January in the Fantasy Premier League game is wildcard time when this chilly month offers us the chance to refresh our sides and clear out the deadwood. This guide aims to offer some key advice on getting the most out of your winter wildcard.
When can I play my winter wildcard?
- After GW 20 deadline From 11.30 on January 1st
- After GW 21 deadline From 11.30 on January 10th
- After GW 22 deadline From 11.30 on January 17th
- After GW 23 deadline From 11.30 on January 31st
Of course you can activate your wildcard any day up until the 7th of February when Gameweek 24 kicks off. However, to make the best use of price increases it is generally best to activate the wildcard as early in the week as possible , preferably on one of the above dates, or the following day.
When does the winter transfer window open and close?
Clubs may begin buying players from the first of January, and the transfer window closes on the second of February this season. It normally closes at the end of January, however since that falls on a weekend the window is remaining open a couple of extra days.
When is the best week to play the wildcard?
in an ideal world the best time to activate the wildcard is the last week it can be used, so preferably it should be activated once matches have started on the 31st of January. There are several advantages to wildcarding in that particular week
- The transfer window closes during that week, so you have more information to work with
- More opportunity to take advantage of any double Gameweek news or postponements which, being January is a distinct possibility
- Easier to plan for the rest of the season as there are less weeks left
Of course we don’t live in an ideal world, and much depends on the state of your own teams, if your team is creaking at the seams then maybe an early wildcard with the intention of gaining a head start could work out well. There is nothing like a poor Gameweek and a few injuries to make hitting that wildcard button seem like a great idea
So really there is no right and wrong answer as to which Gameweek it should be played in. What is important is that you act decisively, activate the card early in the week to gain the price rises and have a decent plan in mind
Wildcard mistakes
- I’m bored, I think I will play my wildcard this week
- Someone in your team is injured on the Friday, so you activate your wildcard at the end of the week and not the start, giving no time to plan and missing out on price rises
- Playing the wildcard and removing all your players, only to realise you still want some of them, and have to buy them back at a higher price
- Making transfers but forgetting to hit the wildcard button and suddenly realise you have spent 40 points
- Activating the wildcard in rage, because of a poor Gameweek. Make the decision calmly and rationally
Random thoughts
This season there is a two-week break between Gameweeks 22 and 23, which will be a tempting time to play the wildcard as it gives so much more time to tinker with the team. If you are planning to use your wildcard late then now is the time to save a free transfer. Having two frees will lessen the temptation to wildcard should you suffer an injury or two.
Conclusion
The winter wildcard can act as a great springboard for the rest of the season, it can make or break your fantasy season, so use it wisely.
This article is a copy of an article published on my blog.
9 years, 4 months agoThanks for this. Helps settle some of those initial thoughts about the wildcard, particularly those pitfalls to avoid. Everytime I make the transfer out a player I then have to get back in within the same wildcard for more money. Hopefully I'll learn this year.