7 Mistakes You're Making with FPL Transfers (and How to Fix Them Before Gameweek 19)
Your FPL rank is tanking, and you know exactly why. Every transfer feels like a gamble, every hit stings your points total, and somehow you're always buying the wrong players at the wrong time.
Stop guessing. Start winning.
With Gameweek 19 approaching fast, you've got a critical window to fix these transfer mistakes that are costing you thousands of rank positions. Here's exactly what you're doing wrong: and how to dominate your mini-league before it's too late.
🎯 Mistake #1: Chasing Differentials Without Merit
You see a player owned by only 3% of managers and think you've found gold. Wrong.
The Problem: You're picking contrarian options purely because they're different, not because they're better. That 1% owned striker might stay at 1% ownership for a reason: he's terrible.
The Fix: Build around the template first, then add calculated differentials. High-ownership players like Salah and Haaland aren't owned by millions because of groupthink. They consistently deliver points.
Your differential strategy should target players with:
- Favorable upcoming fixtures (3+ green on the fixture tracker)
- Underlying stats that suggest they're underperforming their expected points
- Recent tactical changes that benefit their position
Gameweek 19 Action: If you're chasing random differentials, swap them for proven template players first. Build your foundation, then get creative with your bench or one midfielder slot.
📊 Mistake #2: Ignoring Fixture Difficulty (The Silent Killer)
You bought that in-form midfielder because he scored twice last week. Then you realize he's got City, Arsenal, and Liverpool in his next three games.
The Problem: You're making transfers based on recent performance without checking what's coming next. It's like buying a car without looking at the road ahead.
The Fix: Always check the next 4-6 gameweeks before making any transfer. Use this simple framework:
- ✅ Green fixtures (2+ in next 4): Safe to buy
- ⚠️ Mixed fixtures: Only buy if price/form is exceptional
- ❌ Red fixtures (3+ difficult): Avoid completely
Gameweek 19 Action: Check every player in your team against their upcoming fixtures. If more than 2 players have terrible runs, use your next 2 transfers to fix this: it'll pay off massively.
💸 Mistake #3: Taking Hits Like They're Free Money
Every -4 hit is costing you more than points: it's destroying your rank progression. You think that new striker will make up the difference, but the math rarely works.
The Problem: You're taking hits for marginal gains or panic moves. A -4 hit means your new player needs to score 4+ points more than your current player just to break even.
The Fix: Follow the hit hierarchy:
- Never take hits for bench players (unless injury crisis)
- Only take hits for players you'll captain or premium differentials
- Maximum 1 hit per gameweek unless your team is genuinely broken
The Numbers: A player needs to outscore your current pick by 6+ points over the next 2 gameweeks to justify a hit. Most transfers don't clear this bar.
Gameweek 19 Action: If you're planning multiple hits, stop. Make your most critical transfer this week, then use your free transfer next week. Your patience will be rewarded.
📈 Mistake #4: Chasing Price Rises Like a Day Trader
You make transfers on Monday night to catch price rises, then watch your "investment" blank for three weeks straight.
The Problem: You're prioritizing 0.1m profits over actual points. Price rises don't win mini-leagues: points do.
The Fix: Make transfers based on fixture swings and form, not price predictions. If a price rise happens to benefit you, great. But never let it drive your decision-making.
Smart Transfer Timing:
- Tuesday-Wednesday: Research and plan
- Thursday-Friday: Check injury news and press conferences
- Saturday morning: Make your final transfer after team news
Gameweek 19 Action: If you've got transfers banked for price rises, use them for actual improvements instead. Target players with great fixtures starting GW20, not those rising in price.
🎪 Mistake #5: Buying Players Who Just Hauled (The Haul Trap)
Your mate's striker scored a hat-trick, so you immediately transfer him in. He blanks for the next month while sitting in your team like expensive furniture.
The Problem: You're buying peaks, not trends. That 15-point haul was likely his ceiling performance, not his new baseline.
The Fix: Look past the highlight reel. Check these metrics instead:
- Expected goals and assists over the last 6 gameweeks
- Underlying stats (shots, key passes, touches in the box)
- Tactical role changes that suggest sustainable improvement
The Smart Move: When a player hauls, check if the underlying numbers support continued performance. If they've been generating good chances for weeks, the haul might signal more to come. If it was a lucky performance, avoid the trap.
Gameweek 19 Action: Review any recent transfers you made after big hauls. If the underlying stats don't support the points, consider moving them on before they disappoint.
🧠 Mistake #6: Ignoring Your Chip Strategy
You're making random transfers without considering your Wildcard, Free Hit, or Bench Boost timing. It's like planning a road trip without looking at the map.
The Problem: Your transfers aren't aligned with your overall season strategy. You're wasting moves that could be better deployed around Double Gameweeks or favorable fixture swings.
The Fix: Plan your chips around your transfer strategy:
Wildcard Strategy:
- Use before GW25 if your team needs major surgery
- Target players with strong fixtures through GW30
- Don't waste it on minor improvements
Free Hit Planning:
- Save for blank gameweeks where you'd field fewer than 8 players
- Don't use it just because fixtures look tricky
Gameweek 19 Action: Map out your remaining chips. If you're planning a Wildcard in the next 4 weeks, stop making major transfers now. Save them for minor tweaks only.
👥 Mistake #7: Terrible Squad Rotation Decisions
You bench Salah for a "favorable" matchup, then watch him score 20 points from your bench. Meanwhile, your "clever" differential gets you 2 points.
The Problem: You're overthinking your team selection and benching proven performers for theoretical gains.
The Fix: Follow the hierarchy of trust:
- Premium players (£10m+): Always start unless injured
- Consistent performers: Start unless fixtures are truly awful
- Rotation risks: First on your bench, regardless of fixtures
The Psychology: Premium players are expensive because they deliver in difficult situations. Don't outsmart yourself by benching them for "easier" fixtures.
Gameweek 19 Action: Check your bench order. Your most expensive players should almost always be starting. Use your bench slots for rotation risks and budget enablers.
Stop Making These Mistakes: Get Your Unfair Advantage
These seven mistakes are costing you serious rank every single gameweek. But here's the thing: most FPL managers will keep making them because they're flying blind.
Smart managers use data and strategy to make transfer decisions. They don't guess, they don't panic, and they definitely don't chase last week's hauls.
Ready to transform your FPL strategy? FPL Coach gives you the data-driven insights to make perfect transfers every time. Stop making expensive mistakes and start dominating your mini-league.
Your transfers should be calculated moves that build toward long-term success, not desperate reactions to last gameweek's disasters. Fix these mistakes before Gameweek 19, and watch your rank climb while everyone else stays trapped in the same cycles.
The template exists for a reason. The underlying stats don't lie. And your patience with transfers will be rewarded with points when it matters most.
Make smarter transfers. Win your mini-league. Get your unfair advantage.