Pro Pundits

Gameweek 7 Wildcard team reveal: Lukaku over Ronaldo plus double City and Arsenal

Ex-FPL winner Simon March: How to avoid getting carried away with your GW1 picks

After a Gameweek 6 score of 44 and a fourth red arrow in succession, I embraced the ‘Sunday night Wildcard’ cliche and finally pushed the button. For this article, I’ll be sharing my current draft and a bit of the thinking behind it.

First off, a word on the timing of the Wildcard. While I had my fair share of yellow flags and underperforming players, it was mainly the concern that I would be priced out of the team I wanted that made me choose this Gameweek. As you’ll see, this necessitates greater investment in the Liverpool v Man City fixture than I’d ideally have liked and a Gameweek 8 Wildcard would not only have avoided that but, also, have allowed me to better mop up any problems that might occur during the preceding international break. 

However, neither of those factors seemed significant enough to warrant holding off and, equally, there are opportunities to be gained from tapping into some of the good Gameweek 7 fixtures.

Finally, I’m approaching this Wildcard with a fairly long horizon and am targeting the players and teams that I think can deliver for the foreseeable future. Equally I’m seeking enough depth that my squad can cope with the unexpected. My hope is that this will help me establish a reliable enough foundation that I can use my transfers progressively rather than reactively going forwards.

So, without further ado, here’s my current Wildcard draft.

Goalkeepers

The Kasper Schmeichel (£5.1m) / Danny Ward (£4.0m) Leicester goalkeeper rotation is a hill I’m willing to die on this season having already had it from the start. While they are not the most popular picks between the sticks (ooh that rhymes), at least not in the FPL community, they haven’t done badly, averaging 3.0 points per game so far, despite Leicester’s dismal defending.

Schmeichel is second for saves made, which helps him in terms of save points and bonus points but just the one clean sheet is not all that convincing a return. That said, I do believe Leicester will improve, particularly with the return of Jonny Evans (£5.4m), and, also, that it is more likely that they will sort out their defensive problems than some currently better-performing options are likely to maintain their defensive solidity.

Finally, at £9.1m combined (£9.0m for me), Schmeichel/Ward offers a strong certainty of a playing goalkeeper for a fairly low cost.

Defenders

My strategy for the defence is to get three near-to-nailed-on players from what appear to be the three best defences in the league (Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea) and then, ideally, leave them for the rest of the season so I can focus my transfers elsewhere.

1,736 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    G2G?

    Guaita
    Rudiger-Semedo-White
    Salah-Raphinha-Saka-Sarr
    Antonio-Ronaldo (C)-Jimenez

    Steer-Livramento-Allan-TAA
    2.1 itb for next move Semedo > Cancelo/Dias

    1. Herogrows
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Looks good to me, good next move too

      1. Bavarian
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers mate

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      That backline reads like a wine list! Is the Semedo any good?

      1. Bavarian
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        haha.. aiming to swap him by a City defender next week...

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Try the Cancelo, like a sweet Sherry.

          1. Bavarian
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            I will, thanks for the advise

  2. Cali
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Just roll the FT here and address any issues next week?

    Sanchez
    Rudiger, Semedo, White, Duffy
    Salah, Jota*, Gray, Benrahma
    Ronaldo, Lukaku

    Steele, McArthur, TAA*, Scarlett

    1. Herogrows
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Roll it in case of IB injuries

  3. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Jota worth taking out for -4 ? maybe to Raphinha/Saka

    1. Herogrows
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not for me

    2. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      he going to drop tomorrow

  4. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Keep or sell James for a hit?

    Have Livramento 1st sub.

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Livra has Chelsea could be - points

    2. Herogrows
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not for a hit, he’ll be back next GW

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Just keep for now.

  5. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Morning, used my 2FT on Alonso & Saka

    Bamford & Trent are out & might end up fielding 10 at this rate.

