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. Lav
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Bench 1:

    A. Tarkowski - TOT (A)
    B. White - SUN (A) [Calafiori is starting for me]
    C. Jacquet - FUL (H)

    1. La Roja
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I’d bench tarky

      1. Lav
        1 month, 15 days ago

        That was my first thought, feels wrong benching him though!

        1. Jebiga
          1 month, 15 days ago

          I fancy spurs win

      2. Jebiga
        1 month, 15 days ago

        This

  2. La Roja
    1 month, 15 days ago

    How’s she looking?

    Verbruggen
    Ferdi Mitchell Calafiori
    Semenyo Barnes Rogers Saka
    Isak(c) Haaland Pedro

    Steele Shaw Castagne Slater

    Thinking Isak (TC) tbh

    1. Lav
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Is this FH? Unique side that is good for the week. TC Isak could see you gain massively

      1. La Roja
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Nope -4 only

    2. Jebiga
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Your team is great. Not fancy TC for Haaland vs Ipswitch?

  3. SomeoneKnows
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Thoughts on the following WC?
    (0.3 itb to upgrade De Cuyper > 5m defender in the future)

    Kinsky
    Calafiori, Konsa, De Cuyper
    Palmer, Rogers, Saka, Szobozslai
    Haaland, Joao Pedro, Wissa

    (Dubravka, Hall, Egan, Slater)

    1. Lav
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Nice, feels a bit template. Why not go with Odegaard and see if you can get Isak in over Wissa somehow? Odegaard form cannot be ignored, even if Saka has pens/set pieces.

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

        He’s only had three shots in the box, averages 70ish minutes and has three aways in four. I am not sure he’ll outscore someone like KDH tbh.

  4. Jebiga
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Bottomed on last page. Please help need to drive whole day +, can not make changes later. I benched DCL currently. Who to bench?

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

    1. Lav
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Replying again, 3 for me.

      1. Lav
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Reasoning is I can see Tzolis getting hooked after 45 minutes again. Newcastle are decent under Jaissle, but DCL is on pens, its at Elland Road, and bagged midweek off bench. Cherki can provide magic against United, worth a gamble starting him in that match

        1. Jebiga
          1 month, 15 days ago

          I got your point. Thanks

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

          Tzolis got hooked because YC and almost got 2nd one vs Villa

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

            He was bullied off the pitch by Cash.

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

    Was pretty set on FH instead of WC but +0.8 and -0.3 if team reverts next week making WC seem the go. Do I really need Bruno back next week if Haaland C and Mbuemo and Maguire back as well

  6. Sid07
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Thoughts on the following WC?

    Kinsky
    Calafiori, Konsa, vuskovic
    Palmer, Rogers, Saka, Szobozslai
    Haaland, Joao Pedro, Wissa

    (Dubravka, Hall,Thomas, Slater)

    1. Holmes
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Kinsky, Szobozslai and Wissa. Rest are fine.

    2. Lav
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Similar to above, pretty template. I would be trying to get Haaland JP Isak if I was on WC

  7. Holmes
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Elvedi time

  8. Lav
    1 month, 15 days ago

    A poor FH GW3 has cost me an incredible start. Still in a decent spot, time to recover strong...

    Rushworth
    Cala White Jacquet
    Bruno Palmer(vc) Rogers Wirtz Ø
    JP(c) DCL

    Kelleher Tark Brobbey Maguire

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

    Any changes required to this starting lineup or G2G?

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

    Verbruggen - Tzolis - Ajaer - Diop

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

      I'd start Tzolis over Elanga, otherwise G2G

    2. The_FF_King
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Similar team to me. I’m nervous about not having Palmer and Isak though?

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

        Worried but not much I can do unless I play WC - want to hold until Intl break

  10. SpaceCadet
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Best option on Fh?

    A. Scott
    B. Tavernier
    C. Stach
    D. Odegaard

    1. Holmes
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Stach

      1. SpaceCadet
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Cheers. Had Ode till now, just feel it will be a low scoring game.

  11. Azool
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Is Justin nailed till Bogle returns?

    1. Holmes
      1 month, 15 days ago

      possibly yes.

