Chip Strategy

When are the best FPL Gameweeks to play the first Wildcard?

With Fantasy Premier League (FPL) live for 2022/23, we’ll be welcoming back our stellar team of Pro Pundits and Hall of Famers for the new campaign.

Our writers will be providing regular articles and team reveals throughout the new season, with only Premium Members able to access every single one.

Here, Burning Questions co-host Pras looks at windows for the first Wildcard.


I think I speak for everyone when I say, I can’t wait for the deadline on Friday! All pre-season friendly information has been processed, 2021/22 data has been applied and all permutations have been considered. But wait, have they? I have seen a lot of managers confidently say that given the Gameweek 16 unlimited transfers, they will be aggressive this season, and go for an “early Wildcard”. But there is no consensus of what “early” means. I have heard suggestions of Gameweeks 4-5 ahead of the beginning of midweek fixtures. Some say they want to wait for the transfer window to close, which is pre-Gameweek 6. Others have been suggesting the international break before Gameweek 9. Many prefer a freestyle approach. 

I am all for the latter freestyle mindset and to use the Wildcard when there are enough problems in my team. However, I do still think one should know the pros and of cons each window and to take that into account when pulling the trigger. More importantly, potentially have a base case window in mind and take that into account in building your Gameweek 1 team. I will try to make the case for one Gameweek in particular.

For each key window, I will discuss the top and bottom five teams on the Season Ticker leading up to that week to take into account your optimal Gameweek 1 set-up. I also look at the top and bottom five teams on the Wildcard (i.e. from the Wildcard week until Gameweek 16) to assess who it is you are targeting with the chip. I’ll then talk about a few things that stand out, such as fixture swings, pros/cons and strategy.

Before we dive in, I should note that Sonaldo and I discussed this topic in great detail on the Burning Questions video this week. I would encourage you to check that out, if this topic is of further interest:

Also, I have shared below the excellent Legomane’s calendar to reference the fixtures before and after each window.

Image

Gameweek 3 Wildcard – The ultra-aggressive Wildcard

There are always a few mavericks who chose a very early Wildcard route and maybe even Bench Boost in Gameweek 1. I think the Chelsea v Spurs game in Gameweek 2 presents a good opportunity to do this. One could target a ‘threemium’ draft – eg. Mohamed Salah (£13.0m), Harry Kane (£11.5m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£12.0m) – with fillers from Man Utd, Newcastle, Villa and Wolves. Then switch the Spurs player for another City player ahead of Bournemouth (H). After the Wildcard, you can more confidently pick the Chelsea and Spurs players to complement the Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal assets.

Pros:

  • Maximize big hitters initially – then pick the right ones with some more information
  • Price rises

Cons:

  • Not enough season info/underlying data
  • Transfer window still open

Gameweek 5 Wildcard – The midweek free Wildcard

There is a line of thinking that, once the midweek fixtures commence, which is after Gamweek 4, the rotation for the top teams begins. So why not maximize that by filling up on the best five clubs and then assess thereafter? I was surprised to note however that from Gameweeks 5-16, Spurs, Arsenal and Man Utd are bottom of the ticker if you Wildcarded in this window.

Pros:

  • Since the good teams still have great fixtures, this could involve a reshuffle between them eg. Robbo vs Diaz vs Nunez, Grealish vs Dias vs Foden, Threemium vs Twomium
  • Get on Leicester, Palace early if they are looking good

Cons:

  • Not enough season info/underlying data
  • Unclear what the wildcard is for: Arsenal, Liverpool still with good short-term fixtures
  • Short window to wildcard: Gameweek 5 is during a midweek
  • Transfer window still open

Gameweek 6 Wildcard – The post-transfer window wildcard

Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

1,174 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Repost.

    A or B

    A) Pope
    TAA Perisic James Walker
    Salah Kulu Bowen Mahrez Martinelli
    Jesus

    Ward Eduoard Jonny Greenwood 0 ITB

    B) 4.5
    TAA Perisic James Cancelo
    Salah Bailey Bowen Mahrez
    Kane Jesus

    Ward Williams Andreas Greenwood 0.5 ITB

    Obviously could spend the 0.5 on a 4.5 defender or a 5m keeper on B but something about keeping a bit of money ITB for GW2 sort of makes sense?

    1. LoneWolf1989
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

  2. LoneWolf1989
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Bowen not even 10% owned.

    Madness

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Have him in both my draft. Under the radar with those fixtures

      1. LoneWolf1989
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        He’s nailed in my team

    2. Kim Jong Kün
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      8.5, right? At 8 he’d be in a crowded field. At 8.5 it’s hard , even though I think he’ll do great over the season.

    3. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      No doubt over the season Bowen will show his worth. However with a free wildcard in place for gw17, I'd imagine most are planning to wildcard between gw6-10.