    Bamford > Jimenez or Watkins
    Trent > Chelsea or Cancelo

    Sa
    #Trent, Alonso, Tierney, Semedo
    Salah, Greenwood, Saka, Gray
    Lukaku, Antonio

    4.0, Sissoko, Livramento, #Bamford

    .7

    1. Herogrows
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Looks good livra to come off the bench

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I don’t see Trent or Bamford playing 100% for a while hence the moves

        1. Herogrows
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Surely both back after IB?

          1. Baps hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Surely after itb, but not surely immediately after itb.

      2. The Mentaculus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        ...Is not what you want v CHE. But at least you have Sissoko 1st sub

  6. winchester
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Hello lads, have 1ft and 2.1m itb. use WC now or gw8? Are trent and shaw confirmed out? Won't be able to field 11 if Shaw is out.

    sanchez
    taa* shaw* livramento
    benrahma salah greenwood sarr
    cr7 antonio asm

    foster esr tsimi amartey

    a) tsimi/ama -> rudiger
    b) tsimi/ama -> alonso
    c) tsimi+taa -> alonso+cancelo -4
    d) use WC

    1) bench esr
    2) bench benrahma
    3) bench greenwood

    1. Herogrows
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A bench 1

      1. winchester
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        cheers

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A if Shaw is available, Taa* & Shaw to double Chelsea D if not. Bench ERS.

      1. winchester
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        cheers

  7. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Morning....which option is best for this week before I wildcard? Thanks...... Worth taking a hit and a slightly weaker team for lukaku?

    A....no hits

    Sanchez
    Rudiger white livra
    Salah greenwood benrahma RAPHINHA
    Ronaldo (c) Antonio KING

    B.... - 4

    Sanchez
    Rudiger white livra
    Salah greenwood benrahma SISSOKO
    Ronaldo LUKAKU (c) Antonio

    1. Don Rogers FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

      If you really want Lukaku this week just sell Ronaldo with your FT

    3. Herogrows
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not worth taking hits before WC

    4. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      You just keep asking the same questions over and over. Surely if you start making your own decisions you will have more fun ,no ?

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

  8. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Best Chelsea GK/def to double up with Rudiger?

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      They all feel like gambles. Mendy is most reliable, Alonso will probably turn out to be the best pick but Chilwell lurking is off putting

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Alonso, with Trent & Shaw out ownership is very high

    3. Herogrows
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Mendy

    4. unholysmoke
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No-one mentioning Azpili. He's played every league game so far....

  9. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A) Play Williams (Norwich v Burnley)
    B) Trent > Rudiger (-4)

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B or Alonso if you have the extra

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I do have the money, but would rather get the more reliable option first, I’ll get Alonso next gameweek if Chilwell still isn’t getting a look in for the league. If he is, probably get Cancelo instead and have 1 Chelsea, 1 City, then get Trent back. Playing 343 still.

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Rudi is like Dias safe & steady, Alonso is like Cancelo when he plays I don’t like watching the games not owning.
          Capable of rank busting scores we have seen previously.

    2. Herogrows
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      This is probably the only time you’d ever want to see Williams start. Sell him for a better bench player.

    4. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

  10. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Any reason for walker being shunned as a MCI option? Slightly cheaper and seems as nailed as the others

    1. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Doesn’t get attacking points or bonus points.

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      He’s still a very good option, just plays a little wider than Cancelo but is a good pick if you’re short of cash for the 6.0 lads. He’ll get a few chance assists through the season

  11. Will1988
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    2FT, 0.2 ITB

    Sanchez
    White-Mitchell-Livramento
    Salah-Fernandes-Benrahma-ESR
    Vardy-Antonio-Jimenez

    Bachmann,Brownhill,TAA,Ayling

    TAA-Alonso?
    With Fernandes-Grealish,Antonio-Lukaku,Benrahma-Raphina in mind for next week in mind

    Thoughts appreciated

    1. Herogrows
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Mitchell to Williams?

    2. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Duffy for Ayling perhaps

      1. Amartey Partey
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Then play Duffy over Livra

  12. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A) James* > Christiansen/T.Silva

    B) TAA,James > Rudiger,Alonso(-4)

    Sanchez
    Semedo Tierney Williams
    Salah Raphinha Gray Jota
    Ronaldo Antonio Jimi

    taa* james* sissoko

  13. Amartey Partey
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Am I missing something here but why is Lukaku considered the best captain choice this GW?

