Pro Pundits - Lateriser
26 September 2025 412 comments
Lateriser 12 Lateriser 12
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Three-time top 200 finisher Lateriser discusses the pros and cons of various Wildcard windows, his Gameweek 6 transfers, the Triple Captain – and a contingency Wildcard if Erling Haaland (£14.3m) misses out.

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FPL 2025/26 first draft team reveals: Triple Forest, Everton + Chelsea

WHEN TO WILDCARD: GAMEWEEK 6 v 7 v 8 v 13

This is quite an important week for FPL managers who haven’t played the Wildcard yet.

So, when should you do it? We did a very elaborate discussion of the pros and cons of the Wildcard windows in Gameweeks 6, 7, 8 and 13, which you can watch on The FPL Wire, but here’s a snapshot that you might find useful:

MY OWN PLANS FOR GAMEWEEKS 6 + 7

When it comes to my team personally, I decided not to pull the Wildcard (as of yet!) and provided I can help it, I’m looking to delay it for a couple of weeks. There are some reasons for the same.

Let me showcase my team first.

On Sunday, I brought in Erling Haaland (£14.3m) and Bryan Mbeumo (£8.1m) for Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) and Ollie Watkins (£8.8m) to catch some price changes. I took the view that, if things don’t work in my favour during the course of the week, I will Wildcard anyway.

This was my team after that:

 

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The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

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FPL pre-season: Malen + Watkins again, Xhaka debut, secretive Man City 2
412 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 18 days ago

    Some crazy team values?

      1. Moon Dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 months, 18 days ago

        Over 103m is pretty wild. As is his Raya - Vicario rotation 😆

  2. The Tinkerman
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 18 days ago

    Last two spots in wildcard:

    A) Mbuemo, Romero
    B) Ndiaye, Gvardiol

    Not a fan of Tark at 5.5, Really like Mbuemo and stats back him up, but would be double with Bruno for 2 weeks…

    Raya (Dubr)
    Gabriel, ____, Senesi (Andersen, Alderete)
    Bruno, ____, Semenyo, Reijnders (Stach)
    Haaland, Gyok, Pedro

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 18 days ago

      I’ve also considered Saka over Gyok but Isak aside there are no other strikers I really want in that slot.

    2. Fiasco da Gama
        8 months, 18 days ago

        Arsenal had one more clean sheet than Everton last season. Tarkowski way ahead for defensive points. Better value than Gabriel.

        B.

    3. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 months, 18 days ago

      Best combo on a WC?

      a) Tarkowski, NDiaye, Gyokeres
      b) Richards, Saka, Richarlison

      1. Drizzle
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        8 months, 18 days ago

        I've gone with A because there's no imminent risk of rotations. Don't want to book in transfers after a WC.

        1. Gazza2000
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          8 months, 18 days ago

          Yeah that's the save route, perhaps not overthink it and go with the template.

      2. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        8 months, 18 days ago

        B,

        1. Gazza2000
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          8 months, 18 days ago

          The spicy pick, Richarlison a short term pick though with Solanke coming back don't you think?

          1. g40steve
            • 8 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            On it

    4. Drizzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      8 months, 18 days ago

      On a wildcard. Just sorting the last 2 midfield positions. Other mids are Bruno, Semenyo and Reijnders.

      A) Ndiaye
      B) Kudus
      C) Xavi

      1) Stach
      2) Xhaka
      3) Anderson

      1. Dutchy FPL
        • 2 Years
        8 months, 18 days ago

        A3

      2. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        8 months, 18 days ago

        C 1

      3. TheBiffas
        • 5 Years
        8 months, 18 days ago

        B3

      4. Quality Quality Qualit
        • 16 Years
        8 months, 17 days ago

        B1

    5. The Tinkerman
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 18 days ago

      A) Gvardiol, Bruno, Gyokores
      B) Richards, Saka, Isak

      On wildcard. Richards would rotate with Andersen and Senesi, all the others would start every week.

      1. Dutchy FPL
        • 2 Years
        8 months, 18 days ago

        A, more secure for now. Might be B in a few weeks

        1. The Tinkerman
          • 10 Years
          8 months, 18 days ago

          Yeah I think Isak and Saka both start this week, Isak may get another rest before the next IB though, if it weren’t for that I’d be pretty tempted. Prefer Saka to Gyok.

      2. Gazza2000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 months, 18 days ago

        A, Isak too much a rotation risk for me

        1. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          8 months, 18 days ago

          This, avoid injured, injury prone players

        2. The Tinkerman
          • 10 Years
          8 months, 18 days ago

          Yeah, probably right, I think after IB, based on slot comments he should be at the start of a long run in the team. At the back of my mind also is that he is quite injury prone historically. Still tempted to take the risk though.

          Biggest weakness of WC template is no Liverpool imo.

