Metrics

Fifth of top 10k FPL managers yet to play first Wildcard

Roughly a fifth of the top 10,000 Fantasy Premier League managers are yet to use their first Wildcard.

Time is running out to deploy this chip as it is only active for the next three Gameweeks, disappearing after Gameweek 20.

Following the passing of Saturday’s deadline for Gameweek 17, 81.09% of the top 10k had played their Wildcard.

As you can see from the table above, 0.87% of them played the Wildcard for Gameweek 17, taking the overall total for the top 10k to 81.09%.

That means 18.9% of managers at this level still have it in their pocket, ready to deploy over the Christmas period.

Our ProPundit writer Simon March did an article earlier this week on the pros and cons of using the Wildcard later in the season and is certainly an interesting read. READ IT HERE.

Those that do deploy their Wildcard between now and the end of the year may well end up with squads that look a bit like the above.

This is the template Wildcard put together by those using it for Gameweek 17.

As you can see, the Brighton double-up between the sticks is the most-popular goalkeeper combination, featuring Mat Ryan (£4.8m) and David Button (£4.0m).

The most fashionable defenders in these select squads match the quintet considered the best by the majority of top 10k managers.

John Lundstram (£5.1m), Martin Kelly (£4.3m), Çaglar Söyüncü (£5.1m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) and Diego Rico (£4.3m) are all the top five most popular defenders both for the top 10k generally, and those who Wildcarded for Gameweek 17 – in the same order as well.

There is some disparity in midfield though.

Sadio Mané (£12.3m), who assisted and had a headed goal ruled out for offside in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Watford on Saturday, is the most popular in both sets, in 87.4% of Wildcard squads and 85.8% of top 10k squads.

By contrast, Mohamed Salah (£12.2m), who has double-figure hauls in each of his last two Premier League outings, is only in 16.8% of top 10k squads, suggesting he can act as a powerful differential at this level from Gameweek 19 onwards, as Liverpool are without a fixture in Gameweek 18.

While James Maddison (£7.8m) is in 59.6% of top 10k squads for Gameweek 17, he is in 71.3% of the Wildcard squads at this level, indicating how popular he is.

The Wildcard users have also taken the opportunity to invest in the Spurs midfield double-up too, with considerably more vigour than the rest of the top 10k.

Son Heung-min (£10.0m) and Dele Alli (£8.7m) are in 56.3% and 42.5% of Wildcard squads at this level but are only in 51.8% and 34.7% respectively in normal top 10k teams.

The true power of these players for those further down the rankings is shown by how few managers own Son and Alli overall. As things stand, their worldwide ownership figures are 21.0% and 12.5% respectively.

Meanwhile, if Kevin de Bruyne (£10.2m) manages to return to usual FPL form against Arsenal’s then he could help arrest a slew of sales.

He may still be in 60% of top 10k squads but that number has been falling each week for some time now.

Furthermore, the Manchester City midfielder has been selected by just 37.9% of top 10k managers playing their Wildcard for Gameweek 17.

So far, it has been a disappointing Gameweek for the in vogue forward line of Jamie Vardy (£10.1m), Tammy Abraham (£8.0m) and Marcus Rashford (£9.0m).

The Leicester City forward was handed an overwhelming majority for the Gameweek 17 captaincy, with 71.2% backing for it among the top 10k, but arguably failed to fully deliver on his promise.

Despite finishing the match at the King Power Stadium with more shots on target than any other player, Vardy did not find the net officially.

He was initially awarded the goal for Leicester’s equaliser but was shortly after stripped of it, Tim Krul (£4.5m), quite rightly, accredited with an own-goal instead.

Meanwhile, Mané (backed by 18.6%) came in as a distant second, managing to outscore Vardy by one point.

As already mentioned, Salah’s big haul against Watford was especially powerful for those who captained him.

With the vast majority of top 10k managers getting 10 points for Vardy, a 32-point haul for the Egyptian will surely have propelled the 4.5% who captained him into the highest reaches.

As for the rest of the popular forward line, Abraham blanked in a surprise defeat to Bournemouth while Rashford awaits his owners in a meeting with Everton on Sunday afternoon.

A final word on the chips as 2.6% of the top 10 deployed the Triple Captain for Gameweek 17.

Our Scoutcaster and ProPundit Az also pulled the trigger for his enhanced armband.