    He hasn’t scored in 3 games, and Southampton are looking difficult to score against at the moment. They’ve already held United and City.

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      But Lukaku!

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Did you see Bednarek against Jimenez?

      1. Amartey Partey
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I did. Good goal. Are Southampton much worse now with Bednarek starting?

  14. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I'm considering ditching Antonio on a wildcard. Feels like a season defining decision. Its based on the long record of Europa league breaking teams plus a fixture turn

    1. Herogrows
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Depends who is replacing him

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Clearly that influences, but really it comes down to whether Antonio will sustain his performance or not. If he does then selling is a mistake, if he doesnt then selling is the correct call.

        1. Herogrows
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          It’s a mistake in my opinion but it all comes down to replacements I think Antonio scores more than all forwards apart from luk and CR7

    2. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I’d keep him at least for GW7 before making that move

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Fair, I am wildcarding so different circumstances

        1. Amartey Partey
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I’d recommend keeping him. His confidence is sky high right now.

    3. CapK
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      you WC in gw8? I think this weekend will really show how we perform, after playing a hard fought game at the weekend, followed by Vienna last night.

      If its bad from the hammers might be time to ditch, but antonio did come off around 60-70 minutes

    4. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I wait for them to break first.

      1. Herogrows
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Me too, why get rid because they might break in the future, anyone might get injured…

  15. Energetics
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sanchez
    Taa Rudiger Cancelo Semedo
    Salah Raph Gallagher Traore
    Cr7 Lukaku

    Steele Sissoko Livra Locadia

    A.
    GW7 Hold
    GW8 Traore and Locadia to 4.5 and Arm

    1. Energetics
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Hit post too early!

      A.
      GW7 Hold
      GW8 Traore and Locadia to 4.5 and Armstrong

      B. (-4)
      GW7 Taa to James/Christensen
      GW8 Traore and Locadia to 4.5 and Antonio

  16. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Madness to do Jota > ESR -4?

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I think is fine

    2. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yes. Brighton are good at home.

    3. Pops15
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Jota will get some minutes, wouldnt take the hit

  17. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Really scared putting captain on lukaku… doesnt seems like he is scoring recently?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Chelsea 9 - Southampton 0. Lukaku 7 goals and two assists. Hope this helps to ease your doubts.

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I am just saying real concern. No need to be sarcastic?

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Absolutely need to be sarcastic.

          1. Letsgo!
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Fk off

            1. The Knights Template
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              And I'm sure I could beat you in mahjong too.

      2. Amartey Partey
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Only 7? Does Alonso get the other 2?

    2. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Ronaldo and Antonio better options IMO, but you never know, maybe Southampton will crumble this weekend.

    3. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I wonder be too concerned. Ultimately, at the end of the day if you feel he’s the best captain option for this week then I wouldn’t worry too much about past weeks

  18. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sanchez
    Rudiger, White, Coady
    Salah, Grealsh, Jota, Benrahma, Sarr
    Ronaldo, Antonio

    Taa, Amartey, Scarlett

    1ft 0.6m itb

    A. Jota to Raphina (White/Coady to Cancelo next week)
    B. Jota to Raphina + White/Coady to Alonso -4

  19. CapK
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Not sure how, but totally missed Raph missing GW8 due to quarantine - he needs a haul this GW otherwise a pointless transfer!

    Shoudl've gone saka

    1. GoonerByron
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I haven’t seen anything about Raphina missing GW8?

      1. Amartey Partey
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        He has a game the day before for Brazil.

    2. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Just get a good bench player for GW8 to cover him and you’ll be fine.

      1. CapK
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        True, but if i went Saka instead of Raph this GW, would've allowed me to get Jimi over Toney, then roll transfer and get Dias and Raph for Jota and Coady in GW10

        Just used started using the transfer planner on live.fpl - that stuff is game changing

        1. Amartey Partey
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I don’t have either but Raph is a solid pick for this week. Saka looks good right now but you never know, maybe he will stop scoring. Things change so quick in this game.