          1. Cold Palms
            • 1 Year
            8 months, 18 days ago

            Which ones from Liverpool are worth the risk right now tho and Salah way off form

    6. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 18 days ago

      Made my moves last night, TC Haaland or not?

      Sanchez
      Porro/Neco/Dorgu
      Bruno/Foden/Semenyo/Kudus/Reijnders
      Haaland/Pedro

      Dubravka/Munoz/Gudmundsson/Kroupi

      1. Gazza2000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 months, 18 days ago

        Do it

      2. aleksios
        • 10 Years
        8 months, 18 days ago

        Why not.

      3. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        8 months, 18 days ago

        Got for it while the non owners rip teams up to get him in

      4. OneTeamInBristol
        • 2 Years
        8 months, 18 days ago

        This will be the last week for a while where you will gain rank rise with Haaland triple captain. 100% do it.

    7. MJF
        8 months, 18 days ago

        Another Pro Pundit wildcard draft. Jesus. I think I’ll stop coming on this site except to look at team news and members area. The articles - even by someone who is a good writer like LR - are almost exclusively worthless filler now.

        1. mookie
          • 12 Years
          8 months, 18 days ago

          I enjoy reading the thought processes leading to decisions. Couldn't care who they sell and who they buy, only care about the thought process behind it. Might steal some ideas and use them in my decision making process.

          I know most on here see things differently, as in "A or B?" Which basically means the answer is 100% vs 0%, but most decisions are something like this: 55% vs 45%, or 40% vs 30% vs 30%.

          1. The Knights Template
            • 12 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            I don’t make any decisions before two glasses of fine Semillon!

        2. Naatie
          • 1 Year
          8 months, 18 days ago

          just as worthless as these posts. No one is forcing you to read the articles or are you one of those serial ranters blinded by cc hate

          1. MJF
              8 months, 18 days ago

              I pay - unlike you - for the content that used to be good here. Its not anymore. Paying customers are allowed a view.

        3. SARRFACE
          • 14 Years
          8 months, 18 days ago

          On WC, would you do this:

          Semenyo to Enzo & Pedro to Gyok

          Or just leave it?

          Breaking the template a bit

          1. aleksios
            • 10 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            Keep Semenyo.
            Get Gyok next week.

          2. MJF
              8 months, 18 days ago

              What are the other moves?

              I don’t rate Pedro even though I own him.

              1. SARRFACE
                • 14 Years
                8 months, 18 days ago

                Raya (Dub)
                VVD Senesi VDV (Gudmundsson, Guehi)
                Mbuemo Kudus Reijnders Semenyo (Stach)
                Pedro Halaand Richarlson

                4.7 ITB

              2. g40steve
                • 8 Years
                8 months, 18 days ago

                Sword & Shield 😉

            • Gazza2000
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              leave it

            • Ausman
              • 2 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              Leave

            • g40steve
              • 8 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              Do you watch the games?

              1. SARRFACE
                • 14 Years
                8 months, 18 days ago

                I watch when possible but definitely not enough for the eye test.

          3. aleksios
            • 10 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            Gtg here? Anything worth a hit?
            3.1itb.

            --Petrovic
            --Timber--Saliba--Konsa--VDV
            --Palmer--Semenyo--Reijnders
            --Rich--Haaland--Gyokeres

            --Dubravka--Ndoye--Dorgu--King.

            Thanks guys.

            1. Onanawhatsmyname
              • 2 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              Palmer to Salah? Konsa to Esteve to facilitate.

          4. g40steve
            • 8 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            TC this week?

            Sels
            Cucu, Senesi, VDV,
            Salah, Semenyo, Kudus, Reijnders,
            Pedro, Haaland, Richarison

            Dubs, Statch, Gudmund, Guehi,

            .5

            1. Weasel Boy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              If fit then yes

            2. Gazza2000
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              I would

            3. Jönny
              • 16 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              Aye

          5. Onanawhatsmyname
            • 2 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            On a WC;

            A) Wirtz, Grealish Mitoma
            B) Bruno, Ndiaye, Minteh

            1) Gvardiol, Gabriel
            2) VVD, Timber

            1. Moon Dog
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              8 months, 18 days ago

              B1

            2. Drizzle
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 2 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              B2

              1. Drizzle
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 2 Years
                8 months, 18 days ago

                Sorry I meant B1!

          6. Kodap
            • 8 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            I know Haaland is flagged but how does this look? Adequate bench cover if he is indeed out..

            Donnaruma
            VVD - Romero - Gabriel
            Semenyo - Kudus - Gakpo - Grealish - Reijnders
            Haaland (c) - Joao Pedro

            Dubravka - Wood - Munoz - Gudmondsson

            1. Weasel Boy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              Nice team

              1. Kodap
                • 8 Years
                8 months, 18 days ago

                Thanks mate

          7. Powers106
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            I have 1 FT and was thinking one of the following, just wonder which you would do or hold? I have VdV already. Thanks!

