Pro Pundits

Ex-FPL champion Simon March’s Double Gameweek 28 Wildcard

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

My Gameweek 27 experience felt a bit like when you go to the dentist thinking you might just need a bit of a polish, only to find you need extensive root canal surgery. The team that I had thought might get me through to at least to Gameweek 30-something chip-free was, in fact, riddled with decay and I head into Gameweek 28 with no fewer than 11 players in need of extraction.

Ex-FPL champion Simon March's Double Gameweek 28 Wildcard

However, just as I am lucky enough to have a good dentist (shout-out to Dr Soltan), I am also fortunate enough to have my second Wildcard available and, while I can’t say it was entirely planned, it’s given me an opportunity to better exploit the Double Gameweeks in 28 and 29 and to help set myself up for the season run-in.

Wildcard ‘Philosophy’

As former US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld once said; “There are known knowns, there are known unknowns and there are unknown unknowns” and this is about as accurate a description of the current state of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) as you could hope for. The immediate picture of Double Gameweeks 28 and 29, along with Blank Gameweek 30 is, at the time of writing, reasonably clear, but there are fixtures, blanks and yet more doubles still to be scheduled. 

Trying to plan now for every permutation is not only impossible but likely detrimental, too. We can only work with what we know and, even then, we have to prioritise what is most important. With that in mind, I’ve tried to structure this Wildcard in a way that attacks Double Gameweeks 28 and 29, has reasonable solidity for the long term and, also, flexibility in terms of the player prices across the team. If needed, I want to be able to swap players out easily and have options when I do.

Consequently, I’ve avoided the temptation to throw my team at the upcoming Double Gameweeks ‘Leeroy Jenkins’-style, knowing that I will leave some points on the table at the expense of a longer-term view. I also haven’t committed to when I’ll use my remaining Bench Boost and two Free Hit chips (though I do have some ideas) nor have I expressly attempted to build a team for Blank Gameweek 30 which, as it stands, doesn’t appear to have the upside that might merit it.

So, without further ado, here’s my Gameweek 28 Wildcard.

570 Comments Post a Comment
  1. buttsy9
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Can anyone advise the best chip strategy for the upcoming game weeks please?

    I have 2 x FH, WC and bench boost left.

    1. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'm using a FH this week.

      I'd suggest that then a WC in 31.

    2. TopBinFC
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      FH30, WC31, FH33 or 36 for me

    3. FlockofSeagulls
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I've decided WC this gw and leaves me 2 FH's remaining for future doubles.

      My WC this gw will give me 8 dgw players in both gw 28 & 29 as well as 10 players for blank gw 30. Possibly 11 if I think it's worth a hit but doubtful.

      I'm happy with that overall strategy. Easy to overthink everything lol.

      1. chonks
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        mind sharing your wc team?

      2. Sun God Nika
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        this - though my current team is decent - my wc team is great for this week and next week and stops me from having to FH in gw30 -

        1. Sun God Nika
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          still tinkering atm but i think i will hit the wc button

  2. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Repost from the previous thread

    I'm in two minds (well I'm leaning towards using my FH (got 2), but would love some opinions). My current team is (1FT);

    Ramsdale
    TAA - Cancelo - Robertson
    Son - Salah - Bowen - Saka - Ramsey*
    Broja* - Kane

    FH would look like;

    Mendy
    TAA - Rudiger - Robertson - Saiss - Coady
    Havertz - Salah - Willock/Son
    Adams - ASM/Kane

    I'm not comfortable losing the Liverpool lads, I think in their SGW they can still do well over the other DGW options. Would love some thoughts though.

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

      Must be hard playing FPL with 2 brains! I do think there could be CS galore for Wol & Che this week but not sure if it worth the FH in itself. Prefer Kane & Son to Newcastle options too

      1. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Haha, thanks my bro!

  3. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Tinkering with a WC:

    Dubravka* Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo Rudiger* Kilman* White
    Salah Raph* Saka Kulu Ramsey*
    Kane Jimi* Broja*

    7 DGWers in 28, 8 in 29 (potential BB) and 9 players for 30. Might move Rudi on for VVD in 29 (not enough cash for Robbo) and bring James in for 31 onward. Not 100% on Jimi + Kulu, but they're handy to have over the next 3. Thoughts?

    1. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      You're really well set up. I like it.

