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FPL Gameweek 5 Wildcard: Pros, cons + best drafts

15 September 2025 297 comments
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In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of a Gameweek 5 Wildcard.

We’ll also present a few draft ideas that take into account both the form of Erling Haaland (£14.1m) and the increase in clean sheets.

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have until the Gameweek 19 deadline to use the first Wildcard.

Don’t forget that you can get your Wildcard team rated via our Rate My Team tool or Plan FPL!

GAMEWEEK 5 WILDCARD: THE PROS

FPL notes: Haaland “better than ever” + Foden central 4

Get Haaland

Erling Haaland has already been bought by almost 170,000 managers this week, having climbed to the top of the FPL player standings on Sunday.

The Norwegian is set to face Burnley in Gameweek 6, with a favourable set of fixtures to follow against Brentford, Everton, Aston Villa and Bournemouth.

If you’ve had enough of seeing him haul, a Wildcard is a chance to buy him through the redistribution of Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) funds or otherwise.

It’s also important to remember that you can’t use two chips in the same Gameweek, so if you want to Triple Captain Haaland against Burnley, you might need to Wildcard now.

Switch to a back four/five

With clean sheets becoming more prevalent, this could be an opportune time to start playing a back four or even a back five formation.

Notably, eight of the top 15 points scorers in FPL so far this season are defenders.

The impact of defensive contributions (DefCons) is clear, so allocating more budget to your backline may be a wise decision.

Rejuvenate your squad

If you haven’t got off to a good start, a Gameweek 5 Wildcard can help rejuvenate your squad.

This could be beneficial if you own underperforming players like Florian Wirtz (£8.4m) and Ollie Watkins (£8.9m), or rotation risks such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.4m) and Brennan Johnson (£7.1m).

A Wildcard offers a chance to resolve these issues in a free-hit manner.

Increase team value

This week will likely see lots of price rises and falls, so team value can be enhanced by ditching the droppers and jumping on bandwagons like Antoine Semenyo (£7.5m).

You can monitor these changes using Live FPL’s price change predictions tool.

GAMEWEEK 5 WILDCARD: THE CONS

 

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  1. RICICLE
    • 3 Years
    2 months, 20 days ago

    If I decide to Bench Boost this GW, I need a forward at 6.0m and under to replace Guiu for free.

    Not seeing many options outside of Thiago & Muniz really, and funnily enough they both play each other.

    Who would you prefer?

    A) Thiago
    B) Muniz

    Cheers

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    1. iFash@FPL
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 20 days ago

      I believe Thiago has higher xMins and he’s a known PK taker.

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      1. RICICLE
        • 3 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Cheers man! Yeah Thiago has to be the more preferred here I suppose doesn’t he.

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    2. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Beto?

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      1. RICICLE
        • 3 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        It’s a decent idea but wouldn’t choose him, especially against Liverpool.

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        1. Dionysis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 1 Year
          2 months, 20 days ago

          I’m a LFC fan, Beto was a nightmare against us last year! Were his best games all season imo

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      2. McCauley17
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 months, 17 days ago

        Beto is a bad choice. Horrible finisher, poor on the ball, has the touch of a brick wall. Cannot see him starting many more games if he keeps this up. Even if he starts he misses too many easy chances to be a good pick even at that price.

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    3. FDMS All Starz
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Thiago, Muniz might get rotated with Jimenez if he fails to score in 1/2 games, same with Beto and Barry. Thiago doesn’t have competition even though he plays for a worse team he should atleast play

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      1. RICICLE
        • 3 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Cheers mate!

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    4. DuleJah
      • 2 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Maybe a good opportunity to include Foster from Burnley

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  2. Joyce1998
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 20 days ago

    Thoughts on this?
    WC draft

    Raya
    Gabriel, Guehi, Konsa
    Palmer, Semenyo, Eze, Elliott
    Haaland, Isak, Evanilson

    Dubravka, King, Udogie, Esteve

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    1. FDMS All Starz
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Not sure is Elliott will be a regular yet (I’d monitor), Evanilson + Semenyo seems a bit much, I’d downgrade Isak for now and upgrade Evanilson/Elliot

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  3. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 20 days ago

    Lacroix or Munoz?

