With Double Gameweeks 28 and 29 on the horizon, many Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers intend to use their second Wildcard over the coming days.
In fact, almost 30% of the site readers polled in our sidebar vote said they are planning to activate the Wildcard chip this week, so it’s with this in mind that we have produced a position-by-position guide to pick out the best options in each category.
You can read a rundown of the standout goalkeepers here.
All stats taken from this article are from our Premium Members Area.
ANTONIO RUDIGER / REECE JAMES
If either Chelsea or Norwich City progress in this week’s FA Cup fifth round, which is highly likely given that the Blues meet second-tier Luton Town, both sides will be handed a double-header in Gameweek 28.
For Thomas Tuchel’s troops, that will involve appealing away trips to Turf Moor and Carrow Road, and given the schedule that follows right through until the end of the season, their defenders will understandably be high on most of our Watchlists.
Above: Chelsea’s schedule till the end of the season, with their Gameweek 30 tie at Norwich City potentially moving to Gameweek 28 if either side progress in this week’s FA Cup fifth round
Antonio Rudiger (£6.1m) is particularly appealing, having missed just one Premier League game all season through injury. His attacking threat is somewhat limited from open play, but it is worth noting that he has chipped in with two goals and three assists in 2021/22, while only Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.5m) and Joao Cancelo (£7.1m) have registered more shots amongst defenders. As one of Chelsea’s outside centre-backs when they play a back three, he is also able to advance higher up the pitch, as evidenced by his seasonal touch heatmap.
Above: Antonio Rudiger’s touch heatmap 2021/22
However, the return of Reece James (£6.2m) from injury on Sunday has understandably caught the eye of most Fantasy managers. Averaging 5.7 points per match – compared to Rudiger’s 4.5 – the England wing-back is currently owned by just 9.9% of FPL bosses overall (and many of those will be ‘dead’ teams; his ownership is 0.36% in the top 10k), and carries real goal and assist potential from his advanced role.
“Now with a huge overload on his shoulders. The recommendation was 20 minutes before the match and it was like over 70 in a final with extra tension and extra pressure.” – Thomas Tuchel on Reece James, after the EFL Cup final and ahead of Wednesday’s FA Cup tie against Luton
His fitness, of course, needs to be monitored, given that Chelsea play Saturday-Thursday-Sunday if they are indeed handed a Double Gameweek, but getting on board early could be a sage move, given his ability to rack up big scores.
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold sits top of the defender standings, having returned two goals, 10 assists, 28 bonus points and 13 clean sheets across the season so far. As a result, the 23-year-old is averaging 7.0 points per match, more than any other backline option bar Ben Chilwell (£5.6m), who has made just six Premier League appearances to date.
For players of Alexander-Arnold’s calibre, it’s debatable whether fixtures even matter, but following this weekend’s Anfield clash against West Ham United, it’s worth noting that the Reds have a Gameweek 29 double-header against Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal, although they are guaranteed to blank in Gameweek 30 if they win tomorrow’s FA Cup tie against Norwich.
Andrew Robertson (£7.2m), meanwhile, presents an opportunity to double-up, though with so many other appealing defensive options coming to the fore, fitting him in is the biggest obstacle.
JOAO CANCELO
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