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. The Knights Template
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    A personal question if I may, which one out for Gabriel:

    A. Richards
    B. Munoz
    C. Anderson

    Thankee!

    1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Not B

    2. Jet5605
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      C. Bad fixtures and his DC points are spoilt by often conceding 2+

    3. Sir EFO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      C

    4. Mighty Duck
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      This question's getting very personal for Danes.

  2. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
    • 1 Year
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Good stuff, my Rigga

  3. ran
    • 4 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Play Diouf (H) vs Brentford or Stach (A) vs Burnley?

    1. Casual Player
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Think I'd go Diouf

  4. rainy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Price changes 7th October

    Rises:
    Gabriel 6.3
    Donnarumma 5.7

    Falls:
    Elanga 6.8
    Bernardo 6.3
    Kerkez 5.8
    Milenković 5.3
    Ebere 4.4
    Jair Cunha 4.3

    1. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Cheers Rainy

    2. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      1-0, cheers rainy

    3. Over Midwicket
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Gabriel's price getting silly

      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Less than 30% owned, will get much higher.
        Timber looks as good a pick for 400K less!

    4. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Cheers Rainy.

  5. Bggz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    WC activated
    Triple ars def too much? Rotation works ok but I’ll still have a benching headache… and I have $2.8m itb while I wait for a premium to become worth it.

    Rays, dub
    Timber, Gabriel, Munoz, Rondon, sensei
    Caicedo, minteh, semenyo, Anthony, kudos
    Haaland, mateta, bowen

    1. Casual Player
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Get Pope instead of Raya, if you really want to triple up DEF get Calafiori or Saliba, or probably better to leave it as a double and have the flexibility to move to Saka/Eze/Gyok if you want

      I have a hard time believing Raya outscores Pope by enough to justify the 0.6 extra. There's no upside at GK.

      1. Bggz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Yeah I considered pope but other than FUL I can’t see many cs compared to arsenals amazing run. I’d probably go Burn instead of one of the def. I like eze but he’s not firing or a guaranteed starter yet. The triple up is a risk but if it pays off through the next 4 it’s a lot of points.

    2. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      I'm got triple def in Gabriel Calafiori and Timber
      Perma captain Haaland, as I won't consider captaining Saka anyway, plus Arsenal goals so spread out

  6. Jet5605
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    3FT and £2.3 ITB. Thoughts on these moves? Would like to keep Gakpo for the Man U game and give Gyok another week against a leaky Fulham.

    GW8 - Raya & Andersen > Pope & Timber and roll 1 (bench Senesi)
    GW9 - Gyok & Gakpo > Saka & JP/Wolt
    GW10 - Grealish > Sarr

    Raya
    Senesi - Lacroix - Gabriel
    Gakpo - Semenyo - Paqueta - Reijnders
    Haaland - Gyok - Mateta

    Dubrav - Andersen - Gudmund - Grealish

  7. BR510
    10 months, 26 days ago

    ON WC:
    Fill the blanks -
    timber/senesi/richards/rodon/———-
    Longstaff/Saka/Enzo/Semenyo/———-
    Haaland/JP/———-

    A. Calafiori, Gordon/Foden/Mbeumo, Woltemade
    B. Calafiori, Xhaka, Isak

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Easy A right now

      1. BR510
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Best mid 8.5 and below

        1. DeSelby
          • 4 Years
          10 months, 26 days ago

          I like Sarr or Kudus. Some may like Gakpo. Paqueta has some good fixtures if you want to take a chance and also save some more money.

          1. DeSelby
            • 4 Years
            10 months, 26 days ago

            (Ismaila Sarr, not PM Sarr in case its not obvious)

    2. Jet5605
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      GK?

    3. Kingy109
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Gabriel Sarr Woltemade

  8. Miguel Sanchez
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Which Palace defender do you think is best to go with long term? Considering price, defcon and goal threat

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      I'm on lacroix as a feel like he is always defcons and some g and a
      Munoz more ga but would be just my luck to bench it all

    2. Jet5605
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      I'd say Lacroix if you want a bit of everything or maybe Guehi. Richards is best value option and Munoz is the exciting/luxury option but can go quite a few weeks without any attacking returns.

    3. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      With munoz, playing 343 is just like playing 253

    4. Over Midwicket
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Can't believe people are recommending Lacroix. Literally offers nothing over Richards and is more expensive.

