Chip Strategy

FPL chip strategy: When to play the Free Hit, Bench Boost and Triple Captain?

Learn to choose your battles. Battles not fought are not lost; simply battles not worth fighting for.

Chips are on the minds of a lot of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers. No, I’m not talking about the ones where just one is not enough (clearly FPL has adopted this line of thinking after their Christmas gift) but the ones that could potentially lead to big gains in FPL if lethally deployed.

When I’m looking around, I’ve seen a lot of FPL managers play their chips simply because of ‘FOMO’ (fear of missing out) or because they are presuming their better opportunities will not arrive in the future. Within this article, I aim to cast an eye on what opportunities might arrive in the future and what factors you should think about while deploying your chips. I just want to reiterate at this point that what you should do with the chips is fully dependant on your team. I just want to give more FPL food to chew upon. That’s about it. At this point, I want to just take this opportunity to thank Legomane, Ben Crellin, Talha Nadeem, Planet FPL, Pras and Sonaldo who have been doing excellent work on this topic and serve as the basis of my research.

First off, let’s quickly look again at Double Gameweek 22.

As I already cited in my article last week, no team has a standout pair of Double Gameweek 22 matches on paper with the exception of Watford. In addition, popularly owned ‘single’ Gameweekers like Liverpool, West Ham United and Everton have good fixtures on paper and there is a strong chance you could miss out on some hauls if you Free Hit these players out. There has been enough conversation around Gameweek 22 so I am not going to dwell further on it. Let’s look ahead at potential future opportunities and factors to consider.

Blank Gameweek 27

The Carabao Cup has now concluded there are two games that are going to be postponed because of it:

  • Arsenal vs Liverpool
  • Chelsea vs Leicester City

At this point, I would like to thank regular FFScout contributor Legomane for the planning charts he makes available for us, which help visualise the free midweeks and what is scheduled for the team in play.

There is a chance that Liverpool could have a Double Gameweek 26 (which I will touch upon later). Also, these four teams are not guaranteed to blank in Gameweek 27; one of their outstanding fixtures could potentially be moved to the midweek of Gameweek 27, although that would require them and their opponents not to reach the FA Cup fifth round.

For the purposes of this piece, let’s assume that these four teams blank in Gameweek 27. The ownership from these four, especially Liverpool, is considerably high, which does tell me that there is a potential opportunity to play a Free Hit chip in this week. There are some good targetable fixtures in Gameweek 27 with your Free Hit, too, in my opinion. I’ll just list them down here:

  • Everton vs Manchester City
  • Manchester United vs Watford
  • Crystal Palace vs Burnley
  • Southampton vs Norwich

Blank Gameweek 30

As we can see above, Gameweek 30 is where the FA Cup quarter-finals take place, meaning that a lot of teams should blank. At the moment, we have one confirmed fixture in Gameweek 30 and that is Aston Villa vs Arsenal. This confirmed fixture is also quite important to note, as you can have an overview of things and a little bit of shrewdness with transfers can go a long way.

Given the way the FA Cup draw has fallen so far, we could potentially see a considerable number of teams blanking in Gameweek 30. So the Free Hit chip could be handy to tackle this Blank Gameweek if your team is hit hard by postponements.

Why I mention Arsenal and Aston Villa here is that we know for sure that they have a fixture in Gameweek 30 and both teams have good fixtures (and a potential double or triple for Aston Villa) in the weeks beforehand, which is something to keep in mind before selling players from these teams. It could potentially lead to you dead-ending your team in Gameweek 30 instead of deploying the Free Hit chip that week and then using the Wildcard in Gameweek 31.

Again, there is no straightforward chip strategy that I’m aiming to bring to light with this article. These are simply factors to consider and think about when planning when to deploy your chips. Like I mentioned at the top of the article, there will be many battles to fight until Gameweek 38 and you can avoid ‘FOMO’ by picking and choosing your battles wisely. For example, I am loosely thinking about holding onto Aaron Ramsdale (£5.1m) and Bukayo Saka (£6.4m) with the view of maybe saving a Free Hit for Gameweek 30. Aston Villa are also something to think about.

Potential Double or Triple Gameweek 23

There could be a Double or Triple Gameweek 23, with the potential for games to be scheduled during the FA Cup fourth round or during the international break.

There are free TV slots on Saturday at 5.30pm and Sunday at 2pm in the first weekend of February, which could signal a Double Gameweek (likely for Aston Villa and one of Burnley or Leeds United) – although it’s worth noting that there is a big England rugby game at 5pm on that Saturday.

Additionally, as per The Athletic, Premier League teams could schedule games during the winter break but you would think that this break is for international teams outside of Europe that have matches. Teams with important players from South America (for example) might have a problem with their blanks getting scheduled here.

This is just speculation, of course. But Aston Villa definitely have a game in Gameweek 30 and these are their fixtures in the mid-term.