Like many of those in the top 10k, the chosen recipient was Vardy, and, chances are, his Triple Captain backers were expecting a lot more than one assist against Norwich.

All data taken from LIVEFPL.NET.

1,952 Comments Post a Comment
  1. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    is everyone losing Ings after Villa? Those red fixtures, he could score in all. Might keep him for Chelsea and see how he does game to game basis, he will be av even bigger differential than b4

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No reason to sell.
      Cheap, scoring goals. Defo keep

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      The way it’s looking, everyone will have Vardy and Rashford. Can imagine Abraham will have precedence over Ings as well. I love Ings but am admittedly looking to shift.

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Tammy looks like an obvious upgrade, but if Ings scores vs AV, I cant see me losing him. Many, many will ditch after AV, sticking feels good

        1. noquarternt
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Enjoy him then. He’s good for the dream Salah Mané double up as well.

    3. Liber
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah, who knows.. Thinking about it. Should I keep him or Tammy.. Good value for sure.

    4. pjomara
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah, am upgrading to Rashford

  2. Kaiser123
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Am I mad KDB, Maddison and Ings to Son, 5.2 mid & Rashford?

    1. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Do you have to play the 5.2 every week? Or can you cover it with 4 at the back?

    2. nerd_is_the_werd
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Great players, but can you sell other players for Rashford and Son?
      Think KDB, Maddison and Ings could score solid points over the season.

    3. Doctor Evil
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I’m gonna Captain KDB next week so I would say yes, overdue a haul

    4. Kaiser123
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not sure how I can fit in with

      Mane Alli Mad Mount KDB

      Vardy Ings Tammy

  3. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is Pulisic to Grealish too knee jerk?

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No. It's a good move

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not at all

    3. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      What?

    4. pjomara
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No, hardly knee-jerk, Pulisic with no returns in 5 games and tough fixtures, Grealish in great form and great fixtures

  4. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Make the Mount -> Grealish move tonight to avoid price drops?

    1. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Depends how much you need the .1 moving forward. I do early transfers all the time though I know I probably shouldn't so I'd say it's fine. What's life without a bit of risk.

    2. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No from me. Want more info

  5. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who is a better goalkeeper? Kepa or Roberto Jimenez?

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kepa has regressed a lot in a short period of time.

  6. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Man City (1/2) and Man U (11/13) are the only teams to be odds on to win at the moment in GW18.

  7. Lucas8406
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Should I do Mount to Alli and Robertson to Aurier? (But have Son is a triple up too much?)

    1. yanky
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      i like those moves

    2. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Good from my eyes.

  8. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A. Tielemans to Son
    B. Pulisic to Son
    C. Both out for a hit (Son & 8.1 Mid)

    Gazzaniga
    Lundstram Rico Kelly
    Alli Pulisic Tielemans Dendoncker
    Vardy Abraham Rashford(c)

    (Taylor, Mane, TAA) --- 4.1 ITB & 1 FT

  9. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Salah and Traore > Son and Martial for free ??

    1. Ninjaa
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Currently
      Salah KDB Dele Traore Dendonker
      Vardy Abraham Jimenez

  10. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    is Rico nailed ? or shall i go for a villa defender ? thanks

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      targett maybe ?

    2. Ninjaa
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes I'd say nailed

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        thanks ninja

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I would say Targett

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        cheers might go for him yes

  11. MiLK2018
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is any of these move good to navigate GW 18? Thx

    A) Cantwell -> Martial
    B) Greenwood -> Ings
    C) Hold FT

    1. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Who do you have on your bench? Both seem good.

      1. MiLK2018
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Mane, TAA, and Cantwell/Greenwood on bench

        1. noquarternt
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Probably worth doing one of them then

    2. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A is better no question. Our (Saints fan) fixtures turn after 18 I wouldn't fancy having Ings then.

  12. sandman58
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A)Sterling
    B)Richarlison
    C)Grealish
    Best pick for next gw??
    1 week only

  13. onceuponatyne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Guys, feel like I've been under a rock for a few days.

    What's the score with West Ham's keeper David Martin?

    Possibly have a spare transfer this week, worth bringing in as a replacement for Button?

    1. sandman58
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Fabianski back in the new year mate
      If ya dont plan playing Martin then dont waste a transfer

      1. onceuponatyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks Man, appreciate it. 🙂

  14. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on TAA and Cantwell to Digne and Grealish?