      Imo it's Richards/Guehi or Munoz.

      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        10 months, 26 days ago

        More points?

  9. AAAFootball
    • 1 Year
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Cheers skonto, good article

  10. Jet5605
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Anyone know what the XGc is for both ARS and NEW in the first game after the IB?

  11. antpro26
    • 15 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Final decision on wildcard:

    A) Guehi and Senesi
    B) Richards and Burn

    Thanks!

    1. BR510
      10 months, 26 days ago

      A

    2. DeSelby
      • 4 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      easy A for me.

    3. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      A

    4. Ausman
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      A

    5. Kingy109
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Richards and Sensei and keep a little in the bank for a rainy day

    6. PremGem
      10 months, 25 days ago

      What are the 3 other defenders?

  12. BR510
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Best 8.5 and below mid??? Have saka, enzo, semenyo and Longstaff

    1. Third Eye Vision
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Kudus probably. I also like Sarr, Eze and Ndiaye, in that order, I think.

      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Based on fixtures its minteh, but i have sarr in my wc sqaud bcouse of a good rotation
        Dont care much for spurs/everton fixtures at this stage, and eze just too risky for me

    2. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Grealish but not next GW. Big attacking fish in a small pond like in his Villa days, if not his Villa pomp. Needs to impress Tuchel to have a chance of the World Cup squad.

  13. In Carrick we trust
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Hi everyone, so hopefully over the international break I pick up no injuries and if I don't I'm considering bench boosting what you think? Is it worth doing?

    Sels
    Gabriel, cucurella, burn
    Saka, semenyo, ndiaye, kudus
    Thiago, haaland, Pedro.

    Bench, dubravka, xhaka, senesi, esteve

    1. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Looks as good a time as any to do it

    2. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Yeah, go for it.

  14. Bigler
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Anything to change with this WC team? BB still to play

    Pope
    Gabriel Timber Richards
    Saka Semenyo Sarr Minteh
    Haaland JP Woltemade

    Dubravka Xhaka Senesi Andersen

    Thanks!

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      haha eerily similar to mine
      I chose bowen instead of jped, and lacroix over richards, but that is a personal choice
      Would advocate for bowen, new manager and beautiful fixtures combined with a very good player.

      My bench looks somewhat different but that is influenced by accepting 4.0 def due to bbgw1

  15. GreennRed
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    How is FPL form calculated? Seems a player could have poor points for 5 games then get 8 or 9 points for two games in a row and form looks deceptively good.

    1. mookie
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Last 4.
      Roefs 2+10+2+10=24:4=6
      Timber 11+2+1+8=22:4=5,5

      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Cheers Mookie. Explains how a few fliers could skew things, like Longstaff's 15 points in GW6.

    2. Ausman
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Form is a player's average score per match, calculated from all matches played by his club in the last 30 days.

  16. Pringle
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Who would you rather play next gw?

    A. Raya + Bruno
    B. Verbruggen + Saka

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      A

    2. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      B

    3. Ausman
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      B

  17. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
    • 1 Year
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Is there still no double game weeks in sight before chips reset? Also is it GW 15 or 16 we get the AFCON FT top up

    1. Timanfaya
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      16

    2. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      After GW15 deadline and those 5 chips can be banked for GW16 and beyond. No point in having chips saved after 15 because the transfers will be 5 for 16 regardless of how many you have before it.

    3. mookie
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Palace are playing Pool in the Carabao cup in the midweek between GW9 and GW10. If Palace go trough there might be one.

  18. akhilrajau
    • 7 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Raya [ Darlow]
    Sensei, Lacroix, Porro, Diouf, [Esteve]
    kudus, bruno, Semenyo, [Ndiaye,E.Anderson]
    Gyokeres, Pedro, Haland
    FT: 0 Bank: 0.4
    I am 2 points lesser in my mini league to get the first position. Is it better to take wildcard now?

    A. Wildcard
    B. Play 433
    C. Ndiaye -> sarr/enzo (-4)

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      B is my choice.
      I wildcarded but your squad is better than mine was, although you could make the decision if you really felt you needed to.

      Dont take the hit.

      1. akhilrajau
        • 7 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Agreed I also on dialoma. I also thought 433only as ndiaye also giving decent points but difficult fix coming and bruno also. The main concern is defenders no arsenal def etc k thanks

  19. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Is this worth a BB?

    dubravka (lee) h
    senesi (cpl) a
    vdv (avl) h
    anderson (che) h

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      could could not
      Really depends on what you feel.

