Pro Pundits - Tom
12 September 2026 1310 comments
avfc82 avfc82
Share:

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

    Anyone else Captaining Haaland (even with Rogers and Pedro)?

    1. Don Be Zeelly
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Captaining Bruno over Haaland and Pedro.

    2. Boberella
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Yes

    3. mr_jones
      1 month, 15 days ago

      yes, hull looks solid in defense

  2. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Rogers TC my biggest gamble since Antonio TC lol

    1. La Roja
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I’m going with Isak (TC)

    2. Steve McCroskey
      1 month, 15 days ago

      That is rogue. Think he'll outscore JP but not Palmer

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 15 days ago

        In one match it can land either way.

  3. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Kinsky vs. Verbruggen giving me a headache!

    1. Ze_Austin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Verbruggen plays for a defence that's already good and predictable

    2. TheBiffas
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Verbruggen surely

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

      same, both projected to score the same amount of points looking at the projections, clean sheet odds don't help either as both teams sitting on the the same percentage odds. proper 50/50 call. Toss a coin for me.

    4. ebb2sparky
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Most likely scenario is both concede. If forced id probably start kinsky as i think coventry will get their first win this weekend.

  4. Steve McCroskey
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Bench 1:

    A. Tzolis
    B. Gross
    C. DCL

    1. Ze_Austin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Big Dom

    2. TheBiffas
      1 month, 15 days ago

      C

    3. ebb2sparky
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I disagree with the above. Newcastle defence looks ropey so I'd start DCL. Not sure who to bench from the other two though!

  5. BR510
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Foden to:
    1. Odegaard
    2. Szobo
    3. Stach
    4. Other who?

    1. Ze_Austin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      That order

    2. TheBiffas
      1 month, 15 days ago

      2

  6. BR510
    1 month, 15 days ago

    TC Palmer?

    1. Ze_Austin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Sure

  7. Who Ate All Depays?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Guys any suggestion to lock WC?

    X, Dubravka
    Cala, Konsa, Hall, Cuyper, Mendy
    Palmer, Rogers, Szoboszlai, X, X
    Haaland, Pedro, X

    A) Hornicek, Ode, Mbeumo, Barry
    B) Hornicek, Ode, Yalcouye, Isak
    C) Raya, Mbeumo, Gross, Barry

    1. Statulis
      1 month, 15 days ago

      C for me for sure.

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I like A or B

    3. TheBiffas
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B but would rather Trafford

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

      B

    5. mr_jones
      1 month, 15 days ago

      C if template, but i like A

  8. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    1 month, 15 days ago

    On A at the moment. Who would you start?

    A) Barry (tot)
    B) Gakpo* (FUL)

    1. TheBiffas
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

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

      Would go A.....Spurs defence is still suspect

    3. Ze_Austin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Barry unless there's some form of news, leak or hint that Gakpo trained

  9. Ze_Austin
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Somehow ended up here:

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori De Cuyper Konsa
    (C)ole Cherki Rogers Szobo Ode
    (V)alHaaland Pedro
    .
    Tzolakis Hall Wissa Ajer

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Looks very good to me

    2. Boberella
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Great team. Thats a BB this week!

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

    Barcola worth a punt on WC or play safe with Szob?

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

      *meant FH

    2. TheBiffas
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Definitely worth a go on FH

    3. Ze_Austin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Should start

    4. Rbyrne95
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Yeah, go for it

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

    Play
    A) Kinsky (EVE)or
    B) Verbruggen (cov)

    I’d pick B normally but already have DeCuyper so mulling over whether a double up is too risky.

    1. TheBiffas
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

  12. vova
    1 month, 15 days ago

    as a heads up to anyone on a WC... Spurs/Newcastle defence rotates pretty well in the long term. Currently have Van Hecke/Thiaw

    1. TheBiffas
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Spenny rotation that

      1. vova
        1 month, 15 days ago

        feel like money isnt that much of an issue this year, if you don't try and fit both Haaland and Bruno in.

  13. boroie
    1 month, 15 days ago

    I need to bench two of these… which two are you benching?

    A - Hall (lee)
    B - de Cuyper (cov)
    C - Gross (cov)
    D - Wissa (lee)

    * I will have to start one of A or B
    * I will have Verbruggen in nets

    1. TheBiffas
      1 month, 15 days ago

      AD

  14. Paul W.
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Best option (already have J. Pedro):

    A) Gross > Rogers
    B) Cherki > Palmer (C)
    C) Save transfer, J. Pedro (C)

    1. TheBiffas
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

    2. boroie
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

    3. Ze_Austin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Me too, B too

    4. Paul W.
      1 month, 14 days ago

      Thanx all

  15. GROBARI
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Maybe asked a lot of times....
    Better option on WC (so looking for better long term option)?
    a) Isak
    b) Saka

    1. TheBiffas
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

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

      Isak and Long Term don’t go.

