Blank and Double Gameweeks can define your Saudi Fantasy season, and getting your chip strategy right is often the difference between gaining rank and falling behind.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly when the upcoming blanks and doubles take place, what they mean for your squad, and how to plan around them effectively.
Our expert also shares his key tips on when to deploy your chips, helping you maximise points across the run-in.
- READ MORE: Saudi Fantasy: Round 27 team reveals
WHEN ARE THE BLANKS + DOUBLES?
Before diving into strategy, it’s important to understand the schedule. @SPL_Khalil has kindly provided a fixture chart to help map everything out.
As it stands, some Gameweeks are already confirmed, while others remain uncertain. Gameweek 27 will be a Double Gameweek for six teams. Gameweek 28 is slightly more complex, with five teams blanking, while three sides play twice. Then in Gameweek 29, we see a major swing, with 10 teams set to blank.
There is some help on the way for managers, though. @SPLfantasy have confirmed that five free transfers will be available ahead of Gameweek 29, which should make navigating the blank far more manageable.
The biggest uncertainty right now is where the remaining doubles will land. Six teams are expected to play twice, either in Gameweek 31 or 32, with confirmation likely in the coming days.
With a clearer picture of the schedule in mind, we can now turn our attention to @Amerzaben1’s tips on how best to approach it.
GAMEWEEK 27
Preferred chips:
- Park The Bus
- Two Captains
Gameweek 27 presents a strong opportunity to deploy chips, with several top sides playing twice:
PARK THE BUS
Managers with strong defensive coverage should consider activating Park The Bus.
Ideally, this includes defenders from:
- Al Ahli
- Al Hilal
- Al Ittihad
There is also scope to include an Al Nassr defender, given their favourable fixture against Al Najma.
Recommended options:
- Roger Ibañez
- Danilo Pereira
- Theo Hernandez
- Kalidou Koulibaly
- Mohamed Simakan
- Nathan Zeze
TWO CAPTAINS
If defensive coverage is limited, Two Captains offers a strong alternative.
Best Candidates:
- Karim Benzema
- Ivan Toney
TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
Al Ahli – Damac & Al Fayha:
- Roger Ibañez: Key option if using Park The Bus
- Ivan Toney: Leading attacking pick and strong captain choice
- Differentials: Riyad Mahrez, Rayan Hamed
Al Hilal – Al Taawoun & Al Kholood:
- Karim Benzema: Leading captain option
- Ruben Neves, Malcom: Strong midfield selections
- Defensive options: Hernandez, Koulibaly (at least one recommended)
Al Ittihad – Al Hazm & Neom:
- Youssef En-Nesyri: Strong option against weaker opposition
- Pereira: Viable Park The Bus pick, though suspension risk should be monitored
- Safer defensive options: Hassan Kadesh, Ahmed Sharahili
NEOM – Al Fayha & Al Ittihad:
A challenging double, though Alexandre Lacazette and Nathan Zeze still offer potential.
Al Fayha – NEOM & Al Ahli:
A difficult set of fixtures. Fashion Sakala and Remeseiro appear to be the most viable options.
Al Kholood – Al Khaleej & Al Hilal:
Another tough double. With Enrique unavailable for the first fixture, Bahebri emerges as a budget option.
GAMEWEEK 28
PARK THE BUS
Managers with defensive coverage from Al Nassr and Al Qadsiah may consider deploying Park The Bus.
Options
- Mohamed Abu Al Shamat
- Mohamed Simakan
- Inigo Martinez
- Nacho Fernandez
- Francisco Calvo
TWO CAPTAINS
Strong attacking options include:
- Julian Quinones
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Joao Felix
LOAN RANGERS
Loan Rangers becomes a viable strategy, particularly for managers planning ahead for Blank Gameweek 29.
If sufficient Gameweek 29 players are already owned, alongside five free transfers, Free Hit can be used here while still navigating the blank effectively.
SUGGESTED LOAN RANGER PICKS
Goalkeepers:
- Koen Casteels
- Bento
Defenders:
- Simakan
- M. Abu Al Shamat
- Martinez
- Nacho
- Calvo
Midfielders:
- Quinones
- Felix
- Kingsley Coman
- Nandez
- Sadio Mane
- Gini Wijnaldum
- Khalid Al-Ghanam
Forwards:
- Ronaldo
- Mateo Retegui
WILDCARD
Wildcard is an option for managers lacking coverage from Al Nassr, Al Qadsiah, Al Ettifaq, or in-sufficient Gameweek 29 players, particularly from Al Taawoun.
However, if Free Hit remains available, it may be more effective to delay Wildcard until after Gameweek 29.
Suggested structure:
Goalkeepers:
- Casteels
- Kewin
Defenders:
- M. Abu Al Shamat
- Simakan
- Calvo
- Mohammed Mahzari
- Optional: Damac or Al Riyadh defenders
Midfielders:
- Quinones
- Felix
- Wijnaldum
- Biel
- Giorgos Masouras/Kostas Fortounis (bench options for Gameweek 29)
Forwards:
- Roger Martinez
- Leandro Antunes
- Joshua King
- Optional: Retegui
GAMEWEEK 29
Gameweek 29 presents a significant challenge, with multiple teams not in action.
Best approach:
- Use Loan Rangers if available
- Retain five free transfers for the upcoming Double Gameweeks (Gameweek 30 or 31)
Managers without Loan Rangers will be supported by the allocation of five free transfers, allowing them to build a competitive squad.
KEY PICKS
Goalkeepers:
- Mailson
- Kewin
Defenders:
- Mahzari
- Jamal Harkass
- Yoann Barbet
- D. Al Anazi
- Muteb Al Mufarrij
Midfielders:
- Valentin Vada
- Fortounis
- Moura Batna
- Masouras
- Tozé
Forwards:
- Martinez
- King
- Antunes
FINAL THOUGHTS
There is no single optimal strategy. Chip usage should be shaped by your current squad, your coverage across upcoming blanks and doubles, and your long-term planning.
Managers who prepare early, remain flexible, and adapt to new information will give themselves the best chance of maximising returns during this period.