      By no means a certain bench boost, but you could get a few from senesi and maybe a cs from vdv
      dubz might even get you a cs as well

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Have the funds for anderson > sarr but not sure it's worth taking a hit to BB. Might just save it for later. Thanks

        1. AAAFootball
          • 1 Year
          10 months, 26 days ago

          Yeah probably save that one.

          I worried i would have trouble so bbgw1, but honestly has been 4-5 opportuinities for a bb.

          In gw5, my bench scored half as much as my playing XI!

  20. AAAFootball
    • 1 Year
    10 months, 26 days ago

    BTW, does it trigger anyone else's oecd how the mids and fowards are not aligned when you play 4-3-3?

    Hurts my eyes to look at it

    1. Ausman
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      I'm playing a 4-4-2 and the defenders and mids don't align. I tried to manually move them so they line up, but it wouldn't let me do it 🙂
      My theory on why it doesn't align is because in a real game, normally the defenders play quite compact whereas the mids are spread out, so the graphic on FPL is designed to mimic that.

      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        10 months, 26 days ago

        I guess

        I like to play 343 just so they look nice 😆

  21. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    3FT going into GW8 and I plan to play BB, WC was played in GW6.

    Transfers I am thinking:

    Romero, Bruno, Richarlison OUT
    Timber, Enzo, Wolt IN

    Donna
    Gabriel Senesi Romero
    Bruno Saka Semenyo Reijnders
    Haaland Richi Pedro

    BB: Dubravka Stach Anderson Alderete

    Thoughts on the above or any alternatives? I could save 1 of the transfers and just go Romero and Richi to Timber and Foster

    1. Ausman
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      The 3 moves look good, but Wissa is supposed to be back after IB which may affect Woltemade. I want to get Wolt also but am holding off until we know how Eddie sets up with Wissa + Wolt.

      1. FantasyClub
        • 5 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Wissa out for longer last time I heard

        1. Weak Become Heros
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          10 months, 26 days ago

          I heard this too, a further 2 weeks I think?

      2. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Hey mate, thanks for the reply. I heard he had another set back, a further 2 weeks. Should still be ‘back’ after this IB but would imagine with a stop start pre season then injury, we might not see him eating into serious time of Wolt until the next IB?

    2. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      BB after an International break carries some risk.

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Agreed, hence I made sure I was carrying transfers into it to be ‘clean’.

        2 Brazilians out, 1 Argentine in after IB. If Palmer still out I think Chelsea have to play Enzo, same for JP. Early KO so also have potential for leaks to help out.

        Risks there for sure but I hope I have the mitigation in place.

        What do you think on the transfers in isolation?

    3. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Transfers deffo look good, but yeah, wait and see if any injuries during IB.

  22. The Final Boss
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Guys finally on a wc now and bb9. Need suggestions though.

    **** Dub
    Gabriel Senesi Rodon **** ****
    Saka Semenyo Sarr Reijnders Enzo
    Haaland DCL Pedro

    A) Raya Burn Guehi
    B) Pole Timber Munoz

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      I like pope timber munoz as timber very good, you could go lacroix instead of munoz if you wanted but really good either way

      1. The Final Boss
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Thanks , Munoz means 0itb. What about Guehi, he is so much involved than lacroix and on the end of almost every set pieces.

        1. AAAFootball
          • 1 Year
          10 months, 26 days ago

          Sorry, was looking at stats, guehi is way better than lacroix.
          Buy him
          I probably will as soon as i finish writing this (on wc)

    2. Kingy109
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      B looks close to the template GW8 wildcard make of that what you will.
      You can cheapen Munoz and keep money ITB.
      As an owner Munoz is a fun pick though

    3. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      B

    4. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      B, but either Lacroix or Guehi (I don't think the latter's goal involvements are sustainable, though).

    5. The Final Boss
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Thanks all for the suggestions. Appreciate that!

  23. The Philosopher
    • 6 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    This is one of the best GWs to WC, solely for the fact I'm off work for the next 2 weeks(though travelling next week onwards), so WCers will be privileged to get some holy advice from me. You guys are in luck.

