At my level, 5, there are still quite a few inactives. In addition to the aforementioned, they will almost always have a really high $ budget with low team value.

Here's the 4th place team from my league lol.
So many bots!-4thplace.jpgSo many bots!-4th2.jpg

And the 6th place.
So many bots!-6th.jpg

If you play squad management and watch your Q lvl, you can manipulate easier competition. You can do this and win without pulling the 7 scout 14 man squad trick although that is probably the most efficient for league and CL but your cup is at risk.

It's the price you pay for having a full squad of old 5* - harder competition. I can wait for the higher leagues if I want every league match to be a challenge lol. I like having a diverse squad of 2*-6* players. It just feels more real. The money you lose from competing in lower paying competitions is offset by a lower wage scale and greater chance of success in all 3 comps. Until they fix their ladder/promotion/relegation, I can't see much reason in maxing out your whole team's SP every season when you can be at 4.9/9.9 2 star overall Q and have an starting eleven of 4/5 stars.