors. By utilising betting odds alongside FPL metrics, you can get a clearer understanding of a player’s form and natural abilities. This in turn can influence the squad you decide to build.


Compare Premier League Title Odds with Current Data

As far as winning FPL is concerned, ultimately your best chance of winning is to select as many players as possible who end up winning the league. To help you make your predictions, comparing bookies Premier League title odds with current, real-time data is your best chance of building the strongest possible squad.

Say for example, Arsenal are currently the league leaders and are two points clear of Liverpool, with 12 games left to play, Liverpool may still currently be the bookmaker’s favourites to win the league. If you look at the betting odds, rather than which team is currently at the top of the table, you can use this data to make your selections.

Basically, a FPL team featuring more Liverpool players than Arsenal players would be far more likely to secure you more points at the end of the season.


Exploit Goal-Scorer Markets for Captaincy Choices

Another way in which betting odds can help influence the squad you build is through goal-scorer markets. A player who has the shortest odds of scoring is typically a strong choice when it comes to your squad’s captaincy. It’s why players such as Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney have both been captain for their squads, as well as their national country.

On the flipside, players with the longest odds of scoring may not be as safe. That isn’t to say that a centre-back should immediately be discounted. John Terry for example, was one the EPL’s most successful captains, despite scoring a fraction of the goals as Rooney.


Use Betting Markets to Bag Yourself a Bargain

As you might expect, the better a player’s form, the more valuable they will be.

If a player is scoring goals, setting up goals, and accruing numerous other positive statistics in a season, his value will almost increase as he will become a more valuable asset for his squad. If he continues to improve his stats, his value will continue to increase as well.

If you want to bag yourself a bargain and pick up a player with enormous potential, for an affordable price, betting markets can help you to do just that. As you begin to see a player’s odds improving in the markets, be sure to act fast as that way you’ll likely be able to purchase him before his value increases too much.


Make Use of Prediction Markets

Finally, another way of improving your FPL returns with betting data is to use prediction markets to your advantage.

In FPL, timing is everything. Acting quickly will help you secure players with the best potential for the best price. If you pay attention to betting prediction markets, you can use these to build your squad.

If for example, a striker you’ve had your eye on for a while, suddenly sees his goal-scoring odds improve, if you bring him in you could increase the potential of picking up some serious points. Imagine bringing Erling Haaland in at the start of the 2022/23 season? That season he scored 36 goals and picked up 4 hat tricks in 35 appearances! Prediction markets can help you spot these trends and patterns nice and early.


Closing Thoughts

While there are no guarantees in FPL, if you are looking at improving your FPL returns with betting data, the tips listed above should prove very handy.

Take your time, do your research, and really go over that betting data with a fine toothcomb. This will give you the best chance of racking up some serious points, and coming out on top at the end of the season.