Chip Strategy
7 October 2025 169 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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In our weekly chip poll, around one in six of responders say they are planning to use their Bench Boost in Gameweek 8.

Only Gameweek 1 has proven be a more popular window to date.

In this article, we ask: is now the time to hit ‘play’ if you haven’t already?

Many of those intending to use the Bench Boost will no doubt have already made their minds up, and have tailored their squads accordingly. You’ve heard of ‘team-dependent’; this is ‘bench-dependent’.

But for those on the fence, we look at the considerations.

GAMEWEEK 8 BENCH BOOST V OTHER WEEKS

Looking at other possible windows in which you could use the Bench Boost, we’ve isolated the fixtures of Burnley, Leeds United and Sunderland above.

Why? Simply because many of our squads will contain one, two or maybe three £4.0m goalkeepers and defenders. It’s usually these type of players, ie the bench fodder, that we ‘boost’ when using the chip.

And the majority come from the newly promoted clubs. The only current £4.0m starting goalkeepers do, as do all six top-scoring £4.0m-ish defenders.

Even four of the five top-scoring £5.0m-and-under midfielders are on the books of the Premier League new boys.

Here is a quick overview of the pros and cons of Gameweeks 8, 9 and 18, when the fixtures look favourable for Burnley, Leeds and Sunderland.

 

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169 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 month, 29 days ago

    On a WC 3 Arsenal rep seems a no brainer:

    2 or 3 defence
    1 or 0 attackers

    1) Raya
    2) Gabriel
    3) Timber
    4) Calafiori

    A) Saka
    B) Gyokeres
    C) Rice
    D) Eze

    Currently on 2, 3 and B

    TiA

    1. Punned It
        1 month, 29 days ago

        23A or C. Leaning mostly towards A.

      • The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        1 month, 29 days ago

        On a WC as well....
        2
        3
        A
        Would go C if you needed the funds.

      • Malkmus
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 29 days ago

        I have Gab, Eze and Gyo, and now that Saka is confirmed on pens I'm not sure Gyo is the best option tbh. I like 2,3 and A

        1. kysersosa
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          1 month, 29 days ago

          He’s not confirmed. Think it’s still a coin toss who takes them.

      • DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 29 days ago

        I am on 2 4 and A

      • The Final Boss
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 29 days ago

        GTS..

      • EDEN THE MAN
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 29 days ago

        With Ode and Rice injuries, don't you guys think Eze could profit massively? He's squandered quite a few chances too, I reckon he comes good.

    2. BR510
        1 month, 29 days ago

        pls explain why too TIA

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          1 month, 29 days ago

          Just because

          1. Sheffield Wednesday
            • 5 Years
            1 month, 29 days ago

            great song

      • The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        1 month, 29 days ago

        On a WC

        Pope Dubs
        Senesi Guehi Andersen Timber Gabriel
        Saka Caicedo Enzo Semenyo Sarr
        Haaland Bowen Foster

        BB GW11 planned

        How is this looking? Any changes?

        1. Modest Bob
          • 6 Years
          1 month, 29 days ago

          No need to WC this imo.

        2. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          1 month, 29 days ago

          Looks great!

        3. The Final Boss
          • 8 Years
          1 month, 29 days ago

          Would prepare a team to bb sooner than pushing to gw11. Gw9 has decent bb options right after the wc so that you can get it out of the way..Even this team is a decent gw9 bb team I suppose.

          1. The Final Boss
            • 8 Years
            1 month, 29 days ago

            Also not sure on the caicedo pick.

        4. snow pea in repose
          • 5 Years
          1 month, 26 days ago

          You might also consider BB in GW16. Make sure you go into the GW with no transfers, you will be topped up to 5, making it easy planning for a BB

      • TafOnTour1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        1 month, 29 days ago

        I have a big VVDilemma, do I sell or hold?!

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          1 month, 29 days ago

          Sell

        2. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          1 month, 29 days ago

          Sell

      • TeddiPonza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        1 month, 29 days ago

        Which option is best on WC8 and BB9:

        A. KDH/Stach (8th attacker), Woltemade
        B. JKing (8th attacker), Mateta

        Rest of team:

        Pope Dubravka
        Gabriel Timber Senesi Ricahards Rodon
        Saka Semenyo Kudus Sarr X
        Haaland Bowen X

      • Malkmus
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 29 days ago

        Is Pope worth 5.1? Or are Roefs, Petro, Kelleher better value?

        1. theshazly
          • 2 Years
          1 month, 29 days ago

          Hes worth it for sure
          Petrovic is a good value at 4.5 bracket

          1. Malkmus
            • 14 Years
            1 month, 29 days ago

            Cheers

        2. devil_o_rama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          1 month, 25 days ago

          Mamardashvili if you havent played your WC yet.. Guaranteed starter until November end

      • theshazly
        • 2 Years
        1 month, 29 days ago

        On WC

        Pope ( Dub )
        Timber Gabrieal Diouf ( Guehi / Guddmnssn )
        Reijnders Rice Kudus Semenyo ( Caicedo )
        Haaland JP Isak

        0.3 ITB

        Comments please lads!