      So for the first few games there are better options than Bowen and after the first 6 games are done, it will be near the time to wildcard anyway.

      By then West Ham will have better fixtures ahead and Bowen's ownership will be significantly higher

    4. Sanchit
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      If GW1 wasn't City, I'm sure he'd easily be 15-20%

      Also, people want assets from the top 6 teams and when you can get Saka Jesus Mahrez Foden Grealish Diaz Kulu Mount for 8.0, why spend 0.5 more on a WHU asset, a team that will score considerably less goals than the players from above teams.

  3. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    G2G?

    Ramsdale
    TAA - Robbo - Cancelo - Perisic - Trippier
    Salah - Saka - Bailey
    Haaland - Jesus

    Ward - Andreas - Murphy - Plange

    1. LoneWolf1989
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Template so yes

    2. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      G2G, nice team

    3. One Man
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Very template, looks good. I would like James tho for Everton fixture.

  4. One Man
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    RMT

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo James Dias
    Salah Son Martinelli Bailey
    Jesus Wilson

    1. LoneWolf1989
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      8/10

    2. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      7/10

  5. LoneWolf1989
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A- Coutinho and Sterling
    B- Bailey and Son

    Already have Kane

    1. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B GW 2 switch Son to KdB

    2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

  6. TSN
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A.
    Ward/sanchez
    TAA cancelo trippier aitnouri 4.0
    Salah Son pereira bailey
    Jesus Kane

    B.
    Ward/sanchez
    TAA cancelo Robbo trippier 4.0
    Salah Saka neto bailey 4.5
    Jesus Kane 4.5

    which one?
    Cheers

    1. One Man
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B, 2 premiums is enough

  7. pmletch
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A)442 Robbo, Perisic, Mount
    B)433 Gabriel, Ait-Nouri/Dunk/Dalot, Kane (threemium)

    1. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

  8. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A son and Nunez
    B Diaz and Kane

    1. LoneWolf1989
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B

    2. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B by a long way i reckon

  9. FPL Emu
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) The Leicester keepers + James in a 5-3-2

    B) Sanchez/Ward + Martinelli in i 4-4-2

  10. MRBOROFC63
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    FPL General and Holly Shand on Sky Sports news talking FPL !!!

  11. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Gtg?

    Pope (Ward)
    James Walker Cancelo Trent (Neco)
    Salah Diaz Rashford Neto (Andreas)
    Haaland Jesus (Greenwood)

    Bailey or Neto is my dilemma?

    1. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Neto

    2. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Bailey.

      How many goals do you think Wolves will score in their first 3? They are not a good attacking team and more toothless without Jimenez. I'd be surprised if they return more than 2 goals as a team in their first 3.

      Villa have Bournemouth and Everton in their first 2. I expect them to easily outscore Wolves over that 3 game period

  12. BOATIES FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    a) Ederson & Martinelli
    b) Ward & Kulu

    1. LoneWolf1989
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B

  13. cmorris22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Rashford or martineli?

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Rashford worth a punt at his price

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      M

    3. LoneWolf1989
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Neither

      1 a potential rotation risk and the other is too busy doing his best Bono impression

  14. LoneWolf1989
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Who is your risky pick for GW1?

    Mine is Alvarez

    1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      i dont have one bc i have 11 template players

      1. LoneWolf1989
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Dull

        1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          pts are fun

          1. LoneWolf1989
            • 2 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Just a bit dull to see 20 comments with RMT and it’s the same starting 11.

            Good to try and find the hidden gems and low owned players who have potential.

            1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
              • 5 Years
              1 year, 7 months ago

              it's a bit dull but i've tinkered a lot and the team I have rn will score the most pts imo

              1. LoneWolf1989
                • 2 Years
                1 year, 7 months ago

                Fair enough, you do you sir and good luck!

    2. b91jh
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Alvarez 1st sub on my bench as well. Will start him on GW2.

      1. LoneWolf1989
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Thank the lord, a non template sheep 😉

    3. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Doherty

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Peresic (he still might not make the cut)

      2. LoneWolf1989
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Another good shout with Perisic maybe not starting

    4. tikka mo'salah
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Vardy, Aaronson, Perisic

      1. LoneWolf1989
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Like the Vardy pick!

    5. ClothedinSun
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      ASM!

      1. ClothedinSun
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Am also toying with going one step further and bringing in Zaha for Diaz...too far?

    6. mrelpea
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Going without Salah but with Darwin and Diaz. Kane is the only premium. Amazing what having just the one premium affords you

  15. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Who will score more in the first two?