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    1. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Not much to separate them at the moment, currently I have Munoz, but if I was on WC, which I may be come GW6, I’d probably opt for Lacroix to save some pennies, Munoz is certainly the more exciting of the two to own though.

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  4. UpAndAway
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 20 days ago

    Would you move Wirtz on this GW? Already have Semenyo and 0.1 ITB. No real standouts. Plan to WC in GW6.

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    1. FDMS All Starz
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Roll, FTs will be precious this season seems very volatile, we don’t know what structure will work yet

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  5. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 20 days ago

    Capt palmer or watkins?

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    1. AAAFootball
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Palmer

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    2. AAAFootball
        2 months, 20 days ago

        UCL fantasy, is Ferran Torres expected to start?

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        1. GCHILD2K16
          • 9 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Him and fermin lopez will get some minutes. Not sure if Mr. Flick has lewandoski pencilled for Europe and Ferran for the liga?

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      • Bggz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Watkins -> isak ?

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        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Feels too soon

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          1. Bggz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            I’ll see what happens if week. If he gets a good run out he’s in.

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        2. Pumpkinhead
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          I know Watkins hasn't done well this year but Isak hasn't had a single minute. If he had come on last game then maybe but even then I don't think there is a rush.

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        3. FDMS All Starz
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Not yet

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      • JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Future dilema.
        From gw7 would you rather have
        1. Palmer + 7.0 forward spot

        2. Gyok + 8.5 midfeild spot

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        1. FDMS All Starz
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Gyokores, every Arsenal attack will end with him, keep an eye on him in gw5/6

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      • StingRay
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Who would you prefer & why pls:

        A) GREALISH
        B) NDIAYE
        C) XAVI

        I already have SEMENYO, GAKPO, CAICEDO & REIJNDERS. Have transferred out SALAH & can't afford PALMER.

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        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Think Ndiaye is the most complete package there, Xavi could he great but he might be a 70minute player with UCL etc

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        2. theshazly
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          A

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        3. FDMS All Starz
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Honestly, Grealish looks very involved in every attack Everton put together. Either him or Ndiaye for me who’s on pens

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        4. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Grealish. He is the most involved and talismanic.

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      • theshazly
        • 2 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Does this team need a WC ?
        Shitty start for the season here

        Sels ( Dub )
        Guehi Porro Diouf (Guddmnssn / DeCuyper)
        Salah Wirtz KDH Reijnders Kudus
        JP Watkins Gyokeres

        1 FT / 2.1 ITB

        Was going to do Wirtz, Watkins >> King, Haaland with 2 FT before GW6

        Thoughts ?

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        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Think Id leave it 1 more gw

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          1. theshazly
            • 2 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            Prices will swing crazily
            And i wanna make sure i can fit in Haaland & Gyo

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      • Kane Train
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Would you do Tavernier > Caicedo for free?

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        1. theshazly
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          I wouldn’t

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        2. StingRay
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Yes. I've transferred him in before he increases in price tonight. Keeps clean sheets, good for DEFCON points, scores & assists, good fixtures coming up & and plays for a good attacking team.

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          1. SalahFingers
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            Caicedo isn't rising tonight according to livefpl

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        3. Bggz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Yes

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      • StingRay
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Who would you prefer from these & why pls:

        A) MATETA
        B) WOOD
        C) RICHARLISON
        D) GYÖKERES
        E) EKITIKÉ
        F) EVANILSON

        I already have J. PEDRO & HAALAND.

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        1. theshazly
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          D
          Fixtures from GW 7

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          1. StingRay
            • 10 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            Yes but, who from GWs 5 to 6 ?

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            1. Kane Train
              • 10 Years
              2 months, 20 days ago

              Wood

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        2. cravencottage
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          D>A>C

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      • ididnt
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Watkins & Bruno > Haaland & PM Sarr for free? Exact funds now

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        1. Bggz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Can you get eze instead?