    Guaita
    Lunds Rico Aurier
    Cantwell Son Alli Maddison
    Tammy Vardy Rash
    Button Mane TAA Soy

  15. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Chances of Williams (Man U) getting some starts in next few weeks?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I got him last week, he should at least play one of them 😀

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        hmmm, I like a punt 😀
        If he starts tomorrow he is in

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I kinda regret it tbh, but Kiki Femenia was my only other option so not really

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            you never know, if Young gets injured tomoorrow he could get some starts

    2. sandman58
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Slim
      Competing wit Shaw and Young
      Try to squeeze Kelly or Rico in

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        ye have Rico, getting Kelly annoyingly requires me to use both fts, outpriced by 0.2 -_-

  16. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2ft's + WC next GW probably.
    What would you do? Looking at 1 week punts.

    Henderson.
    Robbo, Soyuncu, Lundstram, Kelly.
    Pulisic, Mane, KDB, Salah.
    Abraham, Vardy.
    Button, Cantwell, Williams, Wickham.
    2ft. 0.4m ITB.

    1. yanky
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      i have a similar team, just 1 FT but im already activated the wildcard with 3 liverpool players and the rest with tough fixtures/no united villa coverage

  17. sandman58
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Does anyone fancy predicting which players will rise 0.2 this week??

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kelly

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Salah and Martin

      1. sandman58
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Surely not

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Sorry my tongue was in my cheek. Probably nobody, Spurs assets most likely

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Depending how they do tomorrow

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      None

    4. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Look at fplstats and see who’s got a huge arrow up and is near one rise.

    5. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Martial

    6. nerd_is_the_werd
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lundstram

  18. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hola gents. Which one of these looks best in advance of GW18?

    A) Mount > Son (FT)
    B) Mount, Dendo > Son, Grealish (-4)

    1FT 5.3itb
    Guaita
    Lunds, Willems, Rico
    Alli, Maddison, Mount*, Dendo*
    Vardy, Abraham, Ings
    (McGovern) (Soy, TAA, Mané)

    Thanks!

  19. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Two quickies...
    A. Best Jimenez downgrade after gw18 (due to fixtures)? Tempted by maupay.
    B. Is Kelly the best sub 4.5 def? Have Rico

  20. Ruud000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Quick shout to Magnus Carlsen...#1 in World in two disciplines. Fair play.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      aye very impressive !! wonder which one he enjoys most 😉

  21. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Roll or move KdB on to Rich or Alli?

    Hendo
    Guilbert Lund Rico (TAA Soy)
    KdB Son Maddison Grealish (Mane)
    Vardy Rashford Ings

    No intention of moving Liverpool assets on

  22. GRPunk
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Targett or Rico?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      targett for me. i have the same dilemma

    2. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rico set fair longer term fixture wise, just been looking at Ramsdale as a Pope replacement in a couple of weeks.

      If you have wildcard in the pocket probably Targett though he will fancy a return next week absolutely wild we sold him.

  23. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Dumping Pulisic...is Abraham still a keeper long term?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Pulisic to who if already have Grealish, Martial and Alli?

    2. yanky
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      im dumping for rashford

  24. Supersonic Marv'
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anybody free hitting next week to solve Liverpool blank?

    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      doesnt feel like a big enough blank to justify.......you should have a playing bench

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not for me

    3. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nope

  25. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    tomori to aurier?

    would like to avoid auriers price rise, but what say you?

  26. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Woke up to see OR went from 175j to 40k ..happy days

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Well done

      Should have played BB 😉

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yep 🙂

        Now zaha and kelly to shine from the bench!

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Great stuff! Think I'm around 29k now with 4 to play, exciting times!

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Nice work!

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Thanks, finally a stroke of luck

  27. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ryan (buton)
    Aurier/soy kely lund (taa soy/aurier)
    Dendo son kdb grealish (mane)
    Vardy rash tamy

    Which?. 1 ft & will WC gw20
    A) kdb to richar
    B) taa to other def. (Will get him back gw20)
    C) roll ft, gw19 kdb dendo to puli-zaha mount-richar

    1. yanky
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      wildcard now!! 🙂

      1. Nightf0x
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        wont make many changes, gw20 might there be big changes so let it for gw20

  28. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best out of a bad bunch?

    A) Heaton
    B) Krul
    C) Mccarthy

    Thanks

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks

  29. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    that block was why soy got a bap

  30. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bit of banter there between Vardy and Krul over the goal 🙂