In this article, we will explain the concept of effective ownership (EO) in FPL.
What Does Effective Ownership Mean in FPL?
Effective Ownership (EO) in FPL is a concept that refers to the percentage of teams in which a player is not only selected but also captained.
The calculation of Effective Ownership involves two components:
- the player’s ownership percentage
- and the captaincy percentage.
The formula is as follows: Effective Ownership = Ownership % + Captaincy %.
For example, if 70 % of all FPL managers own Haaland and 40 % of all FPL managers captain Haaland in that gameweek, his effective ownership (EO) is 70 % + 40 % = 110 %.
Let’s continue with our example. If you own Haaland and do not captain him, your effective ownership of Haaland is 100 %, and if Haaland scores a hattrick (17 points), you will end up losing positions in the overall ranking. Because you will gain only 100% of his 17 points, while all other managers are on average getting 110 % of his 17 points = 18.7 points.
But if you captain him, your EO is 200 %, so his hattrick will bring you 34 points, while on average, other managers are getting “just” 110 % of his points on average, so 18.7 points. So you will be moving up in overall ranking.
If you triple captain him, your effective ownership of Haaland is 300 %.
It is pretty common to explore effective ownership of players in just your rank tier, so you know who are the players your rivals in your rank surrounding have in their teams. For example, if your rank is 67 000, you would be interested to now effective ownership of players in top 100k.
Impact of Effective Ownership on FPL Strategy
Effective Ownership can significantly influence team selection in FPL. A player with high Effective Ownership can be a ‘safe’ choice as not owning them could result in a significant rank drop if they perform well.
Conversely, selecting a player with low Effective Ownership can be a ‘differential’ move, potentially leading to a rank boost if the player performs well.
The role of Effective Ownership in captain selection is also crucial. Captaining a player with high Effective Ownership can protect your rank, while captaining a low Effective Ownership player can be a risky but potentially rewarding strategy if they score highly.
Pros and Cons of Considering Effective Ownership
Considering Effective Ownership in your FPL strategy can have several benefits. It can help protect your rank by avoiding negative impacts from highly owned players performing well. It can also help identify differential opportunities.
However, there are potential drawbacks to heavily relying on Effective Ownership. It can lead to ‘herd mentality’, where managers make decisions based on ownership percentages rather than their own judgement or analysis. This can result in missed opportunities to gain an edge over competitors. Furthermore, a player’s Effective Ownership can change rapidly between gameweeks, making it a somewhat volatile metric to base decisions on.
Many FPL players and analysts consider Effective Ownership as a key part of their strategy, particularly in relation to captaincy decisions.
However, there are differing viewpoints. Some managers often ignore ownership percentages and focus on their own player evaluations and predictions.
Tips and Tricks for Using Effective Ownership in FPL
When considering Effective Ownership, it’s important to strike a balance. Don’t let it dictate all your decisions, but use it as one of many tools in your FPL toolkit. Here are some tips:
- Monitor Effective Ownership trends: Use Live FPL website to keep track of changes in Effective Ownership. This can help you anticipate and react to shifts in the FPL landscape.
- Consider Effective Ownership in captaincy decisions: If you’re torn between two players for captaincy, consider their Effective Ownership. A higher Effective Ownership captain can protect your rank, while a lower Effective Ownership captain can be a differential.
- Don’t ignore your own analysis: While Effective Ownership is a useful tool, it’s important to also rely on your own judgement and analysis.
Conclusion
Effective Ownership is a powerful tool in FPL, offering insights that can inform your team selection and captaincy decisions. While it has its pros and cons, understanding and considering Effective Ownership can help you navigate the FPL landscape more effectively. Remember, the best FPL managers are those who balance data-driven insights with their own football knowledge.