        1. Tartan Brazilians
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          1 month, 29 days ago

          I like the Isak pick as not many people going for him in WC. Think he could score a few vs Man Utd

          1. theshazly
            • 2 Years
            1 month, 29 days ago

            At some point, we have to punt on him before he explodes so we can ride the train right ?

            1. Ausman
              • 2 Years
              1 month, 29 days ago

              Be careful the train isn't heading for a cliff 🙂

      • Cheeky Vimto Loftus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 29 days ago

        GW8 Would you Wildcard this team
        Sanchez/ Dubrvka
        Timber/Sensesi/ Virgil/Richards/Esteve
        Bruno F/Samenyo/Kudus/ Reijnders/E Anderson
        Haaland/ J Pedro/Mateta

        One Transfer 2.4mill in the bank
        Could do Bruno to Saka
        Virgil/Esteve to Gabriel
        Any advice greatly appreciated

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          1 month, 29 days ago

          Yes

        2. FantasyClub
          • 4 Years
          1 month, 29 days ago

          No. Dont WC

        3. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          1 month, 29 days ago

          That team doesn't need a WC, you would keep 70% of your current squad. Bring in Gabriel or Saka this week and make the other transfer next week and you should be sweet.

      • Ha.
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 29 days ago

        A. Bowen and King

        B. DCL and Paqueta

        I’ve been hurt by DCL before, but I am being tempted

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          1 month, 29 days ago

          A assuming Kings sits on the bench.

          1. Ha.
            • 10 Years
            1 month, 29 days ago

            Yes would be fodder

        2. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          1 month, 29 days ago

          A

      • BR510
          1 month, 29 days ago

          RMWCT:
          Pope/Dubravka
          Cala/Timber/Senesi/Richards/Rodon
          Saka/Longstaff/Xhaka/Enzo/Semenyo
          Haaland/JP/Isak
          And•••
          Bowen and gordon or woltemade any mid below 8.5 for a differet team

          1. BR510
              1 month, 29 days ago

              appreciate the comments. feel like isak is going to explode soon and mun,bre,avl,mci,nfo,whu,sun,lee looks like the best 8 gws possible if sub out city for wolves imo

          2. tuturututu
            • 4 Years
            1 month, 29 days ago

            BB active, thoughts?

            Petrović (cry), Dubravka (LEE)
            Timber (ful), Chalobah (nfo), Guehi (BOU), VdV (AVL), Esteve (LEE)
            Saka (ful), Doku (EVE), Semenyo (cry), Kudus (AVL), Enzo (nfo)
            Gyokeres (ful), Haaland (C) (EVE), Evanilson (cry)

            1. Punned It
                1 month, 29 days ago

                I think the Leeds and Sunderland 4.0s are better bets than Burnley. I'm not sure I'd pursue the Spurs backline. Senesi becoming nigh on essential. Doku comes with Pep Roulette, and I'd try to stretch to Woltemade over Evanilson. Downgrade Gyökeres if you can't accomodate those changes.

            2. PremGem
                1 month, 28 days ago

                Vicario (Dub)
                Gabriel Chalobah Senesi Guehi (Gud)
                Semenyo I.Sarr Caicedo Kudus Reijnders
                Haaland (JP Rich)

                BB yes or no?

              • EL tridente
                • 8 Years
                1 month, 22 days ago

                Isak and Esteve to Woltemade and Gabriel + 1.6mill in the bank?

                1. Stranger Mings
                  • 5 Years
                  1 month, 22 days ago

                  Y

                2. XX SMICER XX
                  • 7 Years
                  1 month, 18 days ago

                  Yes

              • Legohair
                • 9 Years
                1 month, 19 days ago

                Raya
                Gabriel-VVD-Munoz
                Semenyo-Reijnders-Gakpo-Gordon
                Haaland-Gyökeres-Pedro

                Dubravka, Senesi, Andersen, King

                1 FT
                A. Gakpo to Enzo
                B. Gakpo to Sarr
                C. Reijnders to Minteh
                D. Save

                1. XX SMICER XX
                  • 7 Years
                  1 month, 18 days ago

                  C or save

              • Manani
                • 14 Years
                1 month, 18 days ago

                Dub Pope
                Sensi Richard’s Gab Rodon Mukiele
                Saka Gordon Kudus Semenyo Reij
                Gyo Haaland JP

                Gtg? On BB

              • XX SMICER XX
                • 7 Years
                1 month, 18 days ago

                A. Pope
                B. Sanchez

                When which 3 defenders:
                1. Tosin
                2. Richards
                3. Diouf
                4. Anderson

                Thanks