The biggest name isn't always the best pick
A goalscorer pick lives or dies on minutes, role and service โ not reputation. A famous winger who might get rested is worse than a nailed-on striker who plays centrally and takes the penalties, even if nobody outside the club has heard of him.
Five checks worth running before you pick
- Is the player expected to start?
- Does the player usually play 70+ minutes?
- Is the player central to the attack?
- Does the player take penalties or direct free kicks?
- Does the opponent allow chances from that zone?
Penalty takers are worth more than they look
Penalty duty gives a player a scoring route even in matches where open-play chances dry up completely. Always double-check who's actually taking them close to kickoff, though โ squads and roles change more often than people expect.
Watch for the low-minutes trap
Impact substitutes score goals, sure, but they get a fraction of the time on the pitch. In predictor games, a safer starting forward usually beats a glamorous name coming off the bench.