    1. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Fill your boots below then. Cheers

    2. Ausman
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Damn dude, why didn't you tell us sooner. Already used my WC 🙂

    3. Weeb Kakashi
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      That's nice. Could you help me below?

  24. BrockLanders
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    What do you folks prefer?

    A/ Woltemade & Paqueta
    B/ Bowen & Xhaka

    1. The Philosopher
      • 6 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Woltemade and Xhaka. Next question.

      1. BrockLanders
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Ha! So uncertain on Woltemade. Feels like a transfer out in a few weeks

        1. Ausman
          • 3 Years
          10 months, 26 days ago

          Yeah, I like Wolt but not sure how it fits together when Wissa gets back. Howe seems to be hinting that they will play together, but still a wait and see for me.

  25. Cojones of Destiny
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    who ship first
    a. Bruno
    b. Reijners
    c. roll and play both

    1. Ausman
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Bruno out.

    2. Conners
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Has to be Bruno.

      Worst team, worst fixture and frees up more cash.

  26. Officer Slater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    I'm not sure who is more done, Mo Salah or Trevis Kelce.

    No swift replies expected.

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 6 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      "And I can see you years from now in a bar
      Talking over a football game
      With that same big loud opinion
      But nobody's listening
      Washed up and ranting about the same old bitter things
      Drunk and grumbling on about how I can't sing
      But all you are is mean
      All you are is mean
      And a liar, and pathetic, and alone in life
      And mean, and mean, and mean, and mean" 😉

      1. Officer Slater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Ah, grow up 😉

  27. evilfish
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Planning to BB. Have three issues and 2FT. Which issues need sorting?

    1. Richarlison. Will he even start?
    2. Mbeumo v Pool
    3. Tarkowski v City

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 6 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Don't BB

      1. evilfish
        • 10 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        I can't see a better time, with Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley on my bench.

        1. Sheffield Wednesday
          • 6 Years
          10 months, 26 days ago

          Would you bench them if not on a BB? I'll start my Sunderland defender in a back 4 and bench a mid who'd normally be one of my starters for example. Arguably Tarkowski would be on your bench this GW, and Richarlison is a mystery at this stage. Mbeumo is fine, Liverpool defence nothing to fear.

          1. evilfish
            • 10 Years
            10 months, 26 days ago

            So use my FTs to replace Tarkowski and Richarlison and I'm all good.

  28. Weeb Kakashi
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Just made a team with Salah Haaland Saka along with double Arsenal defence. In a 442.

    Petrovic
    Saliba Timber Burn Richards
    Salah Saka Enzo Sarr
    Haaland DCL

    Dubs Rodon King 4.3

    -What I like about this team is that I have my funds concentrated in a few players. So I can easily downgrade them rather than upgrading to them later.

    - Enzo Sarr DCL are decent attackers to have. Although I am missing Woltemade/Gordon, Mateta, Semenyo, Kudus. But you can't have them all

    Thoughts?

    1. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Right now, I'd much rather forego Salah than Semenyo.

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Is this possible Enzo, Burn & DCL to Caicedo, Andersen & Thiago.

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 10 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Very much mare! But prefer DCL over Thiago for the next 5. Burn too has better fixtures than Andersen.

    3. Ausman
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      IMO having Salah over Semenyo is just crazy. One guy costs 14.4M and has scored 34 points while the other costs 7.9M and has scored 66 points. So pretty much double the points for half the cost, you're just giving points away for free, and weakening the team by having to include someone like DCL instead of being able to afford Woltemade or Bowen who actually score goals.

  29. Malkmus
    • 15 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Morning all. 1FT, 6.0 ITB.
    Over next few weeks, if I do: 4.0 Gk to Pope, VDV to Mukiele, Grealish to Palmer, Reijnders to Gakpo it gives me:

    Pope (Dub)
    Gab – Senesi – Lacroix (Mukiele, Gudmindsson)
    Eze – Palmer – Gakpo – Semenyo (King)
    Haaland – Pedro – Gyokeres

    Any thoughts?

    Ta

  30. BR510
    10 months, 26 days ago

    ML rival has bowen and not set on woltemade - best 3rd forward spot on a wc with haaland and jp
    a• just go with bowen
    b• woltemade
    c• mateta
    d. stretch to isak
    e. fodder

    1. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      I went for Woltemade over Bowen - I'd like to see if the latter keeps it going first, then he may come in for JP. Newcastle have nice fixtures.