Everything you need to know about Dream Team player price changes this season

ALL Dream Team managers should be aware that player prices will vary throughout the season.

Our boffins have been tweaked the algorithm that determines price changes for the 2024/25 campaign.

Here’s how it works.

Each Gameweek, every player is assessed by comparing the points he earned against his ‘expected score’.

We can’t reveal the exact formula but past performances and current price are both taken into account when expected scores are calculated.

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Haaland started the season as the most-expensive player in Dream Team[/caption]

Top-tier assets such as Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka will have a higher expected score than the likes of Danny Ings, Beto and Will Hughes (with all due respect to those players).

If a player outperforms their expected score, they will increase in price.

Conversely, if a player performs below expectations by failing to match their expected score, they will decrease in price.

Like last season, prices are updated on a weekly basis and can fall or rise either £0.1m, £0.2m or £0.3m – or stay the same.

A player will have to significantly outperform their expected score to earn the maximum price increase of £0.3m but such a performance will result in an increased expected score for the subsequent Gameweek, making another big rise a little harder, but still possible.

Of course, this works the other way too – a significant underperformance will decrease the given players’ expected score for the following Gameweek.

This will ensure the market remains relatively stable while also reflecting recent form.

If a player features in two fixtures in any given Gameweek, their average points from the two outings is what’s measured against their expected score, not their cumulative total.

For example, if you own Son Heung-min and he scores 12 points in the Premier League at the weekend then four points in the Europa League on Thursday night, his average for the Gameweek would be eight – because 12 plus four equals 16 and 16 divided by two equals eight – and that figure is what would be measured against his expected score to determine his next price change.

Of course, the broader picture in this scenario is that the Tottenham forward has earned you 16 points throughout the Gameweek – this is more noteworthy than a potential price change.

It’s important to note that players are only subject to price changes if they play at least ten minutes (not including injury time).

This is to prevent late substitutes from being unfairly penalised for failing to positively impact the game with such little time at their disposal – a regular occurrence.

Although, again, this works both ways – players who come on at the death and end up with a healthy points return will also not be considered for a price change.

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Dream Team bosses should be smart with their money, just like… Todd Boehly?[/caption]

Please be aware that price changes come into effect when a Gameweek starts – that’s AFTER your transfers have gone through.

Finally, it’s worth stressing that predicting price changes is part of the game.

Work the Dream Team stock market to your advantage by taking gambles on low-priced players on the way up or snapping up star players who have become more affordable.

Remember, the initial £50million budget was only relevant prior to Gameweek 1.

If price changes result in your team total rising above £50m, not only is that absolutely fine, it means you’re doing something right!

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