Pro Pundits - Tom
12 September 2026 1310 comments
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In his latest article, five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman shows us his Gameweek 4 Wildcard squad.

He also discusses some of the main decisions to be taken.


BRUNO F OR HAALAND, BUT NOT BOTH

As I plan to Bench Boost in Gameweek 5, including both Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) and Erling Haaland (£15.5m) in my squad isn’t really an option, given the need for depth.

I’ve been going back and forth on which player to include throughout the week.

In my video with Joe on Tuesday, I was really keen on a ‘no-Haaland’ draft, which looked like this:

However, since then, I’ve switched to Haaland, in part due to captaincy.

GameweekNo Bruno F captaincy planNo Haaland captaincy plan
4Palmer (HUL)Palmer (HUL)
5Haaland (SUN)Fernandes (ful)
6Palmer (BOU)Palmer (BOU)
7Haaland (IPS)Fernandes (lee)
8Palmer (TOT)Fernandes (BOU)
9Haaland (BHA)Palmer (MUN)
10Haaland (nfo)Fernandes (AVL)
11Haaland (FUL)Palmer (LEE)

The ‘no-Haaland’ captaincy plan actually looks okay until Gameweek 7, but after that, it doesn’t look quite so robust.

Now, Manchester City play Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain just before Gameweek 7, so Haaland could of course be rested, but I’m hesitant to rely on that assumption, as he may very well start, too.

I do have three free transfers banked, which opens up another route to bring Haaland in. However, restructuring my squad so soon after a Wildcard doesn’t quite feel right.

This is why I am now leaning towards including Haaland.

Dropping Fernandes admittedly doesn’t feel great, especially with Fulham away next week, but it was always the plan to Bench Boost in Gameweek 5 and spread the funds, so I’m just going to see how it plays out.

BENCH BOOST OPTIONS


1,310 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. ALegendJ
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Any Fulham fans here can tell me best defender to go for?

    Full-backs seem at risk of possible rotation and Bassey no attacking threat and no defcon

    1. Henry Paradise
      1 month, 15 days ago

      There D is terrible, stay away

      1. ALegendJ
        1 month, 15 days ago

        I'm on WC, happy to have one on the bench until GW6

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I'm looking at Robinson for GW6 WC...

      1. ALegendJ
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Yes I am on WC4 now, with an eye on 6. Not worried about Robinson minutes?

    3. Nico.
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Not a fan but an avid researcher. The first choice backline is the one that has been starting the last 2 league games, with new signing Affengruber expected to either replace Andersen, or together in a back 5 (unlikely given it’s Arbeloa).

      FPL wise, only Robinson holds any appeal as decent at both defcons and attacking threat. Know nothing about Affengruber so will need you to enlighten me on that 😉

      1. ALegendJ
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Well, Robinson seems the best but rotation worry, but I also like Castagne especially the dressing room issue with Tete. But I also can see that this dressing room issues also might give Tete a start over Castagne (like Arbeloa says, ok, you complained, go show me you deserve to start) kinda thing especially he played well in the EFL cup.

        Bassey feels too boring for me especially he offers almost no upside, although he looks secured for minutes, but I would still not 100% trust his minutes given Arbeloa might tinker given the results. Wouldn't go for neither Andersen or Affengruber (probably will start next game) at this point

        My gut says go for Castagne but I know I will regret not going Robinson especially he'll be the one most people will go for in 6.

        1. Nico.
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Robinson looked a rotation threat in preseason, but seems to have nailed the spot now (in a very small sample size) as Arbeloa sees Sess as more of a LW than a LB. Don’t hold me against it 😆 but I’m pretty sure Robinson starts every game when fit.

          1. ALegendJ
            1 month, 15 days ago

            Thanks for the reply.