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

    who would be better captain choice--Palmer or Pedro?
    (still trying to decide whether to do Bruno-->Palmer)

    1. The 12th Man
      1 month, 15 days ago

      That’s tough.
      If you have more than one FT I’d consider doing the switch

  13. BR510
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Bit of a weird one:

    1. Bruno Foden Sangare + 2FT
    2. Bruno Odegaard Sangare + 1FT
    3. Saka Rogers Foden

    1. The 12th Man
      1 month, 15 days ago

      In 3, you’re using 2 FT’s and still keeping Foden? Doesn’t seem right now that City have even more midfielders.
      If you have Palmer, I’d do option 2.

      1. BR510
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Got Palmer and pedro

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

      2

  14. The 12th Man
    1 month, 15 days ago

    On WC.
    A) use the left over 2.7m to upgrade someone. If so who?
    B) keep the money in the bank. Would have the option to move Palmer > Fernandes (c) next week v Fulham.

    Would be
    Kinksy
    Calafiori,Konsa,Muhavmovic
    Palmer,Rogers,Odegaard,Groß,Szobo
    Haaland,J.Pedro

    4.0,Hall,Barry,Mendy. 2.7m itb 3FT’s

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

      Keep the flexibility

    2. BR510
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I like B

    3. Conners
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I have the same team and plan, except an extra 5.0m def instead of Barry.

      Keep the money ITB for sure.

  15. Pablo613
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Odegaard+Isak
    or
    Saka+Wissa?

    1. The 12th Man
      1 month, 15 days ago

      O + I

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

      A

    3. Gizzachance
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Same dilemma! Isak best for this week, Wissa next few fixtures are better
      Plus ode an Isak not on pens ?

      Wissa no Europe, already seen isak earlier subs, or when pool in front etc

      1. Pablo613
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Yes, exactly

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

    Underperforming Liverpool mids are better than Odegaard and Tzolis on FH, right? Really need a kick start in my ML

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori, Konza, De Cuyper
    Palmer (c), Morgan, Wirtz, Szoboslai
    Haaland, JP, Isak

    Steele, Davis,Slater, Thomas

    1. The 12th Man
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Probably.
      50/50 call.
      Wirtz for one week only could be good.

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

      I wouldn't have Wirtz, he played 90 in midweek, I wouldn't be surprised if he got benched given his mediocre form.

      1. Conners
        1 month, 15 days ago

        I'm hoping Szob gets moved to the number 10 position, with MacAllister & Gravenberch in central MF.

        With pens, he'd become a viable captaincy pick if that happened.

  17. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Good morning! Quick question.... If I wildcard do I keep my free transfers for the next week. I have 3 ft

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

      Yes

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

      Yes.

    3. Holmes
      1 month, 15 days ago

      you will have 3FTs next week again.

  18. Heavy Cream
    1 month, 15 days ago

    G2G? Trying to save transfers…. Is this good enough or need to use a WC / FH?

    Verbruggen
    Aina Calafiori DeCuyper
    BrunoF Szob Tzolis Mbeumo Gomez
    Haaland (C) JPedro

    Kinsky Brobbey Shaw Diop

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

      I went for FH - worried in case Chelsea smash it but don’t want 3 of them beyond this week.

      Hoping Arsenal do ‘just enough’ and Bruno doesn’t manage more than 1 goal

      1. luke
        1 month, 15 days ago

        I was set on 3 chelsea as well, now thinking Hull will chuck in a huge bus and might not be as high scoring as hoped - mind games have started early this gw

  19. Jokesy87
    1 month, 15 days ago

    A) Maguire and Mbuemo -> Konsa and Rogers (-4pts)
    B) Maguire to Konsa
    C) Mbuemo to Rogers

    1. Under my Cucurella
      1 month, 15 days ago

      What does the rest of your team look like?

      1. Jokesy87
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Verbruggen
        Calafiori Ajer Muharamovic
        Bruno Mbuemo Tzolis Gross
        Haaland JPedro Wissa
        Subs: Kinsky, Sangare, Maguire , Diop

  20. Klopp it
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Ok, so I'm down to my final decision on my wildcard, I have szoboszlai, and I'd like isak, I have mbeumo for the Fulham game but I can downgrade him and downgrade my bench abit to get isak in, my downgrades would be verbruggan too dubravka, Vušković to diop, it's leaving my bench very thin, and I'd also be losing my man united asset,
    What do I do?

    A. Keep mbeumo with a decent bench

    B. Get isak with a weakened bench,

    I also have played my bench boost, but ifeel like 5.0 rotating Def con defenders are the way forward

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A unless you still have BB

      1. Klopp it
        1 month, 15 days ago

        I don't have bench boost, but united cover imo is worth it

  21. WaynerSpurs
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Need help with my final WC decision?

    a) Gvardiol / Gakpo / Barry
    b) 4.5m Def / Slater / Isak
    c) Gvardiol / Gross / Wissa (with money in the bank)

    Also is Enzo a decent City option?