They have home games against Leeds United, Watford and Southampton and an away trip to Newcastle United in the mid-term. This makes me think that instead of using Free Hit on their assets in Gameweek 23, I’d much rather spend points, take some hits and buy their players because they have good mid-term fixtures and a confirmed match in Gameweek 30 which might help me save a Free Hit there as well. Again these are just food-for-thought musings from my end and you can choose to do what you want with this information.

Potential Liverpool Double Gameweek 26

As we can see in Legomane’s chart above (click to expand), Liverpool have a free midweek in Gameweek 26 in which they play Norwich at home. They also have a home game against Leeds United still to be scheduled and if it falls in Gameweek 26, I don’t think there is ever going to be a better opportunity to deploy the Triple Captain chip with Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) facing Norwich City and Leeds United at home. The one caveat is that Liverpool are likely to blank in Gameweek 27.

Situation after Gameweek 30

At this point, without going into too much detail, I just want to touch upon what happens after Gameweek 30.

Gameweek 33 is where the FA Cup semi-finals take place. The midweek after this is free, giving potential for a large Double Gameweek. Also, teams that are in the FA Cup semi-final could either blank or have their one Gameweek 33 fixture pushed to midweek. So Gameweek 33 is one where some teams could double, some would have a single match and some could have none. A good week for chip deployment, primarily your Free Hit, Bench Boost or maybe Triple Captain.

Similarly, the midweeks after Gameweek 36 and Gameweek 37 are also free and traditionally the former is a big Double Gameweek where a lot of managers look to Bench Boost. You can even think about using your Free Hit chip here should you wish to.

I don’t want to delve too much into post-Gameweek 30 but hopefully this helps you with some planning and primarily your decision with what to do in Gameweek 22. I quickly want to say thanks to Pras and Zophar for skimming through this article. The point I really wanted to make is there will be many opportunities to be aggressive during this season and it won’t be possible to do so all the time. Pick your battles based on your team and based on potential upside.

If you want to know more, you can view our latest episode of The FPL Wire below:

1,115 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Would you start Dalot if you have him?

    1. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Over who?

      1. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I should decide on transfers and hits based on decision on Dalot

        Gray and Foden ATM

        1. marcos11
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Think I’d start foden

  2. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    How much is Dalot likely to play in the double?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Not Dalot

      1. Devos
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Nice one, minnion.

  3. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    reckon trossard stars v palace tomorrow?

    1. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    2. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I think so. Having dangerous thoughts about getting him over Maddison, Mount, etc

    3. NorCal Villan
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Stars or starts?

  4. Your Man With The Hair
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Should I FH?

    Current doubts / def out for this GW:

    Alonso
    TAA
    Foden
    Bissouma
    Son
    Ronaldo

    Aside from the above, only other DGWer i have is Sanchez

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      could u do son to bruno?

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        taa starts tonight so he s fit., i m sure ronaldo will be too

    2. pwill40
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Alonso is out?

    3. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Wait what? Alonso is out now?

  5. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Start Luke Thomas (bur, TOT) or Cancelo (CHE)?

    1. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo

    2. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      João Pedro Cavaco Thomas

  6. moment
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Hard disagree on a Salah TC in GW26. Captain him for sure, but it’s a waste of the chip to play it when everyone else is going to. Match everyone else’s TC with a normal captain; laugh if he doesn’t bang, suck up the loss of some rank if he does (but his EO won’t be much more than 200), and use the chip to maximum effect on a differential in a week with multiple legit captain choices, all of whom you own.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      you re overthinking it imo

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

      Lol

    3. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Points at the same value ib every week. Regardless scored by Salah or by Origi

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

        Wrong. Bowen points were more valuable this week in terms of rank than Salah points in previous gameweeks.

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

          Haha amazeballs

        2. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Not at the end of the season they aren't.

          If Bowen gets 21 and Salah gets 24, it's better to have TC'd Salah. It doesn't matter when it happens.

    4. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah I'm definitely not gonna TC Salah when he has NOR LEE...

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

        Buggumarked

      2. moment
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Cool, but then the chip is worth only 1x the points he returns. If you’re in the top 10k and want to stay there, probably sensible, but you’re leaving potential value on the table by not saving it for a different week.

        1. SteveWatts
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Lol

        2. Podge
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          That’s not how maths works

        3. Brehmeren
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Wow

        4. 2EyedTurk
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          What the hell are you on about?!

    5. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Senior Moment?

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

    if ronaldo and kane were having a better season, i would have 100% used my free hit.

    Just doesnt seem worth it right now. Could cost me though

    1. mdm
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      It will

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

        we'll see. Done pretty well without them all season

  8. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Chips saved for when you really need them, not planned for then.

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yeh agree - I am really trying to avoid FH this week! Need to stay strong

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        This.

        Simple really depending on your team shape.

  9. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Great article, LR12, really helps us keep sight of the bigger picture. Thanks!

  10. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    when are we going to find out about the burnley game, if it goes ahead v leicester?