            Tough decision, go for Castagne based on gut, or go for Robinson and if it goes bad, blame Nico

            1. Nico.
              1 month, 15 days ago

              😆 all the best mate

  2. Kane Train
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Thoughts on this Wildcard team??

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori / Hall / Konsa
    Bruno F / Palmer / Rogers / Groß
    DCL / Haaland / J.Pedro

    Bench: Steele, Slater, Egan, Thomas

    1. Pep Roulette
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Wow. Amazing.

    2. Deer-in-headlights
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      This is about the first Haaland-Bruno and three Chelsea attacker draft I've seen on here. I made one, too, but scrapped it because I couldn't fit Ode in without having Mylenko as my third defender. Well done

    3. Klopp it
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Brillant fitting all that in, my only concern is you will have to start gross every week

    4. Conners
      1 month, 15 days ago

      It looks great at first glance and should do well provided Konsa keeps his place and Calafiori doesn't get too many pre-60 min subs.

      I moved away from a budget bench on WC however. The real value is in the 5.0m DC defenders which you can rotate with Gros.

  3. HellasLEAF
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Bench one for De Cuyper:

    Wissa
    Gvardiol
    Shade

    1. DeSelby
      1 month, 15 days ago

      G

    2. jonnybhoy
      1 month, 15 days ago

      C

  4. marpy016
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Any changes to this starting lineup or G2G?

    Kinsky
    Calafiori - Muharemovic - Hall
    Bruno - Rogers - Gross - Elanga
    Haaland - DCL - Pedro (c)

    Verbruggen - Tzolis - Ajaer - Diop

  5. Yankee Toffee
    1 month, 15 days ago

    FFS has Foden starting but most of the press do not. Thoughts?

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/team-news

    1. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Think most of Man City’s mids come with an asterisk for now

  6. OutofShorts
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Ultimately my WC comes down to…
    A. Barry/Saka/Gros
    B. Isak/Odegaard/Gomez
    + Single keeper option
    1.Kinsky
    2. Verbruggen

    1. Bill Car
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B2 - all day

  7. Bill Car
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Play DCL or Schade?

  8. squ1rrel
    1 month, 15 days ago

    WC locked in...

    Hornicek
    Calafiori - Konsa - Hall
    Palmer - MGW - Rogers - Odegaard
    Haaland - Isak - JP

    Dubravka - Egan - Slater - Thomas

  9. Tabasco
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Which would you do:

    A) Semenyo to Rogers
    B) Bruno and Calvert-Lewin to Rogers & Isak
    C) Save transfers

    1. The Philosopher
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I'm doing A.

  10. krnasdf
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Raya & Sangare or Kinsky & Szobo?

  11. SpaceCadet
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Best Liverpool mid on Fh?

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Szob

  12. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    1 month, 15 days ago

    FH locked and loaded. Putrid defense, but what can you do.

    Verbruggen
    Konsa | Mitchell | van Ewijk
    (P)almer | Rogers | Saka | Szob
    Haaland | Isak | JP

    Dubravka, Hemmings, Thomas, Ajayi

  13. JT11fc
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Start Kinsky or Trafford?
    Playing Muharemovic already

  14. Ohh1454
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Currently own Mbeumo and Bruno with plan to WC after GW5, Considering next two weeks of fixtures is it worth moving to Rogers/Palmer, considering United having Fulham next. Thanks

    1. sunzip14
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Have those two as well and also thinking to move one of them. But difficult decision as I already have Palmer. In your position, I would try to get Palmer.

    2. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Do you have to WC after GW5? You could keep your United assets a bit longer.

  15. JasonG123
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Gomez or GroB on WC?

    1. jonnybhoy
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Gross

    2. LarryDuff
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Gomez

    3. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      1 month, 15 days ago

      If its your 8th attacker, then Gomez. If its a 7th attacker or a rotation option then GroB

    4. Conners
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Gros is nailed for minutes long term, takes free kicks, corners and likely pens too.

      Gomez is a short term punt imho.

  16. jonnybhoy
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Is silva of Bouremouth not a better option on WC than Muhremovic/Vuskovic? Better fixtures and arguably better defence?

  17. D_R_S_PORT_S
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Yeremy pino (IPS) or, Gomez ( cov) on FH ?

    1. sunzip14
      1 month, 15 days ago

      G

    2. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I'd back Pino for the home fixture.