    A) Trippier
    B) Callum Wilson

    1. LoneWolf1989
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

  16. Lingard’s Shin Guards
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    bench martinelli or neto?

    1. LoneWolf1989
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Marinelli

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      N

    3. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Neto

    4. Jensen Luiz Coleman
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Neto

  17. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Two quickies 1) Any 6m midfielders better than Neto 2) any good 4.5m midfielders except Andrea’s (da silva looks risk now though ?)thankx

    1. LoneWolf1989
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I would say neto is a steal compared to the 6-6.5 bracket and looks like Andreas is the only 4.5 that will play regularly and get more than 2/3 points a game, he’s a great enabler like Neco.

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Ok cheers

    2. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      1. Martinelli in a small field of options

      2. Probably not at this stage

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Thanks

    3. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      1. Martinelli and Lingard
      2. No

  18. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Who to play please GW1: A) Doherty and hope he plays / comes on? B) play Neto

    1. LoneWolf1989
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Neto

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Thanks will do

  19. Andy_Social
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Fabrizio Romano
    @FabrizioRomano
    ·
    "Neto will be in England today together with his agents in order to complete his move to Bournemouth. Agreement in place with Barcelona, medical already scheduled.

    Barcelona have accepted the proposal and Neto will be new Bournemouth player soon."

    Let confusion rain down on us all!!

    1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      neto the gk

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Blimey I may now not pick him as can’t see him getting many goals in goal

  20. C_G
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    think im gtg, thoughts??

    Ward

    TAA Walker Robbo Dalot

    Salah(C) KDB Bailey Neto

    Kane Jesus

    Iversen Greenwood N Williams Andreas

    1. LoneWolf1989
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      KDB lovely pick

  21. boc610
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    just finished All or Nothing...any other comedy recommendations?

    1. LoneWolf1989
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Hahahhahahaha

      Spurs fan?

      1. boc610
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        no. But i am a fan of shows like the Office and Parks and Rec

        1. LoneWolf1989
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Love that you are comparing Arsenal to them, cracked me right up.

          1. boc610
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            are you are gooner? my sarcasm radar is off.

            anyway playing you'll never walk alone on loud speakers at training before you play liverpool -then getting tonked 4 nil-is Bafta worthy stuff.

            1. LoneWolf1989
              • 2 Years
              1 year, 7 months ago

              I hate the gooners

              Chelsea fan, aka a rant boy lol

  22. si
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Matt Doherty. Huge differential. 6.9 PPG last season. Only 1% ownership.

    1. LoneWolf1989
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I guess with Regulion not even going on pre season and Emerson being Emerson he will start on one side with Perisic on the other.

      How much is Doherty?

      1. si
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        £5m

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Yeah.

      Great pick but perhaps not right away.

      Then again, board that train and get a good seat.

    3. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Because he’s unlikely to play

      1. si
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        He’ll play. 100%. Peresic is LWB.

        1. Hits from the Bong
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Perisic will play, Conte said Doherty needs to be more patient

  23. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    There's a strong reason for the template tho.

    Pick the best 8 players u can and the 3 plus bench slot in on price.

    Obviously the 8 have trqde offs to 8n attack and midfield.

  24. John Colby (Capt)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Can you evaluate this squad please? Thanks for the feedback on my last selection with ‘no Salah’.

    Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo James Perisic Gabriel
    Salah Sancho Grealish
    Kane Jesus

    Ward Dasilva Andreas Plange.

    1. Jensen Luiz Coleman
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Interesting. Not keen on Grealish or Sancho.
      I too am considering 532.

      Ward (Iversen)
      TAA Cancelo Perišić James Trippier
      Martinelli Salah(C) Mount (Neto Andreas)
      Jesus Haaland (V) (Greenwood)

  25. Colin Govender
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Hello,

    For the 2022/23 Fantasy Premier League why don't you join my mini-league "Premium Club"?

    Joining the league couldn't be easier. Simply use the link below and you'll be added automatically after you've entered the game.

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/pew10p

    League Code: pew10p

    Looking forward to playing against you this season!

  26. arkom
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Guys.. Team A or B??

    Premiums A - Ward*
    TAA / Robertson / Walker* / Dalot*
    Salah / Martinelli / Bailey
    Kane / Jesus / Haaland*

    Solid B - Ederson*
    TAA / Robertson / Cancelo* / James*
    Salah / Martinelli / Bailey / Rashford*
    Kane / Jesus

  27. One Man
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A. Robertson & Kane

    B. James & Son ?

  28. One Man
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    I know everyone says you need Kane or Haaland to jump on one once they start firing. But if you have Salah. Isn’t as wise to have Son and KDB to jump on one as they start firing ?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Just when I was settled on my team you say this, now I don't know which way to jump :/

        1. One Man
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          I trust Son and KDB more than Kane/Haaland. But I seem to be in the minority.

    2. dimitros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Gameweek 6 wildcard from the article has wrong content - content is same as Gameweek 5 wildcard.

    3. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 6 months ago

      How did Rodrigo look against Brighton? Still a hot pick?

      Thinking of a -4 from Periera to him!