      1. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, original team wasn't awful but was looking down the line I think I'd be booking in too many hits

    2. Baileyflop
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I've been tinkering too, my latest draft is almost identical to that one except I have Digne/Livra/Son to your Cancelo/White/Kulu.

    3. MARVELLUS
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Virtually the same as mine, so i like it! I have got Coutinho/Willock/B Johnson over Ramsey/Saka/White. Not sure if Coutinho is worth it??

      1. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I just like the price point of Ramsey, can easily perch on the bench after 30.

    4. FPL MAN 123
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Very similar:

      GW28 (WC):
      Foster* | (Ramsdale)
      Saiss* | James* | TAA | (White | Van Dijk)
      Salah | Willock* | Raphina* | JWP* | Ramsey*
      Broja* | Jimi* | (Kane)

      GW29 (JWP > Saka*):
      Ramsdale*
      Van Dijk* | TAA* | White* | (James | Saiss)
      Salah* | Willock* | Saka* | Raphina | (Ramsey)
      Kane * | Broja | Jimi

      GW30 (Willock > Maddison):
      Ramsdale | (Foster)
      Saiss | White | (TAA | James | Van Dijk)
      Raphina | Saka | Maddison | (Salah | Ramsey)
      Kane | Jimi | (Broja)

  4. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    For those not playing WC/FH this week, how many hits are you taking?

    1. MFC86
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      -4 for 6 x DGW so far, I might go to -8

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      -12

      = - 92 pts hits for the season

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Exactly the same!! I’m on 92 with a -12 and ranked 111k

    3. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Likely one hit to shore up bench boost

    4. Babit1967
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Saving an ft actually. I have 5 doublers already and my single guys are 3 x City, Kane, Salah and Trent

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

      Thinking of taking a -16 and BB

  5. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Sa Ramsdale
    Thiago Digne Rudiger Trent Robbo
    Maddison Son Bowen Coutinho Salah
    Weghorst Dennis Broja

    Bench boost this or next week?

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

      this for me.

  6. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do here? Considering

    A) Bowen, Antonio > Coutinho, Broja (-4)
    B) WC
    C) BB

    Foster,
    Livra, TAA, Cancelo,
    Foden, Bowen, Son, Raph
    Jimenez, Dennsi, Antonio

    DDG, VVD, Sissoko, Dias

    1. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A looks good

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

    Could you WC this team? 1FT, 1.6m itb. BB and FH left.

    Foster
    TAA. Cancelo. Tierney
    Salah. Saka. Bowen. Ramsey. Martinelli
    Kane. Jimenez
    (DDG, Reguilón, Edouard, Dalot)

    1. Apwilkin
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I dont think so. Looks fairly close to a lot of the WC teams out there at the moment.

      I would just take a -4. Reg or dalot to a Chelsea defender? Edouard to broja or adams?

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

        Yeah seems the most sensible. Thank you

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

    RMWC please

    Ramsdale Dubravka
    TAA Robbo Rudiger Tierney Coady
    Salah Raphinha Saka Fraser Ramsey
    Kane Jimi Broja

    Robbo worth it or go James/Cancelo?

    1. Adeel Ali
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I like James. Would allow you to bolster your mid a bit too.

  9. jimmyharte
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is James gonna start the burnley game do you boys think?

  10. jay01
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Hi are there any updates on Semedo injury?

  11. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Please, friends:

    Foster
    TAA, Robbo, Cancelo, Cash
    Salah, Foden, Coutinho, Saka
    Broja, Jimi

    Lloris, Bowen, Dias, Edouard

    A. Dias to Rudiger
    B. Edouard to Adams
    C. Both for a hit
    D. Bowen to Raph
    E. Roll the FT

    Also: to BB or not to BB?

    1. Louis99
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe D, but not sure who i'd then bench...

  12. TopBinFC
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Ralph Hasenhuttl: "Kyle [Walker-Peters] had little problems with his hamstring, that's also the reason why we subbed him. We have also problems with [Salisu] and Moi [Elyounoussi]; Moi with his heel, Sally with his hamstring."

    Not good for KWP owners....

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Good for Livra owners

  13. Louis99
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Would appreciate thoughts on this WC. FH in GW30 so no issue there.

    Already played BB as well, so the deadwood isn't a problem.