    1. Holmes
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A but Gakpo is a doubt. So B (as long as those players will be on bench)

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

    What’s the best option for this team? this team?

    A) One of of Cherki and Mbeumo to Rogers
    B) Bruno to Rogers
    C) FH
    D) WC

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori White Thomas
    Bruno Mbeumo Tzolis Cherki
    Haaland DCL Pedro

    Kinsky Slater Egan van Erwijk

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

      *Bruno to Palmer

    2. Conners
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I'd keep Mbeumo and do Cherki to Rogers.

      Do you have any spare FTs / funds leftover to upgrade your defence? That would be next on my list.

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

        Only 1 FT and 0.4 in the bank. Cherki to Roger’s will give me more funds, maby downgrade White to Konsa next gw and gain more value

    3. Under my Cucurella
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Definitely Cherki to Rogers for me. I wish I could keep Mbuemo and get an extra Chelsea attacker but it's looking like I'll have to sacrifice him for Rogers in my team. Cherki out is a much easier call with Maresca roulette in play

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

      Cheers!

  23. Peekay
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Bench 1:
    a) shade
    b) Mbuemo
    c) Gros

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

      A

    2. #1 Arne Engels Fan
      1 month, 15 days ago

      C

    3. Under my Cucurella
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

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

    FH feels right for my team, with a good GW5 team to come back to and maybe GW6 WC.

    The changes between a GW4 and a GW6 wildcard may not be too great, and some concerns as there have been price drops and quite a lot of price rises this week.

    A. Stick to plan of FH

    B. Just wildcard

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

      A

    2. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      If your GW4 and 6 WC teams would basically be the same, then why not WC4, FH5 (presumably an even better FW5 team than your current one) then return to the WC team? Both methods use the WC and FH by GW6.

      This way you keep the value and have a striker team for GW5. Delaying WC, you gain more info. Choice is yours though.

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

        I'm thinking of this. 1.1m swing with trades made all week has me leaning WC this week instead of FH and maybe FH next week

  25. JBG
    1 month, 15 days ago

    On FH:

    A) Emi + De Cuyper
    Or
    B) Verbruggen + Konsa

    With B I'm going 3 Arse atb. (Gabriel and Calafiori)

    1. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A for me

      1. JBG
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Thanks, what im on atm

    2. Under my Cucurella
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

      1. JBG
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Thanks, what im on atm

    3. Gizzachance
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

  26. Whats the Mata?
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Choose 1: (have Calafiori + Konsa)

    A. Kinsky + Odegaard + Isak
    Or
    B. Kinsky + Saka + Barry/Wissa
    Or
    C. Raya + MGW + Barry/Wissa

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

    2. JBG
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

    3. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

  27. BR510
    1 month, 15 days ago

    1. Foden —> Odegaard
    2. Bruno Sangare —> Saka Rogers (keeps Phil Frauden, extra transfer)

    1. JBG
      1 month, 15 days ago

      2

    2. #1 Arne Engels Fan
      1 month, 15 days ago

      1

    3. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      1

  28. George Agdgdgwngo
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Can’t decide on my last WC place. Having a sub striker is essentially a waste of 0.5m as a sub defender is 4.0 not 4.5

    Who scores more out of these fixtures?

    A. Hall (Leeds A, Hull H, Cov A, Villa H, Palace A)
    B. Barry (Tot A, Ips H, Hull A, Che H, Ars A)

    1. mr_jones
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

    2. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Hall has a higher floor, But Barry has the much higher ceiling if he can get a couple of games where he manages to finish.

      I prefer Hall, but either could easily end up being better

  29. MikeLowrey
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Is this worth a -4?

    Gabriel & Schade to Konsa & Palmer

    Feel it could pay off with Captain alone

    1. Holmes
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Risky move. Both outgoing players can do well.

    2. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I think so, but it's close.

      If you're wanting to captain Palmer, then I reckon go for it

  30. mr_jones
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Bruno / Shaw to Palmer / Vuskovic?

    1. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Not for me, I'd want to keep Bruno to captain against Fulham. Have you got another option for Shaw? (Bench or transfer)

      1. mr_jones
        1 month, 15 days ago

        have two transfer or the WC, other bench options are pretty bad (Davis and Hume)