Should You Save the Big Teams or Use Them Early?

Published on July 5, 2025 (Last updated: August 6, 2025)

Ask any LMS player and you’ll get two answers — usually delivered with absolute confidence, and completely opposite logic.

“Use your bankers early. Stay alive.”
vs.
“Save the top sides. You’ll need them later.”

So… which is it?

The truth is, both can work. But only if you know what you’re doing.

🟢 Option 1: Use the Big Teams Early

The logic: Nothing kills a campaign quicker than going out in Week 1. Why risk a mid-table side when you’ve got a title contender playing at home against a newly promoted team?

When this makes sense:

  • You're in a brutal knockout league (no buy-backs)

  • You’ve got no idea what you’re doing yet

  • You want a stress-free opening round

  • The fixture is too good to pass up (e.g. Man City at home to a bottom-three side)

The danger: You might find yourself in Week 7 staring at Palace vs Wolves and thinking:
“Why didn’t I save Arsenal?”

🔴 Option 2: Save the Big Teams for Later

The logic: LMS is a war of attrition. You want quality teams in your locker once the fixture list gets tight. The smart money plays the long game.

When this makes sense:

  • You know how to read the fixtures

  • You’re confident in early mid-table picks

  • You’re tracking who other players have used

  • You plan two or three rounds ahead

The danger: You overthink it and get knocked out backing a flaky away side in Round 2 while Man City cruise to a 4–0.

🧠 The Hybrid Approach: Play the Fixtures, Not the Badge

This is where top players separate themselves: they don’t follow a fixed rule. They adapt.

Instead of thinking in absolutes, they ask:

  • Who has the easiest fixture this week?

  • Who’s in form, or missing key players?

  • What options will I have next week?

  • How many others are likely to pick this team?

With LMX, you can see your pick history, the upcoming fixtures, and make decisions based on more than just vibes. And that’s the real secret: context beats theory.

🎯 Final Take

There’s no perfect answer.
But if you treat LMS like a game of timing — not just team strength — you’ll outlast more players than you think.

It’s not about when you use the big boys.
It’s about using the right team at the right time.

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