  18. sunzip14
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Better transfer? Have 3FT and 1m itb.
    My other mids are: Palmer, Semenyo, Tzolis
    Forwards are: Isak and J Pedro (Simms)

    A) Bruno F > Saka
    B) Mbeumo > Odegaard
    C) Others (Please suggest)

    1. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I'd sooner sell Semenyo. As you have Tzolis already, I'm not sure there is a need for another Arsenal attacker for Sunderland away. You could just save another FT.

  19. Ryan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Who should I start for a defensive and attacking spot. I am currently on A2 with the hope Coventry do well at home.

    Defender
    A. Thomas (BHA)
    B. Gvardiol (mun)

    Attacker
    1. Gomez (cov)
    2. DCL (NEW)

  20. SpaceCadet
    1 month, 15 days ago

    On fh - odegaard or gros?

    1. RICICLE
      1 month, 15 days ago

      odegaard

  21. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    is it a good move or not a good move to transfer Bruno-->Palmer ?
    also, have Mbeumo--should I play Groβ and bench Mbeumo?

    1. Rickys Crew
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Short Term I think it's good, as long as you've got a way back.

  22. Rickys Crew
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Morning.
    On free hit and struggling to decide between 1) Odergaard & Groß or 2) Szobozlai & Gomez

    1. Pomp and Circumstance
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      1

    2. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I think the second option. At least it has one home game.

  23. Klopp it
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Hi everyone
    How this wildcard looking?
    GTG

    Verbruggan
    Konsa, Vušković, calafiori
    Mbeumo, Palmer, szoboszlai, gross, odegaard
    Pedro, haaland

    Bench, kinksy, Barry Muharemović, hall

    1. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Its a very strong bench and a solid squad. Do you have a BB available?

      1. Klopp it
        1 month, 15 days ago

        I don't, my bench boost been played, I can't downgrade the bench and upgrade the whole team, but too what?

    2. Skogen89
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I dont like so much money on the bench. Your team looks good and can pry roll a few transfers.

    3. Conners
      1 month, 15 days ago

      It's very similar to mine, but your bench is OTT unless you're planning BB.

      If not, I'd lose Barry and Verbruggen and keep the charge for tweaks later.

  24. Skogen89
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    On wc

    Kinsky
    Calafiori - Konsa - de cuyper
    Palmer - Szoboszlai - Rogers - Odegaard
    Haaland - Isak - JP

    Dubravka - hall - Slater - Thomas

    This or dowgrade szob to barnes and then slater to gomez/ or thomas to 4.5 def (mitchell, Mykolenko, Justin or Jahr cunha)

    1. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I think you have it right not assuming you don't have a BB available.

      1. Ryan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        1 month, 15 days ago

        *right now

      2. Skogen89
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Yeah used my bb

    2. Conners
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Can you afford Vuscovic over DeCuyper?

      Mitoma is likely to return after the IB so Vuscovic is likely to be the better option on WC.

      1. Skogen89
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 15 days ago

        0.1 away from vusco

  25. The Philosopher
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Ryan is in the mood this morning.

  26. Holmes
    1 month, 15 days ago

    decision time

  27. NZREDS
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Right, time to settle in behind the couch for the night as a non Palmer owner!

    1. Holmes
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Afraid of not having him?

      1. NZREDS
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Bigtime

        1. Holmes
          1 month, 15 days ago

          For whatever reason, I'm pretty relaxed. Not having Haaland vs Coventry was more difficult.

  28. Holmes
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Team value 99.9, bam!

  29. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    who to bench (8th attacker) from: Mbeumo, Tzolis, Groβ?
    and should just go for it with Bruno-->Palmer?

    1. Holmes
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I have Mbeumo on bench. I wouldn't do Bruno to Palmer. Try to upgrade Mbeumo instead?

    2. NZREDS
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I’m keeping Bruno for Fulham, Pedro (C) this week

      1. Jebiga
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Fulam can not be that shete all the time

    3. Lav
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Keep Bruno until international break. Probably bench Mbeumo since I dont fancy double United attack this week

  30. Jebiga
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Who to bench?

    1. Dcl
    Or
    2. Cherki
    Or
    3. Tzolis
    ?

    1. Lav
      1 month, 15 days ago

      3

      1. Jebiga
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Hm... Interesting. Any reason why?
        I currently put dcl on the bench 🙂