    3. Ze_Austin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I've got Odegaard Calafiori Konsa and Haaland JP Wissa in a 3-5-2, so I don't have space for either

      On WC, I don't think I would either

      If pushed, Isak because of Odegaard and co

  16. Lecky Legs FC
    1 month, 15 days ago

    On FH this GW anywhere I can upgrade or G2G?

    Alisson
    De Cupyer Konsa Khalalli
    Grob Odegaard Palmer (C) Rogers
    JP Haaland Isak (VC)

    Subs:Kinsky,Janelt,Ajer & O’Shea

    0.4m left over

    1. Ze_Austin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Looks good and covers most bases, imo

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Thanks

  17. theshazly
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Play Robertson or Leif Davis ?!

    1. Ze_Austin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Robbo

  18. Klopp it
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Who would u start?

    A. Lewis hall

    B. Leif davis

    1. Ze_Austin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Always Hall

      1. Ze_Austin
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Hallways

  19. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Start one folks??

    A- Justin
    Or
    B- Gvardial

    Cheers everyone!!

    1. Ze_Austin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Bloody Hell, this feels obvious but it isn't

      Justin's DCs and roaming CB role... City aren't great that defensively yet, and Bruno should catch them out in transition... Gvardiol could end up in the box by the 80th minute... Newcastle should score too...

      Coin toss?

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        1 month, 15 days ago

        100 percent coin toss mate!!! Been on Gvardial all week but now wondering if Justin is the better option, playing centre back should mean he gets def con too!! So really debating this decision now!!

  20. KostaK
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Start:
    a) sangare
    b) Ajer
    c) Ndiaye

  21. GoonerSteve
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Who scores better this week?

    A) Cherki
    B) Ødegaard

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

      B probably

      1. GoonerSteve
        1 month, 15 days ago

        It's probably quite close. I've got Cherki currently. Considering the transfer.

    2. fricky_
      1 month, 14 days ago

      Ø

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

    People so desperate to get Palmer in they are selling Bruno for him. Bruno plays Fulham next week and Palmer away to Brentford. Simply not worth the transfer.

    1. Royal5
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Makes sense on WC or FH. Can always get him back

    2. David Parkinson
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Let them, you benefit if you're correct.

    3. mr_jones
      1 month, 15 days ago

      would have sticked with bruno on the WC if he wasnt that expensive

    4. Hairy Potter
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Bournemouth look like they run out of steam in the second half of matches, so Chelsea may get some joy against them.

      Also FH looks an option in GW5 to target the promoted teams, Fulham and Man City have a decent home fixture.

    5. CoracAld2831
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I'm very likely wild carding in GW6 so i can always get him back on that.

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

    Any news/leaks yet that should be taken into consideration? E.g. Pool guys.

  24. damiang2233
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Is it worth playing Guehi, semenyo, Haaland and Mbeumo? Or should I bench one?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      It could be a high scoring game United are quite open at the back, and City generally go to play anyway

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

      Only Guehi would tempt a benching for me, but even then, I probably wouldn't

  25. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Is Mbuemo to Rogers, and then back next week a waste of 2 moves? Can't figure out what to do this week and not sold on FH this week

    Verbruggen
    Shaw Calafiori Kerkez
    Odegaard Bruno Mbeumo Gomez Szob
    Haaland Pedro

    Kinsky Barry Rodon OShea

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

      Yeh, just hold and hope, not worth 2 fts to do that

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Think your approach below is best, patience, thanks

    2. David Parkinson
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Yes.

  26. Calculated Risks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Toed and froed with transfers but think I'm going to stick with Haaland, Mbuemo, Cherki, Bruno for the derby.
    Hopefully Cherki starts and Hull keep defying the odds because I only own Pedro from Chelsea

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

      Very patient approach. Might pay off next week when United play Fulham.

  27. Purefection
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Saka or Szobo?

    1. David Parkinson
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Arguably the latter, this week.

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

    Bench 1

    A) Mbeumo
    B) Wissa
    C) Gross

    1. David Parkinson
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

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

      Probably Gross. Not Mbuemo

    3. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

    4. Rbyrne95
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

  29. Sid07
    1 month, 15 days ago

    On wc
    1) odegard + isak + decuyper
    2) Saka + wissa + muhare

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

      1 for me.

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

      1 - if you can fit isak in do it

  30. Ruinenlust
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Keep Tzolis or Cherki??

    1. David Parkinson
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Tzolis

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

      Long term neither, short term depends on mins