    1. mdm
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Tomorrow

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        cannae wait 🙂

  11. Dammit_182
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Arsenal got royally shafted when they delayed leg 1 of League Cup and no can’t field a decent team themselves!

  12. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    according to the s*n ronaldo trained with man u ahead of the villa game.

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      He probably was in no mood to play FA

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I think he will play

  13. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Hey fam!

    Q.1
    A. Play Dalot
    B. Dalot to Robbo for -4

    Q.2
    A. Play one of Bernardo/Cancelo
    B. Ramsey to Maddison for -4

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      a as it is for a hit

      b but wait for more news if game goes ahead

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers mate

  14. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Please don't make any transfers today. Wait till tomorrow. Pressers left, COVID related news, injury news, etc. A lot can happen between now and the deadline!

    1. Junglist95
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      This!

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        no clue what to do anyway 🙂

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I will wait til 6pm

    3. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Too late. I did that 2 weeks ago

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Hahaha!

  15. Junglist95
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    What to do with this lot?

    2.1m itb and 1FT

    DDG
    Alonso Cancelo Keane TAA
    Jota Gallagher Bowen
    King Antonio Broja

    Steer Livra Salah Son

    Used my first FH and likely wouldn't use it here either.

    1. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No need to use FH

      1. Junglist95
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        No i wouldn't use either

        1. BrutalLogiC
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          You holding on to Salah?

          1. Junglist95
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            For now I think so yea!

    2. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn’t use it either

  16. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Great article. Had resolved not to plan anything until Covid crazy season is over with, but certainly food for thought.

  17. JurgenRodgers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Worth BB this

    Sanchez
    Tierney
    Coufal
    Raphinha

    1. Junglist95
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      V tempting tbh

    3. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  18. Junglist95
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    United are crap and Ronaldo isn't guaranteed 2 games.

    Spurs are (also pretty average), and they lost Son, hurting Kane.

    Why rip up squads to get them in?

    Not even worth FH or hits for imo

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Guess depends who you are replacing them with

  19. NotsoSpursy
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Which one for -4? Not much on my bench

    A) Antonio -> Kane
    B) Foden -> Bruno
    C) save.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A if captain, else C

      1. sulldaddy
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        This makes sense

    2. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks Gaffa

  20. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Best option? 1FT, 2.8m ITB.

    A. Broja >> Dennis
    B. Son >> Maddison / Foden / KDB / Bruno
    C. Both for -4

    DDG+
    TAA. Cancelo. Reguilón+
    Son+. Jota. Gray. Bowen
    Kane+. Antonio. Broja
    (Foster, Dalot+, Martinelli, Tierney)

    1. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B.Mad

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B. KDB

  21. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bench:
    A) Lloris
    B) Foster

    Captain:
    1) Dennis
    2) Ronaldo
    3) Maddison

    1. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B3

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B2

    3. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B2

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B2

  22. TheYogaDaddy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    What to do here?

    De Gea (Foster)
    TAA Cancelo Dias (Johnson) (Livramento)
    Jota Son* Salah* Bowen (Brownhill)
    Antonio Watkins King

    1 ft, 0.0 itb

    a. Son and Salah to Maddison and Mount (-4)
    b. Son Salah and Antonio to Maddison Mount and CR7/Kane (-8)
    c. Salah and Antonio to Maddison and CR7/Kane (-4)
    d. Son and Livramento to Maddison and Spurs defender (-4)

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Hmm probably D. Feel like if you've kept Salah this long, you can probably hold now

      1. TheYogaDaddy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Reguilon or Emerson Royal?

        1. waltzingmatildas
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          I prefer davies. But royal I guess

  23. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Evening lads, who to bring in for gw22?

    A. Barnes
    B. Maddison
    C. Tielemans
    D. Moura

    1. Ronaldo
    2. Kane
    3. Daka

    De gea Steer
    TAA Cancelo Alonso Duffy Livramento
    Son Jota Foden Bowen ESR
    Antonio King Pukki

    Son and Pukki will be the players going out

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B2

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thank you

    2. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B2

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thank you

  24. putana
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    im doing both (already have dennis, so king)

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

      reply fail

  25. Junglist95
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Alonso Son Broja
    To
    Cucurella Lookman and Kane???

    Punty but fun!

  26. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    It's a good article and I'm a big advocate of FH into bgw30. Navigate the FA Cup weekend quarter finals.

    But saying that, it's interesting to note overall the no. 1 Hall of fame and most consistent FPL manger has hit both FH's so far.

    The first to good effect, the second less so.

  27. Catalan Rangers
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    It comes down to this:

    Antonio to Kane for -4?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Only if you are planning to captain him

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Not for me

  28. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Arsenal running out of RBs

  29. HD7
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is there still a chance that Villa get a DGW and will we know before the deadline?

    1. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No

  30. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) livra to davies/lamptey/lowton
    B) son to maddison
    C) both - 4
    D) neither, save ft
    Either transfer would mean benching at least one of raph / gray / antonio

    1. TheYogaDaddy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B only