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          1. Pumpkinhead
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            They said exact funds

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        2. Dubem_FC
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Do it.

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        3. FDMS All Starz
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          If exact funds why not, you will need Haaland in a weeks time anyways

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      • StingRay
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Who would you prefer from these for the next two GWs

        A) MATETA
        B) WOOD
        C) RICHARLISON
        D) EKITIKÉ
        E) EVANILSON

        I already have J. PEDRO & HAALAND & will be transferring in GYÖKERES in GW7.

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        1. cravencottage
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          You just asked above!

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        2. Pumpkinhead
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          B, E, A for me. C isn't an option was bench last game week D might be out in 2 game weeks time with Isak lurking.

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      • Winnerr
        • 2 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Salah is on 0.21 npxg+xa per90, crazy drop off, can’t wait to switch to Haaland in gw6

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        1. FDMS All Starz
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Could’ve easily blanked in all 4 games if not for 90th min goals. Still think he will tick along but not to the likes of last season, think Liverpool will take a few games to settle in all the new boys and build chemistry

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      • ☈☾
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Which combo on WC?

        1. Eze + Joao Pedro
        2. Caicedo + Gyokeres

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      • FDMS All Starz
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Thoughts on this GW6 WC team?

        Raya (Dubravka)
        Gabriel Tarkwoski VVD ( Lacroix Senesi)
        Semenyo Ndiaye Kudus Paqueta (Caicedo)
        Haaland Gyokeres Pedro

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        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Ask again next week.

          I'd have Palmer on a WC I think. No point in having a bench that strong if it limits your ability to bring in high performing mids.

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          1. Tommyboy
            • 14 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            Palmer and Pedro is too much reliance on Chelsea though, IMO. Pedro is the better pick as he's cheaper and has no competition for the ST position whilst Delap is out for the next 10 weeks.

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      • Egg Fried Reus 69
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        opinions on this WC draft boys
        Raya Dubravka
        Gabriel Lacriox Vdv Sensei Rodon
        Gakpo Semenyo Kudus Ndiaye Reijnders
        Haaland Pedro Ekitike

        Currently got 2m in the bank, just waiting for the ekitike to isak upgrade when minutes are solidified

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      • FHRITP
        • 2 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        First time in many many years someone has suggested a back 5. I like the new format.

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      • Tommyboy
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        As an FPL veteran I SHOULD know this but want to double check... I currently have 1 FT which I'm likely to save this GW. If I W/C next GW (in GW 6) does that unused transfer roll, so for GW 7 I'd have two?

        I'm 99% sure the answer is yes but wanna check with you legends. Thanks

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        1. FHRITP
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Nah doesn't roll to 2

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        2. james.elix
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          2 months, 19 days ago

          Yes, as of last season banked transfers roll past a WC

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      • Nightcrawler
        • 6 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        wirtz now playing on the left

        not good for gakpo owners

        if slot wants to start macA szobozlai graven all in the mdifeild with the right backs back, he might be the one to make way. wouldnt surprise me one bit if he's benched this weekend

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      • PEP G
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        Caicedo is surely a good pick right? I am expecting any goals or assits from him tho. Just a decent 4-5 points will be enough. Which, he is quite capable of. Am I wrong?

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      • JR4000
          2 months, 17 days ago

          Ndiaye, Paqueta, Sarr or Mitoma? I already have Grealish

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        • HighestPeake
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Best goalkeeper for WC and thoughts on this team

          Sanchez and Dubravka
          Gabriel Lacroix VDV Sensei Esteve
          Gakpo Ndiaye semenyo Xavi Caicedo
          JP Gyokeros Haaland

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        • HighestPeake
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Should Sanchez be transferred out if he's a rotation risk and is it worth trying to squeeze Palmer in here

          Sanchez Dubravka
          VDV Gabriel Lacroix Sensei Esteve
          Xavi Semenyo Caicedo Ndiaye Gakpo
          JP Gyokeros Haaland

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        • JBG
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Hey Chris Wood.. you're fired.

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        • Pedersen
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Time to get Bowen

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