  20. Jones Kusi
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    What would you do here and would you WC next GW after IB?

    2 FT 0.0 ITB

    Sanchez Ward
    Taa Shaw Ayling Livramento Semedo
    Rapinha Salah Jota Greenwood Bissouma
    Toney Antonio Ronaldo

    1. Herogrows
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldn’t , just use FT nothing too wrong with team

    2. Pops15
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I have a very similar team and I've decided to make the 2 free transfers and hold the WC for later. Moving TAA + Ayling to Christensen + Alonso.

      Will look to bring in Cancelo and Grealish for a hit GW8 for Greenwood + Shaw.

      GW 9 Ronaldo to Lukaku

      -4 over the 3 GWs, get to save the WC and have a team very similar to what most will WC to this week or next

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Remove the players you absolutely know aren't playing. I think that is TAA and Ayling.

  21. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Saka worth the extra 1.0 over ESR?
    Can upgrade Christensen to Rudiger with that money.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

    2. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I don’t think so

    3. Pops15
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I think Christensen and ESR will offer just as much value for their savings. Extra 2 mil you can reinvest somewhere else

  22. Jontharon
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    On wildcard
    1. Choose Saka and be forced to use 2 transfers when I want Trent back
    OR
    2. Choose Mbeumo and be able to get Trent back with 1 transfer

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      2

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      When are you getting TAA back? You might hzve two F/Ts by then.

      1. Jontharon
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Depends on pressers, maybe ESR is more interesting then Mbuemo? Having read the comment above

    3. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      2

    4. unholysmoke
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Get Smith Rowe and you get both. I think he's as much of a goals and assists threat as Saka at the moment.

  23. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku to rise in price tonight?

    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Too many WCs in play

      I think he won’t

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      He's on 63% and rising fast.

  24. FPL AXE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is the Rate My Team function not working at the moment? When i put in my team number nothing comes up

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Doesn't work for me either.

  25. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sanchez
    Semedo - Coady - White
    Salah - Greenwood - Benrahma - Sarr - Raphinha
    Ronaldo - Antonio

    Foster - Livramento - TAA - Scarlett

    No hits. Am I GTG? WC next gw.

    Would you punt on Havertz for 1 week rather than Raphinha? My transfer tomorrow will be Jota ➡ Raphinha/Havertz

    Thoughts? 🙂

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Gtg and take the punt.

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      GTG for this gw surely. Jota to Raphina looks good.

  26. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Benrahma likely to be benched after playing the full game last night..?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Berocca for Benrahma!

  27. mcsteely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Would you go Azip over rudiger if budget not an issue? (Already got alonso)

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Nah would take Rudiger

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Both good options but yeah you want one starting Chelsea defender

  28. Fantasyjoker
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Hi guys!

    Would appreciate any tips for this team:

    Ramsdale / Foster
    Rudiger-Azpilicueta-Cancelo / TAA - Livra
    Salah-Grealish-Raphinha-ESR / Brownhill
    Lukaku-Antonio-Toney

    Going to transfer Azpi to Dias GW8

    Thank you in advance

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      This team looks fine

      1. Fantasyjoker
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks!

  29. Budgies
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Does anyone know much about the James & TAA injuries? Stick or twist? Not sure if i should play Rudiger, Livra & Sem? My current team:

    Sanchez, Gunn
    TAA, James, Rudiger, Semedo, Livramento
    Pogba, Jota, Benrahama, Gray, Sarr
    Ronaldo (c), Lukaku, Antonio (v)

    Thinking of taking a -4pt hit and offloading Sanchez too….

    Sanchez >> Sa
    TAA >> V Dijk
    James >> Alonso

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'm thinking I'll lose TAA for a few GWs but keep James.

  30. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Shaw + Williams > Rudi + Azpi -4? Or just Shaw > Rudi?

    a -4 will instantly pay off if Chelsea keep a cleanie

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah take that hit, it’s worth it as you’re attacking the entire fixture run rather than one match