            Cucurella to
            A. Porro
            B. Romero
            C. Timber

            Or Bowen to:
            A. JP
            B. Richarlison

            1. Powers106
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              My Team for info:

              Sels (Dubravka)
              Cucurella - VdV - Senesi (Rodon - Guehi)
              Rejinders- Semenyo - Anderson - Salah - Ndiaye
              Bowen - Haaland c (Guiu)

              1. Four Letter Wirtz
                • 10 Years
                8 months, 18 days ago

                Cucurella to ARS defender sounds good, especially because you have a Salah+Haaland team, so cash is probably tight and Cucu>Timber will free up some funds.

                But maybe just leave it for next week when ARS fixtures turn.

          8. FC Hakkebøf
            • 9 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            A) Saka, Ndiaye and Reijnders
            B) Bruno, Ndiaye and Kudus
            C) Foden, Cunha and Ndiaye

            1. Powers106
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              They all look like good options, probably A.

          9. Jönny
            • 16 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            Got my defence right for this week?

            Starting: VDV, VVD, Munoz
            Bench: Gudmondson, Truffert

            1. HaffNanner
              • 8 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              Yes

              1. Jönny
                • 16 Years
                8 months, 18 days ago

                Ta!

          10. The Philosopher
            • 5 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            Pick one

            A: WC
            B: TC Haaland(and wildcard during IB)

            1. HaffNanner
              • 8 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              B

            2. antis0cial
              • 10 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              B unless your team is horrible.

          11. HaffNanner
            • 8 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            Need to free up some cash for Arsenal players GW7

            A. Salah > Xavi this week
            B. Salah > Fernandes next week

            Petrovic
            VVD Porro Munoz
            Salah Semenyo Reijnders KDH
            Haaland Pedro Mateta
            Dubravka Gudmunsson Ekdal King

            1. Moon Dog
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              8 months, 18 days ago

              B

          12. timPgoodwin
            • 11 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            Foden or Fernandes for Palmer? I like Foden, I think his ability to haul is better than Bruno

            1. x.jim.x
              • 11 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              Bruno is one missed pen away from 3 double-digit scores in 5 weeks

            2. Gizzachance
              • 11 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              Fodens ability to be benched or reduced minutes is also greater than Bruno’s

          13. FantasyClub
            • 5 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            What’s the news on Doku?
            Not injured is he?

          14. The Tinkerman
            • 10 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            So tempted by this top heavy WC 😀

            Just don’t think I can trust Isak enough, albeit he definitely starts this week, and I think post-IB I’ll want him. Injury prone though.

            Raya
            Gab, Senesi, Andersen
            Bruno, Semenyo, Ndiaye, Reijnders
            Haaland, Isak, Gyok

            Dubr; Stach, Alderete, Rodon

            1. HaffNanner
              • 8 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              Like it. Go for it

          15. korojmeister
            • 14 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            A) Bruno & Gyokeres
            or
            B) Eze & Isak

            1. antis0cial
              • 10 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              A

              1. korojmeister
                • 14 Years
                8 months, 18 days ago

                thx mate

          16. hnmfm
            • 13 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            Why is Isak not expected to start?

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              Where did you hear this?

              1. hnmfm
                • 13 Years
                8 months, 18 days ago

                Predicted line ups page

          17. afsr
            • 9 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            1) Gakpo -> Bruno/Mbeumo/Kudus for a -4, yay or nay?

            2) If nay, bench one out of:
            Grealish, KDH (WHU)
            Gyokeres (new)
            Gakpo (cry)

          18. afsr
            • 9 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            Oh 1 could also be Foden

            1. afsr
              • 9 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              Sorry, reply fail

          19. Fernandito
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            On WC:
            A Gyokeres Kudus Petrovic
            B Richarlison Foden Raya

            1. denial
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              B is more fun for next few weeks

          20. Gizzachance
            • 11 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            Not seeing many spurs def on wc,s, still have some good fixtures

          21. antis0cial
            • 10 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            Which mid to add to this midfield please; Semenyo Gakpo Grealish Reijnders

            A) Bruno
            B) Foden
            C) Mbuemo
            D) Doku
            E) Kudus
            F) Saka + Doku/Kudus (means a -4 and losing Gakpo)

          22. BobB
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            Is Haaland ok to play?

            1. The Tinkerman
              • 10 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              He has been pictured in training as normal

          23. The Tinkerman
            • 10 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            A) Stach, Gyokores (343)
            B) Foster, Saka (352)

            Both the cheapies are bench fodder and work for BB8… B is 0.3m more expensive.

          24. Fernandito
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            8 months, 18 days ago

            Who do you bench out of these?

            Bruno Foden Reijnders Semenyo Ndiaye
            Haaland J Pedro Richarlison

            1. Four Letter Wirtz
              • 10 Years
              8 months, 18 days ago

              It"s tough... so many good fixtures this week. But I'd bench Ndiaye, only because "competent" West Ham might show up.