    Sa - Foster
    TAA - Robbo - Cancelo - Rudiger - Livra
    Salah - Son - Coutinho - Raph - Saka
    Jimi - Broja - 4.4

    Thanks!

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

    De Gea
    Cancelo Trent Coady
    Raphinia Salah Bowen Jota
    Dennis Watkins Antonio

    One free 1.6 in the bank
    What one or two double game week players would you get in
    Duffy to ?
    Pogba to ?
    Dawson
    Cheers all help would be extremely appreciated.

    1. Louis99
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Pogba to Coutinho and bench Bowen ?

  15. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do a transfer here or save ft?BB active.

    Sa
    Saiss/Taa/Digne
    Salah/Son/Coutinho/Raphinha
    Jimenez/Broja/Laca

    Dubravka/Saka/KWP/Tierney
    1ft 0.1itb

    1. Louis99
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Save. If you can afford to bench Saka, it's a strong team

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

        cheers.BB is active.

        1. Louis99
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Ohh didn't see that. Strong BB. Check for KWP updates until the deadline - if he's out, maybe Livra

  16. jay01
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Which teams have press conferences today?

  17. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Which one to start;
    A) Cancelo (SGW vs UTD)
    B) Ait-N (DGW rotation risk)

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

  18. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Any updates on Saint-Maximin?

  19. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    "My Gameweek 27 experience felt a bit like when you go to the dentist thinking you might just need a bit of a polish, only to find you need extensive root canal surgery."

    This exact experience happened to me this week... I had to stop reading after the first line.

    Play up, novocaine.

  20. Babit1967
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Would you bb this or just wait until the doubler in 36?

    De gea Weghorst Bowen Martinelli

  21. TopBinFC
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Sa,
    TAA, Cancelo, RAN, Coady
    Foden, Son, Salah (c), Raphinha, Ramsey
    Broja

    Sanchez, Dier, Toney, Antonio

    GTG? Hot to trot?

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

      GTG

  22. 2EyedTurk
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Any thoughts on this WC:
    Dubravka
    TAA Cancelo Rudiger Robertson
    Salah Mount Maddison Saka Ramsey
    Kane

    Sanchez Broja Pukki Amartey

    Plan on FH GW30 maybe

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

      When do you BB?

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

        Already wasted in GW1!

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

    Thoughts on that team?

    WC or some -8?

    Ramsdale/Foster
    TAA/Cancelo/VVD/Laporte/Duffy
    Salah/Saka/Bowen/Martineli/Ramsey
    CR7/Edouard/Dennis

    1. Lemongrab
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I would Wildcard that

      Your entire front line and Duffy need to go. I'd also bin Laporte for a chelsea defender

  24. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Foster
    Trent cancelo cash ait nouri rudiger
    Son salah jwp
    Jimenez watkins

    Ddg - saka bowen weghorst

    G2G? No hits..

  25. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Which Chelsea mid do you think has a good chance of playing both DGW games?

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

      Havertz

  26. Lemongrab
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one (and yes I realise how risky benching either is!)

    A) Trent
    B) Kane

  27. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Watchlist hasn't been updated since 25th Feb. A lot has happened since then.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Action required

  28. Quan MisTaka
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Came up with this.... Thoughts

    Ramsdale, Foster
    TAA, Cancelo, James, Robbo, Rudiger
    Salah, Saka, Raphina, Ramsey, Fraser
    Kane, Jimi, Broja

    8 DGW in 28
    7 DGW in 29
    FH30

    Would be playing 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 most weeks

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good. Also on 5-3-2, feels weird but it works.

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Sorry 5-2-3

  29. Yankee Toffee
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Does this bench and starting XI look right to you guys? Feels so strange. Also have 1 FT but everyone on the pitch has a DGW in either 28 or 29, sans Cancelo. What would you do? Cheers for help!

    Ramsdale
    VVD, TAA, Cancelo, Rudiger, Coady
    Salah, Saka
    Watkins, Dennis, Laca

    Guaita, Foden, Bowen, Gallagher

    1 FT, .1 itb

    1. Lemongrab
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'd do Dennis to Broja personally. Rest of the team looks good

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers, SOU don't have a game in 30 and I use both FHs but thanks

  30. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Best duo for GW 28?
    A) Rudiger & Saint Maximin (if fit)
    B) T Silva & Watkins (Then I will be able to field 11 players in GW30)

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B